They left Veronica to finish contacting the editors to place their order and pack the hundreds of items Robert bought. He tried to avoid thinking about how much those things cost but it was worth it. Knowledge, entertainment material, and things to research. The purchase of Ether scrolls he would never use was also necessary, to mask the fact he now had more affinities than before.

They left the bookstore after Amanda gave the manager her final admonitions about treating Veronica as her proxy.

"Where to, now?" Amanda asked. She now had a permanent smile plastered on her face.

"I need to visit Aethericheart Artificers, Madam Diana, and buy some hobby enchanting supplies."

"Humm," She leaned and looked at him, studying his face as she got used to doing recently. "Boring. We should buy clothes. Yes! Let's go, I want you to pick some clothes for me!" Taking his hand, she dragged him toward the boutiques.

Robert knew picking clothes for Amanda was a helpless task with no chance of success. In his mind, if it was all the same, he should at least try to fail most spectacularly. The first outfits he picked were the ones he thought had the least in common with Amanda. The ones that would make him wince if he saw her wearing them.

But someone went through the trouble of designing, sewing, stocking, and displaying these clothes. They couldn't be that bad. He picked three outfits and handed them to the clerk. The woman stared at him like he was one of those green aliens from TV shows.

"There we go," Amanda said. "May we use your private testing room?"

"Certainly, Miss Samson," the clerk said. "This way."

They went to a room with a small circular dais surrounded by a comfortable couch. The clerk pointed to where Robert should sit and led Amanda behind a curtain where she could change. The woman returned and stood behind Robert.

"Sir, if you wish for any drinks or appetizers, please ask me."

"Some fresh fruit juice would be fine. With petit-fours, pastries, biscuits, or cookies."

"Certainly, sir. Just a moment."

The clerk moved to a crystal plate next to the door and tapped on it. Half a minute later, a pitcher of yellow juice with dark brown seeds floating on it and plates with appetizers appeared on the table next to Robert. The clerk deftly approached and took the pitcher.

"We have passion fruit juice."

"Yes, please."

She poured him a glass. Robert only had time to taste two of the small pastries and take a sip of the juice before Amanda came out of the dressing area.

Amanda wore a blue dress that had bands of fabric going around the body and bending at angles as if someone had loosely wrapped ribbon around a doll. It was... fashion, of some sort, Robert guessed. As she walked to the dais, the impractical dress got in the way of her arms and the tight pencil skirt made walking difficult. Yet, she had some grace in her steps and movements. They were fluid, maybe too fluid.

Robert looked at the clerk to gauge her reaction. The woman had a twitch on one corner of her lips and creases in the corner of her eyes. It seems she didn't like the dress.

Amanda reached the dais and made a pose. The dais lit up and started to spin slowly on its own, along with tiny spotlights on the sides and from above. It highlighted the whole outfit so people could see it without any shadows to mask its shape. When the dais turned in a way she was facing him, Amanda made some funny faces.

"How do I look?" She asked.

Robert leaned, braced an elbow on his knee, and rested his head on his hand. "Awful. Absolutely disgusting. You make the dress no justice," he said with an affected and over-the-top reproachful tone.

Amanda threw her head back and laughed. She tried to keep up with the rotation by moving in the opposite direction. The clerk pressed a button and the dais stopped spinning, causing Amanda to falter but not stumble. She quickly reacted and straightened her body.

"I make the 'dress' no justice, eh?" She challenged him with a smirk.

Robert said nothing, he just returned the smirk. He was playing in dangerous territory. If she mistook one of his words for the real thing, he'd be in deep shit. The truth was that the dress was one of those "concept" designs and it was a fashion death trap for almost anyone. He believed she could only be that gracious in that badly-spun bundle of duct tape because of the octopus tempering she got. The unwieldy dress wanted to pull her in all the wrong directions when she walked. At least those bands would cushion the fall.

"I'm taking this one," Amanda said with a defiant voice. "And wearing it to the Imperial Academy gala when they award the tournament winners. Can you imagine it, Robert? Me, standing on the first place podium, in this haute couture pièce de résistance, getting a medal from the Empress herself?"

Robert choked on a pastry. He washed it down with passion fruit juice. Next, he stood up and took the other three dresses, shoving them toward the clerk.

"I'm going to get other dresses," He said as he hurried back to the storefront.

*

*

"I'm picking your clothes for the gala next," Amanda said, her tone unwilling to harbor any dissent.

"Sure."

"It must coordinate with my gorgeous dress," she giggled.

Revenge incoming. But Robert walked into that one on his own. He had nobody to blame but himself.

They arrived at a small haberdasher hidden away in a seldom-visited corner of the mall. It was down a small dead-end corridor, past an old ATM machine.

"You are about to discover one of the darkest secrets of this Mall," Amanda said with an ominous voice.

Robert paused to study the girl. She was doing all these voices, showing these different sides of herself. While interesting, it begged the question, why. Maybe it was because she had just spent close to four months in a constant state of distress and high alert, without social contact with other women and someone to talk to. Neither Robert nor Noah were good enough at conversations to fulfill her need for socialization.

And now she was pulling the pendulum in the other direction. The reactions and expressions she was making were over-the-top because of calibration issues and her need to vent.

Perhaps he should take her to a music show. Or a nightclub. But she was not old enough to drink so the nightclub idea was out. But a place to dance and let loose was just the thing she needed.

"Earth to Robert!" Amanda waved a hand in front of his face.

"Oh, yes. What is the darkest secret of this mall, O mighty oracle of shopping?" Robert asked.

"Oracle of shopping? I like it!" Amanda squealed. "This is an exclusive shop that only services the most handsome gentlemen. Come, let's see if you got what it takes to earn an outfit from them."

This mall was very, very strange. It was like it had an ordinary mall as a cover for these strange shops, like Madam Diana and the Aethericheart artificers. What was next? A witch's hut?

They entered.

"Miss Samson, Mister Blaze, welcome," an old man with a monocle greeted them. He had white hair combed to perfection and wore a suit that was perfectly fit for him. The only thing that marked him as someone who made and sold clothing and not an executive on the board of some megacorporation was the pincushion full of colorful pins strapped to his wrist and a measuring tape instead of a handkerchief hanging out of his breast pocket.

Wait, how did he know their names?

Amanda bowed slightly. "Master Zayfir, thank you for having us."

"Of course. You are here to get an outfit for the gentlemen, I assume?"

Oh, maybe Amanda booked a private session.

Robert bowed a bit deeper than Amanda. "I believe so, Master Zayfir."

Zayfir studied him. He was thinking he should get used to people examining his face and figure out if the trend continued.

"What depth of character. You, Mr. Blaze, is an enigma. And I love unraveling puzzles just as much as any man my age."

Which was most likely more than a century.

"If I may ask, what makes you think that?" Robert asked.

"This is not the first time you walk this Earth after the rift cataclysm. Someone used a talent to cheat oblivion. I'm sorry but I cannot say more than that."

Robert stopped breathing for a long moment. What Zayfir said resonated with something in the back of his mind but the thought was lost. It was like trying to grasp and remember a dream he had last week. He knew he had the dream but any details were beyond his reach.

Amanda was staring at him with wide eyes but she said nothing.

"Well, let's not waste time, shall we?" The old man said with a faint smirk. "Let me get your measurements... done!"

Robert felt some Space essence move around him and withdraw in less than a handful of seconds. When he looked at the old man, Zayfir winked.

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"It will be seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars," Zayfir declared out of the blue.

What? Three-quarters of a million for a suit?

"Do you take credit?" Amanda asked. "It's a gift for Mr. Blaze."

"It's what?" Robert asked, his mind discombobulated by the absurdity of this visit.

"My father already approved a budget for gifts," Amanda said, reminding him of his outlandish demand back when Freddy entered their lives.

"Yes, yes. A wise choice," Zayfir chuckled.

Amanda produced her credit card and finished the transaction. Zayfir waved them off.

"Come back in two weeks to get your suit. And Mr. Blaze, if you aren't convinced the suit is worth its price then, you may say what you think it's worth and I'll refund the difference."

It was a trap if he ever saw one. "And what if I think it's worth more?"

"Then I'll be honored that I have satisfied my customer to that point. Worth is in the eyes of the beholder, Mr. Blaze."

"Thank you, Master Zayfir," Robert bowed again.

"Off you go, I won't ruin your date with my ugly mug. One last thing, Mr. Blaze. Beware what lurks in the depths."

He didn't get a chance to ask what he meant as Amanda dragged him out of the shop. "We shouldn't waste Master Zayfir's time," was all she said.

*

*

Their next stop was the Ashflake Trading Company. The logo of a dark tree with blood-red leaves in a snowy field against the rising sun and a demonic eye in the middle of the trunk still unsettled Robert.

Stella, the strawberry blonde girl in traditional Asian clothing greeted them. "Greetings, Miss Samson, Master Blaze. I'm honored by the visit of such esteemed interspace explorers. News of your exploits reached our ears."

"Thank you, Stella," Amanda said.

"Oh, are these puffblooms? Deviant puffblooms? What a rarity!" Stella gushed over Cotton and Coal on Robert's shoulders. "Did you tame them?"

"Of course," Robert replied. "I wouldn't go around with wild monsters."

Stella poked the furballs with her finger, giggling as Cotton and Coal squeaked in delight.

"But puffblooms are one of the few peaceful monster species. Too bad they often don't survive outside of their home realm. Something with their Ether intake. I believe these two are fine because they have extra affinities."

"Are we late for our appointment with Lady Diana?" Amanda asked.

"Absolutely not. You are early. Would you accept a cup of tea while you wait?"

"It'd be lovely, thank you," Amanda said.

They sat on cushions in the waiting room. Stella brewed and served tea for them, a complex ritual Robert watched with great interest. It was magnificent and already worth the visit.

"You may blow on the tea if it's too hot for you," Stella said, breaking the silence.

Amanda blew twice, then sipped. At this point, she probably could bathe in boiling water and only come out mildly red. As for Robert, he was squishier but he had to keep the tea in contact with his skin for a few seconds for it to harm him. Otherwise, it would just waste some energy from his ablative chronal shear.

But the tea was not only delicious but also restored a tiny amount of essence. It relaxed his body and eased his mind. He found focusing his thoughts easier.

"Perfect," Robert said with a sigh.

"I'm glad you liked it. Oh, it seems Madame Diana is ready to see you."

The timing was too perfect but Robert wouldn't complain. He stared at the teapot for a little longer.

"We sell this particular blend of tea," Stella said.

He grinned and nodded. "I would like to buy some."

"Of course, Master Blaze. I'll add a bag to your order."

"Make it two, one for the lady," He replied.

Stella nodded happily. Robert wondered how expensive this tea was, and then remembered he was a millionaire. Whatever. He'd rather spend the money than bequeath it to his successors. It wasn't like Amanda would fire him tomorrow. His deal with Titania gave him a modicum of job security. How much he knew about Samson Corporation's secrets guaranteed he would have to go into hiding if their employment contract went up in flames.

They entered the sanctum. It was the same as before, the hanging fabrics, the calming incense, the faint but welcoming lighting, and the soothing atmosphere. They sat on silk pillows.

"It is a delight to see you in good health," the raven-haired consultant said. She closed her eyes for six long breaths. "And you are growing splendidly in power and stature. Tell Actus I send my compliments and regards."

"Sure, and thank you," Amanda said.

"How may I help you today?" Diana asked.

Amanda and Robert exchanged a glance and then nodded at each other. Robert tilted his head to signal Amanda should go first. The girl showed her pendant.

"We obtained this item from a trophy. It granted me some lightning tempering but it has expended all its power already. I would like to ask if you have something that can strengthen that tempering."

Diana took the pendant and studied it. "Actus' work, I presume? Marvelous. But I'm afraid I can't help you. You would need a way to cycle Lightning essence to continue with this tempering, to form a proper technique shell. Any alchemical bath I prepare for you will not only be painful and require healing but also provide marginal benefits. Not worth the trouble."

"I put out a search for a Lightning treasure with the ATA but the odds of them actually sourcing one are very small."

"Indeed. Lightning is a highly-coveted element. Would you like me to ask among my sources if they can procure one?"

Diana's supply channels were separate from the ATA. Robert was pretty sure the Ashflake Trading Company dealt with black-market goods sub rosa.

"Yes, please."

If Amanda acquired the Lightning affinity, her power would skyrocket. The one thing she lacked right now was offense since she wasn't built for close-quarter combat where the Earth-Water combo would shine.

Diana extended a hand. Amanda shook it. "I see you finally tempered stoneskin," Diana said.

"And thousand wet hells. it's ready to evolve to the second stage."

"Good. Would you like a more potent version of your three-affinity bath? If you have an in-site healer, I can even add a smidgen of Lightning so we can see how well your body takes to it."

"Yes, please. That would be all on my side, Diana," Amanda said.

"As for the gentlemen?" Diana purred.

Amanda didn't react. Such respect. Robert leaned and remembered Diana was trustworthy.

"I need to commission a new tempering bath," he said hesitantly and took a piece of paper from his ring. "With these affinities."

Diana glanced at the paper and snapped the fingers of the other hand. The paper went up in flames, burning perfectly. Not a single mote of ash was left. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me this is a prank by you college kids."

"I'm afraid it's the truth," Amanda said.

"Six?" Diana asked.

"Six," Robert replied.

"I weep for you. Fate will come to collect these bounties. Very well. I assume you want a tempering bath for your affinities."

"Yes."

"And with extra materials like the previous time?"

"Indeed."

"Fey affinity materials are rare but nobody uses them. If I start buying in large quantities, it will raise some eyebrows. People will wonder if I found a utility for them."

"Fey, not Fairy?" Amanda asked.

"Affinities can have different names," Diana said. "It's not like the Ether comes with written labels. What's the difference between Wind and Air? None."

Most scholars believed there were subtle differences. And overlaps. But the actual magic depended on both the affinity and the person. Most went with the names the Prime Vestige itself gave the affinities.

"But can you do it?"

"Yes, I can. It will only cost more and take longer because I'll need to buy small amounts here and there. I'll have everything in one month, but the price..."

She said a big number. A very big number.

"Can I gift this to you?" Amanda asked.

"Is it within the budget approved by your father?" He got a nod from her. "Then go for it."

"Say, Diana, what if I source some of these materials through Samson? I'll have them delivered to me and bring them to you in my storage ring."

The two women negotiated a discount. The haggling ended at more than half the first but with a promise to have Samson become a supplier of such exotic materials with good conditions. As one of the major factions, the corporation had some clearance to buy controlled materials.

"One last thing, Robert," Diana said. "Can you show me one fey spell? Any one?"

"Yes, I do. Can I tickle the back of your hand?"

Robert had learned from his previous incident with Amanda. He tickled the back of Diana's hand and cast Euphoria on her. She started laughing so hard that she fell off her silk pillow and rolled on the ground. Robert cut the spell and she recomposed herself.

"Thank you. It's quite the affinity. Say, do you need instruction on how to use it? I can procure some learning materials on the affinity."

"Yes, and I just remembered we need another thing. Freddy, you can show up, buddy."

The big Taulusian hound appeared next to Robert.

"An Arch-Taulusian?" Diana shook her head. "You are going to inoculate me against surprises."

"I want alchemical tempering baths for Freddy, Cotton, and Coal here. Their affinities are Wind and Illusion, Wind and Light, and Wind and Darkness, respectively."

"That's easy enough, except for the Illusion. Doable, though. I'll throw it as a courtesy if you answer me one thing. Did you find and use a unique Prime Vestige?"

Robert glanced at Amanda, earning a nod from the girl. "Yes, I did."

"Say no more. I'll get heart demons if you reveal anything else," Diana cupped her hands over her left chest.

*

*

They went to the food court, bought snacks for the two of them, and fried vegetables for Freddy. After lunch, they bought several tool sets for engraving and enchanting before going to the last business stop of the day. Aethericheart Artificers.

Yolania was already waiting for them. The redhead grinned. "I heard rumors you two were parading all around the mall, breaking hearts and dizzying minds! I was here, thinking you'd not visit me!"

"Good afternoon, Yolania," Robert said.

"What are these lovely creatures?" The artificer said as she reached to pick up Coal but withdrew her arms as she noticed she hadn't asked for permission.

"You can pet them," Robert said as he gave Coal a mental command to go and play with the redhead woman. Then Cotton because the two were jealous of each other.

"Sales of your clock device are still good," the redhead revealed. "Say, do you have another idea for a contraption?"

"Indeed, I do," Robert chuckled.

"My creative juices are overflowing. Let's go to the back and you'll tell me what you want."

They entered the workshop. Everything was meticulously in place. It was still somewhat disappointing. When Robert thought of an artifice shop, he imagined it would have tools and gears and sprockets all over the workbenches, with curly metal swarf littering the ground. Instead, everything was as clean as a surgical center.

Yolania sat at a workbench with a sheaf of drawing paper clamped to it. She took a clockwork stylus. "Ready. What do you need?"

Robert sat in the chair she assigned to him. "I want a doll house. It should be a cube with exactly one meter wide. What makes this dollhouse different from all others is this: All appliances, plumbing, sewage, lighting, air conditioning, cooking, laundry, everything should work as the real counterparts. It should have some environmental shielding to keep dust, small velocity debris, and toxic gasses out, and be mounted in a flying platform so it can hover by itself in any environment."

The artificer penned down his requirements as a bullet point list. "Did you find a race of blue creatures as tall as three apples?" She laughed at her own joke.

"Not quite. The house should be scaled one to five and a half. Can we add some space expansion? Oh, and a folding balcony in front of the living room and the dining room. With a full-size coffee table coming out of the side, with a human-sized chair. This way, the owner can sit and have tea with the dolls."

"Yes to the space expansion. But not too much if you want to keep it in a storage ring. I assume that's what you want because of the one-meter restriction. Still a big ring but I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that Samson makes the best rings around these parts." Yolania nodded in Amanda's direction. "We can do the folding balcony, table, and chair. It will eat just a little bit on this side... here!"

"Thank you," Amanda said with a grin.

"Boy or girl?" Yolania asked. "The main occupant of this house? Will they entertain guests?"

"I believe two bedrooms are enough. Guest and master rooms. I would like some workshops. Enchanting, general crafts, and artificing if you don't mind it."

"No, I don't. The more people join in the craft, the better. We are not so insecure as to fear competition. Which reminds me, you haven't posted or collected any bounties. We miss you!"

"Sure, but I didn't think I'd be stuck for almost four months in the interspace."

"True." Yolania nodded.

"I'll try to do better."

"They all say that, don't they, Amanda?" Yolania said with a snicker.

Amanda chuckled and nodded. Robert did nothing as the only winning move was to not play.

Yolania took out a calculator and a book from the workbench drawer. She checked some tables and punched some numbers.

"The best we can do regarding space expansion is two by two by a half and still have it fit inside a storage ring without opening a rift to the void," she chuckled, unaware of how Robert felt. "It means the space inside will be... you'll need the floating platform on the bottom, and the sewage reservoir, a water treatment plant to recycle the sewage, freshwater reservoir at the top... but the open space of the floors won't be used when the house is in storage, so we can have the walls expand and contract...

She started to mumble to herself while she drew and designed the house on the drawing board. The precision of her lines and curves was superb. The blueprint was just a draft but Robert felt the need to buy that and hang it on his wall as art.

Robert also commissioned sets of working tools for the workshops. He intended to do some crafting in fairy form to take advantage of the increased precision.

Yolania spent almost an hour drawing and designing but they couldn't peel their eyes off her work.

The end result was more than he expected.