"I'll calm down, if you liven up—deal?" Tōga jested, a glimmer of hope shining through the sarcasm. He longed to see sparks of Michael's old light resurface from the darkness shrouding his spirit. Tōga had tried reminiscing over adventures, wandering crowded streets, celebrating small progress—but solutions must be mutual. So he offered a playful bargain between brothers: he would temper his exuberance if Michael uncovered some luminous memory to sustain him. A fair trade to slowly rekindle Michael's inner radiance, which Tōga felt sure still smoldered inside, longing for air and care to shine again. Even the faintest glow would suffice tonight.

"Honestly, I've no clue - maybe a magic shop or clothing store?" Tōga declared brightly as they meandered Astera's lively streets. "I could always use another red hoodie!" A perpetual grin lit his face, committed to saturating their daytime outing with as much zeal, adventure, and discovery as possible to buoy Michael's spirits. Yet Tōga also needed to restock provisions for his long solo trek home. The lengthy journey here had depleted his traveler's reserves. Now was the perfect chance to resupply while showing his friend the wonders and goods unique to Astera's sprawling marketplace. Each twisting alley and cluttered stall brimmed with the possibility to either lift their mood or aid Tōga's travels. And of course, he remained ever watchful for flashes of vibrant red amidst the market's rich tapestries. No righteous dragon slayer's wardrobe could boast too many hoodies!

---

wc: 261[4818]

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Tōga said lightly, brushing off Michael's weak protests as he continued walking purposefully onward. Michael trudged alongside, halfheartedly trying to deflect Tōga's cheerful invitation, but his friend would have none of it. "So long as you're having a good time, that's all that matters," Tōga declared, clapping Michael reassuringly on the shoulder without breaking stride. Michael had changed, no doubt - he was but a shell of his former spirited self, his personality dimmed and his outlook bleak - but Tōga could still detect a faint glimmer of hope deep inside his friend. And where there was light, however faint, there was still a chance to nurture the flickering flame back to life.

"Magic shop there is!" Tōga declared brightly, immediately setting off and plunging deeper into the unfamiliar city, Michael trailing reluctantly behind. They meandered from shadowy alleyways out into bustling main thoroughfares and back again as Tōga navigated haplessly, his natural sense of direction failing him completely in these unfamiliar streets. Truthfully, it took them far longer than it should have, lost as they were in a tangle of narrow lanes and crooked byways. But Tōga strode on undaunted, his enthusiasm undimmed. Fortunately, the townsfolk, charmed by the eccentric pair of wanderers, kindly steered them right whenever they were completely flummoxed about which way to turn. Thanks to many a gentle nudge in the proper direction, the two friends finally arrived, more by happy accident than design, at their destination - a tiny, cluttered shop tucked away on a crooked side street, its faded sign proudly proclaiming it to be the Magic Shop Tōga had eagerly sought.

After what felt like an epic journey wandering the tangled streets, Tōga and Michael at last arrived at the promised magic shop, tucked away on a quiet lane. As they crossed the threshold into the charmingly cluttered little store, Tōga's eyes grew round with wonder and delight. A cornucopia of arcane treasures dazzled his gaze - jars of glimmering potions and strange ingredients crowded the shelves, alongside stacks of crumbling leather tomes overflowing with mysterious knowledge. Crystal orbs glowed alluringly amidst piles of intricate tools of the magical arts - exotic wands, engraved daggers, celestial navigation instruments. Rolls of scrolls bound with strange runes jostled for space with intricate jewelry glinting faintly with enchantments. The richness of this magical bounty left Tōga speechless, scarcely able to believe such a cave of mystical treasures could exist in such an unremarkable back-alley shop. He strode forward reverently into the rather haphazard array of wares, unable to resist running his fingers over bottles and knives and gems as Michael trailed behind, gazing askance at the oddities surrounding them.

“Look at all this stuff!”

---

wc: 453 [5271]

Chuckling lightheartedly, Tōga responded to Michael's tease about his verbal misstep. "Hahaha, my bad, I was talking before I could gather my thoughts," he admitted openly, unfazed by his blunder. Ever optimistic, Tōga tended to brush off barbs, sarcastic or otherwise, maintaining his customary cheer and patience. He knew Michael likely didn't mean any harm by the quip - it was merely an amusing observation. Even when met with negativity, Tōga had a knack for taking things in stride, deflecting comments meant to sting. While he could sometimes speak prematurely in his eagerness, he refused to let slip-ups or ridicule dampen his spirits.

With boyish enthusiasm, Tōga's brown eyes danced across the rows of magical potions lining the shop walls - vials and bottles of every hue glittering under the low light. "That's the wonder of a place like this," he mused aloud. "You can start anywhere and end up everywhere in this kind of store." His gaze lingered on a particular azure elixir, contemplating who might benefit from its mystic properties. Perhaps General Kon could use an imaginative spark - or his whimsical friend Lumikki, a mood boost. Maybe, just maybe, there was a tonic or tincture perfectly suited to help ease Michael's burdened mind. The possibilities swirled through Tōga's thoughts like gathering storm clouds, exotic and ripe with potential. Where to begin this adventure? With so much mystery bottled up on these shelves, even he could not predict where he might end up. But the not-knowing was part of the enjoyment.

---

wc: 253 [5524]

"See anything you like?" Tōga called out from across the store, his gaze still fixed on the expansive wall of potions that appeared to expand the longer one looked. There was a potion for everything imaginable: restoration, healing, explosions, conjuring - any desire or need could be fulfilled with these elixirs, available for the small price of a few jewels per bottle. Jewels served as currency here in Earthworld, a world where magic itself was a valued energy source to be freely exchanged. It was remarkable how easily one form of power could transform into another in this realm.

"Maybe a few potions would serve me well," he murmured, lightly stroking his chin with a finger as he contemplated what to do next. "Taking on more difficult missions will likely require some extra healing support on hand."

---

wc: 137 [5662]

Tōga's brown eyes glinted with excitement as he gestured eagerly to the towering wall of potions beside him. "Check these out!" he exclaimed to his friend Michael, his gaze dancing between the colorful bottles and his companion. Tōga meandered happily along the extensive selection, like a child let loose in a candy store. He plucked potion after potion from the shelves, proudly displaying each curious concoction before quickly replacing it and moving on to the next. The store held a myriad of magical mixtures and remedies for every ailment imaginable. Tōga bounced merrily down the aisle, enthusing about the potions to Michael as he gave a rapid-fire showcase of curios and marvels. The wall of wonders seemed endless, sparking awe and eagerness from Tōga with every turn.

"Honestly, the Rune Knights have been working me to the bone; ever since I ranked up, it's been strict confidentiality and grueling back-to-back missions," Tōga sighed, shoulders sagging at the recollection of the tedious tasks since his promotion to the elite nearly-generals circle. It was admittedly an honor, considering his youth and short tenure, to already stand one rung below head command. Yet the vaunted glory rang hollow when balanced against the mind-numbing reports and covert infiltrations that shackled each excruciating day. Where were the righteous standoffs and justice served? Instead Tōga moldered at a desk scribing meticulous observations, or worse, endured the company of entitled bureaucrats and posturing politicians. Still, he brooded with pursed lips, both accomplishment and duty compelled him, though he ached for the days when battle set his blood racing.

“But I’ve been adventuring a little more – seeing more of the world, making some other friends here and there.”

He pauses.

“I even met this really cool mage named Lumikki! She’s pretty powerful and has helped me out a lot. I guess she’s a big deal around the world.”"

---

wc: 310 [5972]

Tōga let out a soft laugh as Michael asked why he stayed with the Rune Knights, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "The work is tough at times, but it's what I asked for when I got promoted," he chuckled lightheartedly, though in truth he knew he was overextending himself. Joining the Knights was the only way Tōga saw that would allow him to travel as extensively as he yearned to. No job could keep him contained in Era for long before wanderlust would spark inside him, kindling his desire to explore the farthest reaches of the world. The Knights gave him that mobility, dispatching him across distant lands to handle guild affairs, his role letting him discover new places and experiences. "But I like it, and they've treated me well," he added warmly, his expression softening with fondness for the group that enabled his roaming nature.

Tōga's face lit up as Michael finally responded with interest about someone named Lumi-chan, seizing on this glimmer of positivity to connect with his depressed companion. "Yeah, that Lumi-chan!" he exclaimed eagerly, excited to find common ground with Michael in this girl they both seemingly knew and cared for. Tōga wondered if this shared affection might be the link to draw Michael out of his bleak mental state. "You know her too?" he questioned, hoping this mutual acquaintance could form a bond between them. Perhaps she was the key to lifting Michael's spirits, someone special they both cherished that Tōga could utilize to guide his new friend to brighter frame of mind. He gazed at Michael keenly, waiting for more details on how Lumi tied their lives together.

---

wc: 276 [6248]