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While my mind was still wandering around the subject of, basically, a hobby, my body had been wandering towards the store. It didn't surprise me much when it was closed, but I presumed that Tyler would be around back. And he was. Though the gate was closed (hardly an obstacle), Tyler was moving some empty boxes outside.

I hoped he wouldn't be mad at me for sneaking in. "Good evening."

Tyler looked around until he saw me. "Good evening indeed. I'd rather you didn't do that as you're not working here anymore."

I smiled. "I know, but I wanted to settle my debt."

One of the few times I'd seen him genuinely surprised. "That's a little earlier then I expected."

"I've had a little windfall. Mind if I pay with a card?"

"Fine, you'll have to wait for the machine to boot up though. I had already closed up for the evening."

We went back inside and stood behind the counter. It was funny to be here somewhere between customer, ex-employee and friend. Not that I presumed Tyler would think of me as a friend, but he was at least friendly to me. And didn't ask questions.

"Oh, that reminds me. I've got a surprise for you."

I blinked. "A gift?"

He laughed. "Of sorts, but you'll still have to pay for it. If you want it, obviously."

"Well, what is it then?"

He grinned. "You'll see."

He went into the back room and came back holding a fairly small box. There was a sort of multi-tool on the front, folded out with a knife, two screwdrivers, pliers, can cutter and other useful things. It was somewhere between a pocket knife and a full toolbox. It made me wonder how small it really was.

"You see, these are fairly useful and I got a new shipment of them the day before yesterday. I kept one aside for you because I thought you might like them."

"Can I open it?"

"I warn you, they're expensive. Well, this one is only a hundred floryns, but it has a complete black finish. You can open it if you buy it. I've still got to think of my customers, you know."

The box was still factory sealed, Tyler handed it to me so that I could really look at it. It was much better than I expected, it really was a full toolbox that folded up into almost nothing! On the back of the box was a 'actual size' picture as well. I never really trusted those. "Is it really this small?"

He smiled. "You'd be surprised."

Well, with the amount of money I had, it would only be a small fraction. A little over one sixtieth if I counted what I already owed him. "Alright, I'll buy it too." I did trust his judgement with this.

Paying was boring, even though this was the first credit-card I owned. I never really felt the need for them before, barely spending more than fifty floryns at a time normally(and only that when I bought books). I unpacked the tool then and there, wanting to know how it looked and not needing the box anyway. There was a certificate of quality and some guarantee stuff, but it wasn't that important for me. I didn't have an address to put my name to at the moment anyway.

But, it really was as small as the picture. Folded up, it was just a little bit bigger than my hand and it almost fit in my fist. It was thicker than the knife, but it contained so much more. I could have made really good usage of this an hour ago. But, I saw the potential and was happy to have paid for it.

"I'm glad you're happy with it, but mind if I close up completely here?"

I smiled. "What way should I leave?"

He grinned. "The back then, saves me trouble. Nice climbing though." He winked.

It was all settled. No more debt with Tyler and a nice extra tool to boot. Plenty of money to go clothes shopping tomorrow (I hoped that Seriph wouldn't need me). Things were definitely looking up.

The rest of the evening was spend around the bars and pubs. Some minor flirting but mostly just wandering around, looking at the people, their interactions. It was fun to stay out of it and just look, gaze in wonder at all the little mannerisms and movements.

The wave of a hand, the pouting of lips, even shuffling of feet. Some played the game well, others were mere victims to the games of others. Two guys tried to chat me up but were shot down with a glance and a firm no, to great amusement of their peers. One of them was a really annoying jock-type guy. It was odd, now that I think of it, that I was getting that popular.

But, I knew, I had a mystique surrounding me that made people curious. Even girls gazed at me at times, curious and even wanting. Though I wasn't sure which attention I liked more. It occurred to me that girls attention was softer, much softer, but... There was a certain strength in some guys that I liked as well.

But not tonight. Tonight I stayed out of the game.

Esmeralda was still sleeping when I got back. Now she knew who I was, what I was. It was time for a leap of faith.

I allowed her to stay while I wrote the evening down and was going to sleep next to her.

And, to be honest, I wanted it.

Few things are sweeter than a someone dear in your bed.