Newly Broke Heroine!

Ch. 3: Heroine's Homecoming

Fiona looked up at the two-story apartment of bright red brick and black-painted window frames, and took a deep breath of floral-scented air. She was home. This cozy, small series of apartments sitting on the edge of the park in the nicer part of town, with a few large maple-like trees with teases of gold and orange on the leaves now. Small potted flowers lined the walk up to the front door. "Man Greg, I dunno about you, but I am glad to be home."

"The city of Fiefdala is picturesque, isn't it?" he asked casually, and sniffed the air gently. "Granny's been busy with the decor. I also think her husband made brisket, I can smell it. I do love a good brisket with mashed tubers."

"You're a regular meat and potatoes guy, aren't you?" Fiona said with a smile. He shrugged lightly.

"I do have my comforts, yes."

The lock clicked without resistance, and Fiona pushed the chestnut-colored door open to her apartment, a building of wooden trusses, a few accent paintings of landscapes, and bright lit halls. She was greeted by a pair of ears peeking over the counter of the office window, and she let out a cooing sound. "Bonnie, I'm back!"

That pair of ears turned into a pair of blue eyes, bright white and orange fur, and Bonnie, her part-time mage and full-time friend. She was a lithe and bouncy kitsune that stood almost as tall as her, and she let out a squeal of delight as Fiona gave her a loving hug. She spent more than a second nuzzling at that silky soft fur.

"Fiona, goodness, I thought you weren't supposed to be back for a few days! What, was the party lacking to your tastes over at the palace?" Bonnie teased. "Oh goodness, you're still in your armor, let's get that off, and get cozy! I see that my freshener runes are still working, and with a high charge left!"

"Yeah, it was great to not smell like...you know, smelly monster carapace, swamps, or the greasy, slimy scent emanating off His Highness," she said as Bonnie snapped her claws a couple of times, and waved her hand as if trying to do recall something from muscle memory. "Something up?"

"Oh! Forgot that one doesn't work by simple telekinetics, I need the wand." Bonnie held up her silver-clad enchanting wand, with a blue crystal embedded in the tip. The armor buckles and snaps all came off effortlessly, and the metal pieces all hovered in the air. With a twist of her wrist, Bonnie guided the levitating pieces toward the armor stand in a nearby walk-in closet. With a quick flourish tap in mid-air, Bonnie set the armor pieces snugly onto the wooden mannequin where she stored her equipment. Armor was a statement on fashion, not just practicality to Fiona.

"Ah, thanks, Bonnie! I feel a little sweaty, but nothing a little freshening couldn't fix!" Fiona declared with a deep sound of relief, now adorned in her soft doeskin tunic, stretchy leggings, and the light layer of padding she wore underneath the armor to keep blunt blows from ruining her day. She tossed her gauntlets and greaves onto a shelf in closet.

She glanced in, just to take inventory like she did out of habit. A few other armor sets were stored there–one that was ruby red metal with glowing blue runes. Adjacent to it was a bluish-colored scale set that almost looked like fish scales. The last one was a plain green tunic with mail mesh, and a funky, lengthy green cap sitting on the head of the mannequin. A broad sword with a blue grip, and a yellow gem in the center was stashed on a rack on the wall–that one was still a favorite. "Bonnie, I gotta be real with you, you do fantastic work, that armor didn't have a spot of rust or corrosion! Maybe a couple of dents, but I can get Luke to go smooth those out."

"Ah, don't mention it, Fiona. Welcome back, and–oh, sorry Greg, didn't see you there!" Bonnie said and rubbed her ear errantly. Greg smiled back politely. Greg never smiled warmly, except for Bonnie.