Carter and Elara stood outside her shop, exchanging warm smiles as they talked. Their conversation was lighthearted, filled with teasing and laughter.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Elara asked playfully.
Carter grinned. "Heading to city hall to meet with Gerard, the property manager. Today's the day I make the shop official."
Elara's eyes sparkled. "That's exciting! Just don't forget to charm him with that Carter magic."
He chuckled. "I'll do my best. Any last-minute advice?"
"Be confident," she said with a smirk. "And maybe bring him something nice. A little gesture goes a long way."
"Noted," Carter replied, leaning in slightly. "I'll see you later, Elara."
She smiled, her cheeks faintly pink. "Good luck, Carter."
Carter walked through the busy streets of the city, heading toward the central plaza. As he approached the fountain, he spotted a stall selling herbal tea. "Perfect," he muttered to himself. He stepped up to the vendor and ordered a cup, the fragrant aroma of the tea filling the air.
"One herbal tea," the vendor said, handing it to him.
"Thanks," Carter replied, taking the warm cup. As he walked toward city hall, he began talking to himself, his voice low and thoughtful. "Alright, Carter, what do you say to Gerard? Something confident, but not overbearing. You're buying a shop, not asking for a favor. Maybe start with an introduction and then explain why you're here. Keep it professional."
He sighed dramatically. "Why does this feel like a big performance?"
After a few minutes, Carter arrived at the grand city hall, its tall columns and intricate carvings exuding authority. He stepped inside, the cool air contrasting with the warmth outside. Glancing around, he spotted a directory and found Gerard's room listed near the second-floor offices.
He climbed the staircase, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the quiet building. Finally, he reached a door labeled "Gerard – Property Manager." Taking a deep breath, Carter knocked.
A voice called from within. "Come in."
Carter exhaled, steadying himself, and opened the door. Inside, a man sat behind a large desk, stacks of papers surrounding him. Gerard was a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and sharp, calculating eyes. His attire was practical but refined, hinting at his attention to detail.
Gerard looked up, his expression neutral. "Yes? Who are you, and what brings you here?"
Carter stepped forward, holding the cup of herbal tea. "Good morning, Mr. Gerard. My name is Carter, and I'm here to purchase a shop for my business." He set the tea on the desk. "I thought you might appreciate this while we talk."
Gerard's eyebrows rose slightly as he accepted the tea. "Well, that's a thoughtful gesture. Thank you, Mr. Carter. Please, have a seat."
Carter sat down, adjusting his posture to appear confident but approachable. "I've been building my business for a while now, and I'm ready to take the next step. I want a place where I can sell my potions, offer services to adventurers, and even create a community space for locals."
Gerard nodded, sipping the tea thoughtfully. "That's an admirable goal. Let's discuss what you're looking for. Do you have a specific type of building in mind?"
Carter leaned forward slightly. "Yes, I'm looking for something near the central plaza or close to the adventurer's guild. It needs enough space for a workshop in the back, a storefront in the front, and maybe a small garden area if possible."
Gerard flipped through a ledger on his desk. "We have a few properties that might fit those criteria. One is near the guild, a two-story building with plenty of space. Another is closer to the plaza, a bit smaller but in a high-traffic area."
"What are the prices?" Carter asked.
Gerard adjusted his glasses. "The one near the guild is 80 gold upfront, with monthly maintenance fees of 5 gold. The one near the plaza is 100 gold upfront but has lower maintenance fees."
Carter considered the options, his mind weighing the pros and cons. "The one near the guild sounds like a better fit for my needs," he said finally. "It'll attract adventurers, which is my primary audience."
Gerard smiled faintly. "Good choice. Let's finalize the paperwork."
The next half hour was spent reviewing documents, discussing terms, and ensuring everything was in order. Finally, Carter handed over the payment, sealing the deal.
Gerard extended his hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Carter. You're now the proud owner of a shop."
Carter shook his hand firmly, a grin spreading across his face. "Thank you, Mr. Gerard. I promise to make this place something special."
"I'll hold you to that," Gerard replied with a chuckle.
As Carter left city hall, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The next chapter of his journey was about to begin.
Carter left the city hall, his excitement bubbling over as he stepped onto the busy street. Unable to contain himself, he threw his arms into the air and shouted, "I DID IT!!!!" His voice echoed through the plaza, drawing amused glances from passersby. He didn't care; his joy was too overwhelming to hide.
Laughing and spinning in a little dance, Carter exclaimed, "I got the shop! I did it!" His energy was contagious, and a few nearby children giggled as they watched his celebration. Even some of the adults couldn't help but smile at his exuberance.
With renewed vigor, Carter started walking toward his new shop. As he moved through the streets, he couldn't stop talking to himself. "Alright, Carter," he said, grinning. "What are we going to put in this place? Potions, of course. That's the main draw. But what else? Maybe some rare herbs? A few magical trinkets for the adventurers. Oh! And definitely teas and remedies for the locals. Something for everyone."
He paused at a street corner, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "And flowers," he added, his eyes lighting up. "Yes, flowers! Bright, beautiful arrangements to liven up the shop and bring in people who love nature as much as I do. I can grow them myself… lilies, roses, sunflowers… maybe even something magical, like glowing blossoms for adventurers who travel at night."
Carter's mind raced with possibilities. "We'll need shelves, counters, and definitely a special section for the flowers. Maybe a little area for potted plants, too. People could even pick out a plant to take home. And I'll have a small workshop in the back to work on potions and care for the flowers. Yes, this is going to be amazing!"
A few minutes later, Carter arrived at his shop. He paused outside, taking in the sight of the building. It was a modest two-story structure with large front windows perfect for showcasing wares. The wooden sign above the door was blank for now, but Carter could already imagine his shop's name displayed proudly. The exterior was clean but needed a touch of charm, perhaps some potted plants or a fresh coat of paint.
"This is it," Carter said, his smile widening. "My shop. My dream. And it's going to be perfect."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside, the sound of the creaking wood floor echoing slightly in the empty space. Carter's eyes darted around, taking in every detail.
"Alright," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "This corner will be for the potions. Over here, I can set up the workshop. And maybe I'll put some seating near the window so people can relax and enjoy the atmosphere."
He walked toward the center of the room, spreading his arms wide. "And this area will be for the flowers," he declared. "Bright bouquets, colorful arrangements, and potted plants. I can even add a little guide for people who want to learn how to care for their flowers. A flower corner will bring warmth and beauty to the shop… and it'll remind people of how nature is always a part of us."
Carter continued to explore, his excitement only growing. "A counter here, a display case there… maybe a chalkboard for daily specials. And I could grow some of the plants myself, with a little greenhouse in the back. That way, I can have a constant supply of fresh flowers and herbs. Yes, this is perfect!"
Finally, standing in the center of the room, Carter raised his arms and yelled with pure joy, "I DID IT!!!" His voice reverberated through the empty shop, a triumphant declaration of his achievement.
As he stood there, soaking in the moment, Carter felt a deep sense of accomplishment. "This isn't just a shop," he said softly to himself. "This is a place where people will come to find something special. Whether it's a potion to help them on their journey, a plant to brighten their day, or just a moment of peace… this will be more than a business. It'll be a home for dreams."
He smiled, already imagining the bustling shop filled with customers, the scent of fresh flowers mingling with the earthy aroma of herbs and potions. "This is just the beginning," Carter said, his eyes shining with determination. "And it's going to be incredible."