The List
"Going into town, Dad?" Varian asked excitedly.
"Mm-hmm." Quirin replied.
"And are you, maybe, going to buy any birthday type gifts?" Varian pressed.
"Varian I can't get you a present if I don't know what you want." Quirin explained.
"I thought you might say that, so I prepared a list." Varian looked pleased with himself.
Quirin looked at the list, how bad could it- oh.
"A welding mask." Quirin read. What did a nine year old need with a welding mask?
"For my project!" Varian exclaimed. "I need to weld the frame together, then I can attach the wheels. I'm calling it, a 'bicycle' and it'll make trips to Corona so much faster!"
Quirin didn't want to quash his son's enthusiasm entirely but there was no way he was riding Varian's proposed contraption.
"Why don't we see what's next on the list." Quirin said. "Flasks. Funnels. Pipettes." Quirin was sensing a theme here, and one he didn't particularly like.
"Yeah, we can set up a proper lab with those!" Varian enthused.
"Sulfur hexafluoride. Potassium iodide. Hydrogen peroxide." Quirin wasn't even sure what these things were, or how much Varian knew about them. It seemed Varian's last unaccompanied trip to the library would be his last solo visit.
Finally, mercifully, Quirin reached the last item. "The Tales Of Flynnigan Rider." he read.
"He's awesome! Technically he's a thief, but given the corrupt feudal system he lives in, you could say the ends justify the means." Varian chattered.
"...I'll get you the book." Quirin decided.
THE END
That was probably the best call Quirin could make. XD (And for alchemy lovers, there's always next year. Hope you enjoyed, and if you have any suggestions for future drabbles, drop me a note!