25 The day before the Death Games (1/2)

The sound of a store bell seemed to have gone off. ”Coming.” A feminine voice called from the back area of the store as a tall male approached the counter. ”Oh! Riyku!” Natalie exclaimed with a warm smile on her face. ”Afternoon Natalie, I see you've finally got your feelings through to Deyo,” Riyku stated having noticed a silver band upon her ring finger. This caused the woman to blush softly and nod. ”That's good. I am happy for both of you.” Riyku would add which caused her smile to brighten even more. ”Thanks!” She exclaimed. ”Though, I am sure you didn't just come to converse with me. You came for this right?” Natalie would pull something from under the counter as if she had been expecting him to come today. She placed a small case on the counter that of which Riyku would open with a nod to her remark. Upon doing so his crimson eyes would take note of pair of black fingerless gloves laying snug on top of purple cushioning. The only difference between the two gloves was that one had some kind of jewel engraved within it. ”You know, it was not easy finding something like that. My helpers bent their backs for it.” Natalie would state firm to which Riyku would nod softly. ”I appreciate the length you went through to gain this. Tell them I am grateful for their aid.” Riyku would close the small case with a satisfied expression before looking at Natalie. ”Thank you.”

Natalie sighed lightly with glee. ”No problem. You did pay in full and up front. Still, I don't know what you plan on using that for other than the Death Games. Riyku chuckled lightly while turning away from her. ”Well, you should come and watch. Doubt you'll get many customers once it starts.” He stated with a wave of his hand before out the door he went. Since it was the day before the Death Games, the shopping district was packed full of people. The only reason he stopped by the Accessory shop first, was because of the fact that the clothing shop and weapons and arms shop were packed full of people. His next destination would happen to be the clothing shop, passing by Deyo's shop he saw how busy it was. Still not as bustling as it had been when he walked past it earlier. Though, he knew he was right in his decision to save Deyo's shop for last and enter into Yumi's shop. The place wasn't as packed as it was earlier, in fact, it looked as if everything had just died down. Seeing Yumi's exhausted expression caused Riyku to chuckle, ”Looks like you had plenty of fun.” Yumi would look up from the front counter and shake his head with a sigh of exhaustion. ”Always a jokester isn't you boy.” Yumi would state to which Riyku chuckled lightly again before stopping at the counter.

”Well, I won't take up much of your time. You know why I am here.” Riyku stated to which Yumi nodded. ”Yes, I do. I have it ready.” Yumi would pull a large case from under the counter and place it on top of the counter. ”Since you came by the other night to pay I just brought it up front in case you came early morning,” Yumi stated to which Riyku would nod. ”I was going to, but I saw how packed it was. Decided to stop by other shops and see how everyone was doing.” Riyku stated as he reached for the case to open it. ”How kind of you,” Yumi stated sarcastically which caused Riyku to smirk. His expression shifted to one more filled with gratitude when he laid his eyes upon the jet black armor with strips of red designed in the formation of a rose. The veins that flowed throughout the armor seemed to have the coloration of dark green to match the coloration of jet black and the coloration of several strips of red. Though the roses were not red themselves, only the outline that formed them were red making the roses appear black. ”It's perfect. Don't know why you went with a rose design, but it is perfect nonetheless.” Riyku stated to which Yumi nodded. ”I went with what I first thought of you as. Black beauty. That idea only came to me when I caught a glimpse of you in the all-black attire the first time you came by.” Yumi would explain to which Riyku would nod softly. ”I'll take that a compliment.”

Riyku's gaze seemed to have glanced over several three small jewels upon the armor. At first, he had not noticed them, but when the black jewels gave off a shimmer of shine his eyes had shifted towards them. ”I am guessing these are the Support Enchantments?” Riyku inquired. Yumi would nod to his response, ”They are. I was informed that the Support Enchantments were, Hydro, Burst, and Aero. Hyrdo is a supplement for water arts, Burst is a supplement for fire arts and Aero is a supplement for Wind arts. Meaning, you can use said arts without chanting. If you ask me, you got some pretty good enchantments. Using Magical Arts without chanting takes years of practice.” Yumi would explain. Riyku had chuckled a bit to himself at the end. ”Well, I appreciate the explanation. Might I ask a question?” Riyku would inquire. ”Of course, Darlin'” Yumi replied to which Riyku shook his head towards his flirtatious manner. ”Is it possible to apply enchantments to one's own gear, provided the gear allows enchantments?” Riyku seemed to ask to which Yumi tilted his head to the side. ”Well, I don't see why not. Though enchanting Jewels and applying them into gear are two different tasks and can be extremely difficult. If you apply an enchantment incorrectly into a jewel. The jewel may break. This also applies to add the jewel into the gear. Some gears have restrictions on them. Such as using only offensive enchantments. If you force a defensive or supportive enchantment the gear itself will break along with the jewel.” Yumi explained to him and he seemed to pick on it quickly.

”Thanks.” Riyku turned on his heel and was about to head out, ”Do you plan on doing it yourself?” Yumi called after him. ”Don't know just yet,” Riyku called back as he left the shop. The district was still bustling with people. Looking up at the sky, he could tell that it was sometime in the middle of the day. So, perhaps getting lunch would help pass the time. After all, he could see quite clearly that Deyo's shop was still busy. Chuckling lightly the male began to make his way to Freya's Bakery. Interestingly, the shop wasn't too empty. It was quite moderate for customers. Perhaps people came here for lunch or a snack. Walking up the empty counter he was greeted with Freya who was smiling brightly at him. ”Welcome! How have you been?” Freya would inquire. ”The usual. Preparing for the Game and what not. It appears you have some customers today. Never thought people would come to Bakery in the late in the afternoon.” Riyku replied. Freya would chuckle lightly. ”That's because everything is half priced during our final hour. Our regulars come every now and again. Some people wander in and find out on their own. So they come back another day.” Freya stated. Riyku would nod before glancing over the selection of rolls, bagels and other assorted baked goods. The cases appeared nearly empty, so he kind of understood why things were half priced. ”Well, I guess I'll take some sugar-coated buns per usual,” Riyku stated having seen there were only a few left in the display. ”That so? So the usual cup of black coffee as well? Or perhaps you would like a little bit of creamer this time.” Freya would tease him with a bold remark and a playful wink.

”Picking up a husband, are we?” An elderly voice came about from behind Riyku which caused both him and Freya to look at the person. ”Oh, you are the lady I helped the other day.” Riyku would state. ”Mother!?” Freya exclaimed which caused Riyku to shift his gaze back to Freya. The old woman would chuckle softly. ”You were indeed a great help. I can see why Freya has her eyes on you. Tall, Handsome, and an overall gentleman. Not to mean strong.” The elderly woman stated to Riyku and Freya seemed to blush brightly. ”That was not it! I was merely teasing him! Riyku has always been a good friend, Mother!” Freya would exclaim which caused the old woman to chuckle softly. ”Yes, yes. We all know that is how it starts off.” Freya would sigh softly before smiling at her mother. ”Well, you do not come here often. So what brought you here today?” Freya inquired to which the old woman nodded softly. ”Just came to see my daughter and granddaughter. Though, if I am interrupting you trying to catch yourself a man. I'll take my leave.” The old woman teased with her daughter, ”Mother!” Freya exclaimed with embarrassment in her voice. The whole scene itself caused Riyku to chuckle softly which caused both of them to look at him. ”Sorry, sorry. Just seeing how you two act towards one another show how close you are to each other. I am glad you have such a strong bond with each other, but madam if I may be upfront with you. I am not looking for any spouse.” Closing his eyes the male would proceed to explain.

”You see, I already have my hands full with five women as it is. I would not wish to place Freya under any circumstances that would bring her discomfort. Right now, I am not looking for a bride. Do not get me wrong, Freya's affection for me does not go unnoticed, and I do find it flattering, but I would rather not waste her time. If she wishes to settle down, I wish her the best in finding a man who will settle down with her.” Riyku was indeed upfront about everything. He may have come off as an asshole of sorts, but the truth alone meant he was quite serious about not deceiving anyone. ”Oh? So, you already have women swooned over you. Well, polygamy is becoming a popular thing nowadays. Mainly with key figures like the Emporer, and the lords that rule several countries. To be honest, If you told me you did not have any girl chasing you down I would have never believed you.” The old woman stated in reply. ”Ah, if only I were forty maybe even thirty years younger. I'd chase you down myself.” She would add. ”Mother!?” Freya exclaimed in embarrassment. ”Now, now daughter. This strapping young man has five women in his bed. I won't tell you to jump into the boat with them, but if you truly wish to be a part of this man's life. You should give it some serious thought. From my eyes, I can tell that those five girls mean a lot to him and he is willing to protect them at whatever the cost.” The old woman seemed to have changed her tone to a bit of more serious expression. Almost like she was trying to guide her daughter.

”I know. I have seen him walking around with a few of those girls.” Freya stated which caused Riyku to shift his glance to her. ”Hooh? So you already knew everything about him and yet you are still trying to swoon him. Now, that's my girl.” The old woman would sing the praise of her daughter who blushed brightly, ”Mother!” Riyku would chuckle softly and the elder woman would follow suit. ”Well putting that aside. Follow your heart, listen to your soul, and they will guide you. I am sure this young man will welcome you with open arms.” The old woman stated which caused Freya to huff heavily. ”Now then. Young man, I must ask you something. Earlier you said you did not plan on having a bride. I assume that is because you do not believe you are fully capable of protecting any lady you betrothed?” The old woman questioned with a piercing glance. Riyku would sigh lightly, ”Got me. I guess I should have known since you could somehow tell how I felt about those girls. Though, it is not just them. Everyone that is precious to me, I want to protect.” Riyku stated firmly. ”But, you afraid of something. Hmm... Well, I won't pry into your life. Though, I will tell you this. You should never shoulder your burdens alone. Those you hold dear are willing to help you, I am sure of it. I am also sure that Freya would help you out too.” The old woman smiles brightly which caused Riyku to shift his gaze from the woman to Freya who was blushing lightly and nodding softly to him.

Riyku would release a soft happy sigh, ”Thank you.” He stated to both of them of which they would nod softly. ”Now then. Freya, how long do you plan to keep us waiting? We are customers after all.” The old woman was joking when she said that, but Freya would blink rapidly. ”Oh sorry!” She shouted before scurrying throughout the department to get both her mother the usual thing she would order which was a lightly sugar-coated roll and a small cup of coffee and get Riyku some sugar-coated buns and a medium cup of coffee. ”Here you are.” Freya would hand them both their bags and the old woman would be on her way. Riyku would proceed to take a seat one of the tables and set his cases down beside him before partaking of the buns and coffee. His mind would venture into what the elder woman had spoken of about being afraid of something.

'Didn't I tell you not to worry about that?' Seraphina's voice came through a mental connection. Of course, Riyku would nod softly in response.

'You did, but that is not what I am worried about.' Riyku would reply through the mental connection.

'Then what are you worried about?' Seraphina would inquire.