1 An Odd Client

The day is passing by so slow at Ipruk's Potions and Goods. No one has come by all morning, Sophia could almost die of boredom. Yes, that might be an exaggeration. Just as she's about to slump over on the desk and take a nap, the front door bell rings. It seems like a customer has finally shown up! She quickly composes herself and greets the man who arrived.

She puts on her best "customer service" smile and asks, "What can I do for you sir?"

The man looks around and fidgets. He finally asks, "Can I use the bathroom?"

She barely suppresses a disgusted look but replies with, "Sorry sir, but you must buy something first."

"Oh fuck really? Okay um.. what you got?"

//This is a potions shop what do you think we got?!//

Sophia sighs a little bit at his vulgarity but thankfully he didn't notice. She decides to be petty, "Well sir, you can purchase one of our best sellers which so happens to be a nice, cold, refreshing beverage!"

The man looks like he just might cry. "F-fine, here. Now, where's the bathroom?" After tossing Sophia a bag of coins, the man walks very briskly towards the direction she pointed at.

Sophia let out another sigh.

She wonders where Ms. Ipruk is. Her mentor has been gone all morning which isn't odd per-say but usually she tells her where she's going. Sophia can't help but worry about what sort of trouble her mentor can get into without her around. Seriously who's mentoring who now?

Almost as if she overheard her thoughts did the woman herself burst through the front door.

Ms. Ipruk looks worn out, her hair in disarray and glasses crooked, it's like she's been running away from something. She quickly leans against the door, blocking it, and says, "I NEED FROG LEGS QUICKLY!"

"W-what!?" That catches her completely off guard.

"Hurry!"

Something from outside is banging the door behind her. Trying desperately to get inside! Sophia frantically flies around the shop until she finally finds a jar of frog legs on the highest self in the back room. She grabs it and then quickly tosses it to Ms. Ipruk who catches it effortlessly.

She opens the door slightly and throws the jar outside while screaming, "EAT THIS FOUL BEAST!"

Luckily it seems to work for, whatever it is, stopped trying to break through the door.

Sophia hesitantly asks, "What in the world was that?"

Ms. Ipruk responds with, "Well it seems rather than confronting me face to face my enemies have resorted to sending their foul pets after me. Cowards."

Before Sophia could question further, a loud noise of something being shattered into pieces comes from the hallway leading to the bathroom, it's followed by a "Oops!" Sophia can't help but think, what a useless man, he can't even properly go to the bathroom without making a ruckus.

Ms. Ipruk hears the noise as well and asks who it is.

Sophia suppresses the urge to shrug but does say, "Oh it's just a nuisance of a customer."

He walks in and immediately apologizes to Sophia for breaking one of the decorative plates but he stops talking when he sees Ms. Ipruk.

"Cecilia?! This is your shop?"

Ms. Ipruk looks confused, "Well, it does have my name on it."

"D-Don't you remember me?" He sounds a bit hurt, tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

Cecilia thinks for a moment and responds with, "Oh! You're little Bradley. It took me a second but I wouldn't forget that fluffy head of hair and adorable face anywhere!"

He looks embarrassed. "Yeah that's me! Wait, please don't call me little I'm almost thirty..."

"Goddess, no wonder it took me a while to remember! Last time I saw you, you were just a tiny kiddo. Humans age so fast! Aha! But you're still little in terms of height so I'll stick with Little Bradley."

"..."

"But anyways! What brings you here, I thought your family moved from Regis ages ago? How are your parents?"

There's a flash of hurt in his eyes as he answers, "Uh well, they're fine. I mean they died but they were good people so they're probably in heaven or something..."

Both of them are shocked to hear him say that so... casually!

"What!? Oh gods, I am so sorry for your loss but when did this happen?" Ms. Ipruk questions.

"It's okay. I mean it's been a few weeks. So, I'm still kinda bummed… They got in an accident and I was the-I was lucky enough to not have been there." He's still trying to play it off as nothing but even she can tell there's bitterness and pain hidden deep inside.

"So then after their deaths you moved back to Regis?"

"Yup. Ms. Cecilia you know how rich they are- were, I mean. Well, I've inherited the mansion on Flower Hill. But like, I hate it."

Ms. Ipruk raises her eyebrows, "Why is that?"

Sophia interrupts and enlightens her teacher, "Ms. Ipruk, it's the 'mansion' that's rumored to be 'haunted.'"

"HAUNTED? Oh! That mansion. Silly me I thought you meant the other one on Flour Hill."

"Yeah. So basically living in this shitty haunted mansion where I'm too afraid to pee in."

Well, that explains some things like his messy and overall bad appearance. Is this man truly so pathetic or is he hiding something?

Sophia doesn't trust this man.

"Wait! You still offer personal jobs right? Please, help me Ms. Cecilia! I think I'm going to fall apart at this rate..." 'Little Bradley' starts weeping.

Oh goddess, this man is so embarrassing to look at, Sophia almost says out loud.

"Okay, I can help. Just please stop crying little one." Ms. Ipruk tries to reassure him by accepting to help and giving him a hard pat on the back. Even someone like Ms. Ipruk is uncomfortable around crying people.

"Sophie dear, close up shop. We have a new job! Let me go gather my things and we'll meet you at the mansion. Does that sound good, little man?"

He finally stops weeping and wipes his tears and snot on his sleeve. Ew. "Y-yeah! Um I'll tell the servants to let you in."

Ms. Ipruk nods and heads off to her study.

Leaving Sophia alone to deal with him.

"I'll be heading out! See you guys soon!"

Or not.

He's just about to walk out the main entrance when Sophia remembers the creature! It's probably still outside.

Sophia could do the right thing and give him a warning but she just keeps smiling and waving goodbye.

From outside, she hears a man screaming and some growling.

Oops.

Maybe she should have said something after all.

Oh well, he had running shoes on. He should be fine!