Diner 1/2

Looking in the mirror, Marcus liked what he saw. He was wearing a new blue tunic that the tailor had custom made for him. He'd also bought a green tunic and a pair of black pants. He had to pay a little extra for the black dye. The tailor had originally told him that it'd be another day for his order, but after ten more silvers worth of motivation, the tailor was able to get the order done by noon. Marcus had to rush the order because his only shirt was turned into bandages the day before.

After he left the tailor's shop, he went to go find a barber. Although most people cut their own hair, he didn't own a razor or anything to do it himself. He really liked his beard so he didn't want to get rid of it. It had grown a little since he's been in this world, right now it was about four inches in length. He wanted to get it trimmed a little and also a haircut. After taking about an hour to find a barber, there weren't that many in this city, and paying five silvers, he finally had his haircut.

Right now it was nearing four o'clock in the afternoon. He still had about two hours until he was to go have dinner at Clairissa's apothecary. He'd left his warhammer back in his room at the inn, hidden under his bed. There was a lock on his door, so he wasn't overly worried about theives. Wanting to get a pack for more supplies on future missions, he shopped around to kill the final two hours.

...........

Walking out of a store with his new satchel, Marcus looked at the retreating sun that was nearing the horizon. It was about time for him to go see Clairissa. He had hoped that they would have something similar to a backpack, but all they had were either leather bags or cross-body satchels. Maybe later he could have a backpack custom made, but for now this was as good as it got.

Stopping at the door to the Healing Root, the name Clairissa chose for her store, Marcus stopped and took in a deep breath. He was rather quite nervous, he'd grown to like Clairissa over the short time that he'd known her. Although he didn't want to get his hopes up, the thought of dinner transitioning into something else couldn't help but pop into his head. Letting out his breath, he pulled the door open and went inside.

Over the door was a little bell the rung when the door struck it. The smell of medicine assaulted his nose as he stepped through the threshold. Shelves line the walls with different herbs set out to dry. A counter was set up towards the back with a menu listing all the potions that were available for sale. Marcus figured she didn't keep her potions out front in case of shoplifting, which made a lot of sense. Healing potions were very expensive, the low grade ones starting out at twenty-five silvers, it only went up from there.

To the left of the counter was a staircase, most likely leading up to the apartment that was above the store. Many shop owners live where they had their stores, it only made sense in order to save money. Walking further inside Marcus continued to look around the little shop and waited for Clairissa.

"I'll be with you in one moment!" A shout came from the back of the storeroom behind the counter.

Soon Clairissa appeared from the storeroom wearing a blue dress that went down to her ankles with an apron tied around her waist.

"Ah, Marcus, you made it. Just give me ten more minutes, the store is about to close. You can wait over behind the counter there's a stool to sit on." She said with a warm gentle smile, before she went back into the storeroom.

After the ten minutes were up Clairissa flipped the sign to closed and locked the door. Turning around she smiled at Marcus "We can go ahead and go upstairs. Orc steak, greens, and bread is on the menu tonight."

"I've never had orc before, I'm assuming it's good?"

"It's the best meat you can get around here, although I've heard unicorn is just to die for, but good luck getting any of that. They're almost the rarest Magic beast you can find."

She explained as they entered her kitchen. Her upstairs apartment was actually very spacious. It had a kitchen/dining room combo, separate bedroom, bathroom, and a study. Books lined the shelves in the study, mostly about herbs and how to make certain potions. Books were very expensive so Marcus was surprised to see so many here.

"I've never seen so many books in one place before, other than the library."

"Well I use them quite often when making my potions or in research. I was getting tired of having to pay every time I went to the library, it just made sense to me to buy my own."

"I've actually only been in the city for a little over a week, I haven't made it to the library yet."

"I do recommend it, if you ever have any free time. If you can afford the price, it's five silvers just to walk through the doors, that's why I decided to buy my books." Clairissa said as she motioned for Marcus to sit at the table while she started to prepare the meal.

"I can help you if you'd like. I know my way around the kitchen, somewhat." Marcus offered. He'd always made his own meals. You always had to keep track of what you put in your body when trying to build a good physique.

"Don't you dare mister Marcus! You sit there, there's no need to help. Although I do appreciate it. It wouldn't be a reward for saving me if you do anything." She said shaking her head and a serious look on her face.

Holding both his hand up in mock defeat, Marcus laughed "Alright, alright, have it your way then. I won't lift a finger."

Nodding once, Clairissa smiled and turned around to continue making the meal.

............…....

"This food is great, thank you again." Marcus said while swallowing another bite of steak and washing it down with the fruity wine that Clairissa had poured for him. "I'm actually very surprised that you have not been taken off the market yet."

"You're very welcome, and I was married, but he died more than five years ago." Clairissa said as she trailed off towards the end of her sentence.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Forgive me for asking then. I didn't mean to pry."

"Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago, and it's not like I don't have any suitors. They just are after me for my apothecary, not for anything else." She said while waving her hand dismissively. "There are two of them and they're both wealthy merchants in the district. They just want to add an apothecary under their control, and if they have to have another wife to do it, they will. They've been pestering me for three years now, offering gifts, I can't stand either of them. They'll just have to wait until I'm dead if they want my shop!" she added with a laugh.

"Now, Mister Marcus, we need to change your bandages."

"Please, just call me Marc. No need for the mister."

"Alright, Marc, you can just call me Clair then. Now, take off your shirt and turn around. I've got proper bandages to put on." Clair said while going into the other room to get the bandages.

Marcus took his shirt off. Clair had come back and started to remove the makeshift bandages she had put on the day before. She had a look at the four gashes that were supposed to be there and she was shocked. The wound had completely healed, only fresh pink skin was left. The salve she had applied was only supposed to stop the bleeding and prevent infection, not heal the wound.

"Marc, did you happen to go to a healer earlier today?"

"No, I just did some shopping before coming over here, why?"

"Your wound, it's completely healed. I've never seen anything like it. The only way I know of is to go to a healer or to drink a healing potion. I was going to give you one, but it'd still take a day or two for it to work." Clair said while she was still inspecting Marus's shoulder.

He knew that he had monstrous strength and stamina, but he hadn't had an injury so he didn't know about his body's constitution. Fast healing was a good thing, he just had to add that to the list of things that he had to find out about, if he could. He thought that it was most definitely related to why he was in this world to begin with.

"It must just be my fantastic body, don't you think?" Marcus said while flexing, trying to make light of the situation.

"Ha, yeah, that must be it huh." Clair replied with a giggle. "Well, put your shirt back on then, you don't have anyone to show off to here!"

Putting his shirt back on, Marcus sat back down at the kitchen table. Clair took the other seat, and they both enjoyed each other's company for a little while longer.

...............

"It's getting late, I should head back to the inn." Marcus said, he'd been here for about four hours now. It was probably getting close to ten in the evening. There wasn't a curfew or anything in the city, he just didn't want to run into any drunks that might cause problems on his way back.

"Marc. Would you perhaps... like .... to spend the night?" Clair said in a fluster and a deep blush on her fair, freckled face.

"I wouldn't want to impose, or make you feel indebted to me. I might have saved your life from that bear, but I would have done that anyway. You really don't need to feel like you owe me, the meal was more than enough." Marcus said quickly. Though he would be more than happy to spend the night with Clair, he also didn't want her to feel pressured.

"You're not imposing, I do appreciate your concern for me. That's why I want you to, the truth is I've been rather lonely, and I feel like I can trust you. So, Marc, will you spend the night with me?" Clair said in a much more steady voice, although the blush was still there.

With a wide smile Marcus nodded his head "I would love to, Clair."