“Well, not just, as in a few moments ago,” the shopkeeper amended. “It was likely very early this morning.”

Nadrire’s eyebrows were nearly in her hairline. “Robbed, you say?”

“Well, yes, sort of,” he drummed his fingers on the counter. “Well… wait. You all are not from around here, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Well… so, here in Nyhanya, we have this… particular type of creature. They’re called tsukigami.”

“And… you can make contracts with them?” I said slowly.

“Sort of. You see, they’re objects. Or, they were normal things, but at some point, they gained… sentience, or some like to say souls, but I personally wouldn’t go as far as that.”

“Does anyone know how this happens?” Shei interjected curiously.

“No, not really. The Whaigorre- er, there’s Other World tales that claims that they came to life because they were around for a long time, and were forgotten by their owners. Scientists have more recently hypothesized that they taken bits of deceased souls and come to life that way, but no one’s been able to study them, so… it’s all just conjecture at this point.”

“Fascinating. I assume that’s why it’s an Other World word, then,” I had begun to wander around the shop, making brief and meaningful eye contact with Nadrire. “Why do you mention them, exactly?”

The shopkeeper took a breath. “Well, they have formed… their own society within society. All of them apparently live in a trash heap somewhere, but no one has been able to find it. At least, no one who will admit it. But they made a deal with the governments of both Sollainyi and Shaidunn - you know, the city across the Gap - and they agreed that they will clean up the cities, and remove all the garbage, in exchange for being able to keep whatever they find.”

“Interesting,” Nadrire mused. “I imagine they agreed.”

“They did. They also stipulated that any private business or homeowner who would like them to clean for them as well, as long as they did so in a private, separate agreement.”

“So your conversation was about that?” Shei asked.

“It was. I have a contract with them: they’ll help maintain my shop, and keep all the shelves stocked and cleaned, as long as I give them my garbage, and on occasion, old belongings I don’t need anymore. I’ve even got a system set up where my regular customers can give me their old belongings in exchange for new goods so, I thought they were quite fond of me, but… The problem is that I was visiting my sister in Zhonua, and I… forgot to put my garbage out before I left,” he buried his face in his hands again. “I had it all set up, too, with a note and everything.”

“So they took all your stuff?” Shei was visibly empathetic.

The shopkeeper only nodded, head still in hands.

“I am so sorry. That’s horrible.”

“Could we help get your stuff back?” I ventured.

Nadrire opened her mouth.

“Well, it would make me feel bad if you went out of your way to help me and it turns out that I do not have the part you need, so how about I show you the catalog of parts I have, and then we will talk?”

“Sure!” Shei ambled over to the counter and began examining the book the shopkeeper had pulled from a desk drawer.

Nadrire tugged me aside by my elbow.

“Are you certain about wanting to help?” she intoned quietly in Engaerran.

“Yes,” I replied, smiling a little slyly. “If we help, we will probably be able to get a discount. Plus, it is the polite thing to do.”

“Very true, but-“

We were interrupted by a small bout of high-pitched squealing. It was coming from the owner.

“Ahhhhh you have a Guiding Star! I’ve always wanted one of those!”

“Really? It isn’t even that fancy of a ship,” Shei was frowning slightly.

“Is that why your shop is named what it is?” Ella interjected, curious.

“Yes, and… I know, I know… I just think it’s very pretty,” he sighed. “Ooooh, now I really want to see it...”

Shei ran their finger down the catalog. “Well, it does look like you have the part we need…”

The shopkeeper looked conflicted for a moment, gnawing at his lip, and then slammed his hands into the counter resolutely. “If you get my parts back, I’ll give you the part and install it for free!”

“Are you certain?” Shei had paled a little. “Those parts are not cheap.”

“Absolutely. Should you be successful, I’ll get my inventory back and I’ll get to work on my dream ship.”

Nadrire gave me a look that told me we’re going to pay for it.

I gave her a look that told her the Vaalorian government is going to pay for it.

I then cleared my throat and stepped forward, holding my hand out. “Well, if we are to cooperating in this… venture, I feel we should know each others’ names. I am Velia.”

The shopkeeper looked embarrassed for a moment, scrabbled around on the desk for what appeared to be a name tag, affixed it to his shirt, and then stepped forward to take my hand.

“Jun. Suzuki Jun.”

There was hesitance there. They’re oddly nervous…. Hm.

“I’m Shei,” they held up a hand and gave a small wave of greeting, before gesturing to Abi. “And this is Abi.”

Abi swept into a dramatic bow.

“I am Nadrire, and this is Ella.”

Jun seemed a little weirded out by the fact that we had introduced our automatons (well, automaton and automaton imitator) to him, but then ignored it.

“So, um,” Shei said, fingering some of the metal detailing on their cane. “Where do we start?”