Chapter 17: Store Policy
Hey there everyone, welcome back to the latest Chapter of my Terraria story. It admittedly took a bit but I'm fairly happy with what I've produced and I hope you all enjoy this chapter too!
I do not own Terraria, that is the property of Microsoft and Re-Logic.
Wyatt slowly lifted his head up, his eyes wandering over to the clock hanging up on the wall. How the hell had only ten minutes passed? It felt more like ten hours at this point, if the Player was being honest with himself. When the Nurse suggested this to him, it made sense on paper. Go in, meet with the Witch Doctor and see what he knows, and get out. What Wyatt hadn't expected was there to be a goddamn line to deal with…
"My old friend, my store policy is very clear." Jamundi said, drumming his scaled fingers on the wooden counter in front of him. "No exchanges, no returns."
Milton the Merchant just stood there, his face twisted into a tight and unamused scowl. Wyatt had to admit, it was quite rare for him to see The Merchant in an unhappy mood, but today was definitely one of those days.
"And does that extend to faulty items?" The Merchant demanded, annoyance dripping from every syllable. "Those cauldrons I bought from you, they leak everywhere! The only thing they're good for now, is glorified colanders!"
"My cauldrons, leaky? No possible way." The Witch Doctor retorted. "They have been crafted with the finest materials and protected with the strongest magical spells."
The Merchant did not say anything in response, instead just glowering. Silently, the old man then turned to a nearby cauldron, presumably the very ones he had bought here, before pouring water inside. All seemed normal, as the water pooled inside of the cauldron. Then suddenly, the cauldron began to shake and wobble, before a loud guttural sound could be heard deep from within the metal object. The sound grated on Wyatt's ears, causing the young man to cover them with his hands; it sounded almost like someone drowning, gasping for air.
Wyatt quickly took a few steps backwards, as the cauldron shook and shuddered, before the water started pouring out from inside, as if it was being vomited out by the cauldron itself. The water rushed down the sides of the cauldron, before pooling down and soaking the carpet beneath it. The Witch Doctor leaned over the counter, looking down at the mess in front of him, before a loud wheezing sound escaped from his lips. It took Wyatt a few seconds to realize that this is what counted as the Witch Doctor laughing.
"That is not a leak, Merchant." Jamundi explained. "It is merely…temperamental, in its nature."
"A tempermental cauldron? How in the world do you expect me to sell these to people?" Milton demanded. "Nobody is going to want these!"
"Do you not remember what I told you, dear Merchant? I warned you to choose wisely, for my commodities are volatile and my dark arts, most mysterious." The Witch Doctor stated. "And also, my store has a strict no refund policy."
"A tempermental cauldron? Jamundi, how the hell am I supposed to sell these?" Milton demanded. "This is nonsense and you know it!"
Jamundi stood there silently, his yellow eyes seemingly glowing underneath the worn skull mask he wore. His expression was almost impossible to read, given the mask, but Wyatt could almost swear he saw a look of mischief flicker in the Witch Doctor's eyes.
Then, almost impossible to see, the Witch Doctor slowly shook his head. He turned around, stretching one of his clawed green hands outwards and began tapping on a wooden sign hanging up on the wall behind him. Written there, in black paint, was the words: *No Refunds or Exchange. All Purchases are Final*.
Milton's face turned a bright shade of red, his scowl twisting into an even tighter grimace, as he looked over at the sign. He opened his mouth, then quickly snapped it shut, before turning and walking away, dragging the cauldron behind with him. The Merchant didn't even seem to notice Wyatt's presence, as he stormed out of the shop, slamming the door behind him with an indignant thud. The Witch Doctor just watched the Merchant leave, shaking his head in what Wyatt could only guess was amusement.
Turning his attention back towards the puddles of water left by the cauldron, Jamundi began to mutter something under his breath, his eyes seemingly glowing for a second before turning to normal. The puddles of water that the Merchant had left behind with his leaky cauldron suddenly started to glow a bright white, almost blinding light, before just as quickly vanishing. The Player rubbed at his eyes, trying to get the spots out of his eyes, when he saw the floor was now completely dry. Wyatt took a step forward, placing a foot on the carpeted floor. Yep, felt totally dry. It was as if there hadn't even been any water there in the first place. The Player had to admit, he was pretty damn impressed.
"Nice trick." Wyatt stated, as he walked forward. "You have to teach me that one someday."
"No trick, my dear and precious friend." Jamundi responded, giving a nod. "Magic, old and mysterious as the world itself. I am merely just a humble vessel that allows this great power to flow through."
"Well I'll take your word for it then, friend." Wyatt answered. "But I actually am not here for magic lessons. I'm here on official business, you see."
"What can your friendly neighborhood Witch Doctor do for you then, my friend?"
"I was talking to the Nurse about this problem I've been having. Haven't been able to sleep that well, you know how it is." Wyatt explained, running a hand through his hair. "And she happened to mention that you got a book that might help me out. Something about a book for interpreting dreams?"
The Witch Doctor stood there silently, staring at Wyatt for what felt like an eternity, seemingly staring deep into his very soul. Jamundi then stretched out his hands, his clawed fingers splayed out, as if reaching to grab something. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, his hand started to glow. Wyatt had to take a step back, covering his eyes from the blinding glow that had engulfed the Witch Doctor's entire hand. For a split second Wyatt could have sworn he saw the bones in Jamundi's hands, with how bright the glow was, until it vanished just as quickly as it appeared.
And resting in the Witch Doctor's hands, some light smoke pooling off of the cover, was a book. It had a light blue cover and the pages were yellowed with age, with the title 'Dreams And What They Mean' plastered on the front cover in nice cursive writing. The Player grabbed the book, and was surprised by its weight; it was a thin book but it felt like a brick in his hand.
"This should be of great assistance then, friend Wyatt." Jamundi stated. "Dreams are the most powerful sources of magic; they tap deep into the well of power and reveal our innermost thoughts."
"I do appreciate this Jamundi, I really do." The Player stated. "But I have to ask…you like showing off a bit with that magic, huh?"
"Well my friend…I won't deny it isn't fun." The Witch Doctor chuckled.
And that's it with the latest Chapter of my Terraria story! I hope to see all of you wonderful readers at the next chapter and remember, I always love seeing reviews for my stories.
Love,
The Desert Dancer
