Stories from a Wandering Tanuki Merchant: Adveturing Retirement and an Apprentice

Prompt 80 - Retirement

 

Word Count: 539

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“The guild discovered a new portal.” Kyanoko heard a fresher batch of Paperverse travelers discussing while browsing her apothecary. “Think you’re going to check it out?”

“Is it stable?” their friend asked in response, scratching their nose at Kyanoko’s premade wares.

“Not this time.”

“I was going to head off to Aridin next, but I guess it can wait.” they sighed, clearly not enjoying how they had to reschedule their plans for the next month or so. Kyanoko drummed her fingers on the counter as she was given this information. She was going to have to pack up and relocate temporarily to this new portal. Most of the guild would be checking it out during its brief stability, where they wouldn’t have to pay extra to visit it. And that’s where her business would have to be.

“Hey, Ms. Kyanoko. Are you taking custom orders at this time?” the one who knew of the new portal asked the tanuki. 

“Depends on what you want and what’s in stock.”

“I’m not seeing anything that could help me resist the heat. I’ve taken up a mission to go into an active volcano and handle a rowdy salamander.” they explained, already reaching to their wallet to fetch out payment. “I can get you a souvenir, too, if you’d like.”

“I’m low on ice mint, but I should have a shipment coming in soon. Swing by in a week and I’ll have a batch ready for you.” she held out her hand for the exchange of coin. She bid the party of friends a safe and fun trip as they left and jotted down the order and reservation.

“Calliope?” she called, pushing away the extravagant curtain that separates the front of the store from the back. There was a young satyr woman studying and experimenting using Kyanoko’s own research as a base. She ran her hand through her pinkish hair, pushing her curled locks out of her face.

“Yes?” she asked. It was curt and she clearly had most of her focus on her research.

“There’s a new portal- temporary. You wanna come with me?”

“No thanks. I’ll man the shop here.” Calliope rejected, making the bare minimum of eye contact to be polite. The satyr had been traveling for decades in the Paperverse, but liked to stay in a location for years at a time. She very much did things at her own pace and despised things that forced her to work at theirs. As a result, Calliope had found far more success and happiness as an apprentice under Kyanoko.

“We had a new order come in for a fire resistance potion, but they’re planning on going into battle. Maybe toss in a couple of extra effects to help him.”

“How long?”

“A week.”

“Consider it done.” Calliope promised, closing the book she was using to study. She moved to the bookshelf and began pulling books into her arms. She didn’t memorize every fact, but she knew where to find every bit of information she desired. She loved learning and problem solving was where she thrived. Calliope would sometimes tell Kyanoko that she was lucky to have her as a mentor. Frankly, Kyanoko felt more indebted to have Calliope as an apprentice.