Arc 3 Part 1
Pearluna found herself back in Aiya’s kimono shop working on enchantments. After the first time, where the kimono was too cold, Pearluna’s next attempt worked out. So here she was enchanting all the kimonos that Aiya claimed to be popular for the rest of Spring and for the coming Summer.
As the witch finished a yellow kimono, she saw the nine tailed kitsune woman light some candles. It was the middle of the day and the store already had good lighting. It was when the subtle smell of flowers was felt that Pearluna realized what the candles were, they were aroma candles.
The witch set her finished enchanted kimonos to the side and made her way to Aiya. “I didn’t think you were into using aroma candles.”
Aiya’s ears perked up. “It helps the place feel like it is outdoors. Would you like to have some?” She was holding out an unlit candle.
The vampire shook her head. “I actually wanted to offer the idea of enchanting some kimonos to give off nice aromas.”
“The idea has merit but I don’t think the ramifications would be good in the long run.” The kitsune woman walked over the the stack of enchanted kimonos and picked them up. She and Pearluna walked near an empty display where Aiya started putting the kimonos up.
“How so?” Pearluna asked with curiosity.
Aiya put forth the question. “Well, what would people do if all they have to do to smell nice is to put on one of these kimonos?”
“There wouldn’t be a need for body odor products and bathing products… ohh.” Pearluna realized what her proposition would do.
“That’s right.” Aiya used her tails to remove wrinkles in the kimonos on display. “First would be the fall of body odor products. But worse would be people not having proper hygiene by not showering. If people could smell nice just by wearing a kimono and then forget to take care of their body, it would lead us to having a more dirty town.”
“You also wouldn’t want everyone to be emitting aromas at once. It would be overwhelming. You don’t see me having my tails carry a strong rose aroma, that would be overwhelming to everyone around me and that would be rude of me to do.” Aiya finished her work and guided Pearluna to the back.
“That should be enough kimonos for now. Thank you for trying this my enchanted kimono idea.” Aiya said.
“Your welcome. Let me know when you need me to drop by for next time.” Pearluna turned to leave.
<Scene Change>
When Pearluna left the house to work with Aiya, Vil chose to make his way to the docks after he made a few iron ingots in the morning. So here he was walking down the docks.
As he was walking, he saw some fishermen putting some empty cages to the side. Upon closer inspection the cages had broken parts. Vil walked up to the sailors that were pilling up the broken cages.
“Excuse me but may I ask what kind of cages these are?” Vil started with some small talk.
The sailor flicked his demon tail at the pile, while reaching to place another broken cage. “Oh these are just old crab cages. They eventually give fall apart due to wear and tear in the ocean.”
Vil gestured at a cage. “May I have a look.” The demonkin nodded and Vil picked up one of the cages.
The cage was simple. The opening being easy for people to open and empty the crabs. The opening would also be impossible for a crab to open once it cam in. While Vil was inspecting the cage, he was also understanding the measurements of its parts. Call it a talent he got after working in his apprenticeship or his affin making it easier for him, Vil confidently believed he could make these cages.
“Who is your supplier?” Vil asked.
“We get some imported to Mariana or from the naiads when they come to trade.” The fisherman said. “But that will take time. I heard that there was a new blacksmith that moved into town, I was going to ask him about making some new cages.”
“You’re in luck.” Vil politely bowed. “My name is Vil, the recently arrived blacksmith.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” The demonkin sailor replied. “So is it too much to ask for you to accept this commission?”
“I was looking for work actually.” Vil clarified his purpose. “I wanted to spread word that I was open for commissions. Would you like to be my first?”
“I don’t see why not. How about you take one of these back with you for reference.” The sailor recommended.
“Sure, drop by my forge tomorrow to pick them up.” Vil picked up one of the cages and made his way back home.
<Scene Change>
As Pearluna got closer to her home. She saw that the front door of the forge was open. Within she could see Vil pull out a few thin metal bars with his affin. The red hot bars floated into position and were then pressed together. As the bars cooled, Vil placed them aside for another batch.
Curious about what he was making, the witch walked inside. “I’m back!” She called out as she entered the forge.
Vil turned to see her and smiled. “How was your day?”
The vampire pulled up a wooden stool and sat down. “Aiya and I finished a section of kimonos. I suggested making some aroma kimonos, but Aiya had good reasons for us not to do that. Now we’re waiting to see if the cooling enchantment catches on. How about your day?”
“Saw some fishermen offloading their old crab cages. When I offered to make them some new ones, they said yes.” Vil elaborated as he placed another set of connected bars aside. “That should be enough. I did the openings earlier.”
Some of the heat stones floated out of the forge. Vil had them float next to some of the cage walls and heat where they would be connected. The ends eventually glowed hot, then they were pressed together. Eventually an entire cage came together while in the air. The finished product was then moved to the front of the forge.
“I’m going to have the pile here so that the sailors can pick them up easily.” Vil said.
He then had a thought. When he saw the fishermen offloading their old cages he saw some that had crabs in them. However, the cages were usually below halfway full. Knowing that Pearluna likes seafood, he asked. “Pearluna, do you use bait for catching crabs with these?”
“Of course.” Pearluna stated. “Almost any sea creature needs to be caught with bait. Why do you ask?”
Vil then shared his blossoming idea. “You mentioned wanting to enchant kimonos with aromas. If the cages were enchanted to smell like bait, would you catch more crabs because the smell would never disappear?”
Pearluna stood up and walked to the finished cage, as Vil placed another one down next to it. “That is the drawback of bait. Once it is eaten, the scent goes with it.”
She then gave Vil a determined look. “I can enchant the cages. But I don’t know what crab bait smells like.”
“I can ask the sailors tomorrow.” Vil started work on another cage. “I’ll be in here for a while.”
Pearluna started to open the door to the walk to the walkway leading from the forge to the house. “Any requests for dinner tonight?”
“Whatever makes you smile.” Vil wiped his face with a towel.
Pearluna smiled at him. “You already do.” She closed the door before Vil could get another word in.
“Was that her wanting to drink my blood? Or some just a flirt?” Vil asked himself out loud. “I mean we are both dating. So if she wants to, all she needs to do is ask.” He failed to notice a shadow outside his window perform what looked like a long stressed feminine sigh and groan.
<Scene Change>
The following day both the witch and blacksmith waited at the open doors of the forge. The sailors that Vil mentioned the previous day could be made out as their group walked along the road alongside a wagon. The demonkin that commissioned Vil was at the front of the pack.
Once they arrived, they could see the new crab cages within the forge since the large doors were slid open. “I don’t believe it.” A naiad was inspecting the cages. “They’re new and no shortcut was taken.”
“Good job.” The demonkin sailor offered the money to complete the transaction. “We’ll spread word of your good work.”
Vil raised a hand. “Before you pay me. I wanted to request making an addition to the cages.”
All the sailors stopped and looked at the pair in confusion. “What sort of addition?” The sailor with the money asked.
Pearluna stepped forward. “We want to enchant the cages to smell like crab bait.”
“Enchant?” The sailor looked at the vampire. Now paying closer attention he said. “Oh, you’re a witch. Magic and all of that.”
“Correct.” Pearluna nodded. “All I need is some crab bait so that I can know what the smell is. I will then be able to make the cages smell like it.” She finished her explanation.
The demonkin sailor put his hand in a pocket and pulled out some chicken meat and squid tentacles. “We use these.” He held them out to the witch.
“I knew it!” Shouted a random sailor. “He does snack on the leftover bait. Someone owes me money now.”
“Really guys?!” The demonkin sailor shouted as Pearluna took the meats in her hands.
She was already able to identify what the smell of the flesh in her hands was. She handed the bait back to the sailor, who was lecturing his crew about betting on what a person’s habits are.
The witch walked over to the pile of new cages and extended her right hand. Magic sigils started to appear and she started to glow blue. The sigils changed color to yellow while her aura remained unchanged. The light show then ended and Pearluna lowered her hands.
The smell of the bait was now strong and coming from the cages. “I’m sorry but I don’t think any of you can turn the enchantment off since none of you look like you can use magic.” Pearluna confessed.
“That doesn’t matter.” The sailor smiled. “The smell of the sea is many things. So we’re used to it. Trust us.”
The sailor proceeded to hand the money to Vil. “We will tell others about both of your fine work.” He then led the others to load the wagon with the now enchanted cages.
With the sailors gone, Vil got back to finishing his iron ingot quota for the Mining Guild and Pearluna went to her room to write a letter. When Vil asked her what she wrote during dinner, the vampire said. “It’s a letter to my parents and brother. I’ve written to them during my time in the Sorcerer Academy.”
<Scene Change>
While the pair were eating dinner, off in the distance were the vampire shades that stopped the prince of Jus Terin from attacking were watching the house. “Vil appears to not be a threat to her.” One shade said.
The leader, still eyeing the house, responded. “He is not be a threat to her physically. But he is becoming a real threat to her mentally. Especially if he breaks her heart.”
The youngest shade finished drinking a vial of heartfruit juice. “Is them dating really that bad? They only shared a bed twice and the most intimate they get is massaging each other on the couch in that house.”
“Lord Dogma entrusted us to keep his sister safe. But also to make sure she never knows we are here.” The leader replied sharply. “So long as they live together, Vil is to be considered a threat to Lady Dogma.”
