A cold sweat soaks my tunic. The phrase "We shouldn't have come in here" repeats itself in my head over and over, red flashing lights pulse with it. Two older, finely dressed gentlemen have Sonny and I in the backroom and they're arguing with each other in what I think is Dwarvish. One of them is a grey bearded Dwarf, streaks of black remaining in his thick, tied back hair. The other is human, probably having worked with his partner for several decades. His silvery white hair is slicked back and faded short, a monocle sitting in one eye and completing his look as a man of discernable taste.

They gesture wildly at each other, at Sonny, and then at me as they spit the Dwarvish language in rapid succession. I didn't even know that language could be said so quickly, yet here they are, shouting it at each other. Finally, the human abruptly ends their tirade with his hands, collects himself, and coolly turns to me.

"You will have to excuse, Mister Cogney and myself. It's just… We have never seen a Machina quite like the young lady you've brought here tonight." He looks back at Sonny, touches his monacle and causes it to glow blue. It reminds me of Richter's Arcane Lenses.

"Uh, what's wrong with Sonny?" I stammer, looking back at her with an apologetic smile and shrug.

"Wrong?" Mr Cogney erupts with grumbling indignation. "Nothin' wrong with this one, lad. She's a marvel! A gem! Never seen nuthin like her!" Looks like only his clothes commit to the style and grace of the store, which resembles an upscale boutique in a high class shopping district.

"Maybe so, but her design is far too simple, no offense, my dear," Mister Gearos argues, "It's as if she were designed by a novice engineer who only had rare items to construct her."

I look Sonny up and down. She's comparing spare parts from a workbench to herself and reading description screens, practically ignoring us. I scratch at the back of my head, "Yeah, that's kind of what happened. You see…"

"No no no." Mister Gearos interrupts me with the wave of a white gloved hand. "No need to elaborate. I can already see the materials used. Honestly, had you done more research--"

"Why over complicate the design, you degree waving, labyrinthine leviathan! Can't you see the beauty in her simplicity and necessity?" Once again, he's waving his stubby hands about as if they are also trying to win an argument with the human.

"I will not be drawn into this discussion again, you base brained, bog dweller." Mister Gearos adjusts his collar and coat. "Listen, Mister…"

"Ardacen. Just, Ardacen."

"Listen, er, Ardacen. Miss Sonasolaria's core. It is unusual for a Machina. I can't place my finger on it…" He's looking closely at her back with his glowing monacle.

"Ha! You really don't remember seein' dozens of them in our youth? That's a dungeon core!" Mister Cogney throws a small nut at his partner, but even hitting him in the chest doesn't distract him from the sudden and growing realization.

"A dunge… How on Arc did you get…" Mister Gearos puzzles in his head, the rest of his sentence failing to come out. Any isolated words that do drip out of his mouth are unintelligible, nothing I can discern as a question to answer.

"Ardacen. Sonny." Mister Cogney gets our attention with the sudden seriousness of his tone. His heavy, salt and pepper eyebrows dropping low, "You're something special, Miss Sonny. Gonna be honest with ya. Working with you will allow Mister Gearos and I to jump several Artisan levels. You are literally worth more to us just bein here than the parts we're going to give you."

I'm about to argue that we would gladly pay any costs when a hand from Mister Gearos stops me, "We understand that you are a Traveler and that you are unfamiliar with the way some parts of this world works. But please, know that those like Mister Cogney and I, who are too old to adventure yet yearn for advancement in our respective fields… Those like us come across opportunities such as this once in several lifetimes."

"Like I said," Mister Cogney gently takes Sonny's hand in his sausage fingers, "You're special, Miss Sonny. And we would be honored to help you in any way."

[Reputation +700 with Arthur Cogney!]

[Reputation increased to Respected!]

[Reputation +700 with Reginald Gearos!]

[Reputation increased to Respected!]

"Thank you, gentlemen. But, I'm still confused on what we're doing here in the backroom." Even with the reputation increase, I still feel a little paranoid, my claws ready to pop out and tear this place down brick by brick.

"Well," Mister Gearos says, a pleased smile crossing his face, "We keep the more advanced items away from the less than discerning eyes of the public. First, with most of her Stats in Dexterity and the rest in Arcane, we're going to upgrade her joints to better handle the stress of her movements."

"The Quartz, which was probably a good idea at the time, will be swapped out for-- no, not that-- an inner storage unit which will be far more useful." Mister Cogney is digging through crates and boxes.

"Yes," Mister Gearos agrees, the first time I hear him do so this whole time, "With her own mana source and backup MP battery, a wonderful idea by the way, the Quartz is redundant."

I clear my throat, causing them to pause and stare at me, "What do you think about all this, Sonny? Sounds like a lot of changes."

She giggles, disarming all of us in the room, "Misters Cogney and Gearos know what's best when it comes to Machinas. I'll always be me, no matter the shell, right?" I smile, the tension in my chest relaxing. "Besides, if there's any way for me to be more helpful I'm all for it."

If she didn't have their full attention before, she had their hearts now. They take one look at each other and nod. They both pull out a key from their Storage Rings and open a secret door on a nearby wall, revealing a golden chest. They pull out an object inside a smaller, dark metal box. Mister Gearos takes it to a workbench and Mister Cogney pulls me to the side.

"Ardacen, we're going to use a very rare item. However, while it is open to the air, it's very dangerous to organic life forms. Mister Gearos and I have the equipment to keep us safe, but you'll need to be out of the room." I look over at Sonny, obviously worried about her. "Dunna you worry, lad. She'll be awake the whole time and safe with us. I hope you can see that you can trust us with her."

I nod, there is too much passion in these men. They are painters who look like they're being given the chance to help restore the Mona Lisa or Starry Night. To be dishonest or malicious would be sacrilegious to them. He offers a hand to me and we shake firmly. I tell them that I'll be in the store a few doors down for an errand.

Mister Gearos rushes over to me, hands me a card covered in heiroglyphics and a complex magic circle, "We are long time collegues with the owner of that store. Give Miss Delvina this card. She will understand." In a more solemn tone, "And thank you for this opportunity. We will care for Miss Sonny as a daughter."

The store's name, "Delvina's Knick Knacks" is a misnomer. What she actually sells are rare items, artifacts, and accessories. The errand was simply to see if we could spend some of the money we earned on useful gear. Mika had spotted the store, but didn't get a chance to jump in.

Walking through the antiquated door, bells chime and a streak of brilliant platinum flies over my head. An elderly High Elf appears from behind several tall display shelves. The store is a veritable maze of tables, display cases, and shelves. Most of them showcase items behind glass, probably enhanced in strength and protected with security magic. The aroma of old wood and a candle that's just been put out barely hides another smell. Something floral, but not sweet.

Miss Delvina stands before me with a stern demeanor. Her steely gaze appraises me from a distance. Her gold and silver hair is tied back in a tight bun, a pair of metal sticks with tiny, colorful baubles hanging from the ends holds it in place. Resting on her nose is a pair of small spectacles that glow blue when she pushes them up. Her attire is elegant and professional, like a guilded librarian. A tight, black jacket that cuts short at the ribs is partially covered by a gossimer, ivory shawl. A black, thigh hugging pencil skirt that drops down to above her ankles reveals tight laced, matte black, boots.

As soon as we're done eyeing each other I introduce myself, "My name is Ardacen, ma'am. I would like to… browse your wares, if I may?" She takes another few moments to look me over before nodding and disappearing again behind the furnishings. There isn't so much as a creak of boards when she moves.

I don't notice any sort of organization to the place, so my eyes glaze over everything. How anyone can browse in this place is beyond me. One would have to come in with something in particular already in mind. My eyes seemingly stop of their own accord on an object before me, under a box of glass.

>Scan[Essence Core of a Forest Stalker.]

The orb is about the size of an apple, transparent except for the green form of the familiar mantis monster sitting in the middle of it.

"I see you have one of his cards," a breathy female voice says from behind me. I turn quickly, but find no one there. I try to quietly sniff the air using Enhanced Smell, but I still get nothing. There isn't a sign of either friend or foe.

"Interesting. A Blue Mage," the voice says in my ear. It's close enough to give me goosebumps. "One with some talent."

"I… er… thank you?" I whisper back, not wanting to appear rude to Miss Delvina.

"You're very welcome, Mister Ardacen." The voice comes from all over this time, rapidly bouncing around the room. Once again, Miss Delvina appears in front of me from behind the displays, the ornate card in her hand.

I quickly check my Storage Bracelet and find it's the only thing missing, "But… how…?" I try to Analyze her but the sound of static interrupts my attempt and nothing comes up. She takes a few calculated steps toward me, handing me the card. I hold out my left hand to receive it and instead of placing the card in it, she slides it into my storage.

"Felicity Delvina, retired Relic Hunter." The shadow of a smile and the ghost of adventures past glide over her face, but they're gone like a breeze. "Have you found what you're looking for?"

Another step closer and she's close enough to reach behind me, "I...uh…didn't know what I was looking for exactly." The smell of jasmine fills my senses. That's what it was. Still, as heavy as the aroma is, I simply cannot track her even in this small and crowded space. I get the feeling that she is much higher leveled than I thought.

"I see," she says. I'm sure she does. Her hand goes through the glass I was just looking at as if reaching through a container of water, the glass rippling as she pulls the Essence Core out. She places it, too, in my storage bracelet.

"How-how much is it?" I ask, feeling very intimidated by this whole ordeal. At over six feet tall, Miss Delvina towers over me, casting a figurative shadow. She just turns to another case, her back towards me now.

"I'm a rogue, a collector you may say, Mister Ardacen," her breathy voice still wraps around my neck and deftly curls around my ear. "But I am not a hoarder. If Reginald gave you that card, then I am bound to aid you."

She turns sharply to me and it causes me to jump involuntarily, "Oh! Oh shit…Oh, uh, thank you. Thank you very much."

"How many Travelers are in your party?" As she asks, she pushes up her glasses and they glow blue.

"Four. Uh, me included," I answer without hesitation. She nods and disappears once more. I don't think I can handle this place anymore.

Her disembodied voice breathes into my ear once again, "Their Classes?"

Surprised that she couldn't tell by some miniscule clue on my person, I reply, "Cleric of the Forge. Arcane Thief. Stalker."

"Two rogues, a cleric, and a mage?" She asks, her tone is concerned, as if wondering why we have such a strange, unbalanced group.

"There are others, but they're Arceans." I jump again when I realise that she snuck up from behind and is placing objects into my bracelet again. The smell of jasmine settles upon me once more. I know if I turn around she wont be there so I just wait until she finishes. I can hear her taking a long sniff of my shoulder, the one Victoria wept on.

"Royalty?"

"Um…oh. That must be… Um, do you happen to know anything about Valkeries?" I ask since she might be the only source of objective information of them I might come across.

"Bloody Angels, they're called by some. Very long history. Here," she slides in from nowhere, a white leather bound book in her hands that appears to have seen a millenia pass by. There are gold accents on the side and a small pair of golden wings on a gold spear in the middle. "This one… isn't free."

"O-of course. How much?" When I ask, she doesn't seem too interested. Instead, her hands glow blue, reaching for my mask. I keep my own hands at my sides as she runs her fingers over the mask. "It's cursed. You can't--"

With a click, she gently removes the Grey Wanderer's Mask from my face. For the first time since I equipped the damn thing, I've become seperated from it. The idea is bittersweet, since it breaks up the set and I had just gotten used to having it with me every time I die. She holds it up to her own face, staring into the empty eye holes with half closed lids.

"It's been so long, Veritus. I knew you would find your way back to me." A sad, small smile appears and she kisses the mask on the mouth, ignoring me.

After a short moment, I unequip the matching mantle and sash and clear my throat. Slowly, she lowers the mask and gazes back at me, "Um, these go with it." She silently accepts the accessories, appraising them over long seconds. There are memories floating out of the items I gave to her. They're probably moonlit meetings and talks of forever based on her half closed eyes and drawn in lips.

It sucks to give up a set like that, but it looks like the gear means more to her. As an Elf, she probably has a much longer life span than a human. There's no telling how long she was waiting for this Veritus person, but she seems pleased to see a sign of them.

"Thank you for the items and the book." I bow slightly, ready to take my leave. She stops me, disappears for a moment, and returns with two boxes.

"Your generosity hasn't gone unnoticed." Once more the boxes are placed into my storage, her slender fingers lingering on my wrist. "Your inclination towards cursed items… should help."

The bells chime, signaling my departure. I get the feeling that I'll be returning soon, whether I want to or not and I'm conflicted on if I'm more excited or frightened by the prospect.

One of Misters Cogney and Gearo's assistants ushers me to a waiting area in the back, since Sonny isn't quite finished yet. As I sit in the plush, red leather chair I search for the items I traded the Wanderer, or Veritus's, set for. I see the candle and face palm. "Ugh. I should've asked her about it." I withdraw the slightly larger box first.

The dark wooden box has brass hinges on one side allowing me to open it like a chest. It contains three things. The first is a clear, crystalline mask with simple slits for the eyes. Great, another mask. The second is a simple looking bracelet in the form of a brown, leather band with a flat, round piece of glass in the center. The final piece of this strange set is a belt that looks like a bigger version of the bracelet. All three Prismatic items form something called the Fey-Touched Prism Set. Anything Fey related can't be purely beneficial to anyone that isn't a Faerie, and I get a little antsy.

[Prismatic Bracelet. Wrist. Advanced Master Accessory 1/3

[Bonuses depend on the main Class of the wearer.]

[Prismatic Belt. Waist. Advanced Master Accessory 1/3

[Bonuses depend on the main Class of the wearer.]

[Prismatic Mask. Face. Advanced Master Accessory 1/3

[Bonuses depend on the main Class of the wearer.]

Okay. That's not ominous. What if it makes me blind in exchange for better hearing? Maybe give me sharp spikes all over my body? Two heads? No fingers? Smell like fish? Aw, screw it.

First, I strap the bracelet to my right wrist. The moment I equip it, the glass in the center turns mana blue. I just read it's description as it works its magic on me.

[Mage: +50Max MP, +5MP Regen, ???

[-10Max HP, -1HP Regen]

Well, that's not as bad as I thought. It looks like a simple Stat exchange depending on Class. And since I'm technically a mage, I get magic and mana based bonuses. Next, I put on the belt and once again the glass turns blue.

[Mage: +5 Arcane, +10Willpower, ???

[-1Strength, -5Armor]

I check my Stats since the only Strength bonuses I ever received came from the Wanderer set. Luckily, it seems Stats can't be reduced below 1 unless it's temporarily through Abilities. Still, I don't like the Armor drop and I'm worried that the mask will effect Dexterity. I may be a mage, but I do rely on Dexterity, Agility, and SP just as much as Arcane, Willpower, and MP.

I hold the mask up to my face, gazing out of the eye holes. I hesitate to equip it, worrying that I'll have a glowing blue face forever. I steel my nerve and slip it on. I can feel the old, familiar click and see the glow of blue in my field of vision. The blue slowly pales into a dim white and then it vanishes.

I use my hands to examine the mask. I feel something hard and smooth and realize that it's my own skull I'm feeling. I look down at my wrist and waist and find nothing. I check my Character Sheet and see them still equipped.

[Prismatic Bracelet. Advanced Master Accessory. Wrist. 3/3

[Mage: +50Max MP, +5MP Regen

[-10Max HP, -1HP Regen

[+1Level to Bolt Spells.

[Cursed Item/Fused]

[Prismatic Belt. Advanced Master Accessory. Waist. 3/3

[Mage: +5Arcane, +10Willpower

[-1Strength, -5Armor

[Increase circular AoE Spells by a 5foot radius.

[Cursed Item/Fused]

[Prismatic Mask. Advanced Master Accessory. Face. 3/3

[Mage: +20Max HP, +5Strength

[Passive: 10% chance for melee attacks to perform a second, arcane hit.

[Cursed Item/Fused]

My laughter fills the waiting room, it's loud enough to attract the attention of one of the assistants who asks if everything is okay.

I calm down enough to ask if they can see my new accessories. When they shake their head, I have to apologise to them for blurting out raucous laughter in their face. "It's- It's not you. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm fine." They return to the store front, probably more confused than when they checked up on me.

The mask was probably meant to give what would normally be perceived as a bunch of junk bonuses to a typical mage, but they're actually a huge boon for me. Not only that, but upon scanning the description of the Fused curse, it just means that the items magically become a part of me, taking up their respective equipment slots and becoming invisible to normal vision.

Again, the curses would be a huge hassle… IF… I was doing this alone. Any more equipment I get can be easily distributed to the others in the group. Enticing as new toys might be, I've made my choice to wear cursed gear for more power now. Still, the fact that I don't have to move my mask around anymore is rather liberating. Not only that, the set went to a good place for a good reason. The stat gains and losses aren't much better, but the bonus Abilities make it a much better set for me now.

Mister Cogney and Mister Gearos step into the waiting area. There's a flash of blue from Mister Gearos's monacle, "I see you've met Miss Delvina."

I nod and Mister Cogney laughs, "Must've liked you, you still have the clothes on your back. Strange one, isn't she?"

"A little different, I'll admit. But no stranger than some people I've worked with."

"Yeah," Mister Cogney adds, "And we've worked with her for a long time. I see she managed to get some gear offa ya." He points to his temple and where I would usually cock the mask on the side.

"She did. Would it be rude to ask you who Veritus was?" Their faces grow cold and stern and I feel like I made a mistake.

Mister Gearos is the first to speak, "So it really was his. He… was our fourth. A wolf Half-Faunus. When the three of us had enough adventures to last two lifetimes and planned our retirement… He went on one last tour..."

Mister Cogney continues, "Broke her heart. Must've been damn near twenty years now. Can you believe it, Reggie?" Mister Gearos places a hand on his Dwarven friend's shoulder.

A sudden knocking grabs our attention and we all turn to Sonny, standing in a spotlight. I thought her movements were smooth before. Now, just the subtle differences in her actions make her seem a little super human. Which, granted, she is.

Appearence wise, one of the only modifications she allowed is a short mohawk of unruly, black hair. Her eyes are still amber yellow and her skin, though more realistic, is still dark brown. Her teeth, which were filled in by the system, are now a pearly white set like the crescent moon.

She thanks the two with tight hugs and a shower of praise. I, too, give them my thanks, asking how else we could repay them.

"For now," Mister Gearos says, straightening out his attire, "Protect one another in the field. Enjoy your time together. Become strong."

They both explain to me the upgrades, skipping over the hows and the whys, mainly because after their first attempt I nearly keeled over in confusion.

Each of the inner modifications they made gave Sonny a new Feat. They even gifted her a few spare Life Crystals they never planned on using, giving her a level boost.

[Upgrade/ Enhanced Joints: Race: Machina. Intuitive hydrolics and Blue Slime extract creates sturdier and smoother joints. +10%Agility.]

[Upgrade/ Internal Storage: Race: Machina. Creates a special storage location within the Machina that is accessable at will. 3x3x3feet of extradimensional space.]

[Upgrade/ Aurochean Skin: Race: Machina. Processed hide from an Auroch is the closest to the feel of warm, human skin while being many times tougher. Increase Machina Racial bonus to '+25%HP Max to Armor']

[Journeyman Overdrive System

[Requirement: Race/ Machina

[A component that senses when the integrity of the shell is in danger. When HP drops below 20%, the Overdrive System will increase Strength and Dexterity by 100%. These effects will last 5minutes and will take 72hours to recharge.]

"I'm sorry to ask again, but why are you guys doing all of this for us? We barely know each other? I get that you got a couple levels for your, what, Tinkerer Class? But how is it worth all this? Parts and labor have got to be a few dozen Platinums at least?"

My string of questions didn't have the effect of intimidation that I intended. Instead, they both smile at me.

"First, lad, the Overdrive System alone is worth fifty plat." Mister Cogney's laugh is light, not a trace of malice or offense. "Second, we're not simple Tinkerers. We evolved that Artisan Class years ago."

My jaw drops at both of those revalations. Mister Gearos wipes a jovial tear from his uncovered eye, "Oh my, yes. You see, Mister Cogney and I are both Mana Forgers. He is a Cleric of the Forge. While I am an Arcane Animancer. Somehow, we were given a Minor Quest to upgrade Miss Sonny."

"Aye," Mister Cogney adds, "And it put us both right over the edge to level up to fifty nine, fifty in Job Class, and twenty five in Mana Forger. That puts us leagues above the competition in this city."

"And the card?" I ask, taking it out of storage and noticing the disappearance of the magic circle. "Did it have something to do with Miss Delvina?"

"Oh, that." Mister Gearos produces another and hands it to me. This one looks like the original, but it's missing the heiroglyphics. "I'm also a high level Scribe. One of my specialties is to create these cards that can share Quests and rewards without having to send a request. Normally, Arceans don't receive Major or Minor Quests, but when we do, or if we take on Contracts, I can use the cards to add others to our party and share in the rewards secretly, and from much longer distances."

That's what Miss Delvina meant by "bound to aid you." Damn, we gotta get that Scribe thing going right away. I wonder if anyone has an open slot left.

"Oh, that reminds me. I'm a little scared to go back to her." My words bring about a round of understanding laughter. "Maybe you guys know anything about this?"

I produce the deep blue candle and they gasp. Mister Cogney gingerly grasps it with his stubby fingertips, "Lad. Ye be brave to even consider using this thing."

"Yeah, the description doesn't really give me much information and everything it says is pretty vague."

"They are colloquially known as 'Fourth Hell Contracts,' although that can be misleading." Mister Gearos says, recoilling from his Dwarven friend when he took the candle. "They have nothing to do with any of the seven hells, really."

Sonny bends in close and examines it, "But what do they do exactly? And what… language is that… it looks… familiar."

"That," answers Mister Cogney, "Is the language of the Pantheon. Few can read it, even fewer know it's true name."

"But Mister Gearos uses it on the cards, right? I mean, they look the same." I look back at the card. I also think about my bracers and tunic, but choose not to talk about them.

"I mearly copy them from a ritual I learned long ago." He says, shaking his head indignantly. "It doesn't mean I can read it. Many Artisans and mages do the exact same thing."

Simply put, the candles torture you for a set amount of time, depending on the level and type of candle, and then they provide you with a great bonus. Apparently, I'm looking forward to four hours of mental torture for a Spell Point. I've worked the service industry for years and I'm pretty sure I know a thing or two about mental torture.

After we leave, we make a quick stop at the Adventurers Guild to pick up the Quest Richter mentioned earlier, another part of our errand. Unlike Major and Minor Quests, this one is called a Contract Quest. It's the main kind that normal Arceans give out to each other, and even then it requires a particular Feat to create. They wouldn't tell me the name of it, wanting to keep the Guilds the only place for people to get a Contract Quest and to prevent Travelers from abusing it.

It's not long before Sonny and I are back at the hotel. With the security of the vardo ensured by the staff and guards, and the vast amount of money in our coffers, we rented out a bunch of rooms for everyone. Some people shared, since we're all still a practical bunch, but no one got their own room. Even those of us in the main group had to share with at least one person.

Of course, Dawn has it so that she and Sonny would be sharing that room. It's not that we didn't trust her and Conner together in a room all alone, though we were unsure what they would do as Machinas or how anatomically accurate their shells are. Sonny had no complaints and happily went up the large, six person wide spiral staircase to her room.

I find my room, a Valkerie fast asleep in it already, and get myself ready for bed. I'm still wondering if I'm going to level up Blue Mage or Multi-Class. And a Spell Point is still burning a hole in my metaphorical pocket.