Velvet's Sundries

When Mira entered, she was immediately met with a very strong herbal scent, one she couldn’t quite place. She saw the room was dimly lit by a few purple-glowing orbs hanging from the ceiling and held by vines. Or that was what it looked like. Pink smoke clung to the ceiling, crawling towards the only open window in the back of the shop.

She could also make out six bubbling cauldrons, each holding a differently colored liquid inside. From her vantage point, Mira could make out blue, purple, red, green, yellow and orange. Their purposes however, eluded her.

Mira took a few steps forward, her eyes wide with wonder. Her gaze swept over walls that were lined with shelves, all full of different herbs, reagents and the like. Staves and wands of various make were locked behind glass displays and robes were dangling from a few racks. There was a shelf full of books and a few open ones on display. Worn green carpets led across the floor to a wooden counter. And on its right side were wooden steps leading upwards.

“What a strange place… But I like it! I feel at home here!” she said with giddy delight.

 When she turned her head to Rhys, she could see that he on the other hand did not appear very fond of this place. He hovered near the door, his eyes sweeping the room like he expected something to leap out at him.

“It’s… alright, I guess. A little smoky. Now…” he said and eyed the empty counter.

“Where’s Velvet? Is she out or-“ he was interrupted.

“I’m on my waaaay… Hold on.” Mira could hear a drawling voice coming from upstairs.

The woman came into view with half-lidded and almost bored eyes. Black rectangular glasses sat on her nose, framing scarlet eyes. She had long pink hair that reached to her hips and wore a black, pointed hat. The human woman had a top-heavy, curvaceous figure with a ruffled top, hugged by a corset and ending in a long dress. Mira assumed from the looks of it, that she was in her late twenties. In her hand she carried a long, brazen smoking pipe from which she drew a breath and puffed pink smoke into the air. Mira gave the pipe a curious glance.

Those engravings, the material… Is that a casting catalyst?! She thought and her ears wiggled.

“…Huh. I see. That one I know.” She said, pointing with her pipe at Rhys. “And that one I don’t…”

The pipe landed on Mira and she followed it with her gaze. Then she quirked a brow and looked into the womans crimson gaze.

“You know him?” she asked.

“More or less. He’s running errands for his grandfather sometiiiimes…” Velvet said and took another breath from her pipe.

Velvet turned around with a sway of her hips and walked to the counter with a sashay. She twirled her pipe in her hand, then took another breath before looking over her shoulder. Mira’s eyes locked with her again, before Velvet shrugged and continued her way to the counter.

“Take your tiiiime, girl. But keep the blonde one away from the goooods… He keeps complaining if they bite.” She said and drew her hand over the wooden counter as she rounded it.

Then she sat behind it, arms crossed under her chest. Her voice had a certain tired lilt to it, in addition to the drawl. But it didn’t deter Mira, who immediately walked all over the store. If anything, she had surmised by now that people in this town just appeared quirky like that! Or maybe not. She wasted no further thoughts on it; her surrounding was far more intriguing to her.

With wide eyes she inspected everything displayed. She found wooden wands, carved from different trees with ornate markings. Beautifully crafted staves, few made from metal. Flying brooms too, magical bags that could hold way more than they logically should. Mira was nearly drooling at the sight, everything here was exciting.

Ahh, this feels nice! I could move in! Oh, maybe I should ask the owner if she needs help? That would be great! She thought, hiding her want to squeal in excitement.

She turned her head and looked around some more. One of the displayed books immediately drew her attention.

Is that a spellbook? Oh, it seems used and written in! She thought and reached for the pages, almost like a moth drawn to a flame.

“Oh! I wonder what’s written th-“

“Mira, don’t!” Rhys called out.

But too late. The book snapped shut around her hand.

“Ah! Ah ah ah! Let go! Let go!” she squeaked.

Mira shook her hand, but the book held fast. From the corner of her eye she saw Velvet rolling her eyes and sighing in exasperation.

“Easy giiiirl. It’s an anti-theft spell.” she drawled.

 Velvet moved from her counter towards Mira. She twirled her pipe around and tapped the book.


Mira saw a wave of pink energy surging across the book and it promptly let go.

“No touching, only look.” She added.

“Does… Does everything in this shop bite?!” Mira asked.

 Her voice was full of shock and genuine curiosity. Her eyes were glinting with excitement. A smirk grew on Velvet’s face and tapped Mira’s sternum with the pipe.

“I like that one. Where’d you get her, Rhys?” Velvet asked.

She looked over Mira’s shoulder and she followed her gaze to the man waiting near the entrance. Rhys scratched the back of his head and exhaled.

“She uhm… Washed ashore.”

“Washed ashore? How peculiar. Yes. I like that.” Velvet said with a lazy drawl and eyed Mira’s face again.

“For yoooour question, girl? Yes they do.”

“Her cauldron almost bit my fingers off…” Rhys mumbled.

“No touching the goods, remember blondie? I’ll put up a sign for those buffoons soon.”

Rhys rolled his eyes and crossed his arms while leaning against the door. Velvet quickly forgot about him, or just chose to ignore his presence. All attention was on Mira now, so she felt.

“So… What brings you heeeere, little elf?”

“Hmm. I need a whole slew of things to be honest.”

“Don’t we aaaaall? Spill it, girl. Let me see how I can help out a fellow wizard.”

 Velvet tapped her pipe with one arm draped over her waist. She tilted her head a little, her scarlet eyes searching Mira’s.

“Okay so… I need a new robe.”

“Uh-huuuuh…”

“And a new spellbook.”

“Go oooon…”

“And maybe some potions, I have three flasks to fill!” Mira finished.

Velvet let her gaze sweep over Mira. With her pipe she pushed the borrowed coat open to gaze at the tatters. Mira didn’t protest and simply let her do it, while Velvet clicked her tongue.

“That is nooooo fit for a wizard. Darn pirates. Guess we reeeeally can’t have nice things around here…”

Velvet took another breath from her pipe. This time she eyed Mira from head to toe, nibbled on her pipe and nodded.

“I miiiight have a robe that would fit your figureee. Now, a new spellbook? What happened to your old one?”

As if prompted to, Mira pulled out her salt-logged spellbook. Velvet eyed it, narrowed her eyes and her face darkened. She twirled per pipe and-

“Ow!” Mira yelped.

The woman had whacked her head with the pipe. Mira bent forward and rubbed the aching spot where Velvet struck her with a pouting face. That really felt uncalled for!

“What kind of wizard lets their spellbook get all soggyyy?! Ugh. You must be an apprentiiice…”

“I w-was shipwrecked! I-“

“Had no control over it? A wizards spellbook is their heart, their very being! Now look at it! Can’t even use it for firewood anymore. Such negligence…. Velvet sighed and waved Rhys off, who had started to approach them.

“I’ll get you a new one. Transcribe what you caaaan later.” she sighed and rubbed her temples.


“Potions are vague, giiirl. I have plenty here.”

“Hmm…”

Mira crossed her hands behind her back and walked to the red one. She could smell it and her face scrunched up; it smelled weird, like a mix of earthy and green, almost like fresh hay but very pungent as well. That was a Flameweed Potion.

“Ugh. I guess one of these will work. Maybe two.” she said.

She hated the taste and the after effects. That miserable night she wouldn’t forget so fast. But the bitter taste didn’t outweigh its benefits. Stocking up on these seemed a good idea for her. But she knew she had one more flask to fill.

“And uh… What is this?” she asked and pointed to the blue potion.

“Thaaat? Simple Burst Potion. You don’t drink it, you throoow it. Makes a nice hole where it lands.”Mira raised her brows and thought about it.

A potion I can weaponize? I’d lose the flask but in a last-ditch effort? Maybe?

She mulled over it and nodded. Two potions for healing, one for the offense. That would work.

“Alright, I’ve decided! Two Flameweed, one Burst.” She said confidently and clapped her hands once.

Velvet seemed pleased with that. With no further ado, she moved to the robes hanging from the drawers.

“Then that is settled. Now let’s see, let’s seeeeee… What would fit theeeee…?”

She drew her finger across the robes, then picked one out. Mira could see purple and white, almost the colors of her tattered robes. Without ceremony she tossed it for Mira to catch, then pointed to the back of the shop. Hidden away near the robes was a green curtain.

“Go get changed, girl. I’ll find you a book.”

“Many thanks!” Mira chirped and hurried into the changing room.

Once she was inside, Mira made quick work of the cloak and her tattered robes. She held her old clothing out before herself, giving them one last appreciative smile. They had done their job for now. Part of her still wondered how they must have looked before she shipwrecked.

They fulfilled their duty now and she folded them together, eyes already on her new garments. She slid into them and delighted at the feeling; even washed, her old clothes were rough and ragged. These robes were new, silky soft to the touch. They were a perfect fit. Not too loose, nor too tight. Perfectly comfortable and most imporantly: not shredded. In high spirits, she left the dressing room and waved at the two of them.

“I’m finished!” she chirped.

Immediately walked up to Rhys by the door. She spread her arms wide and tilted her head with a smile while showing off.

“How do I look? I think it’s perfect!” she said, swaying a side to side.

She wore a strapless dress that hugged her curves, with yellow seams at the top and pink ones at the bottom, the hem reaching mid-thigh. A brown corset framed her waist, from which hung purple fabric, open at the front and falling just short of her ankles. White thigh-highs and brown boots covered her legs. On her arms she wore purple sleeves with yellow seams. And around her neck, a ribbon necklace with a pink glass orb that glinted like a gem. Her appearance was a far cry from the sorry state she was found in, and she was quite comfortable in her new garments.

Mira watched Rhys’ gaze, a wide smile appearing on her face as she waited in anticipation. She watched his eyes roam over the armlets, the corset and boots, as if studying them carefully. His eyes met hers again, then they drifted to her arms and briefly below her neckline. But he seemed to have caught himself and tore his gaze away with reddened cheeks. Mira’s cheeks flushed similarly and she smiled a bit sheepishly through the fluster. But neither commented on the little accident of his gaze slipping to her décolletage. Finally, Rhys cleared his throat.

“Ah, this dress befits a formidable mage, truly! I must s—say, it fits you very well!” he said.

His voice was rising an octave. Mira blinked at him. Those antics were a part of him and part of her was very well grateful for the distraction. She covered her mouth and giggled.

“Well, I’m glad! Oh right, the cloak!” she said and hurried back to fetch it along with her old tattered robes. She stuffed her old robes into her bag and folded the cloak, holding it out to Rhys.

“Thanks for letting me borrow it!” she said.

“Oh, no problems.” He said and took the cloak from her and stashed it away.

“It iiiis a good fit on you, girl…” Velvet drawled.

Mira’s head snapped to Velvet who approached her with a spellbook. It was simple, bound in brown leather with no inscriptions. It had yellow seams around its edges and the binder. Just an ordinary notebook from the looks of it. She held it up and tapped it against Mira’s forehead.

“Simple, magically conductive. It will do its job. If you need something fancier, I’ll be heeere.”

She pressed the book into Mira’s hand before drawing another breath from her pipe. Almost giddy with excitement, Mira took the book and flipped through the pages. All of them were blank. She could start transcribing as soon as she paid for everything. Her first wizarding work ever since she woke up, how exciting!

“That will work, yes.” Mira said and nodded.

“You have a quill? An inkwell?”

“Yes, both! I got lucky with those.”

“Mhmmm… Lucky indeeeed… Less you need to buy.” Velvet said and turned around to face the cauldrons.

“You need flask or you got some?”

Before Mira could even answer, Velvet tapped both needed cauldrons with her pipe. A puff of pink smoke spilled from the pipe and the cauldrons shimmered briefly.

“Oh! I have my own set.” Mira said and pulled her flasks out.

She gave a questioning glance at Velvet, who gave her a simple nod. Mira’s face lit up and she uncorked her flasks and went straight ahead to fill them. Two flasks filled with red liquid, one with blue. She stashed them all away securely in her bag and followed Velvet to the counter, now with Rhys in tow.

“Will that be aaaaall?” the woman said and moved behind the counter.

“Oh, yes that’s everything! How uh… How much would that be?”

Velvet muttered something under her breath, tallying with her pipe, pointing at the clothes, then four times at Mira’s bag.

“Mhh… Fifty for the robes, forty for the potions, ten for the book. A hundred Tels.”

Mira saw Rhys flinching from the corner of her eye. It happened in her peripheral but most of her attention was on Velvet. Rhys bent forward, hands on the counter and opened his mouth.

“A hundred Tels?! That is far too m-“

“Alright~!” Mira chirped.

She handed Velvet one gold coin from her pouch. Velvet flipped the coin around, narrowed her eyes, bit down on it and pulled a drawer out under the table. She stashed the money away, locked the drawer, then tapped it with her pipe.

“Pleasure doing business with youuuu. If you need more, I’ll be here, waitiiing.”

 Velvet eyed her with a satisfied smile. Rhys stood there nearly mortified, frozen in place. Mira held onto her new book with giddy delight but somehow Rhys didn’t seem to share the same enthusiasm. Was something wrong? She gave it some thought but then she remembered: Now she could transcribe her spells! And that took precedent now.

“Thank you, I’ll come back when I can! Come on, Rhys!” she said and walked to the front door. She turned to him and watched him unfreeze, then slowly move toward her.

“Y-yes, alright…” he cleared his throat and glanced at Velvet. “See you around then, Velvet.”

“Yes, yeees… Whatever. Don’t let the door hit you on the way ouuut…” she said and ascended the staircase. Rhys watched after her, sighed and left the store with Mira.