The neon signs and colorful displays of [Mystic rch: Gas & Ani] caught my eye again as I passed by. I’d seen the place three blocks away from where I’d left the café... and was told that they apparently sold rchandise related to the character on my phone.
But there was a sll around there at the ti that I did not want to subject the kids to, so I’d walked them across the city before making them call their parents. Making sure it *really* was fine to leave them at the library where they insisted was okay.
Honestly, I’d rather go back to talking to either of the suspicious mothers or dealing with Victoria trying to ’tear into ’ again than who I’m risking running into by coming back. But I felt like I needed sowhere completely different from the sophisticated world of fashion studios and high-end boutiques that I’ve spent the first part of my day in.
> I guess I could have just went into a grocery store instead, if I wanted sothing so different. <
While I do have so food at ho, it never hurts to bring more back. Already, I’d stopped at a bench and ate the leftovers. It seed senseless to continue carrying them around while I felt like I still had room in my stomach.
An electronic musical set of tones played as I pushed through the door. Almost imdiately I was assaulted by the scent of plastic wrapped goods, cardboard, energy drinks, and of course that dreaded sharp chemical cleaner.
Shelves lined the walls, packed with what looked like books, figurines, and plenty of items I couldn’t begin to identify. The place was altogether bright, chaotic, and - hopefully - utterly removed from werewolf politics.
> Well, she’s still here, isn’t she. <
"Hey, it’s Citra!"
I was hoping that the faded scent outside ant she had left, but I guess she’s just been inside all this ti. Ellie Rushwater waved enthusiastically at from behind a display of what appeared to be plush creatures and deford looking... people with enormous eyes.
She was dressed far more casually than she had been at the casino. Faded jeans and an oversized hoodie that prominently featured so sort of cartoon character. She looked completely in her elent... I think.
> I don’t really understand all of it, so she could be an outlier here for all I know. Though others here don’t seed bothered by her outburst. They just looked at then back to what they were doing. <
My wolf notes that it’s not what *all* of them did, but if I worried about every set of appreciative stares from behind and beside ... I’d never get through my day!
"What brings you to my favorite hideout?"
She all but bounced over with that sa high energy I rembered her gaining while talking about imaginary characters and settings. Without any of the initial professional layer of behavior over top.
Very friendly. It’s almost nice. Though while she does not sll unpleasant, I’m still loath to feel the need to use that scent neutralizer on myself again. So I held up my hand to keep her at a bit of distance.
"Just needed sowhere... different. Wasn’t sure that you were still here."
Managing a small smile for her, the woman’s eyes lit up like what I said was far different. Like I’d said I’d co in just to find her - or like the Goddess had just thrown her a toy.
"Oh, this is perfect then! You have to let show you around. Consider it cultural indoctrination."
"...Don’t you an education?"
"Nope!"
Ellie’s eyes were filled with the fanatical enthusiasm of soone who’d found a new victim for their cultic religion. I was honestly frightened. But before I could protest, she was already bounding deeper into the store.
The way she weaved between displays was with the confidence of soone who knew every aisle by heart - and expected everyone else to just move. I frowned and nodded at one large man who dropped his book as she flung herself by him.
> Why am I following her? Why indeed.... her magnetic personality, I guess. That or I’ve been hypnotized by all the bright colors. <
"Okay, first stop - the mainstream section!"
She gestured grandly at a wall display featuring colorfully titled spines arranged in perfect rows.
"This is where all the good starter manga lives. See, you’ve got your Shōnen over here - action, fighting, very ’I must beco stronger’ energy. And over here is your Shōjo, which isn’t always all romance, but..."
She continued chattering as she led through what felt like a guided tour of a very alien culture. Her hands moved constantly, pointing and poking at goods as she explained the differences in so much more detail than I ever would have requested.
The difference between manga and manhwa, the significance of volu numbers considering the serial format it is ’first’ published in, and why for her certain series were-
"Absolutely. Essential. Reading. [Ogre Strength Fairy: Redux With You] is a graphic novel based on so author’s supposedly seminal work... one of my peers says. The art is great and the pacing is *so* much better in panel form!"
> She’s like... an overly enthusiastic tour guide who forgot that not everyone shares her passions. Hm. I wonder what this Girl’s Love tag in this section ans? <
Before I could study more of the works, she pulled down another volu from that shelf and all but shoved it in my face. It shook with the vibration of her excitent... and I could recognize at least one character on the cover right away.
"And THIS.... is Cry-Guard! Rember I ntioned it at the casino?"
"Yes, I rember. But Ellie, you’re doing that thing where you are breathing too hard again and it is really freaking out."
She laughed, not at all embarrassed - still taking a mont to deep inhale and exhale a final ti. Tucking the book under her arm, she smiled at .
"Sorry! I do get excited. But seriously, you’d love this one. Here, let get you volu one!"
"I could buy it myself, you know."
> No, I’m not sure I want to. I’m afraid it is what corrupted her to act like this and am tempted to swear off all forms of this dia. Even if... so of these young won kissing or holding hands is really... intriguing... <
Vrika whines at only once. It knows it is a lost cause. But I guess it finds reading and seeing images of other girls flirting less objectionable than flirting with other girls than the Alpha it is infatuated with.
"Consider it a welco gift. To the wonderful world of entertainnt choices that most others will not understand!"
As we moved deeper into the store, I noticed Ellie had a habit of touching everything in it - straightening the displays, picking up figurines she hadn’t seen to examine them... and brushing against my arm when she wanted to point sothing out.
It was entirely unconscious, the way so people were naturally tactile in their interactions. But it was starting to irk my wolf. Which is the main reason why I didn’t stop it.
> Nothing calculated about it, just her natural way of engaging with the world. Don’t be such a prude and think she is flirting. I can almost assure you that this woman has no significant interest... in fact- <
"Are you seeing soone, Ellie?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah."
The spirit raged inside , because I purposely put a little flirty lilt on my voice when I asked. But if you don’t even do that much - and sotis even if you do - so won are just far too dense to take the hint!
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