27 Shopping

Rather than going home as previously planned, Izo takes a taxi to the Adventurer's Guild. Upon entering the building, Miss Carpenter excitedly waves her over. Izo politely smiles at the woman as she receives puzzled glances.

"Miss Reed, how are you?" Miss Carpenter excitedly asked.

"I'm fine, thank you. Miss Carpenter, but how do I go about registering a request on the job board?" Izo promptly said.

"Is it a request for items? Personnel requests for items are always double checked before being processed. However, an organization's request is a bit different. What is the request exactly for?" Miss Carpenter curiously asked as she adjusts her glasses.

"Curiosity sake. I was wondering where an alchemist friend of mine may purchase ingredients? He's will be moving to Emerald City and would like to purchase some herbs," Izo matter-of-factly asked.

"Well, alchemists usually go to the pharmacies to purchase ingredients. However, newbie adventures can purchase a one-time herb bulk from the guild itself. It helps newbies trade ingredients for potions and so forth. If you are willing to spend a bit of money, you can purchase these items for your friend," Miss Carpenter helpfully said.

"Yes, that would be much appreciated," Izo cheerfully said as a rare smile appeared on her face.

Miss Carpenter gawks at the smile that can transform that poor woman's face into that of normality. Miss Carpenter swiftly composes herself and turns to her colleague as she excuses herself. With grace, Miss Carpenter leads Miss Reed away to the grand dismay of much of the waiting in line adventurers. They glare with envy and sadness as they watch the lush figure of Miss Carpenter disappear beyond their sight.

Miss Carpenter leads Miss Reed to an elevator and presses the floor 12. Before the elevator can go up, Miss Carpenter must scan her ID before the elevator begins to move. The elevator door closes and with a soft lurch, the elevator swiftly rises. The two women are silent as the soft music plays overhead. With a ding, the elevator doors fly open as Miss Carpenter leads the way.

The floor is empty as a bright-eyed man wearing a red bow tie, belt fasters, a white-collar shirt sleeve shirt, beige knee shorts, colored socks, and tan toe steel boots sits at the counter. The man reveals a glistening white smile and says, "My dear, Miss Carpenter, you honor with me your presence. I'm so honored in fact, that how about you have dinner with me tonight? Let's say at nine?"

Miss Carpenter hides her smile and says, "Mr. Valentine, thank you but please keep your invites to yourself during working hours."

"Aha, then should I invite you after hours?" Mr. Valentine swiftly interjects.

Miss Carpenter opens her mouth and firmly snaps her mouth shut. Flushing Miss Carpenter says, "Mr. Valentine, this is Miss Reed. Miss reed needs to purchase a couple of items to make a potion. I'll be back in a few minutes, I need to take care of something." Without waiting for a response, Miss Carpenter flees to a nearby bathroom to compose herself.

Izo grins and says, "So, do you think you'll get her in the end?"

Mr. Valentine grins back as he climbs to his feet. "I won't give up that easy, she's the girl for me. Now then, Miss Reed, how can I help you today?"

"I need to purchase various herbs. I have a list," Izo said as she pulled out carefully folded sheets of paper and handed them over to him. Upon opening the list, Mr. Valentine finds every inch of the paper was covered in neat handwriting.

Mr. Valentine lets out a whistle as he reads out loud some of the ingredients. "Resin, Ghost Incense, Carabe, New Moon Mandrake, Blue Sage-," He stops and shakes his head impressively. "My, my, Miss Carpenter sure has interesting friends," Mr. Valentine murmured as he finishes scanning through the list.

Izo eyes widen in surprise and curiously asks, "Why do you say that?"

"Well because Miss Carpenter rarely ever accompanies people unless she has to. My guess is she's taken a liking to you, Miss Reed. Now before I dash into the jungle of shelves and items, are you sure you want all these> Some of these are rare and expensive items that most newbies do not know about nor would think to ask for at their one-time herb purchase," Mr. Valentine flatly said.

Izo smiles faintly and says, "An alchemist needs the items to make potions for me."

"Is that so? Well, I know better than to pry. Excuse Miss Reed, I have to go and find these items for you," Mr. Valentine said, before purposefully disappearing into the back room.

The sound of clicking high heels against the floor is heard as a cool and collected Mrs. Carpenter appears. The glasses wearing beauty promptly approaches Izo and says, "My apologies Miss Reed, I hope you weren't waiting for long."

"No, Mr. Valentine just left," Izo calmly said as she hesitates before adding, "Mr. Valentine, said he thought you liked me, Miss Carpenter. Is that true?"

Miss Carpenter looks indignant and says, "Miss Reed, I can assure you, I only hold professional feelings towards you. If I have misled you in any way, I sincerely apologize, it was not my intention to do so."

Izo wryly laughs and says, "You can be ease, Miss Carpenter, I didn't mean it in a physical or attraction sense. Rather he thought that you and I could be friends."

Miss Carpenter is silent for a moment before carefully saying, "I cannot and will not be friends with any newbies during work hours. But should Miss Reed ever like to go shopping after hours or by coincidence meet during my days off, I would not be opposed to such actions."

For the first time in a long time, Izo smiles warmly at someone else. Once more Miss Carpenter is astonished by the smile. It wasn't that Miss Reed suddenly became a beauty. Rather Miss Reed's entire face suddenly changed and gave off an entirely different impression.

"It's been a long time since I've had an actual friend my age," Izo wistfully said as Miss Carpenter eyes fill with pity. Without further thought, Izo grabs a sticky note and pen from the desk and writer her name, phone number, and email on the note. Izo carefully folds the note in half before handing it over to Miss Carpenter.

Miss Carpenter hides a warm smile and carefully places the note in her shirt chest pocket. The two women begin to chat over everyday things and to their surprise they find that they have similar interest. Though Miss Carpenter didn't love comics or gaming, she had a passion for food and cooking shows. The two swiftly and rather excitedly began to discuss various food places. By the time, Mr. Valentine returned, the two had made plans to meet up for a girl's night out.

Mr. Valentine returns with a giant stuffed yellow backpack. With a heaving grunt, he places the bag onto the counter and says, "Miss Reed, will you need help carrying this downstairs? And will this be paid for upfront or be placed on your guild tab?"

Without mercy, Izo answers, "Please carry it downstairs for me. And please be a dear and put it on my tab, Mr. Valentine."

Mr. Valentine sighs as Izo wordlessly hands over her identification card before he can even ask. With ease, he adds the purchase to Izo's increasing debt and returns her identification card to her. Mr. Valentine, somewhat reluctantly hefts the bag over his shoulder and follows the two-chattering woman. He wasn't disappointed as he got to hear his beloved speak and secondly, he was attentively listening to her likes and dislikes.

Too soon, the elevator reaches the floor as the two-women wave goodbye to each other. Miss Carpenter returns to her post as Mr. Valentine grunts, "Do you want me to carry it outside for you?"

"No, I'm fine," Izo pleasantly said and easily slung the large bag over her shoulder.

Mr. Valentine gapes and then flushes with anger. Before he can give her a piece of his mind, Miss Reed says, "Don't be mad, Mr. Valentine. I was just helping you to get to know Miss Carpenter. Who knows, this time around you might just get lucky."

Mr. Valentine finds he can't say anything back as the tall, slender woman confidently strides out of the guild. With a rueful smile, he takes the elevator back up the 12th floor. At his desk, he finds a pink sticky note saying, "I thought you might still be mad. So, let me give you a hint, we're having a girl's night out in a couple of days. If you happen to be at the plaza around seven or eight, I might just put in a good word in for you and invite you to join us. Izo Reed." Mr. Valentine grins and almost kisses the note in gratitude. With a skip in his step, he rushes to finish his work for the week. He had a date for the weekend and he wasn't about to miss it.