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"Hello, Mara." Oci smiled at the young woman standing behind the counter and walked up to her. "I'll have the usual, and whatever this young man wants." He nodded at Marco. The woman smiled at Oci and looked at Marco expectantly.
Marco hummed sheepishly, ordering the cheapest pastry on the menu, not wanting to inconvenience his new partner any.
Mara grabbed the pastry and handed it to Marco, then grabbed a blueberry muffin and a cup of tea. Oci pulled some money from his pocket and handed it to Mara. He grabbed his food and started towards the door. "Thank you, Mara." Oci called over his shoulder.
Marco took it, nodding to her politely, following Oci out of the shop, nibbling at the pastry.
"Alright, let's get that amulet, hmm?" Oci said, taking a sip of his tea. "How is your breakfast? I noticed you got the cheapest one. Still good though, isn't it? Mara makes the best pastries." He looked at Marco, then looked ahead of him.
Marco looked away shyly, but nodded, nibbling on his food to make it last. "Yeah.. it is good.." he said softly, hoping the other wasn't gonna rough him up for being broke and shy about it.
"Good." Oci glanced at the buildings as they passed, finally stopping in front of what looked like a closed bar. "Okay. Let's do this." He took a deep breath, then grabbed his keys from his pocket and unlocked the door.
Marco hummed curiously, "What're we here for?" he asked softly, taking another bite of his pastry, watching him.
"The amulet. We're lucky I took it a few months ago, or we would've had another thing to do." Oci hurried through the room, glancing around as he walked. He stopped in front of a door and unlocked it, pulling open the door to reveal a staircase leading upstairs.
Marco hummed, following him carefully, quickly finishing the last of his pastry as they walked. "Is there anywhere else e need to stop before venturing into the Everlasting Woods?" he asked, "Other than the basic supplies?"
"I don't think so. I have a lot of supplies here." Oci replied, walking up the stairs and turning left. "But if we do forget something, we could always stop in the town nearest to the Woods." He opened the door at the end of the hallway and walked into what looked like an office.
Marco followed him, making note of which direction they went in, "Alright.." he said softly, watching to see what they'd be grabbing, not particularly excited for their trek into the Everlasting woods.
Oci closed the door behind him and walked over to a cabinet behind a large desk. He placed his hand on the cabinet and the door swung open. Oci searched the shelves, looking for the amulet. "Do you see it?"
Marco hummed, "What does it look like?" he asked, coming over and looking careflly, before shifting into a squirrel and searching that way.
"It's a golden circle, about the size of my palm," Oci answered, pushing aside a box. "It has a sort of silvery circle of metal in the center, as well. And it's hanging on a golden chain." He put the box back where it was supposed to be and wrinkled his nose.
Marco made a chitttering sound of acknowledgement and kept searching, turning up a moment later clutching the amulet in his paws, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he scrambled up to the other and pressed it into his hand, before skittering to the floor and shifting back.
"Oh, you found it! Good." Oci stared at the amulet for a second before grabbing the chain and putting it around his neck. He tucked it under his shirt and closed the cabinet. "Alright, let's get out of here before anyone notices us."
(BRB, I have to go buy lunch)
(Okay.)
Marco nodded, "You're welcome" he said sourly, dusting off his hands as he watched the other close the cabinet.
Oci turned and hurried towards the door, glancing behind him once to make sure Marco was following him. When he got to the door, Oci opened it a crack before flinging it open and hurrying down the hallway. "Do you know any portal spells?" He asked, making his way down the stairs as fast as he could.
Marco followed him quickly thinking or a moment, "Yes, but I'm not strong enough to cast any…" he said wondering why they were suddenly rushing.
"Shame. We could have skipped the whole ride to the town outside the Everlasting Woods." Oci opened the door a crack again, then pushed it open and waved Marco out. He locked the door and speed-walked towards the door that led outside.
"Well I can cast one, but it kinda means that I'll be out cold for 24 hours." he said following him outside, "And then I wouldn't be able to shift for another 48 hours after."
"Yeah, let's not do that." Oci locked the door to the bar and walked back to the main road. "Guess we're taking public transport… oh, wait. Do you think you could teach the spell to me? Unless it would do the same thing to me."