The Crucible Campaign

14: Early Christmas

.^^ Tavon ^^

— Cassidy —

Before I could think too much more about my attraction to a woman nearly three times my age, I felt an explosion rock the ground, and started running towards it, curious and cautious at the same time.

When I spotted Tommy, covered in soot, and laughing like a total fucking little psycho, I relaxed, and chuckled. "Sorry to worry you. She's not the most stable." I apologized sarcastically.

Sandy smiled. "She is adorably unhinged, Yes, I agree. Now, back on the track of Ages, how old are you?" She asked bluntly.

"Well, as a human, I was 22, a fully grown woman. Now I'm a Genaasi, and I don't know the corresponding age group. But I am an adult, that I'm sure of." I sighed.

"Well... human age to Elemental... you are, in that ratio, around my age... about 20-30 years is how long it takes a Genaasi to reach physical adulthood, much like humans, but they then age very, very slowly, like most Elves. Also, they are known to be notoriously childish; not out of any lack of wisdom, but a simple appreciation for simple amusements. Pranksters, the lot of them. Renata is particularly mischievous, just fair warning." She sighed.

I nodded. "Good to know... now let's go make sure my sister hasn't caused a war, blowing something important up."

She giggled, and patted my cheek. "Yes, I think that is the wisest course of action."

A bright flash of light made its way through the tinted windows of the shop Tommy had entered, and I frowned, making my way over, around the small depression in the ground, centered around a small, mangled sewer grate, which smelled paradoxically of honey, instead of waste. A welcome change, though very odd.

As I opened the door, I came face to face with Gladrin, who looked confused for a moment, before laughing. "Sorry, Sorry, it's just so apparent which one of you is the crazy one, now." He chuckled, pointing his thumb over his shoulder, at my idiot twin.

She was currently reading a very large book made of silver and uncut rubies, sitting on top of the counter while still covered in soot and grease paint, like she was trying to go full-Rambo.

I sighed, and pointed at the burlap bags underneath her, as well as a big bag of glass vials. "Yeah. Let me guess, all that is her crap she bought, instead of armor, just like I predicted."

He shrugged. "She actually got a lot of good deals, and only spent 1 Platinum piece, for an Advanced Alchemist's Kit, a Grimoire, and all the stuff she needed. Spent less than your dad did, actually, which is surprising. Half of her money went to that crater in the sewers." He looked at the sunken cobblestones and twisted sewer grate.

I blinked slowly. "One PLATINUM?!? THOMAS SKØLL, HAVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF A BUDGET?!?" I snapped at her.

She looked up, and grinned. "Nah, not really. But hey look, I can make bombs with just my hands!" She mixed a small amount of red sand and gunpowder, then poured that into a bowl of honey, sparking it with her hands, and finally pulled out a small red crystal that seemed familiar. Like the Tooth she'd pulled out of the Thief's Mouth.

She tossed it to mother, who I just noticed off to one side in the shelves, with dad and two storm dogs, apparently watching all this happen casually.

Dad caught it before mother, to her amusement, and hummed as he examined it. "I like the use of honey as a stabilizing agent... but please don't toss bombs around in a room literally made of explosive and volatile ingredients?" He raised an eyebrow at her.