For years, Laurel has been using… Less than legal means to acquire the item he’s searching for today. Desperation can make even the kindest aero do the most nefarious things, and Laurel hadn’t been immune to its influence. But that ends today. Laurel is going to find an appropriate-- and hopefully reliable-- means of acquiring what has caused him so much emotional pain over these years. The problem?
Laurel cannot explain to anyone what he’s looking for.
The stakes are high, as they say; explaining himself has a miniscule chance of going over well enough to survive the encounter, but the risk of disaster is much higher. Oh, he can just see it now-- they’ll put him in chains and exile him from not just the market, but Aronia itself! He’ll be the laughing stock of the kingdom, and generations to come will hear his story and weep tears not of despair, but hilarity and joy. Disaster! He shudders just to think about it.
So no, he will not be telling anyone what this item is. He will simply have to be stealthy, and sneaky, and not all suspicious.
Today, Laurel walks through the market like a normal aero, definitely not sweating and avoiding eye contact. As he wanders by the different shops, he mentally crosses them off his list to visit. Clothing stores and houseware stores won’t have what he needs. The thrift shop probably won’t either. Rachelle’s Boutique is highly unlikely to as well, seeing as she only sells clothes, but he doesn’t immediately dismiss it-- or rather, her. Rachelle is popular, and popularity means connections. If she doesn’t sell what he’s seeking on the down-low… maybe she knows someone who does. He saves this option for the very last, however, because it would mean explaining himself, and he’s not so desperate as to risk his future and reputation just yet.
The very same applies to Jacob and his stall. Laurel has seen Jacob selling some interesting and unique items, but as popular as Jacob is, Laurel doubts he’d be openly selling The Item. Still, Laurel may have to resort to asking Jacob if this doesn’t work out; "this" meaning that Laurel actually has a lead. Of sorts.
The Shady Alleyway Vendor, whose name remains unknown, offers items unlike any other. Last Laurel heard, the Vendor had potions that could change ones appearance. The price was quite high, but these potions could be found nowhere else. This is the kind of aero that would have The Item, Laurel is positive. So, on paws which suddenly feel quite weak, Laurel approaches the alleyway where the Vendor resides.
“Good afternoon,” The Vendor greets pleasantly as Laurel steps into view, “Interested in any potions?”
Mouth suddenly dry with nerves, Laurel replies, “Actually, uh, no. I was wondering if-- if you had a certain item in stock.”
The Vendor eyebrows are not visible, but Laurel feels the Raised Eyebrow Vibe all the same. “And what item is that?” He asks. Laurel hesitates, suddenly unsure of himself--
“Oi, do you have well water in today?” A voice asks right beside Laurel’s ear, causing him to yelp and jump. “Oh, sorry.” The red and blue aero says halfheartedly, barely glancing at Laurel, who is reeling in confusion. The Vendor sighs like this is a conversation they’ve had a million times and still haven’t come to a conclusion on.
“Actually,” He says, leaning down to grab something from under the table, “I do.” He presents a small vial of beautiful, clear water, which sparkles in the sunlight somehow reaching the shady alleyway. Laurel knows in an instant that this is the well water he’s been seeking all along.
“How much.” Both Laurel and the other aero ask, in sync, turning to glare at the other in sudden competitiveness. Though shaken by the revelation that he is not the only well water drinker in Aronia, Laurel’s desire for the well water overpowers all else. He must have this well water. Sure, he can drink it from the well whenever he wants (well, unless Sylvia catches him, in which case she usually chases him off with a broom), but it’s the principle of the matter. It’s the fact that Laurel doesn’t have to sneak around anymore-- it’s the fact that he can buy it, legally. Sort of? He’s unsure of the Vendor’s practices but they must at least be legal if he’s allowed to sell things in the alleyway, where it’s quite obvious.
“One-hundred thousand cloud coins.” The Vendor replies, smug. Laurel blanches, and at his side, the competing aero does the same. For a moment, there is tense silence.
“Nah.” The other aero says. They turn to Laurel. “Want to go get some from the well instead?”
“Sure,” Laurel says.
“America, you literally harassed me for weeks asking me to stock this.” The Vendor says, irate. Both aeros ignore him.
“I’m America.” The red, white, and blue aero introduces himself to Laurel.
“Like the country?” Laurel asks.
“The what?” America replies, seemingly actually oblivious.
“Nevermind. Let’s just go get some delicious, crispy well water.”
And so the two new friends shared a scrumptious glass of yummy yummy well water, and due to the power of friendship, they didn’t even get parasites. The end :)
