“It’s getting late,” Pina said, rising from her chair. “I should get home. Thanks for teaching me manual casting today! I’ll practice all night - or at least until my mana pool is empty.”

“Oh dear, I hadn’t even realized how late it is,” Theo said, glancing up through his open roof slats to see the sky had turned an ochre with the setting sun.

“Yeah, you got a bunch of potions done though, so that’s good, right?” she asked, indicating the large assortment of filled potion bottles on the table next to him.

“It should definitely help. I’ll need to make more later, but my mana pool could use a break for now.”

“Speaking of more, can I buy a stamina potion while I’m here?”

“Sure, you can have a freshly made one if you help me carry these out to the front.”

“Ooooh, first pick,” she said, eyeing the potions appraisingly. “Sure thing, I can just load them up in my bag.”

“That would be appreciated.”

Pina loaded up her bag with most of the potions, and Theo put the rest in a small crate to carry out himself. The two spent a bit chatting while they put the potions on the shelves together - Pina insisted - and then Theo found himself behind the counter once again.

“Alright, so that’ll be 14 silvers for the potion. And… Pina, I have an offer to make you,” Theo said, meeting her eyes.

“An offer? What?”

“I’ll sell you an enchanted tool, or even set up a payment plan for it, for materials cost only. Not even labor. You told me about the muggings and it’s just… been weighing on my mind.”

She took a moment to digest this information, staring at Theo. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Theo I- I can’t accept something like that. You need to make money just as much as I do.”

“That’s why I’m offering for you to pay the materials cost at least. Here, how about you consider it from this angle. You’ll be carrying my supplies and maybe making deliveries for me, right? This way, I’m protecting my own interests too. I’d consider that a proper investment.”

She crossed her arms and shifted positions, agonizing over the choice. “...Alright. I’ll have to do the payment plan thing though. Us messengers aren’t exactly bursting at the buds with money.”

“Perfect. I already have a wand in mind. I think it’s a perfect fit for you, and even the materials aren’t too expensive,” he said, walking out from behind the counter over to where the wands were.

“What is it?” Pina asked, leaning in.

“I believe showing will be better than telling here. It’s non-lethal, I promise you. You don’t strike me as the type to want to permanently injure even a mugger.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t. They’re assholes, but I know a lot of them are just in a bad place. They always look…” She frowned. “Desperate.”

“That’s why I believe this is perfect for you. I think it’ll really… blow you away,” Theo said, whipping around to point the wand in hand at his dummy. “Gale Buffet!”

His mana ran down the wand, charging it up. Several wind blasts shot out from the tip of the wand, toppling the dummy over with a heavy thud.

Theo could have sworn he heard a cricket chirping as Pina watched in stunned silence..

She stared at him flatly. “...Right. Ahem. I kinda like that. Just knock ‘em over and run. That’s definitely my style. Can I try?”

He cleared his throat, feeling slightly embarrassed at the failed pun. He handed her the wand. “Of course. You shouldn’t even need a stardust crystal, you can power it with your own Primordial mana. It’s fairly cheap in terms of mana cost as well.”

Theo stepped away from the dummy. Pina aimed the wand. “Gale Buffet!”

Runes on the wand lit up as Pina’s mana coursed through it. Moments later, the same volley of wind blasts shot out from the tip of the wand. Her arm jerked back from the recoil, the wand flying from her hand and clattering against the floor. Theo knelt, picking the wand up and inspecting the runes. Fortunately, they weren’t damaged.

She whistled, which sounded more like a grass whistle than a human one. “Wow, that’s stronger than expected for how cheap it is.”

“That’s one of the benefits of wands - or any other enchanted tools. They help guide your mana to make the effects stronger. Though I’ve heard particularly skilled mages are good enough with manual casting to emulate that anyway.”

“Really? That sounds… tough.”

“I’m sure it is. Just setting the runes right on these wands takes me quite a bit of time.”

“How long?”

Theo tapped his chin in thought. “I’ve never really timed it I suppose. It certainly depends on the piece. Windthrow stones only take me a few minutes, but that’s because it’s a very simple setup and the runes don’t have to be perfect for the intended effect. A wand can take me up to several days of working on it off and on to finish.”

Pina regarded the wand in her hand with much wider eyes. “Several days? Theo… I can’t just take material costs for this.”

“I insist. I don’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way to save me time. Please, take it.”

“How do you keep yourself stocked? Or make enough money off of them?”

“That’s part of where the alchemy comes in. I prefer doing enchantments, and they make me more money, but potions keep people coming in. Besides, some enchantments are much quicker to make, so I can sell plenty of those. It also helps that the materials aren’t too expensive. I can enchant pebbles and sell them for a silver each. Besides, people don’t buy wands every day. I’d be out of stock if they did,” he said, chuckling.

“If you say so. How much is it for materials, anyway?”

“That particular wand is willow and treated with sylphbark resin so… about 1 gold?”

“A whole gold piece? I don’t have that kind of spending money, Theo.”

“That’s why I recommended a payment plan. Think of it this way, if you pay an additional silver or two for the stamina potions every time you buy one, it’ll be paid off in no time.”

“Huh. It’s not too bad when you put it that way. Your potions are already cheaper than anyone else’s, I should be able to afford it,” she said, tapping her lip with a finger.

“Sounds like we have a deal then. I’m all set on materials for now but I’ll probably need more in a few days, think you could stop by?”

“I’ll probably be in soon to pick up more stamina potions; you can hand me a list then. Maybe set aside some of your stuff so I know what’s best to look for? I’m literally a plant, so I don’t think it’ll be too hard for me to know what’s the best, but still.”

“Some potions use monster parts, actually. You carried some here in your bag, actually.”

If she could have turned greener, she did. “...That wasn’t just an eyeball-shaped plant you mashed up?”

“It was not. That was a noxillia eye for a night vision potion. They swim in underwater caves and use Integral magic to enhance their vision in the dark. That much mana density makes them great for potions.”

“Ew. Please tell me stamina potions don’t use monster parts,” she said, pleading with her eyes.

“They don’t. I personally prefer dramma shoots for those. Some alchemists like to use stamarant grass though, which is where the name for stamina potions came from, actually. I find it makes them too bitter and the backlash is harsher. I’ve had to make them for a customer back in Renwurd though - he was allergic to dramma shoot.”

Pina sighed in relief. “Warn me in advance if I’m ever going to buy a potion with monster parts - no, write me a list. Anyway, I’m gonna go wash my bag out. Thanks for the wand. It… means a lot that you care enough to do this for me. We only just met.”

“I may not be an adventurer, but I like to think I can still help people protect themselves,” Theo said with a smile.

Pina stowed the wand and potion away in her bag, handing Theo the silvers afterward. “That’s a good way of looking at things.”

“Mhm. So, see you next time you need a stamina potion. Stop by again for some more magic lessons next time my shop is closed. And keep practicing your manual casting, I want to teach you some other self-defense options in case you don’t have the wand on you.”

“I’d love to. I’ll bring some of my parents’ cooking in exchange. My dad runs The Daffodil Dinner down in the restaurant district. Hope you like meat, the name is kind of a perren joke,” she said, smiling with her needle-like teeth once more.

“Meat is fine by me. Bye, Pina.”

“Bye, Theo!” she said cheerily as she opened the door, waved, and left.

Theo whistled to himself, touching up the shop here and there. Pina hadn’t been as meticulous as him with the potion placement, so there was a lot of rearranging to do. He didn’t have the heart to tell her he would have preferred to do it himself.

Someone knocked on the door to his shop, so he walked over and opened the door. “Did you forget something, Pi- Huh?”

A floating crystal sat suspended in a dervish of wind. Theo could only tell that much from the dust and leaves spinning around inside the “body”.

“Hello, Theo. I am your landlord, Viktor. I apologize for my late visitation. It is most difficult to keep up with the human perception of time. I will now offer a handshake as is customary in your culture,” Viktor said with an echoing voice that emitted from the smooth spherical crystal.

Theo felt the wind force blowing against him increase somewhat, so he accepted his third handshake of the day - if this one even counted. He offered his own hand. Strangely enough, it was grabbed by a fairly solid-feeling presence.

It was slightly cool and the sensation was almost inexplicable. The “hand” of wind felt soft yet firm, but also had a lot of give and lack of true form.

“Um. Hello, Viktor. I’m Theo Lukien. Are you… a starborn? My apologies, but I’ve just never met one before.”

“Correct. That is my racial identification.”

“Do most starborn have bodies made of… wind?”

“It is a less popular choice. Many prefer other elements such as sand or earth. I am hoping to acquire an organic body soon.”

“You can have an organic body?”

“Yes.”

Theo absorbed that answer for a moment and elected to not press further. He wouldn’t want to offend his landlord somehow in the first few minutes of meeting them. “...Okay. Well, did you have a reason for stopping by?”

“Social etiquette dictates that I must inquire about the status of your facilities. Is all in proper working order or have any complications arisen?”

“Ah. Everything has run smoothly so far. I… hope it’s not a problem but I redid the runes on the oven. They require less mana now and should heat food more evenly.”

“That is an acceptable modification considering your profession of choice. It will not infringe upon your security deposit.”

“What a relief, I’d been worrying that I was overstepping my boundaries ever since I fixed it,” Theo said, laughing lightly.

“Overstepping boundaries would incur an infraction and potential payment or voiding of your deposit. My employment specifications dictate that I must warn you to consult me on any further modifications that are not enchantment related.”

Theo was cowed at that. “Of course not! I-I’ll make sure to do that, ser.”

“Social dynamics dictate that humans are more comfortable with gendered pronouns. I have elected to choose the ‘male’ gender. You may call me ser if you wish, but I prefer Viktor as it is my chosen name.”

“Oh, my apologies once again. I didn’t mean to-”

“I have brooked no offense. If all matters of compliance have been addressed, I will take my leave.”

“I didn’t realize you had to leave so quickly. I really hope I didn’t offend - I know you said I didn’t but-”

“There has been no offense, I simply have more homes in this area to visit. Goodbye, Theo Lukien, I will visit again at a socially appropriate time.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for-”

The door shut behind Viktor as he slipped out.

“Okay then. I guess not.”

I don’t even know what I was thinking to offer him. Food? A drink? Can starborn even eat? He talked about an organic body, maybe he needs that first?

Just as Theo turned around to organize potions once again, there was another knock on the door. How many visitors am I going to get? I’m not even open and it’s dark out.

He spun on his heel and opened the door. “Was there something else Vik- Oh, hello there.”

“Maraz Ruvenan. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” A towering, sharply dressed man stood in the doorway, offering Theo a hand.

Theo cursed his fast-beating heart. He took the hand which almost entirely enclosed his and shook it. “Leo Thuk- Ahem. Theo Lukien. The same to you. I apologize, but my shop is closed right now.”

“My visit involves your shop, but I’m not here to buy anything,” Maraz said, smiling with bright, perfectly white teeth.

“Oh? What does this visit entail then? And where are my manners? Please, come in.” He stepped out of the doorway, gesturing Maraz inside.

“I’m a representative for the Merchant’s Guild. We’ve heard that business is going well here so far. Lots of customers in your first week, huh?” he asked, glancing around the shop.

Theo thought he noticed a glint of disdain in his honey-gold eyes and in the set of his brows.

His heartbeat quickened. “Yeah, it’s been a great first week so far. I’ve sold a lot of stock.”

The muscular wall of a man leaned in closer. “Do you know why business has been going so well?”

“Is it because I’m a really good shopkeeper with quality products?” Theo asked, trying to keep his tone hopeful but internally shrinking back.

Maraz sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Your prices.”

“Oh? That? There was a miscalculation. I had done some… faulty research and ended up thinking everything here would be cheaper than it was.”

“What was the difference?”

“Just a few coppers or silvers here or there. I was trying to balance the prices based on my research but now it turns out I’ve barely made a profit.”

“Only a few coppers or silvers? Theo, do you realize how many complaints the guild has received about your business in its first week?” Maraz asked, leaning in even closer.

Theo took a step back but Maraz followed. His eyes darted around the room but refocused on the man in front of him. He swallowed once more, his mouth growing ever-drier. “Complaints?”

“You’ve been undercutting every alchemist and enchanter in Romuen. Are you trying to start something? Put hardworking shopkeepers out of business?” he asked, fists clenching now, making Theo flinch.

“Not at all! It was just a botched assessment of what my prices should be, I swear,” he said, putting his hand over his heart.

“I researched your prices before coming here, even with what you say, the difference is too much. Did you know you’re charging ten silvers less than the second cheapest alchemist for stamina philtres? And yours aren’t even lower quality, they’re better.”

Theo’s heart threatened to beat out of his chest. His palms were wet and clammy. “T-that wasn’t an attempt to undercut. The markup these alchemists and enchanters have on their products makes them nigh unaffordable! I just try to put my prices at whatever is fair for the customer.”

Maraz put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to flinch again. “Your ‘fair’ prices are going to put the other alchemists and enchanters out of business.”

“Bu-but that’s just not true. I’ve already looked over all my finances, even with the miscalculation before, I’ll be fine to make all my payments next month. Once I increase my prices a little to reflect my new knowledge I’ll be just f- urgk.”

The hulking figure of a man picked up Theo by his shirt, lifting his small form off the ground with ease. “Your prices better be more than just ‘increased’ or we’ll have some further issues.”

A small, rebellious flame lit in Theo’s chest. He met Maraz’s eyes, clutching at his morals for strength. He wasn’t even sure if his heart was still beating anymore from how fast it beat now. His vision began to darken at the edges. “Put. Me. Down. I will not be bullied into making peoples’ lives harder. Maybe the other shopkeepers should adjust their prices! I read the laws, I, the shopkeeper, am allowed to dictate my prices. All of my price points are within fair trade laws. I checked.”

Maraz threw Theo to the floor roughly. He grinned at him. “You’re down now.” He stood over him. “Better?”

“I-I don’t want to use it, but I know S-Stun Bolt. I-I’m warning you! Or I’ll call the guards!” he stammered, pointing a hand at Maraz.

The man lifted his arms, feigning defeat but smirking. “The guards, huh? You got me, I’ll back off... Just know, you’ve been warned.”

Theo watched the hulking man walk out of his shop. He flinched a third time when the door slammed behind him.

His next course of action was to sprint into his bathroom and empty the contents of his stomach into the toilet. Rinsing his mouth out after, he threw up again.

Hands trembling, he grabbed onto the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. What am I going to do?

A thought occurred to him. Build some security, that’s what.