Chapter 39 The Gnome Shop 'Glimmering Garbs'

The lightning sliced through the stormy night, momentarily revealing a sinister figure lurking within the shadows, cast grotesquely by the flickering light. My eyes, transfixed by the unsettling sight, locked onto the ghastly silhouette: a naked goblin, his scrawny frame contorted in a grotesque display of torment. His bony fingers clung desperately to the edge of the basin, while his head was tilted impossibly far backward, nearly touching his hunched spine. A gaping maw, wide as the abyss itself, yawned open in a grotesque quiet scream.

 His gaping mouth seemed to be caught in a silent holler, a visage frozen in a moment of agony or ecstasy, I couldn't discern. It was then that a swift and elusive movement caught my gaze, something that could have been a person in a dark cape disappearing into the night. Or perhaps it was just a trick of shadows, playing tricks on my tired eyes.

A shiver ran down my spine as I withdrew from the window, the unsettling sight imprinted in my mind. It was a stark reminder that these goblins, who had appeared so cheerful and harmless in the light of day, took on a more sinister demeanor under the shroud of night.

With a sense of unease settling in, I hastily secured the door to my room, locking it with a trembling hand. Alone in a mansion filled with goblins, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was surrounded by lurking monsters. In the comforting embrace of daylight, they had seemed like playful jesters, but now, their ominous shadows cast doubt upon their true nature.

I retreated to the bed, my heart still racing from the unsettling encounter at the window. The rhythmic tapping of the rain against the windowpane soon became a lullaby, coaxing me into fitful sleep despite my overactive imagination.

Morning's gentle light crept into the room, casting aside the lingering specters of the night. I awoke to a soft knock on the door, the events of the previous night momentarily fading into the recesses of my memory. With groggy hesitation, I unlocked the door, the soft click echoing in the room.

As the door creaked open, Lumi's figure emerged her presence a soothing contrast to the unsettling events of the previous night. She entered the room with a gentle smile that dispelled the lingering shadows in my mind. Her eyes, warm and inviting, held the promise of a new day.

"Good morning, Kazuki," Lumi greeted me, her voice carrying a tone of genuine warmth.

I returned her smile, the unease of the night beginning to fade in her reassuring presence. 

"Morning, Lumi. How was your preparation for the feast?" I greeted her, my curiosity piqued about the preparations for her upcoming celebration feast. I couldn't help but smile at the adorable and boundless energy that seemed to radiate from her.

Lumi practically bounced with enthusiasm, her words tumbling out in a rush as she recounted the intricacies of the preparations. 

"Oh, Kazuki, it's been a whirlwind of activity! We've been working tirelessly to make sure everything is perfect. The decorations are coming along nicely; we've got these enchanting light crystals that will shimmer like stars in the night sky. And the menu! There's going to be an array of dishes from all the different races, a true culinary spectacle. The magic show is also shaping up to be truly magical, thanks to the help of some talented mages."

As she spoke, Lumi's gestures and expressions brought her excitement to life. Her hands painted vivid pictures in the air, and her eyes sparkled with the anticipation of the celebration.

She continued, "And the music! We're going to have a band playing enchanting melodies that will sweep everyone off their feet. And the fireworks! We're planning a spectacular display that will light up the night sky. It's going to be the grandest celebration Luminecia has ever seen!"

"It sounds amazing, Lumi," I replied with a grin.

However, our delightful conversation was soon interrupted by the arrival of Alitia, who sauntered into the room with a flirtatious smile. Her presence exuded an air of sophistication and allure that was hard to ignore.

"Lumi, dear sister," Alitia purred, her voice carrying a mischievous undertone, "it's time for us to head to the mansion and make sure everything is perfect for the feast."

Lumi's eyes sparkled as she responded in a sisterly manner, "Of course, big sis! Let's get everything ready."

Their playful banter and cheerful camaraderie were a testament to their close bond as sisters. As they made their way toward the door, Alitia turned her attention to me.

"Kazuki," she began, her tone more businesslike but still tinged with a hint of flirtation, "you'll need a suit for the feast. And since Goblin going to accompany you to pick one out, you'll need to ensure he selects something suitable for the occasion."

I nodded, understanding the importance of looking presentable at such a grand event.

 "Of course, Alitia. I'll make sure that I and Goblinworth get the right clothes."

Alitia flashed a dazzling smile and with a wink, she added, "Perfect. I trust you'll keep an eye on him for us. And don't let him pick anything too silly, we wouldn't want any fashion disasters at the feast. You saw how he is. Well, how all the goblins are."

With that, they left the room, leaving me with the task of ensuring Goblinworth and I found a suitable suit. As I contemplated the upcoming adventure, the goblin scampered through the door, as always his usual goofy expression plastered across his face.

"Hey there, Goblinworth," I greeted him with a smile. 

"We've got a mission ahead - finding us the perfect suits for the feast. Alitia wants us to look presentable."

Goblinworth's eyes widened with what I could only describe as an exaggerated show of understanding. He nodded vigorously, though it was hard to tell if he truly understood the task at hand or was simply going along with my words.

"I know just the place," Goblinworth chimed in, "There's a gnome, you see. He's got the best outfits in the whole town. Gnomes, they know clothes, they do. Gnome little hands know the touch of a cloth, magnificent attire."

I couldn't help but smile at Goblinworth's enthusiasm, despite his limited grasp of the situation.

 "That sounds perfect, Goblinworth. Lead the way."

Goblinworth seemed to vibrate with energy, "Gnome, gnome! Follow me, Master Kazuki! You'll see, see!"

The goblin needed no further encouragement. With a sudden burst of energy, he scampered toward the door, tripping over his own feet in his excitement. I followed close behind as we embarked on our quest for the perfect suit, with Goblinworth's constant chatter filling the air with his unique brand of enthusiasm.

We reached a small shop with a sign that read "Glimmering Garbs" in an elaborate font that seemed to glitter in the sunlight. Goblinworth beamed with pride as if he had led us to a hidden treasure trove.

"Here, here! This the place, Master Kazuki! Best suits, yes, yes!" Goblinworth declared with a triumphant point at the sign.

Stepping into the shop, its shelves adorned with an array of fine garments, Goblinworth's excitement was elevated. He wasted no time, dashing off in a whirlwind of movement, his tiny figure navigating through the clothes with unbridled enthusiasm. Meanwhile, my gaze was drawn to a sleek suit that seemed to catch the light in just the right way, promising a perfect fit.

As I admired the suit, my attention was momentarily diverted by the goblin's antics. It was a whirlwind of sniffing, touching, and excited mutterings as Goblinworth explored each fabric with an almost childlike fascination.

He grabbed a pair of slick pointy shoes and licked them then said, "Mmmhmm! New shoes! It tastes like new shoes!"

Turning my focus back to the task at hand, I addressed Goblinworth, my tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

 "Goblinworth, I'm interested in this suit for myself, but what about you? Do you think we can find something suitable for you?"

Goblinworth's eyes darted around the shop before they settled on me, and a wide grin spread across his face. His response came in a rush of goblin-like excitement, his words a joyful blur.

 "Oh yes, yes! Master Alitia gave coins for purchase. She said to make sure Goblinworth gets smart clothes for the big feast! I will look for the perfect fit! Grand feast! Need to look somerifticated!"

"That's great to hear, Goblinworth but the word is sophisticated. I'm glad Alitia thought of everything. Let's find you something stylish and appropriate for the occasion."

 As we browsed through the racks, Goblinworth's commentary was a rapid-fire blend of exclamations and observations, each snippet a testament to his unique goblin perspective.

"Shiny! So shiny! Goblinworth must have a shiny vest! Look at these buttons! They're bigger than goblin heads! Powerful buttons! And this hat, it's the very pinnacle of fashion, though maybe a tad too fancy for a goblin of my stature!"

He twirled around in a coat with oversized buttons, his movements so grandiose that he seemed like a pint-sized fashion model on a catwalk. 

"Ooh, this cloak, like a sneaky goblin in shadows. But maybe too sneaky for the feast?"

"Yes, too sneaky," I agreed, "you need to be visible at the feast, not stealthy. Let's look for something else."

 Goblinworth insisted on trying on every gnome-sized hat in the shop.

 "Master Kazuki! I need a hat! I will do a fancy bow, tipping my hat to the guests, doing a fancy thing! I need a hat to practice that!"

As he did, he'd strike a pose, tipping his head dramatically and declaring himself "The Grand Gnome Goblin" or "The Hat King of Luminecia." 

His gaze fell upon a beautifully crafted scarf, adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colors.

With an exaggerated flourish, he wrapped the scarf around his neck, and for a moment, it seemed like the perfect finishing touch to his outfit. However, as he stood there, lost in thought and admiring his reflection in a nearby mirror, a peculiar notion took hold.

Suddenly, the goblin's eyes widened in sheer panic, and he clutched at the scarf as if it were a venomous serpent attempting to strangle him. In a comical manner, he began to tug at it, his tiny goblin fingers flailing wildly. He whispered to himself in faux panic, "Oh no! The scarf, It's... It's trying to strangle me!"

"What's happening, Goblinworth?" I asked, taken aback by his frantic actions.

But the goblin was in the midst of an epic battle with the seemingly treacherous scarf. He hopped and twisted, all the while uttering a cacophony of curses that were both absurd and hilarious. His goblin voice reached a pitch as he shouted, "You fiendish piece of fabric! I shall not succumb to your stranglehold! Begone, foul accessory! I will not be bested by some piece of cloth! Not now! Not today!"

He twisted and turned, leaping in exaggerated jumps, as if he were engaged in a life-and-death struggle with an invisible foe. With each tug and twist more dramatic than the last.

 At one point, he even attempted to negotiate with it, shouting, "Scarf, we can settle this like civilized beings! Release your grip, and I shall spare your threads!"

Finally, after a few minutes, his battle against the nefarious scarf reached its conclusion. He managed to free himself with a triumphant flourish, flinging the scarf onto a nearby chair with all the flair of a victorious hero.

He stood there, panting and sloppy, his eyes narrowing at the discarded scarf as if daring it to make another move. In a mixture of relief and defiance, he poked his tongue out at the scarf, declaring, "Ha! I've bested you, kerchief! No bandanna can defeat the mighty Goblinworth!"