Sweeping away the stray leaves, sticks, and dust from the wooden kiosk he owned, Joseph thought of several things he would need in the coming days.

He glanced up and beheld the behemoth in the distance just as he did every morning while the morn’s light shone on him through its leaves.

Joseph lowered his head and solemnly prayed.

After several moments he straightened and noticed most of his fellow vendors had also just finished their own prayers.

“Joseph, I didn’t take you for a man of superstition.” One of the men who abstained from prayer commented. He had only just recently arrived from the Third City he was born in and bought the kiosk almost directly across Joseph.

Joseph gave a small laugh and took the man’s remark in stride. “I don’t think of myself as such, Trevor. I’ll take whatever protection is being offered me if it's free of charge, even if it was from the devil himself. A nod of the head and a few words of gratitude are small prices to pay for peace of mind.”

“Even so, do you not find it a bit humiliating?” Trevor asked with a touch of disbelief.

“Not at all. I’ve met people who claim they spend twenty minutes every morning and night giving thanks. If anything my fine fellows and I are being modest in our prayers.” Joseph gestured to vendors around them who were either polishing their wares one last time or chatting with their neighbors as they were doing.

“I see. Forgive me, I suppose being raised in one of the Cities has made me question those of faith.”

Joseph shook his head amiably, “Not at all, one needs only look at our history to see the wall that has been placed between chemistry and religion. But enough of the heavy talk, we must tend to our businesses, the day’s work is about to begin.”

“Yes, it is. Then we’ll talk again at sun down.”

“Until then.”

With that, Trevor crossed the gray brick road that separated his place of work from Joseph’s. Upon reaching the small cloth covered carriage behind his stall he disappeared inside; after a moment he carefully reemerged carrying two locked chests, one stacked on top of the other.

Joseph himself was busy doing something simple. He was building a bed of coals preparing to begin one of the few things he took pride in.

“Hoh, that’s a fairly diverse collection you’ve got there.” Joseph commented in a voice that carried over to Trevor across the road. He looked over at Trevor even as his hands placed a steel mesh over the illuminating coals.

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Trevor smiled as he set down the last corked vial that fit on the counter. “Thank you, as I mentioned last night, I came here hoping to make use of my talents where they are most needed.”

“And it seems you could do without several of them.” Joseph praised squinting at the color of string tied around the neck of each vial. “I’ve never seen a chemist with so many concoctions.”

Trevor allowed himself a small but proud, almost smug, smile as he placed down a folded card in front of each little bottle. Written on it was the name, effects, price, and stock of the bottle in question. Although only one of each was displayed on his stall, there were seventeen of them neatly lined up. A small notice board nailed to the side even read that commissions were accepted so long as materials, at least the more troublesome ones, were provided.

Joseph’s hands worked on their own with masterful movements even without him needing to look.

“…My talents may be varied but now I think I should have specialized in a single area.” Trevor replied as he intently watched Joseph’s hands work.

“What do you mean?”

“If such an aroma could be made after years of single-minded practice, I can only imagine how potent my wares would be if I had done the same… I thought I could do with only a piece of fruit for breakfast but, how much is it?”

Joseph smiled, he quickened his hands and paced himself to deliver a small package wrapped in coarse brown paper to his front door neighbor. “Here, take it as a welcome gift.”

Trevor blinked in surprise before graciously accepting the pleasantly warm delivery, “Thank you, Joseph. Let me- hang on a moment.” Trevor placed the package on his counter and skimmed through one of his chests with bottles neatly stowed away before pulling out four of the smallest. “Take these if you would.”

“How could I?” Joseph asked in shock, “A single piece of my wares are hardly worth four of yours.”

“Ah, it’s fine. These are something like experiments. They boost your body’s natural recovery of wounds and fatigue albeit only pitifully slightly, however the effects last a day. Please take them, so long as you don’t mind the poor quality as an insult.”

“There’s no such thing as poor-quality concoctions.” Joseph laughed as he gingerly took the vials. “Thank you, I’ll be sure to use them on an unfortunate day. Oh! I’d better get back before they start burning.”

“We can’t have that. I’ll be counting on you for the midday meal as well. I’ll be sure to pay for them.”

“I’ll have some set aside for you.”

Joseph hummed a simple tune to himself as he returned to his work.

Looking down the road to his left, he saw the first head come around the corner.

And thus, the day began.

Joseph smiled, laughed, and talked with the brave people that stopped by his stall. Some days he would fall silent at the news that someone would no longer be needing any meals and pray for them, but today was no such day.

A new acquaintance, good weather, everyone is safe, and hunger gone thanks to the meals he took pride in preparing.

It was a good day.