The shop swayed slightly as it made its way through the woods surrounding the University campus. Aria had trouble keeping her merchandise from falling off the counters. A small tinkle could be heard as one of her potions fell from the wooden racks.

"Where are you taking me today, Bertha?"

 She said, bracing herself as the shop slowed down and suddenly dropped to the ground. This was the ordeal whenever she had to set her little shop up. It was either this or getting caught for selling magic in campus property. Aria took her bucket and mop from where it was kept in the shelves. She always kept cleaning supplies at hand. The occurrence of breaking something wasn't too uncommon. The broken shards of glass were removed and the spilled potion was cleaned. Luckily, it was just one of her Midnight Dyes. No harm done but it might leave a stubborn stain on the teak wood floor. She picked up the pail of water and emptied it outside the window. To her surprise, she heard a loud screeching hiss. Did she manage to scare away a potential customer already? Her little head bobbed out of the window.

"It was just you." She opened the little door and jumped out to meet the drenched boy outside. "Eury? Did that Bakeneko* finally kick you out?"

The snakes atop his head subdued on seeing her familiar face. "Yeah... I- Mind if I crash at your place for tonight?" The gorgon said. The frigid air was not welcome after being drenched in water. But seeing her warmed him up.

"I don't know, Eury. Why do I always have to take care of you every time you get dumped?"

Cold as always. He thought to himself. "Hey. Don't be like that. We're friends, aren't we?" Eury playfully pouted. "And it isn't my fault that Cluckers over there decided to land right next to me", He said pointing to the small marquee.

"I never agreed to be friends with you, Peitho*", Aria had had enough. She started walking back to Bertha. "And don't you dare call her that. She's got a name." She said, her eyes flaring.

"Scary", he jeered. "How about I sell you some gossip in exchange for some hospitality?"

She stopped in her tracks. "I'm listening."

"I've heard that the third year Banshee* staying at the Belfry Dormitory had been screaming her voice out for the past week now. Her professors had asked her to take a break from class and stay in her room."

She could understand why her professors said what they said. Hearing a Banshee screaming is believed to be an omen of imminent death. Aria had paid the banshee a visit  out of curiosity when she had heard about it. She recalled how none were allowed entry into the room. The walls were well made. No sounds escaped them. She had to press her ears against the door to hear a muffled screech. Even the memory of it was enough to send shivers down her spine.

"I've heard of it before."

Of course she had. Not everyone attending the University was wealthy enough to spare coin for her magic, herself included. That was part of the reason why she's tending to her shop at odd hours. She accepted anything that she could use. Money was much appreciated. But she didn't mind the occasional offerings of rare plants, talismans, promises of servitude or ...secrets.

"Alright.", Eury said, his eyes darting behind his glasses trying to conjure up anything worthwhile. "I passed the Library on my way he-

"Wow. That's amazing news" she retorted.

"Let me finish. The bookkeeper wasn't there. I looked inside. I thought I shouldn't jump to conclusions. He could've been setting the books. But he wasn't there."

"So? He isn't a Golem*. He's got a life of his own other than bookkeeping. Maybe he left to visit the restroom"

"You don't understand, Aria. He has never left the Library", he said waving his hands around comically. "Ever"

Aria let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. You may come in. But this is the last time". Its not like she cared about him. It just didn't feel right to leave someone in this cold weather with nothing but dampened clothes.

"Thank you. How can I ever repay your kindness, fair maiden." He said, flashing his characteristic smile.

"If you stopped making advances at anything that breaths, you wouldn't end up like this every time. I bet you were kicked out this time because that Neko saw you flirting with another", She said, climbing inside the shop.

"That hurts, Aria. You of all people should know me better. It didn't end with just flirting. And stop calling her that. She's got a name.", He smirked.

"Pray tell. What's her name?"

"..."

"Thought so." Aria got behind the counter and started rummaging the shelves where she kept health potions.

Eury moved carefully inside the shop, conscious of his every movement. The last thing he wanted to do was knock down one of her little trinkets and turn himself into a frog. It wasn't a fun experience the first time. It definitely won't be fun the second time. "Look. She wasn't exactly a nice person or easy to get along with" He dragged the straw stool in front of the counter to sit down facing her.

Aria carefully placed a porcelain jar on the cabinetry and dipped a dry licorice root into the creamy, white, fragrant honey inside. "Then why did you agree to move in with her?"