- Shari -

Time for negotiations!

Did I ever mention that I suck at those? Already in my village, I often had the job of selling our herbs, mushrooms, and other ingredients to Ms. Oka, who, I highly assume, usually got the better deal out of it. Okay, having the only tavern to be found for kilometers around, she got the stronger position, but still, I feel like often enough, she only took pity on me to avoid having her suppliers starve to death on her. Not to forget that I'm rather sure my time as a slime hasn't brought me more favorable contracts, as of large, given how little free time I have while still only seeing suspiciously rare events of payment. For this reason, I'm kinda nervous that my bluffing potential won't be enough to get me through this successfully.

"So why did you call us here?" (Jacob)

"First, why don't I get you the potions I promised?" (Shari)

I prepared three of my standard health potions in the good glass vials. I feel like it would make them more favorable if I first do something for them. Small presents and so on. Regarding our history, especially with Myra, I need any advantage I can get. Yet unfortunately, the offer doesn't find quite the reception I was hoping for.

"Are you sure that we want them?" (Myra)

"Not completely, no." (Lorel)

Do you have to look at them so suspiciously?

"They'd still have their value." (Jacob)

"Until someone figures out the relation to the blue color and people start scraping their throats out." (Myra)

"Hey, that's what all potions are made with!" (Shari)

A white lie, but good enough. I have at least Tamarah to back me up on this.

"I say we take them. Throwing them away will still be possible later. Such glasswork still has value of its own." (Jacob)

"If this is how you are going to be about it, you can return them, and I'll give you empty glass containers. Seriously, preparing those warrants quite the effort." (Shari)

"No. No need. We'll gladly accept these." (Jacob)

Sure. Facing potential loss, they're suddenly cooperative.

"Could we now finally get to what we're here for? What kind of mess do you now again have at hand that you plan to drag us into?" (Myra)

As rough as I find her attitude to be, she kinda got it right, to a degree.

"Fine, no beating around the bush. I, I have a proposal. Or rather, I'd like to ask you for your aid in a certain matter." (Shari)

"A certain- Wait! You're seriously going to ask us?! After everything?!" (Myra)

"It's not for me, okay?!" (Shari)

Yep. As one might've guessed, all of this is another setup to follow up on my request for some help.

"If not for you, who else?" (Lorel)

Who else?! I didn't think this would be much of a surprise. Hah, he really must have been completely overwhelmed last time I spoke of this.

"Oh, I know!" (Liqu)

"No need, Liqu. I'll bring her." (Shari)

With this, I move to the backroom and, in accordance with our agreement, fetch the individual in question. We return, and after some convincing, she reluctantly lifts the hood to reveal a wobbly head consisting of violet liquid. Of course, the reaction of our adventurer guests is situationally appropriate.

"I can't quite believe it." (Lorel)

"Damn it, Shari, for real!?" (Myra)

"I know she said something like this, but to think..." (Jacob)

Yes, appropriately freaked out.

Stolen story; please report.

"Ahem, so this here is Nia. She, uh... got some circumstances." (Shari)

"I... can see that." (Jacob)

"And the Great Cataclysm was a minor inconvenience! Seriously, the understatement of the century!" (Myra)

"Ahem, be that as it may, what I was trying to get at was that Liqu and I have to depart the town for official matters. For this reason, I could slip into standby mode quite a bit better if I knew there'd be someone to look after her. If they'd be adventurers, then all the better. You know, because of your connections to the guys who might be after her." (Shari)

"You were being serious about dumping all the stuff that is absolutely your business on us?!" (Jacob)

Wow, that was quite the harsh reaction.

"It doesn't have to be to your loss. You should know that having a slime with you can have its advantages. It keeps the monsters away, she might learn to track whatever you're looking for, and she can fight a tiny bit. She might be young and lack experience, but I can assure you that she's making steady progress. You just need to give her a chance." (Shari)

"Still..." (Jacob)

"You aren't seriously considering this, Jacob!" (Myra)

"Myra, your issues with Shari aside, it's not like this girl had any role in that." (Jacob)

"Also, I'd like to add that I confirmed her status with Captain Gareth, so you don't need to fear any repercussions from the official side for associating with her." (Shari)

Though there might already be more than enough from unofficial sides.

"This all isn't necessary. I told you, I can take care of myself! I'm just going to continue running the shop, and if I need something, I can go into the forest myself. It's not like I have much to fear from the monsters. You told me that!" (Nia)

"While monsters might not recognize you, I'd still prefer it if you wouldn't be completely by yourself. It's not even the monsters I'm concerned of here, but the humans. If they encounter you, a slime, alone in the wilderness, I can't see how that would turn out well. By the way, could you raise your core up for a moment?" (Shari)

When her deep green crystal floats into her head momentarily, jiggling it a little with its weight, I turn back to the others.

"If you guys ever see someone bringing in a core like this, then kill them for me, please. Otherwise, things will get really ugly." (Shari)

I seriously doubt I would take it so calmly, but I need to convey how important it is to me that no harm befalls her.

"She makes a serious point. Maybe she could first tell us more about herself? Like in an interview?" (Lorel)

"Myra?" (Jacob)

"Fine. Nobody shall say I wouldn't hear others out." (Myra)

That might actually work.

"Uh, Nia? Got anything to say?" (Shari)

"Not really. I mean, it's not like there's much to say about me that isn't obvious." (Nia)

"Well, how about the fact that you're a walking puddle of purple ink?" (Myra)

"Okay, I don't like you! And it's violet! Seriously, if I'm already stuck like this, people can at least get the color right." (Nia)

"Mhm. So, I want to hear it from you: How did you end up as a slime?" (Myra)

"Wait, what!? It's possible that a human becomes... this?" (Lorel)

"Weren't you listening before, Lorel?! So, Nia?" (Myra)

"Well, I ran into her. Then I was dying." (Nia)

And, of course, she points at me. Damn, now I'm put on the spot again. Could you please at least spare me the looks?!

"There was a situation back then!" (Shari)

"Yeah, you mentioned that. A situation that warranted melting her body. But dying came after encountering you? I'm curious." (Jacob)

"That's an easy one. She injured me while I was trying to earn enough for the first meal in days for me and my brother, the wound festered, she messed up the treatment, and as a last resort, this bleeding heart, errh, core pulled this to save me." (Nia)

NIA!! If you say it like this, it sounds like I am at fault! Could it be that she's still angry with me about this? I probably shouldn't, as a retort, remind them that it was because she was stealing.

"I said I was sorry. You know that I did all I could? I-" (Shari)

"Glrblch, I'm only making fun of you! No hard feelings. To be honest, with all the other stuff you did, things are looking up for me for the first time since, I don't know, forever. So yes, I got over looking like this. Even if it's still weird if some bug gets stuck inside and dissolved." (Nia)

Sure, such a great moment for this! The perfect timing to bring all this stuff out. Well, let's hope this didn't put our adventurers off too much.

"So here, this is Nia. Former human street urchin of Ekoras, now freshly transformed slime. She's come to terms with her new form, already knows the basics of alchemy, and is rather capable if she's sufficiently motivated. As you saw at the door, she also has a younger brother, who she is looking out for. While I am away, she will be the manager of this shop, and as such, has full authority to make business deals regarding it, which may aid you during any assignment droughts. Though it had better be here when I get back, Nia." (Shari)

I can already see plans forming in that core of hers. With Jacob's team here, hopefully she'll be alright.

"Now, as you might guess, meeting the devouring needs of a slime of this size with sufficient energetic matter requires quite a bit of coin. So it would be rather optimal if she could both get to enjoy your escort while going on missions or gathering rounds, as well as maybe devouring one or more leftover monster parts." (Shari)

"Monsters? Wait, you didn't tell me I'd have to eat monster scrap!" (Nia)

"Nia, in terms of energy, monsters fare among the best. You'll lose quite a lot of money if you always go to the butcher. Not to speak of the issue of how the total number of livestock may not always allow you to fill up. Do you really mean to tell me you'd have a problem with dissolving the unwanted parts of a feral beast that just before tried to kill you all? Would it taste too foul for your sensitive palate?" (Shari)

While we are no longer able to taste, the worst offal can be consumed just as readily as the most appealing wine. Even what would be deadly to humans is of no consequence, as all that matters is the energy within it. Nia needs to understand that, or otherwise her diet may become too expensive to sustain herself. Slimes sadly don't have the option to be picky eaters. In a sense, even less so than street urchins.

Eventually, Nia's frown gradually fades as, to my relief, she seems to realize this for herself.

"Well, maybe not. But still, a hint would've been nice." (Nia)

"Consider yourself informed." (Shari)

At least now, we should have sufficiently introduced her.

"I'm still not convinced." (Jacob)

Seriously? What else could they wish for?

"If you'd allow her to take care of her needs, you won't have to pay her much for any aid she can offer in return, such as finding whatever you're looking for. I'd also like to mention that walking longer distances won't pose an issue. So I can only see benefits for you in this collaboration. Maybe you could even come to an agreement about supplying the shop. You know, I only want her to have a good start at life. I feel responsible." (Shari)

"That might be because you goddamn are!!!" (Myra)

Woah! Now that's a bit harsh.

"Hey, I really did everything I could here!" (Shari)

"And that's the result! The thing you did here! When you spoke of her earlier, there was no time to dwell on this, but seeing it now, in the flesh, or worse, the lack of it… That's, that's just wrong!! To think you'd really go so far! What the hell, Shari!!!" (Myra)

I feel her anger may have been brewing inside her for quite some time, and our recent talk only kindled the flames. Yet I can't exactly refute her.

"I'm still here, you know?" (Nia)

"Oh yes, and how you're here! Did you take a fucking look at yourself!?" (Myra)

"Yes, okay?!" (Nia)

"Now, Myra. That's a bit much." (Jacob)

"Goddamnit! Jacob, we'll do it! You know it. I know it. But not for you, Shari! Just for damage mitigation of the creepiest thing possible! Cause that girl is already screwed enough even without being abandoned!!" (Myra)

"Hey!" (Nia)

I... think I can live with this.

"Come you all, we're leaving! We'll come over later to negotiate the terms with the girl. But after you leave!" (Myra)

And with this, they're gone.

Suddenly, a green slime shows up between Nia and me.

"That went really well, didn't it?" (Liqu)

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