Chapter Text
Ifrit barged into the store ahead of Silence and Ptilopsis, practically bouncing off the tables of board games as she made her way to the glass display case on the register counter. It was full of brightly colored cards, organized by price, a sign beside it reading "Arts: The Awakening". She marveled at the riches sealed just inches away.
"Be careful, Ifrit," Silence told her, "and don't go too crazy. Those cards are expensive."
"Pff, check it!" Ifrit spun around and fanned out a handful of blue bills. "I got my bonus this week, for exceptional performance in the field. I've got money to burn!" She went back to surveying the store's selection as Ptilopsis walked up to Silence's side.
"She deserves a small indulgence, doesn't she?" Ptilopsis asked.
"I suppose." Silence shook her head and sighed. "Ugh, of course she does. It's been a tough month for her." The two watched the excited teen badger the perro at the register about the latest releases of this card game she had become so infatuated with over the past few weeks.
"Your concern for her is," Ptilopsis began, but was cut off by the chirping ringtone of Silence's phone. Silence checked the caller quickly.
"Sorry Joyce, can you watch Ifrit for a few minutes?" Ptilopsis nodded and Silence stepped out into the hall outside the shop. "Hello? Speaking. She's what? No, put her on now..." The door shut, muffling Silence's sharp tone.
Ptilopsis approached the counter and waited for the cashier to retreat from Ifrit's onslaught. "Excuse me, these are the beginner's products, correct?" She pointed at the stack of pocket sized boxes next to the display Ifrit continued to gawk at.
"Yeah, those are starter decks. I think your, uh, kid has a handle on it though," he replied.
"I am interested in purchasing one for myself, actually."
"Oh, I gotcha."
"Are these suitable for someone completely new to the game? How many of these would you suggest?"
"That's exactly who they're for. But you only need one, really. After that people usually buy the booster packs to keep collecting." He motioned at the wall of shiny foil packages hanging behind him. "If you want to start off right, you could get one of these and a few packs of the latest set, Treachery in the Golden City."
"Confirmed." Ptilopsis scanned the stack of starters and plucked one from the pile. "Academician Xenoglaux," she read off the title, "and two of the booster packs, please."
"Sure." The cashier picked the boosters off the wall hook and began ringing her up. "We do a small weekly thing here in our event space, every Friday. In case you're looking for some new people to play with." He smiled. "Uh, that'll be two thousand LMD."
"Thank you for the offer." She paid and pocketed her new cards.
"Hey buddy!" Ifrit called over to the cashier. "Can I get a few of these?" She pointed rapidly between several cards in the case. "And gimme fifty of those Golden City boosters!"
"Ifrit..."