Information

Cobalt has a minion!

Gentian the Silam

Cobalt

The

Dusk Escalade
Owner: Rakumel

Age: 3 years, 10 months, 3 weeks

Born: April 21st, 2022

Adopted: 3 years, 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Adopted: April 21st, 2022

Statistics

Level: 1
Strength: 10
Defense: 10
Speed: 10
Health: 10
HP: 10/10
Intelligence: 0
Books Read: 0
Food Eaten: 92
Job: Unemployed

Erelin was surprised to see another figure also making their way to the antique store. They were dressed appropriately for the cold, wearing a long, dark blue, heavy cloak with a hood that hid their face. Though most of their body was covered by the cloak and boots, the three tails visible at the back identified the stranger as an Escalade. She noted that the stranger carried a briefcase slung across their body with a strap. Erelin reached the entrance at the exactly same time as the stranger did. The stranger took a step back from the old wooden door and gestured to it with a forelimb.

"After you," said the stranger, voice muffled by the hood.

Erelin nodded as she pushed the door open. "Thank you."

A little bell attached to the door frame tinkled merrily, announcing their arrival. No one else was in sight. Most of the store was dark, illuminated only by antique lamps placed seemingly at random. While the walls of the shop kept out the wind and snow, it was still barely warmer inside than outside.

"Is this place even open for business?" Erelin muttered, mostly to herself. She found herself turning to face the stranger, who had removed their hood and was gently shaking stray snowflakes from their feet. In the dim light, it was difficult to see much detail. Though the stranger loomed over her, Erelin didn't feel intimidated by their presence.

"It's open," replied the Escalade. Even though their voice wasn't muffled anymore, Erelin still couldn't clearly place it as male or female. The stranger didn't look at her, instead craning their neck as if searching for something toward the back of the store. "It's usually like this. The owners don't use much heat or light as a cost cutting measure. But they swear it's comfortable enough...for them."

Erelin began to carefully examine some of the objects on the nearest table, which itself was solid oak and elaborately carved. "Do you...come here often, then?"

"Hm. I wouldn't say often, exactly." The Escalade finally looked Erelin's way. "I'm sorry, my name is Cobalt. I'm here on business. And you are...?"

"Erelin," she replied. "I am...just here to peruse the wares."

"Ah. Well, if you find anything you want, good luck getting it. Technically everything in here is for sale, but the owner's very reluctant to part with most of it. So he sets the prices exorbitantly high." They let out a long sigh. "I've tried to explain it's not a good busi-"

"CLERIA!" shrieked a voice so loud and sudden, it made Erelin jump. "Are you going to assist these two anytime this century? Or are you just going to let them jabber by the front door all day long?"

The Escalade stepped toward the source of the high, nasally voice; a Popoko that had been atop some nearby shelves, apparently the entire time they'd been there. "There you are, Mistral. And how are you today?"

"Oh, do stop with the inane pleasantries, Miss Cobalt," Mistral replied, rolling his eyes and wrinkling up his nose in a disgusted manner. "We both know why you're here. And who the devil is that with you? A collection agent?"

Cobalt smiled professionally. "This is a potential customer," she answered. Her tone of voice reminded Erelin of a mother chiding a naughty child. "It hasn't been that long since you've had one, has it?"

Mistral grumbled obscenities as he made his way down the shelves. "Just show me the bills, Miss Clever Clogs. And you!" he barked, suddenly addressing Erelin. "Don't touch anything you're not willing to buy. Nothing's negotiable, all sales are final, and if you defile it in any way, you pay full price for it. Understood?"

Erelin glared at him, matching his cold stare with one of her own. "Understood." If this was how he treated everyone who walked in the door, she thought, no wonder the store was practically deserted.

"Good," Mistral said, with a final haughty sneer. "If you absolutely must get a closer look at something, Cleria will assist you. Assuming she can be bothered!!" he yelled across the store.

Anger briefly flared in Cobalt's eyes, only long enough for Erelin to notice it. "She's your only employee, Mistral," she said calmly. "Cleria must be very busy. Perhaps your sister could help?"

"Mertensia?" he shouted, incredulous. "Hah! Honestly, Miss Cobalt. I assume you're being facetious. Really, you should know by now how useless THAT suggestion is. Cleria!! Get up here this instant!"

A silver Celinox with somewhat scruffy fur appeared from behind a table full of antique snowglobes. After glimpsing over her shoulder to make sure she hadn't knocked any of them over, she trotted up to them. "Sorry, Mr. Mistral. I'm sorry, but I had to help Mertensia into bed, she said she wasn't feeling well, and then I-"

"Whatever," he snapped. "Follow this customer around, make sure she doesn't break or steal anything. You're capable of that much, right?"

Cleria looked exhausted, possibly on the verge of crying. "Yes, sir," she managed to say.

Erelin glanced at Cobalt again. There was a pained look in the Escalade's eyes, which were focused completely on Cleria. Cobalt moved as if to say something, but Mistral cut her off.

"Fine. Come on then, Miss Cobalt. Let's get this inanity over with so you can get on with your day."

He turned and marched straight for a door that Erelin assumed was an office, but Cobalt didn't move. "Cleria," she said gently.

"Hello, Miss Cobalt," she replied. "I...I trust you're well?"

"Yes, thank you." She took one step closer, lowered herself a bit, and whispered, "My offer still stands, love."

Cleria looked at the ground, sniffled, then nodded.

"Don't set yourself on fire to keep them warm, Cleria."

"MISS COBALT!" Mistral shrieked from the office door. "Did you come here on business, or to waste everyone's time??"

The Escalade straightened back up to her full height, then slowly turned her head to face him. When she spoke, Erelin could hear the struggle to stay calm and professional in her voice. "I am coming right now, Mistral. I assure you this will not take long."

As Cobalt made her way to the office, Erelin struggled to think of something to say to alleviate the tension in the room. Clearly she'd stumbled into an ongoing situation that she didn't fully understand.

Continued

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