Bonds in the Alchemist's Nook

Carter reached into his item box and carefully retrieved the potions he had crafted, setting them neatly on the counter in front of Aria. Each bottle gleamed with a faint magical glow, their vibrant colors catching the light.

Aria leaned closer, her keen eyes examining each potion with interest. "Well, these are impressive," she said, picking up a vial of shimmering green liquid. "Let me see what we have here."

She held the potion up to the light, her expression focused as she activated her appraisal skill. The faint glow of a magic circle appeared in her eyes as she murmured softly to herself. "Healing Potion, minor grade... good consistency, perfectly balanced ingredients."

While Aria worked, Carter glanced at Lily, who was watching the process intently. "So, Lily," Carter said with a grin, "what do you think? Not bad for someone who just started learning, right?"

Lily shifted nervously, her small hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "It's really cool," she said softly, her voice filled with awe. "I've never seen anything like this before. You're really good at it, Carter."

Carter chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I had some help from Ivy and, of course, a great teacher." He glanced at Aria, who was still focused on appraising the potions.

Lily hesitated before speaking again. "I-I'm really thankful you helped me today," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "If you hadn't been there... I don't know what would've happened."

Carter knelt down slightly to meet her gaze, offering a reassuring smile. "Hey, don't worry about that now. You're safe, and that's all that matters."

Lily nodded, a small smile creeping onto her face as she hugged Ivy, who was perched comfortably on her shoulder. "Ivy's really nice too," she said, giggling as the fox nuzzled her cheek.

Aria finally set the potion down and picked up another, this one a vibrant red. "Stamina Potion, minor grade," she said aloud. "The clarity of the liquid is excellent. Most beginners struggle with that, but you've nailed it."

Carter smiled at the praise, his chest swelling with pride. "Thanks, Aria. It means a lot coming from someone with your expertise."

Aria looked up at him, her expression warm. "You've done exceptionally well, Carter. Especially for someone who's only been at this for a couple of days. You've got a natural talent for alchemy."

Carter rubbed the back of his neck, his face slightly red. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance, though. You've been a great teacher. Thanks for taking the time to help me out, even though we'd just met."

Aria chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "It's been a pleasure. You've got potential, and it's rewarding to see you make progress so quickly."

Lily watched the exchange, her wide eyes darting between Carter and Aria. "You're both so nice," she said shyly. "I didn't think I'd meet anyone like you today. I was so scared before... but now I feel safe."

Carter placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "That's what matters, Lily. You're not alone anymore."

Aria placed the final potion back on the counter and turned to Carter. "Everything you've made here is solid. These potions aren't just functional; they're market quality. Have you thought about selling some of these?"

Carter blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. "Selling them? I hadn't really thought about it... but that's not a bad idea. Where would I even start?"

Aria tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, you have a few options. First, you could set up a stall in the marketplace. It's a bit of work, but it would give you direct access to customers and let you set your own prices."

Carter nodded, considering the idea. "That could work. What else?"

"Another option," Aria continued, "is to sell them to shops like mine. Many potion shops are always looking for reliable suppliers. I could even introduce you to a few other shop owners if you're interested."

"That sounds promising," Carter said, his excitement growing. "What about adventurers? They seem like the kind of people who'd need potions regularly."

Aria smiled. "Exactly. If you can find a guild or a group of adventurers to work with, you could create a steady demand for your potions. Guilds especially like to have trusted alchemists to supply them."

Carter grinned, his mind racing with possibilities. "Thanks, Aria. This gives me a lot to think about. I wouldn't have known where to start without your advice."

Aria waved her hand dismissively. "It's no problem. You've got the skills, Carter. Now it's just about finding the right opportunity to showcase them."

Lily, who had been listening quietly, spoke up hesitantly. "Do you think... do you think I could help someday? I want to be useful, like you and Carter."

Aria crouched down to meet Lily's gaze, her warm smile returning. "You've already shown how brave you are, Lily. And with time and practice, I'm sure you'll do amazing things."

Lily's face brightened, and she glanced at Carter. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with newfound determination. "I'll try my best."

Carter leaned against the counter, his arms crossed as his thoughts raced. "Alright," he muttered to himself, "so I can make potions, and I could sell them to other shops. But setting up my own shop could be a long-term goal too... And then there's the adventurers' guild. They'd definitely need potions regularly. But I can't do all this alone."

He glanced over at Lily and Aria, who were sitting nearby. Ivy was perched on Lily's lap, her tail wagging as Lily gently stroked her fur. The two of them were chatting and laughing, Aria occasionally leaning down to show Lily something on a nearby shelf.

Carter sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lily's been through so much already," he murmured, more to himself. "She's all alone in this world, no family, no one to look after her. Maybe... maybe I could give her a place to belong. I mean, I could use the help, and she could use a home."

His gaze softened as he watched Lily giggle at something Aria said. "Yeah," he thought aloud, "she could be like a little sister. Someone to help out, and someone I can look after."

Taking a deep breath, Carter walked over to Lily and crouched down to her level. "Hey, Lily," he said gently, drawing her attention. "Can I talk to you about something?"

Lily blinked, looking up at him curiously. "What is it, Carter?"

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "I've been thinking about what you told me earlier, about not having anyone. And, well... I was wondering how you'd feel about staying with me and Ivy. I'm going to be really busy with potions and setting up work, and it would be nice to have someone around to help. Plus, I think it would be great to have a little sister."

Lily's eyes widened, and for a moment, she didn't say anything. Then, tears began to well up in her eyes as she clutched Ivy tightly. "You mean it?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "You want me to stay with you?"

Carter panicked slightly, waving his hands. "W-wait, don't cry! I didn't mean to upset you! I'm sorry if I said something wrong!"

Lily shook her head, wiping at her tears with her sleeve. "No, it's just... no one's ever wanted me before," she said quietly. "I didn't think I'd ever have a home again."

Aria, who had been watching the exchange, smiled warmly and chuckled. "Carter, you really know how to make things dramatic, don't you?"

Carter turned to her, his face red. "I-I wasn't trying to! I just thought... you know, it would be nice to help her."

Aria giggled, her tone teasing. "You're such a softie. But honestly, it's a sweet idea. Lily, what do you think?"

Lily nodded, her tears replaced by a bright smile. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."

Carter let out a relieved sigh, his own smile returning. "Great! Then it's settled. You're officially part of our little team."

Ivy chirped happily, jumping onto Carter's shoulder and nuzzling him, as if to agree. Aria leaned back, still smiling. "Well, looks like your family just got a little bigger. I hope you're ready for the responsibility, Carter."

Carter stood, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I think I am. Thanks, Aria."

Lily beamed, hugging Ivy tightly once more. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she belonged.

Carter couldn't help but smile as he watched Lily's face light up with joy. He knelt down in front of her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Welcome to your new family, Lily," he said warmly. "We might be small, but we're happy to have you join us."

Lily's smile grew even brighter, and she threw her arms around Carter in a quick hug. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll do my best to help."

Carter chuckled, ruffling her hair gently. "There's no rush, Lily. Just having you here is already a big help."

The two of them sat down together, talking for a while. Lily shared a little more about herself, her voice growing more confident as she opened up. Carter listened intently, occasionally adding his own thoughts or making a joke that made her laugh.

After a while, Carter turned to Aria, his expression thoughtful. "Hey, Aria," he began, "I've been thinking about my plans for the potions I'm making."

Aria leaned against the counter, her interest piqued. "Oh? Let's hear it."

"Well," Carter said, scratching the back of his neck, "I want to sell them to adventurers and maybe even shops like yours. But eventually, I'd love to set up my own shop. You know, something that could help support us long-term."

Aria nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "That's a solid plan. Starting with shops and adventurers is a good way to build connections and gain experience. If you want, I can introduce you to a few people who might be interested in buying your potions."

Carter's face lit up. "That would be amazing. Thanks, Aria."

"Of course," Aria replied with a smile. "You've got the skills, Carter. You just need the right opportunities."

As they talked, Carter glanced at Lily, noticing her clothes were worn and frayed. His brow furrowed slightly as he thought about how to get her something new to wear. *I don't have much money right now,* he thought, biting his lip. *But I can't just leave her like this...*

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he straightened up. "Oh! Aria," he said, turning to her, "would you be interested in buying some of the potions I made?"

Aria raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Buying them? Sure, I'd be happy to. But why the sudden interest in selling them right now?"

Carter rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well... I want to get Lily some new clothes, but I'm running low on funds. I figured this might be a good way to take care of that and get started on building my business at the same time."

Aria chuckled, her tone teasing. "You really do have a soft spot, don't you?"

Carter shrugged, smiling. "What can I say? She's part of the family now."

Aria shook her head with a laugh. "Alright, let's see those potions again. If they're as good as the ones you showed me earlier, I'll gladly buy them."

Carter quickly retrieved the potions from his item box and set them on the counter. Aria examined them carefully, nodding in approval. "These are excellent," she said. "I'll take all of them."

Lily watched the exchange with wide eyes, her hands clasped tightly around Ivy. "You're really going to sell them?" she asked softly.

"Yep," Carter said, turning to her with a grin. "And with the money, we'll get you some nice new clothes. How does that sound?"

Lily's face lit up, and she nodded eagerly. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Carter."

Aria handed Carter a pouch of coins, her smile warm. "Here you go. And don't hesitate to come back if you make more."

Carter accepted the pouch gratefully. "Thanks, Aria. You're a lifesaver."

"Just doing my part," she replied with a wink. "Now go take care of your little sister."

Carter laughed, feeling a deep sense of gratitude as he prepared to take Lily shopping for her new clothes.