As always, the biggest question was how much sothing would cost.
I hurried over to the register and the title had already appeared on the screen. The History of Art, along with a subtitle that didn’t translate automatically.
“Five chips.” Another currency that I didn’t understand.
But she nodded her head and held that one to her chest. The next two she pulled off as well, and both appeared on the screen.
“Those are ten chips each.”
Again she pulled them close, but this ti pressed her lips together.
I sent another wave of magic out to get a better read on what else she needed. The lines connecting her to the books had vanished, and the ones drifting around the room settled.
Now, one stretched to the fiber area, and another to the paint tubes.
She let out a sigh and stepped back from the wall before moving back to the counter and setting the books down. “I need the basics for both of these.”
The two other books were about fiber arts from start to finish, and how to create your own paints.
I headed over to the window, as the Cat watched, looking for sothing that made sense with the yarn stuff. Again, I used my magic, which pointed to several things. The best was a small kit containing different tools to knit with, or maybe it was crochet. The needles didn’t look like anything from my ho.
That I snagged, along with so bright purple yarn.
She already stood in front of the far wall and headed my way with a small multipack of tubes of paint with two brushes.
The Cat nodded at and I hurried back behind the counter.
“This is it,” she said after swallowing.
“Forty five chips.”
Out of her pocket she pulled a small brown pouch. She dumped it out on the counter next to the goods. Magic rushed up from the quarter sized wooden chips. She slowly counted them out, and it only left her with a single one.
“That’s everything.” A sigh escaped her but she appeared determined. “It is worth it.”
I didn’t know if I should smile.
She glanced back at , her eyes lingering on my hair. “This will change my village. Completely worth it.”
I swept the chips into my hand and the drawer opened under the register. I tossed them inside, then it snapped shut.
She gathered the books and supplies, carrying them out in her arms. Only once did she glance back, before the door closed.
“They are made from a magical root plant that her people harvest,” said the Cat, before I asked about the chips.
“How many hours of work does it take to get that many?” It’d cost her everything she had to get those books and supplies, but the books would hopefully help her learn to create her own pignts and such.
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“I don’t know,” he answered, before glancing up at . “The yarn and paints she snagged aren’t from your world. They are from hers, so the deal is fair.”
I blinked, glancing around at the art supplies. I pressed my lips together before asking my question out loud. “Hey Betty, can you switch these out to ones from my world? Or sothing less expensive?”
The shop rippled, but most things didn’t change. The yarn placent moved, and the tubes of paint looked like they were made out of plastic now, which I hadn’t noticed before. They were all things that I knew how to use, and clean up after.
“Alright, now I can shop…” Still, I hesitated, thinking about the Cat and his knowledge about each of the custors we had helped. “How do you know all of this about these places?”
The Cat paused for a mont as his whiskers twitched. “The book gives instruction, and then I do research. Knowing what we sell is important to …”
That didn’t feel true.
He continued, “Well, it is important to you.”
The Cat did research so when I asked questions he had the answer ready to go. I appreciated that.
“Thank you, that’s really sweet.” I patted his head as I moved around the register.
Indigo didn’t need much, just paints, a sketch book, and brushes. Plus the color pencils, and an apron. That I ntally crossed off the list.
Maybe I’d ask Lorestone if he knew of any dragon artists, and if one could co visit to show Indigo how to hold things. Or maybe they had different tools? Lady Twilight might know soone.
I gathered up the items on the list and set them on the counter. A pretty blue basket appeared that made smile. The amount was a steal, and I paid for it without a problem. Next was getting rid of all the extra wrapping on the stuff.
I sat on my stool and got to work.
The Cat watched.
I kept glancing at the sketch books on the shelves, knowing I didn’t need one. Empty notebooks always called out to , but usually they sat on my shelf never used, and just looked pretty.
I resisted the call to buy more.
The journal my father had gotten was the only one I needed at the mont, and it contained my most precious secrets. Details about my magic, and what I thought, and discovered, about the Cat’s curse.
By the ti I finished unwrapping the supplies and putting them in the basket, the Cat had drifted off into a nap. I picked him up and he woke slightly, but just laid his head on my shoulder. I grabbed the basket and walked upstairs.
Indigo still sat at the table in front of the laptop, leaning very close to the screen.
“What is the solid earth that is comprised of rocks, minerals and soil called?” said a very robotic voice from the computer.
“Lithosphere,” said Indigo, as Lorestone repeated her answer.
“What is the breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth’s surface?” called out the computer.
“Weathering,” said Indigo, though this ti she didn’t sound as certain. Lorestone repeated her answer in a clear tone.
Then it hit .
She spoke in dragon while he spoke in English. He actively translated for her.
I hadn’t worried about that, since most of the things didn’t require you to talk, it was all written answers or multiple choice.
“You have completed all the questions for this test.” The cold computer voice freaked out a little, but I said nothing as both Indigo and Lorestone stared at the screen. Not that a rock could stare, but it felt like it anyway.
I felt like I was intruding as I set the basket on the table. The Cat remained zonked out on my shoulder, which was the cutest thing ever.
Indigo’s head snapped to , and the basket. “Oh, pretty!”
I set it on the table with a smile. “I bought so art supplies for you for your art classes. The supply list ca in.”
She dove to the basket, not waiting for the test results. “Art class is fun!”
“The schedule shouldn’t be rushed, and you have so many projects and types of things to play around with.” I might need to take a few online art classes as well, since I knew nothing about the subject.
My phone dinged, at the sa ti as the computer.
Indigo didn’t even pay it any attention. Instead, she pulled the tubes of paint out of the basket.
I carefully pulled my phone out of my pocket. Her test scores for Science were in.
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