The marketplace bustled with activity as Darian, Liora, and Adrian made their way through the crowded streets. Stalls lined the path, filled with everything from fresh produce to intricate trinkets and powerful potions. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the sound of merchants calling out their wares. The group moved with purpose, each focused on gathering supplies for their upcoming trip.

Adrian, always the first to break the silence, pointed towards a stall selling a variety of exotic fruits. The stall was adorned with colorful banners and baskets overflowing with vibrant, unfamiliar fruits. "Hey, look at those!" he exclaimed. "Ever tried a dragonfruit before? They say it gives you a burst of energy. Might come in handy on our trip."

Liora glanced over, her expression skeptical. "Dragonfruit? Really, Adrian? We need practical supplies, not overpriced snacks. Focus on what we actually need."

Darian chuckled, his eyes scanning the crowd. "She's right, Adrian. We need to prioritize things like supplies, rations, and gear. Save the treats for when we get back."

Adrian sighed dramatically but nodded in agreement. "Fine, fine. But don't say I didn't try to add some excitement to our shopping spree."

They continued walking, their eyes drawn to a stall displaying various enchanted scrolls. The stall was draped in deep purple cloth, with glimmering scrolls neatly arranged on wooden racks. Liora's eyes lit up with interest, and she moved closer to inspect them. "These could be useful. Maybe a few scrolls that can provide us with quick spells in case of emergencies."

Darian joined her, nodding thoughtfully. "Good idea. Let's get a few healing scrolls and maybe some that can create barriers. We don't know what kind of monsters we'll encounter out there."

As they wandered through the bustling marketplace, Adrian's eyes lit up when he spotted a stall selling an array of colorful alchemical ingredients. "Hey, check this out!" he called, waving Darian and Liora over. "I could use these to make a potion that enhances our reflexes."

Liora raised an eyebrow, a wry smile playing on her lips. "You mean like the last time you tried to make a reflex-enhancing potion? The one that ended up making you jittery for days?"

Darian chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, and didn't you accidentally spill some on that merchant's cat? Poor thing was bouncing off the walls for hours."

Liora crossed her arms. "And wasn't that the same potion that caused your hair to fall out?"

Adrian rolled his eyes, waving off their concerns. "Okay, so maybe it didn't go exactly as planned last time, but I've learned from my mistakes. This time, I'll get it right. Besides, that cat was fine in the end. A bit of practice never hurt anyone."

Liora shook her head, her tone gentle but firm. "Adrian, we need reliable potions for this trip. We can't afford any mishaps. No experimental concoctions this time."

Darian nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Adrian's shoulder. "She's right, Adrian. Let's focus on getting the essentials first. We'll need healing potions, antidotes, and maybe some stamina boosters."

Adrian sighed but eventually nodded, accepting their advice. "You guys are no fun."

Darian crossed his arms and looked blankly at Adrian. "Hey, Adrian, you think Elena would like you if your potion experiment ended up making her bald? I mean, you'd definitely stand out then, but probably not in a good way."

Adrian's face flushed slightly, but he tried to play it cool. "It could be worse, I guess. At least it wouldn't be permanent. Hair grows back, right?"

Darian raised an eyebrow, a hint of seriousness in his voice. "Yes...but remember. Elena said she won't date you, but she seemed to be open to being friends. You making her bald will probably make her hate you. If you want to be in her good graces, that's not the impression you want to leave, trust me."

Liora smirked, shaking her head. "And let's not forget Zara. She seems quite protective of her friends. I wouldn't put it past her to kick your ass if one of your potions backfired on Elena."

Adrian's eyes widened at the thought, and he let out a nervous chuckle. "Alright, alright, I get it. No risky potions on this trip. I'll stick to the basics and make sure everything is safe."

Darian patted Adrian on the back, laughing. "Glad to hear it, man. We just want to make sure everyone stays in one piece. Let's focus on getting what we need and head back to the inn. We've got a lot of preparations to make."

They moved on to a blacksmith's stall, where various weapons and armor pieces were displayed. The stall was filled with the sound of clanging metal, and the air smelled of hot iron and coal. Darian's eyes were immediately drawn to a set of armor enhancements. "These look promising. We should upgrade our gear before heading out. Better safe than sorry."

As they continued their shopping, Adrian's mind began to wander, thoughts of Elena flooding his consciousness. The events of the morning played over and over in his head, drowning out the bustling marketplace around him.

Liora led the group through the narrow aisles, each stall packed with an array of goods. Brightly colored banners fluttered in the breeze, adding to the lively atmosphere. The air was thick with the scent of spices, freshly baked bread, and the occasional waft of something less pleasant from the nearby livestock pens.

Liora turned the corner, approached a well-stocked supply shop, and went into the store. The wooden shelves were lined with various items that adventurers might need. The shopkeeper, a burly man with a thick beard, greeted them with a nod. "What can I get for you folks today?" Liora looked at the man's outfit and wondered how he had gotten so...large considering how much of his food ended up on his shirt.

Liora scanned the shelves, her keen eyes quickly assessing their options. She picked up a sturdy leather backpack, checking its compartments and straps. She opened the pack and started checking the pockets and straps to ensure its sturdiness. "We'll need a few of these for carrying our supplies. At least five. Make sure they have enough pockets for organization. Darian, do you think we should get a backup? Or do you think we won't need it yet?"

Darian nodded, grabbing another backpack and testing its durability. "I think five should be fine. Also, these look good. We should also get some extra blankets and bedrolls, just in case the nights get colder than expected. Should we get some heavier clothes? It could get cold."

Liora reached into her bag and pulled out her Crystal Compendium and connected to the local node of the Aetheric Consortium. "According to this, temperatures will only get cold at night, and even then it shouldn't be too bad. I say we ignore the heavier clothes, and get some extra leather scraps for repairs. Also, some good waterproof pants and shoes for us." She flipped through the device and stopped on some more information. "Oh, and we may want to get some lotion, and some antivenom. Our group was scheduled to go south and they're having problems with Glimmerflies and Spitespries."

Darian nodded and headed towards one of the aisles. He grabbed 3 bottles of each.

Meanwhile, Adrian had been in a daze for the better part of an hour. As Darian and Liora moved efficiently through the store, Adrian couldn't shake the thoughts about Elena from his mind. He couldn't help but think about how stunning she had looked. She had worn a simple yet elegant dress that accentuated her cerulean skin and white hair. The skirt flowed gracefully as she moved, and the soft fabric seemed to shimmer in the light, highlighting her natural beauty. Her eyes, a striking contrast of deep blue, had sparkled with both determination and vulnerability as she shared her story.

Adrian wandered over to a shelf filled with various trinkets and gadgets. His eyes lit up when he spotted a small, intricately carved wooden box. "Hey, this looks interesting. Maybe we could use it for...something?" He trailed off, clearly lost in thought.

Liora rolled her eyes and gently took the box from Adrian's hands, placing it back on the shelf. "Focus, Adrian. We need essentials, not knick-knacks. Go get some lantern oil, some lamps and a good compass." She continued gathering items, adding flint and steel, rope, and a few sturdy water flasks to the growing pile.

As Liora continued to gather supplies, she noticed Adrian almost lost in thought, staring at a display of ornate jewelry. When he didn't respond to her gentle reminders, she simply removed the items he had picked up from the pile. Exasperated, she threw her arms up. "Adrian, what is wrong with you? We don't need these. We need to stay practical." She was starting to feel like a mother of a litter of kittens making sure her 8 legged children didn't wander off.

The shopkeeper watched with a bemused smile as Liora efficiently sorted through the items, making sure they had everything they needed for the journey. "You've got quite the organized mind there. Anything else you need?"

Liora nodded, satisfied with their selection. "That should do it. Oh wait, do you sell rope? Maybe 50 units for each bag. We're heading out on a long trip, and we need to be prepared for anything. Oh and we're going to want a rental of an ironside for our trip. 3 weeks ought to do it." She handed over a few coins, ensuring they got a fair price for their supplies. The dealer shook his head no, and counted everything again.

She looked over the massive piles and ran some quick numbers in her head. The shopkeeper tallied everything up and told her the price. "Wait, more than 7 shards? What's so expensive?" The shopkeeper moved through the pile and pulled out a small device. It was part shovel, part spyglass, and part cutting implement. Really it was whatever the user needed. The magic that coursed through it would alter the available tools so all one had to do was envision what tool was required, put a little mana in it, and then use the tool.

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Liora looked upset at first and shot a withering glare at Adrian who ignored her entirely. She huffed and went to remove the tool before Darian piped up. "Sorry, that's separate. I'm buying that for myself." Liora looked at Darian apologetically and then said "And how much now?" The shopkeeper backed out the price and read the display. "3 shards, 61 clips."

Liora reached into her bag and pulled out the coins. Liora put everything in her storage, and then Liora grabbed Adrian, who was still off in dreamland, by the arm and the three of them left the store.

Liora went to one of the food stalls and bought some smoked meats on a stick and offered one to Darian and Adrian. Both men grabbed theirs, but only Darian and Liora ate it.

Adrian had been in a daze for the better part of an hour. As Darian, Liora, and he moved from stall to stall in the bustling marketplace, Adrian couldn't shake the thoughts about Elena from his mind. The vibrant colors and lively chatter of the market seemed to fade into the background as his memories replayed the events of the morning. His friends' voices were drowned out by the echoes of Elena's revelation.

He remembered her hesitant voice as she began to explain her past. "I come from another planet," she had said, and Adrian's mind filled with images of strange technologies and magic sprawling cities that sounded like they came straight out of a fantasy novel. The concept of Earth, a place so different from their world, was hard for him to grasp. But he remembered his picture became more and more clear as she explained what her life was like.

Her job as an accountant, her love for role-playing games, her garden. Her wife and kids. Things that he could see himself loving as much as she did. And while his memories of these details were a little fuzzy, he imagined her painting a vivid picture of a life filled with numbers and imaginative adventures. But the most striking part was when she mentioned she used to be a man named John. That revelation had been the most difficult for him to process.

He recalled how she described her transformation, dying on Earth and being reborn in this world as Elena. In his mind, he filled in the gaps with images of a magical portal and a divine being granting her a new life. It all seemed so surreal, like something out of a fairy tale. But what lingered most in his thoughts was her firm declaration about her orientation and feelings.

Adrian remembered her saying, "I'll never be interested in you." And that statement had hit him like a punch to the gut. Even now, as he picked up a small trinket from a stall, he could feel the sting of those words. He laid himself bare for her and she stomped all over his feelings. Her rejection seemed final and left no room for misinterpretation. He remembered the way she explained that her preference for women hadn't changed despite her new form, and that she valued their friendship but nothing more.

Liora's voice snapped him back to the present. She was holding up a sturdy leather backpack, assessing its quality. "We'll need a few of these for carrying our supplies," she said. Adrian nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts still partially occupied by Elena's words. He watched as Liora and Darian efficiently gathered necessary items, adding them to the growing pile.

But Liora's words struck a chord with him. It recalled a small detail of the conversation that had escaped him. And with those words, he felt hope. Elena hadn't rejected him outright. She had actually said, "I wouldn't be interested in you any time soon." The realization struck him, filling him with a renewed sense of hope. The words "any time soon" left room for the possibility that maybe, just maybe, things could change in the future. He clung to that slight difference, feeling a spark of optimism reignite within him.

As they left the shop, Adrian realized he couldn't shake his thoughts about Elena. She was running through his mind, frolicking in the fields of his consciousness and wasn't paying a single Tin Tally for it. And his friends were always supportive of him. Maybe they could help him piece together the great mystery of Elena's feelings and thoughts. So he finally turned to his friends, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So what should I do?"

Darian looked at his friend and raised an eyebrow. "Adrian, I never quite got the telepathy powers. What should you do about what?"

Adrian grabbed a piece of fruit from the stall and handed two tally's to the owner. "I know she used to be a guy. And I get that she said she's married. And yet, that doesn't change how I feel. But I was thinking about what she said back there. At first I thought she said she'd never be interested. But that's not what she said. She said that she wouldn't be reciprocating any time soon. Which tells me that there might be a chance. What do you think I should do?"

Darian looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. He walked over to Adrian, who had stopped walking and turned to face them, and put his hand on his shoulder. "Adrian, I think the best thing you can do right now is to be her friend. Show her that you care and that you're there for her. She's been through a lot. Over time, she might start to see you differently. She might be taken or have her heart set on someone else right now, but eventually, she could get lonely or change her mind."

Liora frowned, crossing her arms and shaking her head adamantly. "I don't think that's the best advice, Darian. Can I give you a girl's perspective? If Elena's attracted to women, it's not likely she'll change her preference just because Adrian sticks around. And that's not to say that she's ever going to want to give up trying to get back to her wife." She pointed to Adrian to emphasize her point. "And frankly, it's important for him to respect her orientation and not expect her feelings to change."

She paused for a moment, her expression softening slightly as she looked at Adrian. "Look, Adrian, I know this is hard to hear, but Elena isn't a great fit for you. Any good woman who's right for you will want you as much as you want her. That's what you deserve. And while Elena seems nice, she obviously still has strong feelings for her wife. It's not fair to either of you to ignore that."

Adrian sighed, clearly conflicted. "I get what you're both saying, but it's hard. I really feel something for her. How do I show her that without coming off as pushy or disrespectful?"

Liora's tone became more gentle, but her words remained firm. "Adrian, the best thing you can do is to be a genuine friend to Elena without expecting anything more. Respect her boundaries and understand that her feelings might never change. Hanging around hoping she'll change her mind is unfair to both of you, and it might prevent you from finding someone who can truly return your feelings."

Darian gave Adrian a reassuring pat on the back. "Just be genuine. Be there for her when she needs support. Don't push your feelings on her, but let her know you care. Over time, if it's meant to be, it will happen."

Liora crossed her arms, her tone firm. "No, Darian. That's misleading him. Adrian, you need to stop trying to win her over. Respect her boundaries and understand that her feelings might never change. Hanging around hoping she'll change her mind is unfair to both of you."

Darian's smile faded, and he looked at Liora with a frown. "Liora, I'm not saying he should pressure her. I'm just saying that sometimes feelings develop over time. He should be her friend because he cares about her, not because he expects something in return."

Liora shook her head, her expression resolute. "But that's the problem, Darian. If Adrian's always hoping for more, he's not truly being a friend. He needs to let go of those romantic feelings and accept that friendship is the most he'll get. Anything else is just setting himself up for heartache. And worse than that, suppose that he waits and we form a team. And then he starts getting pushy or worse and she decides to leave. I'm sorry but no. If we're going to be a team, those relationships aren't going to work unless we're talking about both people are wanting to get married."

Adrian mulled over their advice as they browsed a stall selling various enchanted trinkets. "I hear what you're both saying. I guess it's just hard to turn off these feelings. But I don't want to lose her as a friend either."

Darian sighed, glancing between his two friends. "And you won't. Just be patient. Focus on being a good friend, and who knows what the future holds? But remember, if she never sees you that way, you'll still have a valuable friendship. And if she never views you that way, then you need to accept that it's not a thing. You know what they say. 'In the hands of fate, what is meant will find its way.'"

Liora softened her stance slightly, but her tone remained firm. "Adrian, sometimes people come into our lives to teach us something important. Maybe your feelings for Elena are meant to help you grow in ways you don't even realize yet. Embrace the journey, but don't expect her to change who she is." She also put a hand on Adrian’s shoulder. “For all we know, you’re going to go on an adventure one day, meet a beautiful girl, and you’ll realize why you weren’t meant to be with Elena.”

Adrian chuckled softly, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Yeah, I guess that's possible. But right now, it's hard to imagine anyone else."

Darian leaned against a nearby stall, crossing his arms. "You know, this reminds me of when I first joined the academy. There was this girl, Selena, who I was completely smitten with. I thought she was the one, you know?"

Liora raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I don't think I've heard this story before. What happened?"

Darian smiled wryly. "Well, turns out she was more interested in becoming a priestess than dating anyone. I was devastated at first, but looking back, it was for the best. We ended up becoming good friends, and she actually introduced me to my first serious girlfriend."

Adrian sighed, kicking a small pebble on the ground. "That's different though. Elena isn't becoming a priestess or anything. She's just... not interested in guys."

Liora nodded sympathetically. "I know it feels different, Adrian, but the point is the same. Sometimes the people we're attracted to aren't meant to be our partners, but they can still play important roles in our lives."

"I guess," Adrian mumbled, still not entirely convinced.

Darian suddenly chuckled, lightening the mood. "Hey, remember that time Adrian tried to impress that bard at the Crimson Tavern? What was her name again?"

Liora burst out laughing. "Oh gods, you mean Melody? The one with the enchanted lute? Her name was a bit spot on."

Adrian's face flushed red. "Come on, guys, do we really have to bring that up now?"

Liora grinned, nudging Adrian playfully. "Oh, we absolutely do. Especially the part where you tried to serenade her and accidentally set your sleeve on fire with that candle."

Despite himself, Adrian chuckled. "Okay, okay, I admit that wasn't my finest moment. But at least I put myself out there, right?"

Darian nodded, still grinning. "That's the spirit, my friend. And hey, at least Elena didn't set you on fire,” he shrugged. “At least physically."

The trio shared a laugh, the tension from their earlier conversation dissipating slightly.

Liora's expression turned thoughtful. "You know, Adrian, I admire your courage. It takes guts to be honest about your feelings, even when you know they might not be reciprocated. That's something to be proud of."

Adrian looked at her, surprised. "Really? I thought you were against the whole idea of me telling her."

Liora shook her head. "I'm against you holding onto false hope or disrespecting Elena's boundaries. But being honest about your feelings? That's admirable. It's how you handle things moving forward that matters."

Darian nodded in agreement. "Liora's right. And who knows? Maybe this experience with Elena will help you recognize the right person when they do come along."

Adrian sighed, but managed a small smile. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you two keeping me grounded."

Liora grinned mischievously. "Probably buy out half the market trying to impress girls with shiny trinkets."