The Little Alchemist Who Could - Part II [OPEN]

The sign for Toivonen ~ Medicine and Alchemy Shop, a humble little alchemist's shop in Scara Brae, swung lightly in the wind. On the wooden front porch, a young woman swept the steps. She wrapped the job up, placing a hand on her hip and looking out into the sunlight. The redheaded teen wore a blue tunic, which reached down to her knees and black leggings today. The white shoes were lightlt dusted with dirt from sweeping. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, yet her longer hair was still loose and curled at the front.

The girl walked inside the shop. As she walked across the blue carpeted floor, past the shelves of potions and pills, Daisuke called from behind the mahogany counter, "I'm leaving for a while, dear. Clean up and get the apron on 'cause you're in charge again."

A rosey smile spreas across the girl's face. She pumped her fist, whisping "yes!" as she carelessly dropped her broom and ran to the back to get clean. Daisuke smiled and shook his head. He picked up the broom and put it away, muttering to himself in fond amusement.

Felicity walked out again, floorboards groaning beneath. Daisuke sighed, "Please be more orderly and less destructive this time around."

She erupted into nervous laughter.

Daisuke walked over and put a gentle hand on her shoulder, "I know you will do great."

Felicity simply nodded with a sweet smile. She proudly walked behind the counter and put her white apron on. Her sword hidden behind the main desk, she was both sweet and ready to fight if trouble took place. Daisuke felt fond and happy for the girl he viewed as his granddaughter of sorts. He took a leap of faith, exiting the door and leaving Felicity Rhyolite in charge...

... with all the crazies in town today, maybe he chose the wrong time for a day off.

~~~

Quote:

---

OOC: OPEN SHENANIGANS THREAD!!! :D Please keep this PG-13 at the most, though? Let's have some fun! Takes place in a small town in Scara Brae.

---

Nevin shifted his pack on his shoulder and shook his head slightly. He had been wandering around the small nation of Scara Brae for a few days now, taking in the sights and stretching out his legs. He'd been feeling cooped up of late, and needed to just get away for a little bit. And with Eteri off doing who knows what, this was the perfect time for him to go wandering himself. The redhead had ended up in some random, small village town, one that he swore sounded familiar when he saw the greeting sign, but he couldn't quite place where he knew the name from.

Then it clicked, and he snapped his fingers and began rummaging around in his pouches. It took him a few moments, and he found what he was looking for.

Quote:

---

Toivonen's - Purveyors of Fine Medicines and Alchemical Products.
Located in the idyllic village of Oakwood!
Proprietor: Daisuke Toivonen

---

Well. That was Oakwood, plastered on the sign behind him. It looked like he was in the right place. The corner of his lips twisted upwards slightly. While he didn't need a favor from the redheaded teen, he felt like he might as well swing by and give her a visit. Besides, he didn't actually go into many other Alchemy shops where he wasn't hurriedly trying to buy one ingredient to finish something - it might be nice to talk shop with this 'Daisuke'. And Nevin paused for a moment.

Talk shop, and possibly have a very firm discussion on the repercussions of testing unknown chemicals on children who trusted you.

So he began looking round, passing an older man who was walking away with a nervously happy expression on his face at one point. It was odd enough that it tuck in Nevin's mind, until he saw the sign proclaiming the shop. He grinned - well the town was small, so thankfully he couldn't get lost here. He pushed his way inside, noting that the door seemed rather new.

"Hello the shop. Who might be in today?"

Felicity was hyperly tapping the bell on the counter up until she heard a familiar voice...

"Hello the shop. Who might be in today?"

Her eyes widened. The girl gasped as a smile crossed her face. "Nevin!"

Immediately, she raced out from behind the desk. The teen quickly gave the blood mage a warm hug. A soft smile was embedded across her face. If it were not for this man, her research on her own powers and abilities would not have come as far as they had. Nevin additionally helped her emotionally. He had acted as a surprising mentor to her, and they related to each other's haunted pasts. In the short amount of time Felicity had known him, the blood alchemist had become like an odd sort of older brother. He was literally the closest she ever felt to her deceased older cousin again...

She opened her eyes, breaking the hug as she bounced in excitement, "Oh my gosh, you're here!"

Her face immediately coated with worry, "Uh- I'm the one in charge today! Sorry that it's so messy."

The shop was literally spotless. Every potion, vial, piece of furniture, and book was not an inch out of place.

The redhead ran behind her main desk again, "Did you need a favor? When I'm freed up when Daisuke and Max come back, I'll be happy to help!"

She smiled from behind the counter, her head tilted in a joyful manner. She was genuinely happy to see his face again.

His name, said in a surprised gasp, and Nevin barely had time to blink before he had been enveloped in a tight, warm hug. He blinked for a second before returning it, carefully gripping - Oh, it was Felicity! He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed for a second before she stepped back. He straightened his jacket a little and chuckled shaking his head at the teen's enthusiasm. Without her unnatural mood swings stifling her - at least for the time being - her natural energy was shining through again. At least his ribs could handle this, he thought with a grin.

He looked around the shop, raising an eyebrow. "Mess?" When did air become messy? This place was as clean as his shop ever was - barring visits from individuals who knocked things over or ate candies that were toxic to their system and began vomiting everywhere. Then he shook his head and focused his gaze back on her just as she ran back to the back of the counter. She propped herself up, looking every inch a young woman who was minding the shop for her family while they stepped out for a moment. When she said that she was the one running the shop currently, he raised one eyebrow and looked around. For a moment, there was a dark grimace on his face that he quickly wiped away.

"So, then, Daisuke Toivonen isn't in? I had hoped to have a discussion with that man about proper experimental procedures." His voice was a low grumble before he shook his head and focused back on Felicity, smiling softly.

"You've been left in charge, then? That's grand! How are things going for you?" He began casually browsing the vials and ingredients on their shelves - saving the books for last, in case they had any he hadn't come across before. The thought of a certain tome, laying in his bag, was heavy in his mind. But considering what Daisuke had done with sheer chemistry applied alchemy, he wasn't sure he wanted to mention the primer to Felicity.

Felicity had energy bouncing off her in waves, "I'm great! No, Daisuke's not here." - She had not heard him mumble under his breath - "He actually just left."

As Nevin browsed through the vials, Felicity attempted to sound a little more formal.she explained the shelves system, "The vials are alphabetically listed from the far left shelf to right."

She leaned against the counter, "We also have medicines and potions behind the counter. If it's not available I can always make a fresh batch - with the right ingredients!"

She felt so smart right then. Although, that should have been common knowledge.

The sunlight bathed the blue and dark brown room in warmth. The two major front windows gave outsiders a solid view of the neat pharmacy inside. The oak Open! Please come in! sign hung off the right window, ready to be smoothly changed when needed.

Felicity was already starting to get bored. She rapidly moved her hands in chirpy body language as she spoke, "Need anything for a cold? Headaches? Max takes headache meds all the time..."

The teen was practically vibrating in her seat as she rattled things off to Nevin while he casually wandered the isles. She seemed so excited to be doing this that Nevin felt a little bad that it seemed like she didn't really have any customers. Of course, he couldn't quite fault that - Oakwood didn't seem to have the biggest need of constantly on hand alchemy products, they probably saw their highest turnaround on simpler things like - yes, like headache medicines,
he thought, as he turned to grin at the girl.

This then, was the problem with leaving a younger person behind to watch the shop without giving them things to actually do. It was fine to let them be if they had casual brewing projects to keep their attention occupied, but if they didn't,
well, this would happen. Felicity was twitching in her seat, her hands darting about as she tried to bleed off some of her energy - or, she was somewhat like a cat, and moved a bit erratically when she was happy. He was curious which was the case,
or if she was even aware that she was doing it. He leaned against the counter and smiled at her, shaking his head slightly.

"Well, I'll tell you what. I think I will buy some headache medicine from you, Felicity. But!" He raised one long, slender finger into the air. He reached it out and poked her on the tip of her nose. "But, I want it to be fresh brewed by you. I want to see where you're standing at in terms of progress. How about it? Care for a little challenge?" The male redheaded alchemist gave a grin, knowing full well that if she was anything like he thought she was, the little ragechild would not be able to
resist the urge to take on the challenge.

The moment a challenge was even hinted, Felicity was ready for it. A confident smirk crossed her face. Raring to go, her fist came down on the table, "Just watch me!"

She immediately raced to the back. She only half paid attention to the surroundings of the cluttered room she knew well. She only got the ingredients and supplies she needed. She burst out if the swinging doors again before neatly organizing everything. She laid out the ingredients to her right, the equipment to her left. While a cocky energy was still exploding like fireworks in her eyes, her face was now serious and focused. After properly placing everything in the respective places, she pulled out clean gloves and slipped them on her hands. From there on out, she picked up a set of small, crooked brown roots.

"This is mooseroot. Found in Raiaera, it has been known to help ease pain on a magical level for a millennia. During the Rise Against Ignorance, experiments were done by the predecessors of today's New Elves. As it turned out, this root has a magical chemical that numbs the TRPV-1 receptors. In concentrated doses it can completely block it for a short time, but that high of a concentration can be dangerous for those with high blood pressure. This is why the more advanced variation of this potion is served behind the counter..."

As she spoke, she already was taking the needed roots and crushing them. As the precious juice spilled out, it was properly drained into a wooden bowl below the crushing equipment.

She continued to work; explaining each and every origin of every ingredient...

Shimmering with sparkly blue wings, a line of thin silver gracefully slashed against the sparkling blue, a butterfly nimble and quick was flying a way from an overly excited little kitten. Her chocolate brown hair was blowing from the wind, as the curious little one was making leaps and grabs with her paw. Trying desperately to catch the pretty floating treasure just out of her grasp.

“Come on Mister butterfly! Let me catch you! I want to take you home to admire!” Mylie’s Little voice chirped excitedly. She was already getting weird looks from the passer bus on the bustling street in Oakwood. But the mischievous tiny cat didn’t care. She just wanted to catch her prize.

“MYLIE RIVFADER!” a loud mothering voice screamed. Rainee has appeared soon after her daughter was still prancing after the butterfly. She had decided to treat her little angel to a salmon lunch and she had heard that Oceania was a fine seafood restaurant located in Oakwood. Their little outing had been going smoothly, the mother daughter doing had eaten clam chowder without any mishaps, they had just gotten through salad when the butterfly had appeared. Completely distracting her daughter from the delicious meal and causing her dear one to wander off after the shiny insect.

With profuse apologies to the maitre’d and promising to come back and pay, the cat-mother had scrambled off after her wayward daughter. Now she had been chasing Mylie for a good thirty minutes and the nekojin was frazzled and annoyed!

“Young lady get back here this instance if you don’t come here no sweets for a month!”

The tiny kitten was too distracted to hear her mother’s warning, when she saw the pretty sapphire butterfly hovering in front of an alchemist shop door, she tried to pounce it, but missed completely and tumbled tail first into a clean neat alchemist shop. The first thing Mylie noti ced was she had not caught the butterfly, which was now fluttering around a familiar looking red haired man. Her green eyes blinked before she recognized him. Nevin the nice man who had let her and mommy sleep at his shop.

Scurrying to hide behind him she squealed “Hi Nevin! Hide me from mommy! I made her mad!” She then reached forward to cling to Nevins pant leg peering out to see if her mother had seen what shop she had tumbled into.

The buttefly fluttered around the crimson haired alchemist and the hiding little kitten as the belle jangling the door open announced the arrival of Mylie’s mother.

The blue haired nekojin looked annoyed her hand was on her hip as she noticed her daughter hiding behind a red haired man. Her voice was stern as sh lectured “ Mylie you know better then too, “ seeing. Who the crimson haired man was she groaned and said sofktly “Nevin... hello. Please stop shielding my daughter.! I need to lecture her on manners! You know better Mylie RIVFADER then to run off on me when we are having a nice meal!”

Nevin and Felicity left the back of the store where she had been working on her medicine pills. He was already getting ready to count out the money, and was leaning against the counter and speaking with Felicity about what she had been working with. The sound of the door chiming brought him out of his talks -

And there was a majestic blue butterfly that fluttered around him circling him. The male redhead blinked and held up one hand, watching with a raised brow as it fluttered down and landed on his outstretched finger. "Well hello the-" There was an excited, high pitched voice that was familiar, and then a weight on Nevin's pant leg. He blinked, looked to the redhead behind the counter, then he slowly looked down.

Well. That was a familiar face, and not one he had expected to see in the near future. He reached down and ruffled the young girl's hair, careful not to touch her upright ears. "Well hello, Mylie. Have you run off from Rainee-" Ah, there was the woman in question herself. He gently pulled Mylie off of his leg, letting her wrap one hand around his finger as he bowed a bit to Rainee.

"A pleasure to see you again, Rainee. It seems your little one has found me, - Mylie, did you run from your mother?" Nevin knelt down and stared into her eyes for a moment. "That's very not good young lady. You got lucky this time and found someone you knew, but think about how worried your mother would have been, and how scared, if you had gone missing." Nevin stood up and gently pushed her towards back towards Rainee.

"Sorry, some introductions. Rainee, Mylie,this is Felicity, an Alchemist and friend of mine. Felicity, these ladies are a couple of acquaintances of mine from a while ago. How are you both doing?"

Felicity looked up from mixing two ingredients with curiosity as a little girl raced in and hugged Nevin's legs. A bright smiled crossed her face as she squealed, "AW, IT'S A CUTE LITTLE NEKO KITTE-"

Then mommy neko came in and started shouting at the kid. As she as Nevin exchanged hello's, Felicity raised an eyebrow. How coincidental of a previous acquaintance of Nevin's to come on in - by accident! Still, the amused teen fondly rolled her eyed and continued to mix the herbs.

"Adorable kid!" She piped before remembering that said kid had apparently done a no-no, "I mean, I have paddles and a back shed if you need it, mommy Rainee..."

As Felicity looked back down to the mixing bowl, letting the costumers converse, curiosities sprung into her mind. As a pre-teen growing up in Corone, she had heard stories of the mountain people of the isolated mountains of the Akashima region. She heard tales of human-cat hybridizations, but never met any until this moment. Even as a half-neanderthal hailing from Eiskalt herself, other humanoid species intrigued her. She could not help but catch the woman and child's kitty ears from the corner of her eyes. This whole thing was rather adorable.

Maintaining politeness and the skills of a cashier, she still tried to keep to herself. Felicity poured her mixture into a small pan. She then turned towards to back to take the medicine to the coolent device. After the liquid would quickly reach its freezing temperature, Felicity would put small doses of the mixture into capsules for consumption.

Several seconds after she entered the swinging doors, she came back out again. She re-tightened her apron and started to clean up the remaining mess on the counter. She could not less a mess remain with people in the shop! As she worked, Nevin and this Rainee's conversation continued.

Mylie’s little kitty ears twitched rapidly as she listened to Nevin’s advice. Her tail joined her twitching ears by starting to swish back and forth. Her young mind was able to comprehend what the red haired man was saying. That she shouldn’t wander off from her mommy’s care, while the little kitten didn’t want to worry her mommy, her curious nature always prevented the chocolate haired little nekojin from being a good a girl as she could.

This was evident now as even as Nevin pushed Mylie back towards her irritated mother’s arms, the agile little one swiveled on her feet and begin to bounce up and down. She remembered the sweet candy she had gotten at Nevin’s shop and now she wanted more. In a excited squeal she exclaimed “I get what your saying Mister Nevin! I’ll try to not cause mommy trouble! But! “ her adorable green eyes grew round like saucers as she meowed out “ Can I have some candy pweese?!”

Rainee’s ears twitched in annoyance and a hand covered her face as she could feel the embarrassment coursing through her body. Her little angel had tumbled right into a quaint little shop, her keen sense of smell noticed herbs, pungent and combined into various concoctions and potions. The next thing she noticed was the familiar voice of Nevin, the kind-hearted alchemist who had let her daughter and her stay at his shop when she had overdosed on a catnip potion and alcohol . She also heard an excited girl’s voice, first exclaiming how cute her rambunctious daughter was. Then trying to be serious by offering a back shed and a paddle, a laugh escaped Rainee’s lips.

Her daughter sure knew how to drive her crazy! Removing the hand covering her face. The nekojin mumbled politely “The paddle and back shed won’t be necessary miss! But, thank you for the eagerness to help me out with my little one!” Her silver eyes then shifted from the form of the red haired teen to Nevin as exsparation was clear in her voice as she groaned “ we meet again due to a butterfly and my daughter’s curiousity Nevin!” She then gathered Mylie into her arms, hugging her precious girl tight as she finished saying “I’m glad she ran into you and not a stranger!”

She then stared into her daughter’s unashamed eyes and said sternly “ Mylie Rivfader! You know better then to run off on me! You shouldn’t let wanting to catch a butterfly override your common sense! What if you had gotten kidnapped?”

Mylie meowed softy her tail twitching as she chirped “ You would have saved me mommy! Besides the butterfly is pretty! I want it for a pet! “ her chocolate brown eyes then stared at the sapphire butterfly as it fluttered it’s wings and crawled slightly higher up Nevin’s finger.

A sigh left the cat-mother’s lips, her tone was frazzled as she exclaimed “ Mylie... what am I going to do with you?”

"You're right Mylie." Nevin knelt down and stared into the chocolate eyes of the tiny girl. "Your mother would have tried to save you if you'd been taken. But what if she got hurt? Or if you did? Think about how hurt your mother would be if something bad happened to you. I'm sure your mother would have come with you if you'd asked for permission to follow the butterfly." The thing was proving rather tame as it moved on his hand, shifting in place. Odd, creatures had been avoiding him for a while but now they were starting to flock to him. It was strange.

He stood up and shook his head - then looked to Rainee. "I doubt that Felicity has any candy here, most alchemists don't bother making it. However, another of your acquaintance might just be in possession of a few, if you think a precocious little one deserves one." Hopefully the obtuse, dense language would keep the little girl from realizing that he meant he actually did have some on him. He hadn't expected to meet Mylie or Rainee here - but Nevin had learned that children almost universally loved hard candies, and keeping some with him meant he would always have a bribe on hand if he needed it.

Then he slowly turned to Felicity, grinning a bit as he looked at her. The women had missed the redheaded girl said, but he hadn't. So, Felicity liked cute things. Oh, and wasn't this ammunition to tease with? He casually leaned on the counter as Rainee chastised her daughter again.

"Yes, she is rather cute, isn't she? Makes the most adorable noises when she's falling asleep in Rainee's arms, too." His voice was a soft murmur, pitched for the other alchemist's ears. "And I wouldn't worry too much about cleaning at the moment kiddo. The two of them - well. They have a penchant for knocking things over when they're excited, and I know Mylie probably wants to play with you. She's a very energetic young girl." He chuckled as he remembered all the things the two of them had knocked over in his own store.

The moment Nevin spoke of the cat girls making a mess, her eyes dilated three times larger. She dropped the wooden spoon she had onto the counter. Two words entered her head:

Oh no.

After a moment spent internally screaming, Felicity swiftly pulled the supplies together then headed out back. The doors swung as, briefly, the sound of glass shattering, a spare broom snapping in half, and a growl sounded from inside.

Seconds later, she reamerged with a fake but convincing smile. She carried a glass of water and the more potent variant of her Mooseroot concoction; as well as her blood thinners. She popped four pills, two of each kind, into her mouth then drank the H2O. As she set the glass down, she glanced at the little girl.

"No, this is not candy."

She then glanced at Nevin and smiled, "Your blood thinners are great, by the way." She took another swig of water.

Let the insanity begin...

Mylie's eyes grew round like saucers at the noise she heard coming from the back room. The growl, the sound of something snapping in half and the sound of shattering glass caused the little kitten to jump slightly up in the air. Her antics caused the beautiful sapphire butterfly to flutter from Nevin's finger and it begin to float around the store like a bright blue beacon. A beacon that was catching the startled little kitten's attention. In a excited voice Mylie muttered "I know Nevin, I know mommy always protects me and..." before she leapt off to chase after the butterfly the jittery little girl had to finish her conversation with Nevin first, turning to look up at him with her round cute green orbs she garbled out "I know mommy could get hurt, she'll do anything for me. I don't want that...but, it's my instincts! When I see something I want! I can't help but chase after it Mister Nevin! Maybe...though, your right I could ask mommy to join in my fun!" her tail then twitched after her last words left her mouth.

Her energy was endless as without hesitation she bounded onto the shop's counter top and begin to scramble after the butterfly, over her shoulder she purrs "I know your pills aren't candy! They don't smell sweet like Mister's Nevin's do! By the way I still want candy Nevin!" she then begin to try to gracefully leap over the various potion concoctions that were neatly lined up on the pristine counter. However her tail always in motion managed to nip the side of a small star shaped bottle and it tipped over onto the counter-top. The little rambunctious kitty was not paying attention, her only goal was to catch the little fluttering insect that was just out of her grasp to catch as a pet!

Rainee meanwhile let out an exasperated sigh, her voice was stern as she called to her daughter "Mylie...Honey come on! Please don't chase the pretty blue butterfly all over this nice girl's store! You are going to make a mess! If you have to exert that endless supply of energy sweetie, why don't you ask Nevin to play with you? Or perhaps..." Rainee gestured to the teenage girl alchemist who was trying to cope with her daughter's troublesome behavior and finished up "this nice young lady here? Playing games with them would be a much calmer way to have fun, instead of causing a ruckus by chasing this poor scared creature all over this shop!"

Mylie let out a pained meow, her paw now tipping over a medium sized leaf shaped potion bottle in an attempt to grab the skittering butterfly just out of her reach. Her face looked focused but annoyed as she whined "Nooooo mommy! I don't want to play! I want this butterfly! It keeps flying away from me!"

The nekojin's silver eyes narrowed to slits, her voice was growing even more tense as she hissed out, her tail now twitching slightly "I am your mother Mylie! You need to behave! I don't want you causing a mess like you did back in Nevin' s shop!" she then turned to the red haired alchemist and in a soft voice asked pleadingly "Do you have any candy you can give her? She seems to be in a mood today and I know my little one...candy would definitely distract her from trying to catch that poor insect and in the process causing chaos in your friend's shop!" she then moved towards him a pleading smile on her lips as she finished asking "Please? She really is driving crazy today!"

Felicity burst into a series of loud chuckles at the woman's request, "Honestly, I was the same exact way not two years back." Amused, she pulled her hand up and whispered to the mother, "I drove my family and surrogate sister crazy. It doesn't stop in the teens, we just cause trouble in different ways."

As much as the young woman had winced as the child neared the shelves, she had to remember... she would very well be the same way - and still was. She was curious to a fault, and her rambunctiousness made her a piece of work. Even today, Felicity would randomly decide to travel to Raiaera or something, which always threw Daisuke off. Felicity needed to calm down. Kids were kids, she was still one herself... just an older one.

Her face was now red from memories of her cringe worthy, lesser youth. Memories if Ashla and Daisuke finally losing patience with a fourteen year old's wild energy. Her enthusiastic curiosity and eagerness to learn was a gift they smiled warmly to. However, the saying went, ironically enough in her immediate situation, that curiosity killed the cat.

Of course the little girl needed something to make her stay still! Food still made the redhead with a hyper-metabolism stay quiet for five seconds. The teen was in an awkward place between the immature, free child and pessimistic, grown up adult. She could somehow relate to both the mother and the child. Considering that this was her shop, however, she veered towards the mother's side. She looked away for the moment, lost in thought, "I don't have any candy, unfortunately."

An idea suddenly sparked in her mind. Her eyes lit up, a gasp escaping her as she clapped her hands in excitement, "But I have cocoa mix in the back! I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to that stuff. I keep it stashed all the time."

A squeal of energy was released as she bounced in joy, "I have cute little mugs to go with it too!"

She then thought to ask. Her eyes briefly darted to Nevin than back to the neko, "You guys can have some too, if you want. I also have whipped cream and crushed peppermint packets to go with it."

Nevin had very quietly placed himself on damage control. He made sure he was always at most eight feet away from the small bundle of energy, and was watching her closely. Each time she knocked a bottle over, thin crimson threads shot out from his hand and prevented it from actually spilling. It was an odd sight, like strands of hair emerging from his skin to become bands and little ropes that would catch the glass bottles. He actually missed when Rainee mentioned asking him to play with the girl, but he did blink when Mylie knocked over another bottle, and threads shot out to catch it.

Dark red eyes turned to the pleading mother and he blinked again. Then he looked down at his belt and he began rummaging through the various pouches hanging there - then he let out a soft noise of triumph. He brought out a small orb, barely larger than a marble, wrapped in a small twist of cloth. He turned his eyes back to the bounding girl. And grinned. He could distract Mylie, that was true.

"Hey, Mylie. Candy." He grinned, and the small cloth-covered orb was taken into the end of a bundle of threads. He waved it in front of Mylie, dangling it just out of reach - and conveniently, in a direction where if she lunged for it, she would land on empty floor. Then he turned his attention towards Felicity, processing what the bubbly teen had asked.

"Ah, no. Not a fan of sweet things." That damn cupcake box taunted him. He had to find a use for it at some point. "I'll take coffee if you have any, but don't go out of your way, I'm not particularly thirsty." Inwardly, the male alchemist was trying to remember if he had been a hellion growing up. He didn't think so - he had, ah, rebelled in different ways. A faint frown crossed his face. Different ways indeed. He shoved the leaking memories back and focused on teasing and taunting Mylie, keeping her distracted and in a clear area so she didn't damage anything else.

Mylie’s bright green eyes widened in excitement when her eyes caught sight of the cloth covered orb. She saw Nevin’s threads holding the tantalizing treat just out of her reach. Her tail twitched eagerly as her little mind went from I must capture this butterfly! To... sweets! Need sweets, NOW! Abadoning her hunt to claim the butterfly as a pet, the eager little kitten leapt forward, trying to claim her sweet reward.

Her reward for her leap was a tumble into the clean wooden floor, her little form somersaulting over her feet, as she stopped dazed on the empty floor. Her body felt jolted from falling, but her exuberance was not dashed. A meow escaped her lips as she exclaimed “ You are playing a game Mister Nevin! You’re keeping the candy just out of my reach! I must get it!” She then begin to leap for the cloth covered orb Nevin was just dangling above her, her determination clear as she attempted to grab it!

Rainee let out a sigh of relief. A smile gracing her pretty face as she whispered to Nevin “ Thank you Nevin for distracting my little angel! I didn’t want her destroying your friends beautiful shop!” Her silver orbs widened when she saw Nevin’s crimson threads. Her voice was filled with awe as she softly asked “ Is that part of your blood magic Nevin?” Her soft hands gestured to the threads Nevin was using to keep candy just out of her daughter’s reach.

To Felicity the nekojin meows softly and answers “Hot cocoa sounds lovely miss! Also now that my little one is distracted, let me introduce myself! My name is Rainee and I’m a friend of Nevin’s! I met him when I needed a shop for to buy healing potions and of course mischief ensued, I was an overly curious kitty girl! But, a friendship came out of it!”

The cat-mother’s tail wagged lightly as she finished her words”So what is your name Miss and how did you and Nevin meet?”

It was quite amusing, watching Nevin keep the kitten from harm. As he distracted her with candy, Felicity listened to them as they addressed her.

"I believe I have caffeinated coffee in the back." She smiled at her older brother figure, her eyes twinkling from the humor of the exhausted alchemist and energetic kitten. It was a classic combination for chaos.

She turned to the older neko as she spoke. After her turn, Felicity beamed. She stepped out from behind the counter. The small door swung both ways as the young girl lightly bowed, "A pleasure to meet you, Rainee! I am an assistant of the Toivonen family. Felicity Rhyolite, at your service."

She glanced at Nevin at the question of where she came from. The scenario had a... long story. Thankfully, being the type to hide any major problems she had, Felicity was good at simplifying. She looked back to Rainee with a cheerful smile, "I had questions, from one alchemist to another."

She then stepped behind the counter, her hair bobbing as she strode, "What do you take your coffee with, Nevin?" He looked like he needed at least ten sugers. "Want anything with your cocoa, Rainee? What animal mugs do you guys want?"

The male redhead was currently leading the kitten girl in a merry chase around and around his legs, keeping the candy just out of her reach with the smooth red tendrils that had emerged from his wrist. Inwardly he had had a moment of shock and concern about using his threads, but none of the girls in the room had even blinked or asked him about them, so he was slowly relaxing from his tension. Keeping his attention on Mylie was helping too, the energetic girl clearly only had eyes for the candy that he was teasing her with, and didn't care about anything else.

He wondered, briefly, if it would be possible to keep her entertained with trying to bat at his threads like a real cat would chase a string. He rapidly discarded that idea though, he had absolutely no interest in feeling claws dig into the crimson tendrils. No, keep away with the hard candy would be enough. He blinked his dark eyes and looked up when he realized that Felicity had asked him a question about something.

He stared at the other redheaded alchemist as his mind cycled over and regurgitated what the other two had been saying. Ah, their meeting - no, that was a private matter and Felicity clearly didn't want to y'all about it now if her evasion of the topic was any indication. That, and the plunge into the mines were probably tender topics for her. So he let her handle the question, which she did with aplomb. He would have to pull her aside and talk with her later, though, he knew the teen was always bottling things up.

"I drink it black, Felicity." Nevin chuckled softly. He didn't, really, but he doubted Felicity had alcohol to add to it. No, buy he did, a nice flask of whiskey on his belt that he would happily add to the beverage. Not something he wanted to expose the teenager, or the energetic kitten who was curling around his leg and trying to catch the candy, to. Rainee knew he had a taste for booze so he didn't mind her knowing, but so far nothing had stressed him enough for him to need to take a drink straight. At least, not today.

While the teen was in the back, Nevin turned his attention to Rainee. "When you have the time you should come by my store, in Radasanth. I've expanded. Heh, you can meet my girlfriend even, she's usually around." He smiled, wide and easy. He found the expression coming to him much easier, these days.

OOC: Incomplete.

Flamebird receives 975 EXP and 105 GP!

Nevin receives 1155 EXP and 95 GP!

Nekoprincess receives 590 EXP and 55 GP!

All rewards added!