Mel decided to go shopping. If she was dressed like she knew what she was doing then surely it would deter at least a few people from bothering her when she went to the adventurer's guild building. She needed to make sure to look like an experienced adventurer. Thus, shopping.

Finding a decent outfit and equipment wouldn't be that hard, right? 

Melantha regretted her over confidence after only a few shops. Each place seemed to only have a single item that she liked—if she found anything she wanted at all. It was frustrating, having to go to another store, and then yet another, just because she had more things she needed.

Oh! That man over there looks like he might be an assistant. Mel seemed to spy someone that might be able to finally help, in one of the aisles in the latest store. If so, there was a chance he could possibly help her find at least a few more items she needed, that the last few shops hadn’t seemed to carry.

“Excuse me, Handsome? I was wondering if you could help me out…?”

The man turned around and looked confused. “Me?”

“Yes, you.” Mel gave a light giggle. “I don't see any other cuties around I could be talking to. I need help with finding clothes… but I understand if you're also a customer. You just looked like you're knowledgeable enough to be working here.”

“It's fine. I can understand the misunderstanding, but I actually just really like clothes.” He gave a bashful grin that Mel noticed reached his eyes and made them sparkle in quite an enchanting way.

Melantha leaned closer to him slightly. “So does that mean you will or won't help me with my issue?” She batted her eyes a bit as emphasis.

He looked her over appreciatively. After a moment his smile turned more confident. “I'm always up for a challenge when it comes to clothes. What sort of items are you looking for?”

“Well… I want to convince a bunch of tough, strong men that I'm a seasoned adventure. Do you think you could help me to find some outfits that can do that?” She was turning on the charm, yet it still surprised her when he took her hand and brought it up to his lips.

“It would be my honor, Miss…” He paused, seeming to realize he did yet know her name. “If you would also grace me with what I may call you.” Oh, she really liked him. She was sure she'd regret it if she didn't at least keep him around long enough to have a bit of fun with.

“My name is Melantha, but a charmer like you can call me Mel. And you, Sir?”

“I am not worthy to have such a vision utter my lowly name, Lady Mel. But I suppose it would be inconvenient for you to have nothing to call me… I shall answer to Nyx if it is spoken aloud from you.”

“Thank you in advance, Nyx.” Neither seemed to notice she hadn't taken her hand back yet.

Only an hour later, Mel had doubled down that meeting Nyx and asking for his help was the best thing to happen during this shopping trip. He'd helped her find a number of articles at the one shop, and then saved her time by knowing which other stores would have what she hadn't bought yet.

“I've made up my mind. I insist you let me treat you to a meal as thanks for taking up so much of your time.” Mel had to make sure she could show Nyx her appreciation.

“It's fine, really… It wasn't any trouble. I was just wasting time browsing clothes, so helping you only improved the value of my time.”

Mel put a hand on his arm. “You would deny me the pleasure of treating you to dinner?” Their shopping might have been about done, but she wasn't ready to let him go yet.

“I suppose that would be rude…. Then I have no choice but to take you up on the offer. It would be my utmost honor to join you for dinner, Lady Mel.” Nyx grinned.

Mel chuckled. “I've been telling you… you can just call me Mel. Adding the Lady part is such a mouthful.” She leaned against him. “And if I'm gonna be a mouthful for you, I'd rather it be in other, more enjoyable, ways.” She swore that her words caused Nyx to flush quite a bit.

“If you insist… Mel.”

“Good boy.” Melantha started leading him back to her inn. If she played her cards right, maybe she could draw the meal out long enough that it became late and she could talk him into staying the night.

*

The next morning, Melantha was in a foul mood. Her plans didn't go as she'd wanted and Nyx had excused himself politely at the end of the meal. Maybe she should have flirted more to better hook him? Or was it the opposite problem and she'd come on too hard? Some people were turned off by an overconfident woman… but he had seemed into it…

Plinko hopped onto her bed and started snuggling up to Mel. She mindlessly started petting it for a bit. Right, I shouldn't lay in bed sulking the whole day. Mel sat up and started getting around for her day.

First was breakfast. Mishal would probably nag her if he found out she skipped it. Then, she could get dressed and ready to head out to the adventurer's guild.

She considered knocking on her brother's door to invite him to join her for food, but Mishal had someone sharing his room now. Mel was glad for him but there was an odd sting to that knowledge when she had woken up alone despite the effort she'd put in not to. So she ate alone, got all dressed up to impress, and then left the inn alone.

Susie was right that the adventurer's guild building was hard to miss once one knew where to look. Other guild buildings she'd seen closer to the center of town, like for merchants or smiths, had made themselves stand out with rich colors and elegant decorations made of precious metals. The adventurer's building, on the other hand, advertised itself as such by its girth and displays of dead monsters.

Even if one was illiterate, the mounted wolf head frozen in a snarl and the similarly expressive orc head on either side of the building’s sign would indicate what building it was. With the large main doors propped open, as they were, one could also see even more beasts, previously slain, being used as decoration within. A massive bear that almost reached the already heightened ceiling, seemed to be the intended centerpiece of the main hall visible from the entrance.

Mel walked in, trying to look confident and like she belonged there. She'd heard in her own world about the power of self suggestion, that convincing one's self of a result could increase the chances of the desired result happening, so she began muttering various encouragements to herself under her breath. “You are a great adventurer. You have every right to be here, even more than others…” She imagined herself as one of her own characters in some random story she was writing, in hopes it would make the words feel more genuine. “People don't know you only because you're new in town. But you'll show them. Anyone who messes with you will regret it…”

Eventually, Melantha got to the main desk where a petite woman half stood, half leaned, on a stool behind it. “Good morning, how may I help you?”

“Good morning, Ma'am. I am new in town and would like to register with your guild.” That pep talk must have worked, because Mel felt none of the lingering nervousness she'd had at the doorway. Her tone was confident, as if she was the one doing the guild a favor by joining. “I have the fee right here and am hoping to start taking jobs as soon as possible.”

“Of course, Miss. I will get the paperwork immediately.” The woman stood fully to turn and grab some things from a shelf behind her. “Most of this can be filled out by yourself, if you are literate, but I can just as easily do it for you if you are not.”

“I am quite literate, but thank you for the offer.” After being given the paper and a quill, Mel started filling it out, right there, at the counter. It was simpler than the one she'd done right after being summoned. She quickly handed it back to the woman.

The clerk took it and placed a longer sheet of paper over the one Mel had given her, holding a hand in the air above both. With a slight glow, everything Mel had just written appeared on the top sheet. After the glow died down, the woman reached under the desk and took out an opaque orb, setting it on the counter.

“Next is the stats readings for our records. Obviously, they'll need to be updated anytime you want to go up a rank.” Mel was directed to place her hand on the sphere and inside started swirling with different colors that she didn't understand the meaning of. The clerk, evidently, was proficient in reading whatever information was being observed. She gave an impressed ‘hmm?’ at one point before placing a hand over the previous document again and more information appeared on it.