Chapter 38: Goode’s Again

“Friday, how long was I in the dream console?” I asked as I walked towards Goode’s store. I briefly touched the thin gold pin to make sure it was still secure where Elenore had attached it.

“Just a touch under 3 minutes. If you mean the time between when Elenore’s count reached 1 and when she said ‘All done’, it was 49 seconds. You did not drool.” I gestured acknowledgement and thanks.

“Also Monday, you never did ask Bluebird about trouble caused towards those that know Syssies.”

"Yeah, I got distracted with that 'Inconclusive' entry. At least Bluebird was clear that it wasn't bad or unheard of, just requires additional review, right?"

After thinking for a moment I realized that with traveling to the Grindstone already planned, I might as well ask there. “Friday, remove that entry from my to do list for today. Create a new list for Grindstone must do’s and add that investigation. As well as look for more info about the M5+ review.”

“Certainly, Boss.”

The memory of how wide Elenore’s eyes got when she saw the results amused me a little bit as I was wandering down the street, it had been pretty funny. Bluebird had just shaken their head, and reminded me that I only asked for the M3 or M4 test and pin. I agreed and accepted the gold pin with good cheer and a ‘thank you’.

Letting me know that I’d be contacted as soon as plans were solidified for the trip, Bluebird headed back to the guild, after I confirmed that Buckle’s axe would be returned to him today.

The streets were busier, and entering into Goode’s General Goods came with a reduction of sound, aside from the tone announcing my entry.

“Welcome… Ah, Monday March. Come to allow me to earn back a little of what you gained from me yesterday?” Benjamin Franklin Goode’s lips were as wide and wet as ever, turned up in a smile. I caught more chagrin than ill nature from his expression.

“Perhaps, though your daughter requested if I came back to purchase she wanted me to buy from her. I imagine she earns a little when she sells to a customer? Well, and I don't know if I need anything in particular, but I did let her know that I would try to visit if I had time.”

“Well, what she earns is my willingness to perhaps purchase an occasional treat or toy that she likes. Far too easy to spoil a child with things, best she learn that some things must be gained with effort.” The shopkeepers eyes were clear and I could see his affection for his daughter shine in them. “She is with her tutor for the moment, but should be along soon. Is there something I may assist you with, in her stead?”

“Em, perhaps you can help me, and if time comes to purchase you can split ‘credit’ with your daughter if I do?” I continued on after his good natured, if overly wide, smile. “I’m about to do some traveling. I know that most of my needs are covered, but if you yourself have any experience with it, I was curious if there might be some items too useful to ignore.”

Rubbing his chin, he nodded. “So if we assume that food and shelter will be taken care of already… My initial suggestions would be a small personal survival & first aid kit, a multitool and maybe something for entertainment.”

“Ugh, Millie Goode showed me a multi-tool that was a bit more than I wanted to spend.”

“Hah, that girl. She has a tendency to try and push expensive items if we have anything that is enchanted. For a multi-tool I’d lean non-enchanted anyhow, never know when an enchantment might fail, so you have to be ready for it.”

After 20 minutes I’d selected a small but dense survival kit and a multi-tool (with saw, knife, pliers, wire cutters, file, screwdrivers, awl and ruler). “So, is there a library or book lender in town?”

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“The Circle and Stick has a reasonable collection. Can’t take them off site, but it's only a brass per hour so long as nothing is damaged.”

I just facepalmed, having only remembered the shelves as soon as Benjamin Franklin Goode mentioned them.

“Knew about that already?”

I pointed up to my new pin.

“I thought it was a trick of the light. You had a copper yesterday” He sounded faintly accusatory.

Touching it I said my name so a golden glow and ethereal voice emerged. “Monday March, maturity 4 confirmed, God’s Bath Circle and Stick, April 2nd, 210 PC.”

“Busy morning for you?” I just nodded back at first.

“Benjamin Franklin Goode, your daughter and I got along well yesterday, but I’m going to be leaving tomorrow morning and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Is this… how is she likely to react if I just vanish? Did she talk about me yesterday?” ‘Ugh, saying goodbye after barely knowing someone, how do I do this, even worse, how do I do it with Billie?’

“She mentioned you, and wanting you to read one of her… fictional stories.”

“Have you read them with her?”

“A few…”

“I’ll read with her, and let her know I’ll be away, and I’m not sure how long it might be before I get back.”

“You're going away?” I saw wide eyes in a pig-tailed head poking around a corner.

“Hi Millie Goode! Yup, I had something happen and am going to go to Big Bay for a bit. But before I go I wanted to be sure to visit, and maybe read one of the stories you recommended.” I smiled at the child and paid no attention to anything her father did.

“Er, I brought a pony book in case you did come…” She held up a colorful book up in the air so I could see it.

Under my breath I spoke to Friday. “Remind me of this moment if I attempt to delay purchasing video recording and playback capabilities.”

“Noted, do you require insulin?” Friday’s voice was comforting, playful, and entirely too on the nose. ‘Ugh’

“Wait, what would insulin even do against that sweet face? No need to say anything Friday, apparently I know things I don’t even understand.” Switching from sub vocalization to talking with the Goodes, “I like your brown dress, Millie Goode, it makes your hair look like hay in the sunlight, or maybe sweet corn.” I held my head cocked at an angle, looking up as if questioning the sky, even though it was wooden beams.

The little girl walked through the intervening space, paused near me, and held the book as if she wanted to whack my thigh with it, but she might be nervous about damaging her cherished book. “Are you teasing me, Monday March?!” I looked down towards a cute small face with narrowed eyes.

“Of course I’m teasing you, Millie Goode. If no one tests you, how will you ever know if you are well made?”

The little face glared at me, and Shopkeeper Goode just nodded in agreement. “Millie, I don’t think Monday March meant any harm.”

“Well, I certainly didn’t mean harm, but I also don’t want you to feel bad about my going. Your Pa and I talked about a few items from the store because you were busy, and I’m going to buy a couple of them… But we need to talk with you about what I did pick, instead of what you suggested yesterday. After that, maybe we can read the book you bought?”

The smaller Goode looked at me, then her father, then back at me. We took our time and looked at the things that I wanted to purchase, and then at the things she had wanted to sell me. We explained why I made my choices, and clarified that even if they might not be the most expensive items, they were ones that I was willing to purchase because they fit my needs and budget.

“Remember Millie Goode, I walked out of here yesterday without purchasing any of the more expensive items you showed me, but I’m happy enough to purchase these items.” I smiled at her upturned face. “What do you think about that?”

“My Pa is still better at selling than I am.” Millie sighed and clutched her book to her chest, looking downcast.

Before her father could speak I jumped in. “Of course, he has decades of practice! But that isn’t the point!” Sitting flat to the ground in front of her, I fought to, and eventually did, meet her evasive eyes. “Your dad knows what a person needs, and better, what a person is probably willing to spend. You see a customer and think of what you might be able to sell them. Maybe I can or can’t afford a 35 dollar fancy enchanted tool, but did you ever ask me what I needed a multi-tool to do? Or how much could I afford to pay for one?” I stopped myself from using one of my grey fingers to lift her chin so I could meet her eyes, but she did anyhow as I continued. “Nope, but he did. He likely wants to teach you to do that too. You asked me to come back and buy from you, are you okay if you split that purchase with your dad? I wouldn’t be back here if you hadn’t asked, but I might not have bought anything if he hadn’t helped me.”

Millie Goode nodded slowly, before smiling a little as she hugged her book close to her chest.

“Great, can you help him ring it up?”