The Traveling Dimensional Store - Chapter 3 New Store

The sound of rain and thunder was the norm in the capital city of Regina and many of its citizens were sleeping in their houses. A big flashing light struck down into an abandoned house, masked by the sound of thunder and rain hitting the road. Nobody noticed such event and those that did pass on as a strong lighting.

Before the brilliant flash, a 9-year-old girl had tried to find shelter to prevent more cold rain from touching her. She was one of the many beggars that lived in the streets and slums of Regina. She did not know who her parents were or why they abandoned her, but she did know that if she didn’t fight, she will not live to see the next morning.

Finding an abandoned house, she entered a spacious room. Sitting down, she removed the tattered cloak on her head and her appearance could be seen. She had light brown hair that matched the colors of her eyes, and a frame that was below the average for those of her age. Traces of abuse and malnutrition could be seen on her small body.

She looked at her temporary shelter and found it to be decent. Suddenly, a bright light filled up the room and she fainted, not knowing why or how.

Jack was sitting in his usual chair on the usual counter, contemplating about the visitor who just happened to be in the way of his teleportation magic. Such events didn’t happen very often. And by often he meant that the chances are the same as a person getting hit by events that will kill them but survive.

“Laura, are you done tending her? Can you come here?” Jack called to his partner.

Receiving her order, she exited the back room of the store and approached Jack.

She asked, “What do we do with her? We can’t keep her here. The store is too mystical for mortals like her to stay.”

“I have an idea, but we need to talk to her,” replied Jack.

Laura had an idea what Jack was trying to offer but she had her doubts and she knew that he knew about it, so she could only wait until the girl wakes up and for Jack to say whatever he needed. While waiting for the girl to wake up, both Jack and Laura did their own things. Jack was checking her information with the Book of Karma while Laura was naming objects to pass time.

After 3 hours of waiting, the unconscious girl woke up, seemingly confused about her surroundings and the situation she was in. When she saw Jack in the distance, she was alerted, thinking that he was going to do something to her.

Jack, noticing that she was awake, opened his mouth and said, “Now, you do have the right to be wary since you are homeless, but you are in my store and house, so you will listen.”

Seeing her nod, he continued flipping the pages of the Book of Karma. “Alright, let see Ah, here it is. You are Lua Zing, a half-elf. Homeless and living on the streets since you were 4 years old.”

Lua Zing was shocked because she never told the man anything. She was worried for her safety and started to plot her escape. It didn’t last long when Jack shot her thoughts down by saying that it is impossible to leave the store without his permission. She was still skeptical but she didn’t know if he was telling the truth.

“Laura, come here and serve some food to our guest.”, Jack told his partner. His partner nodded, and moments later, she returned with a tray full of food.

“Alright, please eat for I do advise you to do so.” Jack offered to Lua.

She hesitated for she didn’t know the man at all. She doubtfully asked, “How do I know you didn’t put anything in the food.”

Jack sighed and assured, “Laura wouldn’t like that. She says that food should be eaten and enjoyed. Not for killing or what not. Sometimes, I cannot understand her.”

She blinked but still hesitated to eat. He didn’t tell her much if it was modified or not and she did want to risk it. Years in the streets taught her not to trust so easily to a person.

Jack called, “Laura, you talk with her. Also, don’t put that facade up when speaking. I am going to prepare a few things.”

Jack left the room leaving the two behind in an awkward silence. They both stayed in the silence for a while until Lua devoured the meal given to her. Laura gave a sigh, something she didn’t do, because on how Jack blatantly gave her his job to talk to her. She didn’t know what Jack was planning to offer to the girl.

Jack reentered the room, seeing an awkward silence. He knows what he did didn’t work but he sure as hell was going to complain. After a small cough to catch the girl attention, Jack asked her if she was willing to listen to his offer.

He began, “So, you fainting inside our store is a very rare occurrence and what I am going to offer you is the first thing I have done so.”. Jack briefly stopped to gauge the girl’s reaction. He saw a hesitant and thinking about his offer but briefly nodded.

He continued, “I am going to give you this necklace. One that was stored in the storage room. It is a special necklace known as Valengosa’s Tears. It brings out the potential of the user that he or she possesses. When you wear the necklace, you will instinctively know what you’re good at.”.

Lua Zing was baffled that such thing existed. Even with her limited knowledge, she knows that such thing was valuable and could be sold at a high price. In her mind, she was thinking of ways she could get the necklace for money to keep afloat. Of course, she didn’t know the magical nature of the store or the power of the two-person in the room with her.

“I will give it to you and in exchange, you will go on an adventure and we will be watching you for almost everything you do. To sum it up, you’re our entertainment. This is a fair exchange because you can change your fate and both me and Laura will have our fun. It is a win-win.”, Jack said breaking her stupor. He then gave the necklace to her.

Lua Zing wanted to refuse because she didn’t want to be the new toy of the store owner, but somewhere in her mind, it was nagging her to accept it and that it is wise to do so. So she accepted by giving another small nod to Jack. She then left the store thanks to Laura instructions.

After she left, Laura grumbled and went to find Jack to complain about leaving her with the kid and not telling her his plans.

She complained, “Jackie, you are a big hypocrite. You said that you didn’t like to watch our customers adventure but you just broke it. You’re a big meanie too by abandoning me with the girl.”

Jack responded rather calmly, “That was a spur of the moment. Plus, you need to break out of your shell too.”

“I still like to keep my facade to customers.”, Laura whined.

“You get to see more adventures anyway.”, Jack said.

“I don’t care. I want my compensation.”, Laura continued whining.

“I have an idea to compensate you, just follow me.”, Jack sighed and said as he took Laura hands to follow her.

“Is Jackie trying to be naughty?”, Laura cooed.

Jack sighed.

Outside the store, while the duo did their banter, Lua Zing looked at her surrounding and said, “What was I doing?”.
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