Sitting at the counter of the shop, Eldridge was daydreaming behind a book on how nice it would be to own a plane. It had taken a day to get back to Duckberg from what was a week long trip over boat and land with the syndicate.
No, he wasn't being lazy. The shop was magical, only certain people could find it, and he couldn't even organize the shelves, despite how much of a chaotic mess they were. The Cursed wind instruments were with the blessed strings, frog and toad statues were mixed together, and even the spell books were organized like some madduck had done it.
If he tried to change them, they'd be even worse next time he looked at them. At least she didn't yell at him for messing with the merchandise.
The sound of the shop's bell took him out of his thoughts as he gestered in the direction of the door behind the book.
"Welcome to the Chaotic Emporia, feel free to look around." He noncimmittedly waved around the shop before going back to his book… which he still couldn't read. But the diagrams were at least pretty to look at.
"Ahem, How much for the pied pipe?"
Eldridge looked up from his book at the Scottish voice. There was Scrooge Mcduck, standing patiently and smugly like always. An old flute lay on the table smattered with multiple splashes of dried paint in different colores.
"How did you even find this place? It's-"
"Enchanted so only certain people can find it. We'll I'm Scrooge Mcduck! Tougher than-"
"You followed me, didn't you." Eldridge finally put down the book in exasperation. Interrupted the billionaire's monologue.
"Er, yes." At least the old man looked sheepish at admitting that. "You didn't exactly say much to the boys, and they started talking, and well, Webbygale too… She was awefully upset you left without saying much. I couldn'ae imagine you worked at a magic shop too!"
Eldridge looked at the flute before opening a book on the desk. He had no idea what half of the stuff did or even was in the shop, so he had too look at the index to see its price.
"Say sorry to her for me, and more like indentured servitude, working the desk barely covers rent. Pied Pipers extra Pipe, twenty five hundred."
"Tw-twenty fine- Twenty five hundred? For this thing?"
"If you think the ability to control all the rats in your house isn't worth that much then I don't know what to tell you, you can look at our discount baubles and potions." With a finger he pointed at a corner of the shop where items and vials were piled up haphazardly.
"Wha- no! Look Lad, nothing good comes of magic, why buy a pernicious pipe, when I can get rid of them myself?"
With a sigh, edlridge closed the index shut. "Because, old man-"
"Again with the old man-"
"Unlike Money, which requires others to keep their word! Magic only has one fault line, the user." Eldridge couldn't help himself, slamming his hands on the desk and standing up. "Magic never did me any wrong!"
"So when yer shadow just came up and whisked away, you're saying nothing was wrong with that!?"
"That was between you and Magicka de spell and we both know it old man." At the shock on scrooges face, Eldridge couldn't help but smile smugly. "Yeah, it's not a secret your little feud. The shadows terrorized a little bit, but you saved the day."
"Mah family saved the day lad!" Scrooge looked forlorn. "And not… everyone escaped intact."
Eldridge sat back down, crossing his arms. "Still proof that money-"
"It had nuthin' ta do with money yah ignominious boy!" Scrooge slammed his hand against the desk and looked him in the eyes. "Webbygale lost her friend on tha' day! Blasted into nuthin' by her own aunt!"
"Look, scrooge I-" Eldridge tried to say something, anything. He knew all too well how family could betray you.
"-m sorry." Eldridge let out a sigh and leaned back in the chair. "But I'm not going to apologize for being a sorcerer Scrooge. If you can call me that. I know two spells, and that's not for lack of trying."
Scrooge seemed like he was going to say something before shaking his head and leaning on his cane. "Fair enough lad… However, if you don't mind me asking, what do you have against money? Especially when you're renting out your services as a treasure hunter?"
"because those who have money want more…" Eldridge looked down to the side, suddenly conscious of who he's talking to. "To the detriment of others…"
"Fine, fine, agree to disagree, ta tell you the truth, I'm worried about dear Webbygale."
"Worried? I saw- well, I didn't see, but I heard her take down a full adult in seconds. She jumped off a twenty meter tall statue into a kickflip. If anything, I'm worried about the world."
Scrooge rubbed the back of his head. "See, that's tha thing. I'm worried that girls going ta do something ta get her old friend back."
With a turn in his chair, Eldridge leapt down off of it. "Then I hope she succeeds. Unless it's necromancy, or ancient vudu, or Spirit Communion, that should only be done by trained professionals, and those on their deathbed."
"That's my point! Webby's a smart lass, and who knows what, or who, she'll rope into her plans. What I need is somebody who understands that risk."
"And will lead her away from messing with magic, is that right?"
"Eh, eh… Yes…"
Eldridge sighed and pinched the bridge of his beak. "Look, I'm not even going to how manipulative that is, at least you have good intentions. But I still need to pay for my 'tuition'. And my 'aunt' you could say, is the one who gets paid for my treasure hunting."
Scrooge put a hand under his chin and looked thoughtful "And tha sounds like your being taken advantage of…"
"Look." Eldridge waves his hands in front of his face. "I just… have to pay her, it's what I insist, not her."
"what kind of-"
"Alright Scrooge. You pay me, and I'll do it."
"Hold on a minute, how is that less-"
"Once per month, lump sum, standard Explorer pay."
"Now hold on a minute!" Scrooge looked offended. "Quarter pay."
"Three quarters."
"Half."
"Half… And you cover rations if I get roped into your adventures." By this point, both of them were butting foreheads. Scrooge was nearly growling.
"Grrrrrah! Fine."
"Right." Eldridge backed off straightened his shirt. "Don't worry, I know how the game is played. Not the first time I've had to pretend, I once fooled the Egyptian authorities into thinking I was sixteen."
"Wait, you're not even-"
"Don't worry about it, I'm tall for my age. I'll pop over tomorrow, here." With a flick the flute on the desk lit a pale emerald green before being gently tossed into scrooges hands.
"Wha- I'm not paying for this thing."
"On the house. We're a pawnshop, I was fleecing you earlier."
"So it's not the pied pipers pipe?"
"No, it's completely his spare pipe, it's just not worth the price I gave you. Don't worry, You'll pay me the money back for helping Webby."
"Well…" Scrooge said, already stepping out the door. "I guess then I'll just…"
After the door closed and he was on the street once more, he suddenly realized what had happened and threw his top hat on the floor in anger.
"Blast! I don't know how tha' boy does it, but he got me again!"