Johan was in the Sundews' study, going over his plans as well as counting the money he stole from a toad vault when Ivy entered the room. "Hey, look what I found." In her hand was a shiny blue snail shell covered in dirt stains.
"Bello," said Johan. "What is it?"
"I think it's a blue moon shell."
At that moment, Felicia barged into the room. "Did you say blue moon shell?" She looked at it and gasped. "Sweet Olms, it's beautiful! And dirty. Beautiful! You know, some frogs die never having seen one. Where did you find it?"
"I found it on a fence post in front of Sprig's house," said Ivy. "But the wind blew it and it rolled away and landed in a mud puddle. I think Sprig wanted to give it for my birthday."
"You sure about that?" asked Johan.
"Why else would he find one?"
"Maybe you should give it back before he realizes it's gone. And pretend you didn't find it so it won't spoil the surprise."
"I got it. Uh, I'll wash it first," said Ivy. She was about to leave when she stopped and said, "Maybe you should consider giving me one too?"
As she left, Johan stared before he said, "She wants me to give her a blue moon shell? Didn't you say those things are hard to come by?"
"No, she wants you to buy a birthday present tomorrow. I already got mine prepared."
"Merda. Alright. Felicia, take over for me, will ya? I gotta go down to the flea market. And not the one where they actually sell fleas!"
Flea markets in the human world are a type of street market that provides space for vendors to sell previously-owned (second-hand) goods. This type of market is often seasonal. However, in recent years there has been the development of 'formal' and 'casual' markets which divides a fixed-style market (formal) with long-term leases and a seasonal-style market with short-term leases. Consistently, there tends to be an emphasis on sustainable consumption whereby items such as used goods, collectibles, antiques and vintage clothing can be purchased.
In other words, the perfect place to buy a birthday gift at the last minute.
As Johan perused the stands selling their wares, he stopped in front of a stand selling various junk such as old magazines, a few books, some vinyl records and a creepy-looking doll of a yellow-skinned girl with black hair wearing a purple dress. What caught his attention was the large, round, yellow object sitting in a jar. "Hey, how much for this acorn?"
"Acorn?" asked the stand owner. "You mean that-" Slap! "Ow!"
"Ignore him. Of course it's an acorn," said another frog, clearly the stand owner's partner. "A very special one! I'll sell it for 200 coppers!"
"200 coppers?"
Prices are unspecific in places like Wartwood. People who come here for the first time with no familiarity in the art of haggling have no idea what things cost and are easily exploited. It's actually the same on Earth. But whether you're from Earth or Amphibia, such exploitation is not seen as a bad thing. The one who is tricked into buying is seen as an idiot. Now, this will explain how to buy things.
"200 coppers?" In this situation, for instance, act like you see through the trick... "Ha, ha, ha, ha! Don't mock me, now! That's far too much!" ...and laugh out loud. And then...
"How much would you buy it for?" ...they will ask the customer how much they are willing to pay for.
"Make it 100 coppers!" In return, the customer names a price so low, you'd feel guilty even saying it. And then, they'll take the attitude, "Seriously? Have you no sense?" and act as though you're mocking them...
"If I sold it for that much, my family would starve to death!" Then they will gesture as if their head were being cut off. But you mustn't give up yet.
"Then maybe I'll find another stand and buy something else!" Act like you're leaving...
"Okay, friend! I actually like weirdos like you! I'll sell it to you for 150 coppers!" They'll say something like that to keep you from leaving.
"Make it 140!" Let the haggling begin!
"130!"
"125!"
"120!"
"115!"
"100!"
"90!" Johan and the shopkeeper said in unison.
"Deal!" Johan sniggered as he thought, Sucker! I just bought it for less than half the original price! "Thank you!"
And just when you think that... "Sir," whispered the stand owner to his assistant. "We could have sold that for 25 coppers."
The assistant sniggered as he watched Johan leave. "I'm just happy to get rid of that hive you got from your cousin off the coast."
Suddenly, Johan stopped. "Wait, what did he say about 25 coppers?"
Outside the Plantars' farmhouse...
"And after I realized I was fooled, I later came back and had Passione burn down the ripoff's stand. And that, ladies and gentlefrogs, is how you haggle." Anne, Sprig and Ivy stared in shock.
"Dang, JoJo," said Ivy. "You are fierce."
"Remind me not to get on your bad side," said Sprig with a nervous chuckle. "Hop Pop just got his stand back. Heh, heh. PLEASE DON'T BURN DOWN HIS STAND!"
"Anyway, I hear you and Anne got into a lot of trouble, Sprig," said Johan. "You thought someone stole the shell and you went around accusing everyone of stealing, pissed off a Southern tusked frog with major anger issues and then learned Ivy was the one who took it, but only so she can wash it and put it back."
"That pretty much sums it up," said Anne. "Note to self, never use a cop drama show on your phone to make yourself a real cop."
"And I learned," said Sprig. "Not to be so quick to judge others. So," he said to Ivy. "Happy early birthday, Ivy."
Ivy said, "Whoa. Thanks, Sprig. It's beautiful. But I kinda like it here." She put it on the door of the Plantars' farmhouse. "When I see it sparkle, I know I'm getting close to your place."
Sprig babbled, blew a raspberry and said, "Okay."
Anne gasped and went, "Awww!"
"Cut it out!"
"Well, see you dorks later," Ivy said to Anne and Sprig as she left off with Johan. "I can't wait to see what you got me for my birthday."
"It's a surprise," said Johan.
Felicia's Tea Shoppe, the next day...
"Happy Birthday!" shouted Anne, Johan, Sprig, Polly, Hop Pop, Sylvia, and Felicia.
Ivy smiled. "Oh, guys, you didn't have to go through so much trouble. Oh, who am I kidding, yes, you did! Now let's start with the gift opening! I would start with Sprig's, but we already know what it is."
"I know," said Hop Pop. "The sparkles shine in my eyes, stinging them."
"How about I start with yours, JoJo?"
"Certainly, Edera." Johan reached behind him and pulled out the jar with the round, yellow object. "I wanted to give you something unexpected, since you jump out of unexpected places. Kinda like how I did."
Ivy smiled as she took it. "Oh, it's...it's..." Her smile faltered a little. "What is it?"
"It's an acorn I bought from the flea market. They were quite glad to get rid of it to be honest."
Ivy put the jar to her ear. "It's making a weird buzzing sound."
"Oh, yeah. I think some bug got in it. I'll get rid of it later."
Anne, meanwhile, was pondering. "Yellow? Round? Buzzing?" Her eyes widened with horror. "Oh, no!"
"Well, let's get it out," Ivy said as she placed her hand on the lid.
"DON'T DO IT!" Anne shouted as she snatched the jar out. "What the hell, JoJo?! I thought you were the smart one!"
"What are you talking about?"
"That 'acorn' you bought is a beehive!"
Sylvia was outraged. "You bought my granddaughter a beehive?!"
Johan's eyes widened. He slapped himself in the face. "Sei un idiota, JoJo."
"Actually, we can make this work," said Felicia.
"Really? You're not angry?" asked Johan.
"Well, I am a little peeved that you could have potentially put us all in danger if the jar broke, but honey does go great with tea. It's a natural throat medicine."
Johan thought it over. "So we can sell tea and honey."
"Guys, you're missing the bigger picture," said Hop Pop. "What are you going to do with that beehive?"
"Aren't there any beekeepers around here?" asked Anne.
"Well sure. They're not too far away."
Sprig took it from Anne. "And I'll hold onto it," he said as he put it in his vest's pocket. "That way, it won't be lost."
CRACK!
Everyone froze. Then they heard a buzzing sound coming from Sprig's pocket.
"Evadere!"
Everyone screamed as they were chased out of the house by a swarm of angry bees.
To Be Continued...