Daxlas after hours: Chapter 2: Manning the stall

Daxlas was getting ready for a self care day. Wearing a straw hat, a thin cotton shirt and waterproof shorts, they dashed around the cottage. They grabbed a beach ball and a picnic blanket from and rushed about packing their bag with various items. Then a knock came to the door. Puzzled, Daxlas put down the items in their hands and opened the door. Standing in the doorway was a man with fair skin and red freckles all over their body. His arms were fiery red dragon wings, and his hair was a reddish orange. He wore khaki shorts and a plain off white t-shirt with grass and dirt stains all over it. He had a red dragon tail that had cream spikes in the middle.

“Fredryck? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the market?” They asked him confused.

 

Fredryck wringed his hands.

“I accidentally double booked myself and I need your help.” He said nervously.

“Let me guess. You booked a stall at the market and then your family wanted you to run their stall at the last minute?” 

 

He nodded tentatively. 

“And you need me now?” They asked.

 

He nodded again.

They sighed and took off their straw hat. 

“Alright, give me five minutes.”

 

They swiftly closed the door on their friend and placed their hat on the dining room table. They rushed up the wooden stairs to the left to their bedroom. Their bedroom didn’t have a bed and had camping gear scattered everywhere and there were some tanks with different kinds of insects. There was a hammock by a desk that they use for getting work done. Their cottage was more of an office because Daxlas preferred to sleep outside. 

They pull back the curtain that leads to the closet and quickly changed into a pair of random socks and a pair of jeans. They grabbed a medium green backpack full of potions. Half way out the door they paused, looked at their shirt, thinking, and then looked at their dresser. They shrugged and then went back downstairs. 

 

Fredryck was still at the door when Daxlas opened it.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

 

Fredryck nodded and then they set off.

 

The walk to the market was slow because Daxlas was charging off in many directions and documenting when they saw an animal and where. Fredryck was nervously redirecting them the whole time but they did make it to the market. The market square was busy and bustling with stalls and people wandering around. There was farm fresh fruits, homemade adventuring gear, clothes, magical items, and nicknacks. Daxlas looked around slowly with a hand to block out the sun.

“Fredryck, where’s your families’ stall?” They asked.

“Over here, follow me!” 

 

Fredryck weaved through the crowd and Daxlas followed close behind. They went through a couple blocks through the crowd, and then they came up to a stall with another fire demi dragon. Her eyes were glazed and she tapped her fingers quickly on the clothed wooden stall counter. The stall was simple and had various rocks, necklaces and lava beads neatly organized on the counter top. The demi dragon’s eyes lazily scanned the crowd and stopped when she saw Fredryck and Daxlas. When they approached the stall she let out a long sigh. 

“It’s about time you got here.” She said and stretched. “I was bored out of my mind.”

 

Fredryck sweated nervously.

"Yeah, um, about that…”

 

She sighed in annoyance.

“What is it.”

“You see, I’m having Daxlas run it instead because I’m double booked.”

 

She blinked.

“Oh, is that it? I don’t care who does it. I just don’t want it to be me.”

 

Fredryck realxed and patted Daxlas on the back.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it!” 

 

Fredryck disappeared into the crowd, and the demi dragon got up.

“Well, it’s all yours. Everything is labeled with prices and bracelets are labeled with sizes. All coins go into the pouch by your feet.” She got out from behind the stall.

“Thanks Odeka.” Daxlas said and took her place.

“Mm.” She responded.

 

She was about to disappear into the gaggle of pedestrians, but then paused.

“Try not to get robbed!” She called over her shoulder.

 

They weren't worried.

“I won’t!”

 

The next few hours blurred together. The stall got popular and they had customer after customer, and Daxlas barely sat the entire time. When the sun sat on the horizon and the streets thinned. Less customers were coming and they stopped coming by because they we sold out of practically everything. Daxlas sat down, giving themselves a much deserved break. They let out a long sigh.

“What a busy day.” They mumbled to themselves and closed their eyes.

 

“Excuse me.” Said a quiet voice.

 

Daxlas opened their eyes.

“How can I  help you?”

 

It was an old fire dragon that was the size of a tall person. She wore a colourful knitted shawl, and glasses. Usually dragons are the size of houses but there are potions that make them smaller so they can fit in human towns. She pointed a leathery claw at the last lava rock bracelet. 

“Can you tell me the price for this one?” She asked politely.

“Of course.” They said and looked at the tag. “It’s 35 silver.”

 

She looked surprised.

“Oh my, that’s quite expensive.” She gasped.

“It’s because it’s real lava rocks that have been carefully molded. I should know, I’ve known this family since I was a kid.” They told her

“Hm, good quality.” She mumbled to herself and stroked her chin.

 

She picked it up to inspect it. She took in a deep breath but then an insect flew up her nose and she sneezed. The problem was that she sneezed fire onto the bracelet and the stall. The bracelet was fine, but the stall was not. 

“Well I never!” She exclaimed in amazement. “This IS good quality!”

 

Daxlas coughed the ash out of their throat.

“Yeah?”

“Yes, here you go young’un.” She handed them the silver.

“Uhh, thanks?”

“Have a good evening.” She said as she walked away.

 

Daxlas watched as she hobbled away. Her figure disappeared into the distance. 

“AHHH, WHAT HAPPENED?!” A voice startled Daxlas.

 

Fredryick stood in front of the burnt stall. He checked all what was left of the inventory and nothing was damaged. He let out a sigh of relief.

“Daxlas, what happened?” He asked, alarmed.

“Old lady.” Daxlas answered.

“What?”

“Old lady.”