Jeremiah's next step was to try the obvious. Attuning to the other animals in his shop.

The puppies had barely finished their nap before the day's routine pulled them back to their feet, eager for whatever came next. But first, there was breakfast to handle. Jeremiah lingered at the edge of the puppy enclosure, a scoop of kibble in one hand, and two brightly colored bowls in the other. Early afternoon sunlight filtered through the shop's front windows, painting warm stripes across the floor and catching in the tumble of golden fur as Tish and Tosh woke from their nap.

The moment he crouched beside their pen, both puppies popped up, tails spinning so hard their whole bodies quivered with anticipation. Jeremiah couldn't help but grin. Their excitement was pure and infectious, brimming with unguarded joy that pushed back every shadow in the room.

"Lunchtime, troublemakers," he announced, shaking kibble into the bowls. The puppies pounced instantly, noses buried, snuffling and crunching, lost in the bliss of the moment.

He waited a few heartbeats, letting the newness of the meal occupy them. Then, quietly, he reached out, closing his eyes and imagining a thin thread forming between them. With Sissy, he'd learned to tread softly, every step an exercise in patience. The puppies, though, met him with no resistance at all. There was no wall of suspicion, no edge of caution. Their minds radiated warmth, so bright and open it felt almost like sunlight refracting on water. It was a simple, unconditional welcome.

Jeremiah suspected their openness was partly because of their age, but it may have also been because they were born at the shelter. The puppies had never been exposed to the harsher lessons of the outside world like Sissy had. He pictured in his mind's eye a door gently swinging open, and as soon as he reached for it, their awareness brushed his like a delighted puppy kiss.

A System window flickered softly at the edge of his vision:

——————❇——————

Attunement Complete

Tish & Tosh — (Canine, Juvenile)

Connection: Moderate

——————❇——————

Jeremiah blinked, almost startled by how easy it was. Warmth flooded his senses, buoyant and exuberant. He caught a wave of puppyish delight — an irrepressible urge to play, to run, to love and be loved. Before he realized it, he was grinning wide and unrestrained, their joy bubbling up inside him like a new spring.

Tish nudged her empty bowl aside and bounded into his lap, pink tongue out, tail sweeping the floor in ecstatic arcs. Tosh was only a heartbeat behind, hauling a frayed rope toy in his jaws, which he dropped at Jeremiah's feet with hopeful insistence. The connection between them pulsed with uncomplicated trust and the endless optimism of youth.

Jeremiah laughed, surrendering, and dropped to his knees to ruffle ears and accept a flurry of puppy kisses. "Alright, you win. Playtime it is."

It struck him then how different each attunement could feel. Sissy's wary reserve had been a closed door, forcing him to wait and coax trust. With the puppies, the door hadn't just been unlocked, it had never really existed. And as he watched them wrestle and tumble across the shop floor, Jeremiah felt the lesson settle in: every bond would have its own shape and rhythm.

A faint System prompt flickered at the edge of his vision, tugging his attention back. Curious, Jeremiah opened the Beast Talismans panel for Tish and Tosh. To his surprise, a moderate bond offered far more options than the tentative connection he'd managed with Sissy. Many were simple, canine-themed, or had an all-purpose flavor.

One, in particular, made him chuckle out loud as he read the description.

—✦—

Zoomies!

Rank: G

Keywords: Buff, Physical

Description: "It's like twelve shots of Espresso right to your system!"

Activate this talisman to grant yourself (or a willing target) an instant surge of boundless puppy energy. For the next 5 minutes, the user experiences heightened alertness, increased physical speed, and a pronounced urge to run, play, or explore. All minor fatigue and sleepiness are suppressed for the duration. Note: Excessive use may result in difficulty resting, nervous excitement, or sudden naps once the effect ends.

Uses: 5

Cost: 2 marks

—✦—

That said, the pair also boasted several talismans that felt unique to them—distinct echoes of their personalities shining through the System's magic.

Tish, for example. With her boundless energy, she seemed incapable of walking anywhere when she could sprint, leap, or launch herself in every direction at once. Among the list of talismans tied to her, Jeremiah spotted one that stood out: a clear upgrade from the generic canine buff he'd glimpsed earlier.

—✦—

Puppy Power!

Rank: F

Keywords: Greater Buff, Physical

Description: "Why walk when you can bounce, tumble, and take on the world? Unleash the full spirit of puppyhood!"

When activated, this talisman infuses the user with the unstoppable vitality, resilience, and the joy of a healthy, exuberant puppy. For the next 30 minutes:

Physical movement speed and reflexes are greatly increased.

Stamina rapidly recovers and lasts for longer.

The user's emotional state becomes more optimistic and fearless, making it easier to try new things or face challenges.

Social checks with friendly creatures (especially children and animals) gain a significant bonus.

Aftereffect: Once the effect ends, the user will experience a brief wave of exhaustion and the urge to nap.

Uses: 2

Cost: 5 marks

—✦—

In contrast, Tosh — the calmer, more inquisitive sibling — had a talisman that perfectly captured his endless curiosity and the gentle eagerness with which he greeted the world. Where Tish was a whirlwind of energy, Tosh was always the first to poke his nose into a new corner or greet a stranger with hopeful eyes and a tentative wag. The System had distilled that spirit into a single, inviting charm:

—✦—

Call To Adventure

Rank: F

Keywords: Social, Mental

Description: "A wagging tail, a yip of excitement, and a nose for new friends. Let curiosity lead the way!"

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Activate this talisman to radiate a puppy's irresistible charm and infectious curiosity for 1 hour. While active:

The user exudes an aura that draws the attention of nearby creatures and people, lowering their wariness and making them more likely to approach, investigate, or initiate friendly interaction.

The user finds it easier to make introductions, break the ice, or start group activities.

Intimidation and hostility from neutral or friendly NPCs are reduced, while helpfulness and openness are increased.

Once per use, the user may "call" out — emitting a cheerful bark, yip, or shout — that instantly grabs the attention of allies within earshot, granting them a temporary bonus to morale and alertness.

Note: Those with strong suspicions or ill intent are less affected, but even they may hesitate or reconsider for a moment in the face of pure puppy enthusiasm.

Uses: 2

Cost: 5 marks

—✦—

Jeremiah left the puppy enclosure to a tangle of golden fur and squeaky toys, the air filled with Tish and Tosh's delighted yips. He grinned at their antics, then made his way toward the sunny patch near the front window where Milo, the old basset hound, lay stretched on his Dreamshell cushion. The sunlight turned Milo's grizzled fur to honey and silver, and the hound's tail thumped gently as Jeremiah approached.

"Hey there, Milo," Jeremiah greeted, voice soft as he crouched beside the dog. Milo's eyelids fluttered, and his long ears gave a lazy twitch. He watched Jeremiah with a gaze both soulful and slightly clouded by age, the corners of his mouth curling in a slow, doggy smile.

On the counter, Billy had surfaced from his nap, blinking golden eyes at the scene. One tentacle draped idly over the rim of his bowl, he watched with the solemnity of a tiny, aquatic overseer.

Jeremiah reached out to scratch behind Milo's ears, earning a rumbling sigh of contentment. "You look pretty comfortable there," he murmured, pulling a bag of special senior formula kibble from the nearby shelf. As he poured it, Milo's nose twitched, and he heaved himself to a sitting position, tail thumping with more energy.

"Breakfast time, old man," Jeremiah said fondly, setting the bowl down.

He waited a moment, savoring the peaceful quiet, then focused inward, summoning the System interface. He focused on Milo and selected the option to form a new Attunement.

A message flashed across his vision:

——————✴——————

Attunement Slot Limit Reached

Release or Reassign a slot to proceed.

——————✴——————

Jeremiah winced. "Right… Only three slots," he muttered. With a quick mental command, he pulled up the list: Sissy, Tish, and Tosh occupied his available spaces. He hesitated, then reassigned one of the puppies to an auxiliary slot. The connection remained in place, but less immediate, its presence shifting to the back of his mind.

He took a breath, focused on Milo, and tried again.

This time, the System responded instantly. As Jeremiah reached out, he found himself drifting into the slow, rolling warmth of Milo's presence — like sinking into a well-worn armchair or sitting beside a fireplace on a cold day. There was no surge of bright, puppyish joy or wary resistance, only a gentle sense of being noticed and accepted. It reminded Jeremiah of talking to an elderly neighbor: no hurry, no judgment, just quiet company.

Milo's emotions lingered at the edge of the bond — a trace of loneliness, a subtle ache of loss — but beneath it all was a current of calm acceptance. Jeremiah felt, faintly, the memory of another home, another family, a sharp sorrow that softened with each passing moment in the Menagerie's gentle light.

The bond settled around them, lighter than air, and a System prompt appeared.

——————❇——————

Attunement Complete

Milo — (Canine, Senior)

Connection: Moderate

——————❇——————

Jeremiah smiled, running his fingers through Milo's silky ears as the old hound leaned into the touch. "You're safe here, buddy," he murmured. "We'll take good care of you."

From his bowl, Billy chirped approvingly, sending a ripple of encouragement along their strange, growing network.

As Milo ate, Jeremiah lingered, content to let the quiet moment stretch. The sense of connection felt both new and ancient. A simple promise shared between two souls who understood the value of second chances.

He opened the talisman menu, noting instantly that Tish's shop was no longer accessible.

I guess I can't access it while it's on auxiliary mode, Jeremiah thought to himself. It made him wonder what else was different between active attunements and auxiliary ones. There was always something more to learn, as Sarah liked to say.

Putting that question off for now, Jeremiah browsed Milo's selection. Much of it was the same as puppies, confirming his suspicion that many of the lower-end talismans were more generic. But even Milo had a couple that were unique to him.

—✦—

Nose for Trouble

Rank: G

Type: Detection / Utility

Description: "Years of sniffing out mischief, meals, and misplaced socks — now focused on finding what really matters."

Activate this talisman to heighten your senses for 10 minutes. Scents, sounds, and subtle changes in the environment become sharper, making it easier to track lost objects, and hidden creatures, or sniff out danger (physical or emotional), granting the user an advantage in perception.

Uses: 4

Cost: 5 marks

—✦—

Old Soul

Rank: F

Type: Support

Description: "A lifetime's worth of quiet wisdom, distilled into a single, steady look."

Activate this talisman to grant the user an infusion of canine insight and emotional steadiness for 1 hour. While active:

The user becomes resistant to fear, panic, or mind-altering effects; negative emotions are dulled, replaced by a gentle, unwavering calm.

During this time, the user's advice, presence, or commands carry extra weight — granting a bonus to persuasion, animal handling, or calming distressed creatures and people.

The user receives flashes of insight or memory from Milo's life — sometimes helpful, sometimes simply comforting, always grounding.

Uses: 2

Cost: 10 marks

—✦—

Jeremiah finished tidying up after the animals and, with a glance at the wall clock. It was only a little after noon, with the entire day still ahead of him. Now that the animals were taken care of, Jeremiah reached for the steady presence of the Shopkeeper's Regalia in his soul.

The cool, familiar fabric slipped over his shoulders like magic, the tailored jacket settling into place with a whisper of enchanted seams. The uniform always felt a little like armor and a little like a costume, its clean lines and subtle runes hinting at the magic woven through every thread. As he fastened the last button, he caught his reflection in the storeroom mirror: not just Jeremiah Bridge, but the proprietor of the Mystical Menagerie — responsible for more than just himself now.

He squared his shoulders and grinned It was time to figure out how to turn this opportunity into something tangible.

His gaze lingered on the new talisman, still resting where he'd left it on the counter. He picked it up and rolled it between his fingers, the runic calligram catching the morning light. Mero's words echoed in his mind: The only limit is your imagination.

Jeremiah moved to the System store and scrolled through the available Beast Talismans, focusing on the more affordable ones — Cat Nap, Cat Scratch, Zoomies!, Nose for Trouble, and a couple of the simpler buffs from the puppies. He tallied his marks and, after a moment's hesitation, decided to spend half of what he had left. It was a gamble, but the shop needed something new and exciting to catch people's eyes. As he confirmed his order, each talisman materialized in a neat row on the counter, each one a high-quality strip of runic paper, distinct in design and aura.

The next hour passed in a focused blur. Jeremiah repurposed a glass display case from a back shelf, cleaning it until it gleamed beneath the overhead lights. He lined the inside with soft, dark cloth to make the talismans stand out, arranging each in its own slot. Beside each talisman, he placed a handwritten placard — simple, clear descriptions that explained what the magic could do, and who might benefit from it.

Cat Nap:

For the overworked, the exhausted, or anyone who needs a perfect rest in half the time. Grants restorative sleep and rapid recovery. Useful for late-night workers, students, or anyone with a rough day ahead.

Cat Scratch:

For the crafty, the cautious, or anyone who works with their hands. Sharpens and strengthens nails or claws. Ideal for groomers, craftsmen, or as a last-resort self-defense.

Zoomies!:

Feeling sluggish? This talisman grants a burst of puppy-like energy, speed, and playfulness. Great for exercise, long days, or when you just need a pick-me-up.

Nose for Trouble:

Sharpen your senses and uncover what's hidden. Perfect for finding lost items, tracking pets, or just impressing your friends with your canine instincts.

Each talisman was mounted just so, the placards angled for easy reading. Jeremiah placed the case at the front corner, right where anyone entering would have to pass by — whether they were headed for the grooming table, the cafe, or deeper into the shop. He even left the display open enough for curious hands to get a closer look.

By the time he finished, the light had shifted across the shop floor. Jeremiah straightened, dusted his hands, and stepped back, letting himself take in the display with a small, proud smile. It wasn't much yet — but it was a start. He could picture the case a year from now, filled with an ever-changing array of talismans, each one crafted from bonds he'd forged himself.

He was still lost in that thought when the shop bell chimed. Jeremiah turned, expecting to see Sally or maybe Ulrick, but the figure in the doorway was unfamiliar — a rough-looking young man, maybe nineteen or twenty, with greasy hair poking from beneath a tattered hoodie. His jeans were stained with old dirt and motor oil, the knees worn nearly through. He paused just inside, glancing up and down the aisles with a look that was equal parts curiosity and suspicion.

Jeremiah offered a gentle, practiced smile, his shopkeeper's tone sliding into place. "Morning. Welcome to the Mystical Menagerie. Let me know if there's anything I can help you find."

The young man said nothing at first, eyes flicking from the talisman display to the sleepy animals in their enclosures. He hovered near the entrance, tension in every line of his shoulders — as if he was waiting to be chased out, or maybe dared someone to try.

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