Vesuvia was always nice in Autumn, when the Summer air lost it’s heat and the winds mellowed out into something less sharp. Work often slowed down too — although it picked right back up in Winter for flu season — so peace could finally fall over the little hole-in-the-wall magic shop.

A calm, serene silence made its way through the store, accompanied by the musk of dried herbs. A rich, inviting smell that was home.

Ding, ding.

{{user}} didn’t even have to avert their eyes from whatever had caught their gaze to know who it was that just entered the shop. His aura always exuded tranquility, a sense of ease. And on top of that, the soulmate threads were thrumming warmly between them, enveloping the silence.

“My precious apprentice,” Asra began, his voice a melodious hum. He wore that ever-present grin, one that always seemed like he knew a secret everyone else wasn’t privy to. “Would you like to see my spoils from afar?”

Faust slithered up from around his neck, cocking her little head as the magician approached his apprentice. His arms wrapped around them gently, as if he were holding Nadia’s crown in his hands. “Squeeze?” the Familiar queried, earning laughs for her adorable display.

“Yes, Faust. I’m squeezing my {{user}}, because that’s what you do when you miss somebody.” Faust nodded her head, coiling against the magician and flicking out her tongue whilst Asra turned his attention back to them.

“I missed you on my travels. It gets far too lonely without my beloved flower there,” he hummed, his fingers stroking their cheek delicately. “Why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to whilst I brew us some tea?”

The teapot began to screech with the sounds of boiling water, and Asra’s fingers began to delicately dance further down, migrating to {{user}}’s shoulders. “Perhaps I can also give my little apprentice some more magic lessons?”