THE MOMENT
"Seriously? This is the millionth time this month," Connor shook his head at the general state of affairs. Banshees weren't to be taken lightly; but, it seemed more and more people were meeting them. He was glad at least, that the adventurer had dealt with the banshee. There were more sightings these days, enough to call a meeting and be concerned. But, for the moment, this particular banshee wouldn't be any trouble to anyone.
"You deserve a reward, Miss," he smiled at the teenager with short, chestnut-brown hair. She wore the robes of a wizard; but, Connor hadn't seen that color mage before. Her robe was navy blue with elegant, deep black detailing around the cuffs and neck. She held her hand out expectantly, and he was almost offended. But, she wasn't alone, she had a friend dressed in a white suit with rainbow hair. Connor got the feeling the rainbow-haired girl was a merchant by her high-quality suit and the way she carried herself. If she was, then she likely told her friend to expect some sort of reward; merchants were cynical that way.
"I hope this helps you on your journeys," Connor smiled and gave her his most treasured possession. It was so valuable, he'd never even used it. If he thought about it, he had no idea what it did either; but, he knew it was special. He felt it in his soul. This kind adventurer took it upon herself to kill a dangerous banshee and she deserved a reward as special as he gave her.
The teen in the navy blue robe accepted the transparent card Connor gave her; but, she didn't even look at it. Connor didn't notice, he was done paying attention to her as soon as he gave her the card.
"Please," the teen smiled at her friend in white and gave her the card. Her friend with rainbow hair grinned and gave her a small locket of hair. It was bound together with a silver string and each individual strand glowed with faint ethereal green energy. As soon as she had the bundle of hair in hand, she turned to Connor. He seemed surprised anyone was there.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Hi, my name's Tessa, I'm an adventurer," she said. "I was out exploring the countryside and found a banshee...," she dropped the locket of hair on the table in front of Connor.
"Seriously? This is the millionth time this month," Connor picked up the bundle and examined it carefully. He ran his fingers along each strand, then shook his head.
"You deserve a reward, Miss," he smiled at her as he offered her a transparent node. "I hope this helps you on your journeys," he said. Tessa didn't waste any time trading the card with her friend.
"How many bundles is that so far?" Tessa asked as she took another locket of banshee hair from Monday.
"It doesn't matter," Monday shrugged. "Ms. Sharp said to use whatever resources we need."
"I know," Tessa rolled her eyes with a giggle. "I'm just curious how long it would have taken me to hunt down the banshees one by one," she added.
"That's 23," Monday nodded at the locket that Tessa placed in front of Connor.
"Seriously!??" he asked. His tone was different and different was good. Tessa and Monday both perked up. "You killed a Banshee Queen??" He marveled at the locket of hair that looked exactly like the other 22 she'd given him so far.
"I think this is it, finally," Tessa winked at Monday as Conner fell to his knees. He began dramatically pulling junk out from underneath the table.
"You deserve a real, honest-to-goodness magical reward," he said. "Here it is!" he stood up again, this time holding a golden, glowing node. "This here is a wee bit o' banshee magic I trapped in a good-luck charm," he offered her the node. "It's appropriate for the banshee queen killer," he smiled at her. "I hope this helps you on your journeys."
"Nice!" Tessa took the node and Connor immediately ignored her again.
"Need anything else today?" Monday asked. Tessa shrugged and shook her head.
"I planned on doing it solo until I thought of asking if you had any in stock. No other plans. You?" she asked.
"Seriously? This is the millionth time this month," Connor spoke up again. Tessa hadn't realized that another player came up behind her. The unknown player sighed and his shoulder slumped as he walked away.
"I might have a plan," Monday giggled. She dashed past Tessa to tap the stranger on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, may I ask...," she said. She held out several bundles of banshee hair to show him. "...how much is your time worth to you?"