"But… how are we going to get the ingredients for…" Heka's voice had softened considerably.
The earlier storm of tears had slowed to occasional traces that still shone on her dark, scarred cheeks.
She looked down at the smaller elf still half-wrapped around her midsection and managed a small, tired smile that pulled faintly at the corners of her mouth.
Eric pulled back just far enough to free one arm.
He pumped a fist into the air with sudden, restored energy, green hair bouncing with the motion. A smug, thoroughly confident expression spread across his face.
"No need to worry!" he yelled, volume completely restored and then some. "I doubt anyone in Thaad can match my culinary skil—"
"YES, BUT CAN YOU STOP SHOUTING NOW! GET WHAT YOU WANT AND LEAVE ALREADY!"
The shopkeeper had somehow appeared right beside them without either of them noticing her approach.
