Lutana was simply enjoying her time away from the teashop, the store having been closed for the afternoon to give everyone a break. It was early spring and the trees were in full bloom in Belrea now, the few weeks since her arrival allowing the branches to explode in color as many different types of flowers bloomed in their selected spots through the cobblestone streets. Deirdre was accompanying her today, the energetic lightning girl having also apprenticed at the shop for just a few months longer than Lutana. She was only a couple of years younger than Lutana, her slim form easily mistaken for a boy with the styled jackets and leggings she wore all the time while Lutana was always wearing colorful skirts mixed into the Belrean style of corset tops with bells and beaded accessories chiming every time she moved around. They definitely were a pair, the opposite appearances not stopping them from actually bonding while working together. While Lutana technically had more experience with healing and teas because of her background in Jahaur, Deirdre knew plenty about Belrean herbs and teas that Lutana didn’t so they constantly swapped notes to compare both areas and formed a small friendship while working together. Forming a friendly relationship though allowed more room for mischief since both knew that they could play around together without ruining anything between them, Deirdre having a knack for pranks while Lutana didn’t mind some amusement here and there as long as it didn’t harm their work. Deirdre was also more accepting of Lutana’s stranger habits, her collection of memento mori items having startled some of those that worked in the shop while Deirdre instead asked questions instead of frowning and turning away. “So what is that one from?” It definitely had taught her more about the creatures of Jahaur and the poisonous herbs from there that grew alongside those used in tea. Knowing Lutana’s interests had inspired today’s outing into a new part of town that Lutana had never ventured into before, Deirdre showing her the shop of oddities as they approached.

“So this is it?”

“Mmmhmm.” Deirdre held up a finger though as she grinned towards Lutana. “What about we make this more interesting though?” Her bright blue gaze danced with mischief as she nodded towards the store. “Care for a dare?”

“A dare?” Lutana let out a soft laugh. “You already dared me to put really spicy pepper in drinks earlier this week for Bel, which I did commit by the way since I easily got away with acting as if I didn’t realize it was a local spice instead of something that normally went into that tea blend. That was my one excuse else he would have hounded me for a week, especially if he knew you dared me to do it. This place may not be as easily tricked or forgiving. So if it’s anything drastic I don’t know if I’ll accept.” She chastised Deirdre playfully even though she was curious to see what the dare would be this time.

“Oh this one will be a lot less tricky, I promise.” Deirdre gestured towards the store, the glass window front full of oddities that already intrigued Lutana. “It’s more of a challenge this time. You already passed the dare by putting the peppers in the tea. This time I want you to find something that you like so that I can buy it for you.”

“Oh?”
“Yeah. A welcome to Belrea gift or something. My treat.” Deirdre nodded as she moved forward and held the door open for Lutana, the bell chiming their entrance into the darker store. Already the heavy smell of incense and something like cinnamon greeted them, Lutana feeling more invested in exploring everything here especially when she saw the darker displays with a mixture of carved crystal figurines inside. There were also small boxes with something that looked similar to bones inside, some fossils and even what looked like insects trapped in amber along the shelves. Incense and burners also lined the shelves along with tomes with interesting covers, some blank while others held writing inside that she was curious to read. It wouldn’t be impossible to find something that Lutana wanted from here, but she also didn’t want to be the only recipient of a gift today. If Deirdre could dare her to choose a gift, then she could surely do the same in return.

“Alright, but only if you also pick out something so that I can return the favor. I did miss out on getting you a birthday present last week, after all.” Lutana smiled as she started after Deirdre who could only shake her head in amusement as she decided to not protest, the pair going straight for the back of the store so that they could look through everything offered inside.

[809]