It's Crystal Clear: I'm Screwed

[Deleted]

Looking at this order was enough to make Shion wish he had never left Autus. Unfortunately, it had been a decision he couldn't keep from making.

His business had started declining; each month, he had been dipping further and further into his savings to keep himself and Don Reacher, his raccoon, adequately fed and cared for. His parents had helped, sending him meals, but in the end, Shion had felt too much like a burden.

Thus, the crystomorph had packed up and left Autus, using the rest of his savings to finance the move to Ilyamen. So far, business had been fair, but now this noble had come with an order that was probably impossible to complete.

And this noble wanted it done in seven days.

Shion nervously pushed up his spectacles and lowered the order list. "Normally with an order this large, it would take me up to two and a half weeks to get enough done," he said. "Are you positive you need it in seven days?" he asked of his customer.

[Devon]

The gruff older noble nodded his head with a stern look. "Of course I'm sure, if I wasn't sure I wouldn't place the order. Now I was assured you do great work, don't let me down or you'll never see work in this town again."

[Deleted]

Shion winced, almost believing it. Don Reacher chittered angrily from his place at the cash box, but the crystomorph waved a hand and the raccoon quieted. "In this case, I'm afraid I shall have to request half the payment up front," he said. "I will literally be working around the clock for you, Sir."

[Devon]

"Fine," the man responded quickly. Oddly he showed somewhat of a smile, it seemed he was at least pleased that Shion was a willing and able businessman. "Removing his pouch from his waist he looked in side of it, weighed it with his hand twice and tossed it to Shion. "That should cover half of your payment."

[Deleted]

Shion neatly caught the bag and bounced it on his palm, nodding. "This will do nicely. Thank you very much for your business."

He waited until the noble was gone, then turned and smacked his forehead against the wall. "Oh, Forces, what was I thinking?"

Don Reacher chittered at him.

"Right, right: That I need the money." Shion sighed and flipped his sign from "Open" to "Closed". "Well, I better get to work, then. You want to come upstairs, or people-watch for a while?"

The raccoon settled his squishy self on the counter.

"All right, but come up when you get hungry," the two-Earth said, and went upstairs to his quarters.

[Devon]

The noble returned in a weeks time and briskly entered Shion's shop. Gazing around the room, his eyes fell on the front desk, which he then rang the bell to summon Shion. He hated to wait for anyone, so he hoped for Shion's sake he'd be right with him.

[Deleted]

Footsteps sounded overhead, then moved towards the stairs. Don Reacher came down first, a polishing cloth in his mouth, and Shion was soon to follow, carrying a medium-sized crate, which he placed atop several others.

The frazzled-looking crystomorph straightened, cracking his spine, shoulders and collarbone. "Welcome, Sir Venjin," he said tiredly, taking off his spectacles to brush his forehead with his forearm. "Your order is complete," he added, rubbing eyes that had shadows beneath them, and replaced his glasses.

Shion lifted off one of the crate tops and motioned for the noble to appraise his work. Within each crate was four plates, four goblets, four forks, knives and spoons, and four soup and salad bowls, all of the pale gold tint Venjin had desired.

[Devon]

Venjin stepped forward and inspected Shion's handiwork. After looking through the crate and holding each piece in his hand, he smiled and placed them back. "You've done well," Venjin said. "Better than I expected even, I'll make sure to put in a good word for you with my friends." Reaching towards his belt he took out a second pouch, equal to the one he had given Shion a week before and gave it to the man. Taking out a smaller pouch he gave that to the crystalworker as well. "A little something extra," Venjin remarked. Whistling he summoned a few strong men he had hired earlier and got them to carry his order home for him.

[Deleted]

Shion smiled, a tired and grateful expression. It was always good for the ego to hear someone appreciated his work. And hey, he got a little extra, too. The whole of it almost made up for closing his shop for a week.

It didn't make up for all the energy he'd expended, though. Or for the sore throat he had engendered from chanting so much.

"Thank you" was all he said.