Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

I would like to claim, that I still managed to get a good night's sleep after our return from the fairground, but that would be a lie. In truth I only got to sleep a few hours at most. In a way this is worse than getting no sleep at all, or just a quick nap.

When Sour Cream wakes me mercilessly, licking my nose with her rough little tongue, it takes me a little while to properly wake up. I'm probably straining her patience a little as I shuffle over to her bowl, what little attention I can muster focused to make sure I don't trip over her.

At least I don't accidentally pour her any of my leftover Ectoplasm instead of her namesake treat. That probably wouldn't go over well. It wouldn't be harmful, not on its own anyway, but it is far from tasty. That much is sure.

Yep, living with an alchemist that doesn't get quite enough sleep can be a little dangerous.

Once my feline companion is busy licking her bowl clean I gather a change of clothes and shuffle off in the direction of the bathhouse.

I did wash up last night as I got home. After all I didn't feel like slipping into bed all sweaty, but I still feel like I need another bath and a warm soak if I can make the time.

Practicing that crazy jump was fun, no doubt about it, but it was tiring and exhausting as well. Thankfully there is no practice scheduled for tonight. Gods and goddesses, two days, or rather nights in a row is enough to do me in. Right now I need a break.

Considering the way I shuffle around I just hope no one mistakes me for a zombie or anything like that.

For a change Elzbieta is not waiting for me yet, when I return home after my bath. She arrives not much later though and she looks about as exhausted as I feel. It seems I'm not the only one who didn't get all the sleep they need.

I show her in and make her comfortable by the fireside with the mana mill. Only once that is taken care off do I proceed to think about my own workload.

Well, first things first. That last diaper still needs its second enchantment applied. Except, I don't exactly feel my best right now. I still want to get it done before our lunch break, but I want to do something else first, to properly wake up.

For a moment I ponder working on another enchantment. Something utilitarian for myself. A self heating rock for the fireplace maybe? I could cut down on expenses for firewood like that.

Enchantments like that aren't exactly unheard of among alchemists. Heat without smoke is quite desirable after all. Unless you explicitly need the smoke. The real problem is a different one though. It is incredibly tricky to create an enchantment that allows for the heat to be regulated unlike with a fire where you can use more or less or different wood.

No, while an enchantment like that would be nice to have, it isn't the right task for my sleep deprived mind right now. I'll save it for another day. Yes, I'll keep it in mind. Right now I need something a little easier though.

I think about it a little more. Then a thought strikes me, or rather a memory from last night resurfaces. Dancing shoes!

Yes, a nice and simple basic enchantment that increases my agility a little. That should be well within the realm of the possible, even considering my less than stellar state.

Even if I don't do the actual enchantment I can still give it some thought. Actually. especially considering the possibility of another double enchantment it would be prudent to think about it in depth! Yes, that is what I will do!

What kind of enchantments could I use? A general one improving the wearer's agility? Possible. It is overall probably the easiest enchantment although it would in all likelihood not be very powerful.

If I'm more specific its power would increase. If it only improves my agility while dancing or doing acrobatics for example. It would be more potent but at the same time it would become more complex as well.

I give that option a little more thought. How complex will it become? It would approach the complexity of the enchantment I put on Danuta's staff. Two circles in one enchantment. Entirely within my possibilities, especially if it is the first enchantment.

What are the other options?

An enchantment that speeds up my steps? Seven league dancing shoes? No, actually that probably would be counterproductive. There is a good reason seven league shoes or boots are rare. Even most couriers and runners are not terribly fond of them. Only a scarce few bother to get used to the difference in their pace.

No, I'll have to go a different route. Which one though?

The more I think about it, the more I tend to prefer an enchantment to reinforce my mind in addition to the enhancement of my body. This dance, and especially the bull jump is about more than just agility after all. Willpower is essential too.

A willpower enchantment has another effect as well. It would reduce the risk of being charmed by any of the fair folk. The effect might me negligible when faced with their nobility though. Still, every little bit might help.

I nod to myself. Yes, that actually sounds good.

Now it is time though, to do some actual enchanting. The little thought exercise certainly helped clear my mind of the cobwebs that had been bothering me.

I head out and down to the creek to splash some more cold water in my face just for good measure. I slap my cheeks as well, as I return. Then I get started.

The last diaper, the only one I did not return to the trunk yesterday, ends up at the center of the enchanting table and I grab one of my new chalks.

I can still recall the enchantment I used twice yesterday, as if it was only a few moments ago. Carefully I write the circle of runes around the diaper once more and when I finish, it gets drawn into the diaper almost right away.

One successful check with appraisal later I let out a long sigh. Its alright. Nothing has gone wrong. With that all three diapers are double enchanted. My first present for the soon to be godchild is ready.

Even better, this makes another successful double enchantment with no failures so far. I really should be relieved. At the same time I'm a little worried as well though. With delicate tasks like this eventual failure really is inevitable. The question is just when it'll happen. I just hope it won't be anything important. Or rather nothing too important. Everything worth a double enchantment is by default of importance to someone after all.

Elzbieta can probably tell what the diaper is for, but she doesn't comment as I put it back into the trunk with the others. She doesn't remain silent either though.

“You look like you could use a break. How about an early lunch?”

I don't need to think about it much. Lunch does sound absolutely lovely right about now. I just hope they have something sweet today. Maybe I should get into the habit of baking every once in a while? Baking, like cooking in general can produce some extraordinary results when an alchemist puts their mind to it after all.

Yes, I might just do that. I'll need to stock up on ingredients first though. And maybe I should get a few lessons as well first. I might know the basics, but if its about sweet treats I'd rather do better than just good enough.

Maybe I should aim for better than good enough with my potions as well, even if the local market for extraordinary potions probably is rather limited. Maybe I could sell them in Barter Town through Agnieszka for a commission?

I drive those thoughts from my mind, as we approach the inn and take a careful sniff in hopes of gaining a hint at today's menu. No such luck. I can only tell that it has to be some kind of roasted meat. At least that much is obvious. No sweet treats for me.

Oh dear! How sad. Never mind!

Beggars can't be choosers after all. If I want to eat food of my choosing I'll have to cook myself. There is no way around that.

My disappointment doesn't last long anyway, as the roasted turkey comes with plenty of sweet stuffing and lots of tasty sauce. I doubt anyone still within their right mind would actually complain about delicious food like this.

Just as we start eating Olgierd from the smithy joins us at our table.

“Say Valeria, are you available after lunch? I'd like to drop that new sign off at your place. Would that be alright with you?”

I perk up at his words. This day is getting better and better!

“The blackboard? Marvelous! Of course, please drop by whenever you want!”