Aphid looked across, hurt, sensing the shock. "A standard bag this size without the straps and extras would cost you two and a half thousand. Plus the bedroll for three and a half, plus the canteen for five hundred. I'm barely charging for the labour and custom work."
"N-no, you misunderstand," Kennedy waved her hand hurriedly. "I was surprised at how cheap it was, for such a quality item so tailored to my needs." So tailored my needs now include a loan.
Aphid eyed her uncertainly. "If you'd like a discount, we do have a few things to do around the shop, and I ... do have a personal matter that I'm really stuck on." Her cheeks blossomed scarlet as she turned her head away.
A RINGING ENDORSEMENT - Aphid Storey wishes you to deliver a package to Granville Struch the apprentice smith.
TIME LIMIT: 48 hours.
UNLOCK REQUIREMENTS: Aphid's Esteem: 30+ | Ask Aphid if she requires any assistance.
REWARDS: EXP: 500 | STERLING: 0 | OTHER: UNKNOWN
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS QUEST? YES / NO
STORE CELLAR - Astrid's Stellar Adventuring Store has a problem in their storage cellar. Fix the issue and save the store's stock.
TIME LIMIT: 5 hours.
REWARDS: EXP: 1,000 | BELI: 1,000 | OTHER: UNKNOWN
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS QUEST? YES / NO
MUNDANE DELIVERY - Take the package to the barracks. Deliver it to the quartermaster Harvard Holmes.
TIME LIMIT: 12 hours.
REWARDS: EXP: 500 | BELI: 500 | OTHER: UNKNOWN
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS QUEST? YES / NO
FORK TO FARM - Take the equipment to the farm. Deliver it Maggie Fields or either of her brothers.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
TIME LIMIT: 12 hours.
REWARDS: EXP: 500 | BELI: 500 | OTHER: UNKNOWN
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCEPT THIS QUEST? YES / NO
Hardly worth the trouble, but then they don't seem to be much trouble at all. Kennedy accepted all the quests, pausing at the last one. Do I want to go that far out? Not exactly far but it's not much of a reward. It'll boost my skills a bit sure but ... Well, I do have to go there for Anguine. Mentally shrugging, Kennedy accepted the last quest. If nothing else I have a sword now. Maybe I'll see her parents near there at the docks.
"Thank you! This frees up so much time for me. And Granville." Aphid blushed deeply. "I can't stand to see him. Not without knowing. And I need to know." She shivered on the spot, smiling at hidden hopes. Wow. I'm pretty sure she's just a new hire. Would a player fall in love with another on day one? Well, this is the internet. But maybe it's scripted? I'm probably overthinking this. I should just treat this all as my personal game. Until I find my own friends. But what if I only find actors -
"Aphid? We're back!" A woman came into the store unbuckling a cloak and placing it, folded, on the counter. "Oh. Greetings miss. What are you seeking? Is my daughter attending to you?" Her eyes had switched between the two and now moved to the sketches spread out over the counter. She strode forward. "This is?"
Oh crap.
"A proposal from me to Aphid. More a reward for myself."
"Oh, you're an adventurer?"
"Yes mom, she came in looking for some gear. I've sold her a bedroll, water bottle, a custom bac-"
"Have you checked with Spider at the market?" Much like her daughter, the eyebrows were animated, this time one arced into a question whilst the other was stern and slanted. The reprimand audible in the voice and visible on the face.
"No mom."
"I specifically requested Aphid's services," Kennedy cut in, earning a relieved and thankful look from the girl. "I was admiring her clothing, and the quality of the sketches she did sold it for me." Kerching kerching mothershoppers. Now let's drive it home. "If the product lives up to the promise, I'm certain her work will be of great use to me in my work for Lord Anguine." A broad man entered the shop from behind the counter, looking between the three women. "And now I have some work to do. I plan to visit Beach Farm. I'll be back to finalise the deal in a couple of hours." She smiled towards Aphid who nodded, mouth slightly open. "Thank you for your help." She turned around swiftly and walked from the store, the door swinging closed behind her doing little to mask the sound of her running steps from the family inside.