Master Of None

"Alright, let's get a move on." Walker and the others stood at the open door, the sun had risen and started to fall again leaving the evening just starting to approach. The VIP auction would take them well in to the later hours but that was not the main event, that would be the after auction socializing. The party planned to head out after the bidding and go back for dinner at the mansion with their own guests. 

Midnight led the way showing off her clean shiny scales and her slightly open wings, it was very evident she was trying to make the best impressions. "Hey umm Midnight knows where we are going right?" Gil spoke up realizing that she had yet to go to the auction house and was basically wandering around on her own. 

"Eh, Onyx should remember where we are headed so it should be fine. He will give her some direction in the worst case. If he doesn't then we will just show up a little less early than we planned." Walker was not all that concerned since the nobles that they were passing on the way seemed much less aggravated and much more interested in the party. 

With their medals all on display and more rumors circulating their own kingdom had started to take much more interest in them. It was fairly amusing to the party that the demi-human kingdom had become so enamored with them so easily due to their actions but their own kingdom was slow. This was mostly due to how the human mind worked, their cultures were founded differently and valued slightly different things, it was to be expected. Walker could only hope that he would not have much trouble today while they were at the auction. 

With so,me direction from Onyx Midnight managed to lead the party all the way to the Garnet family auction house. The steps held many guests that were trying to get some of the remaining tickets from those who would show up to get rid of their extras or even sell them. Some of the lucky adventurers that got a ticket and could not afford to participate would sell them last minute to gain some much needed party funds. There were also those who could bring guests that would choose an adventurer from the crowd and bring them along. This was sometimes an invaluable experience since the adventurer would make better connections with nobles which would lead to a more profitable future.

The crowd took notice of the party almost as soon as they approached. No one tried to cause them any trouble but the looks from some of those without tickets were full of jealousy as they approached the door. They were still young adventurers even though they had made a decent name for themselves. This made them the target of some jealousy since the party looked like they were about to walk in.

"Oh, Walker. We just got here ourselves. How are you all this evening?" The high priest had come up behind them just arriving himself. He was wearing the ceremonial robes which made him truly stand out over all the others that had been waiting in the crowd. 

Alice was standing next to him surprisingly not in any church garb at all. She was instead in a white dress with blue embroidered patterns along the seams. It was reminiscent of the way the light flowed when she would sing. Walker was sure that Lisa would bombard her with questions on how it was made and who made it. He was looking forward to watching his little sister try to imitate these patterns.

"Hello, high priest. It is good to see you well. Alice you look amazing, you really bring out the beauty in that dress." Walker even surprised himself with his line and decided to thank his father for putting him on the right direction. The years of listening to the guards chat idly about the women they were trying to court was going to pay off. What an unexpected bit of knowledge he had learned, he would have never thought that the art of complimenting a woman would be something he would need.

Alice was very happy with this compliment and grew fairly red faced. The high priest had a small smile watching this scene. "How are things at the cathedral? Is Walker's repair still holding up well?" Su had been concerned since the day they had last been there. If the light healing crystal was not still in tip top shape then there were many who would suffer, something she just could not allow. 

"It is working perfectly, thanks to you two it is back to it's normal self. You know all my healers and nuns have been asking when you will be back to help out. They really seem to find you the best volunteer they have ever had," Su had not expected such a complement and was stumped silent due to it. Her face tinged a little red and she gave a small nod. "I hope your three can come and help out next time too, having more hands the better, well in your case maybe a claw or two." Midnight had not realized the high priest would talk to her but after receiving his attention she puffed up her chest a little. The high priest was playing right to her ego.

"Well since we are all here, let's get inside. I want to put a few words in someone's ear about what we are selling." Walker gained a devilish smile, this time he would work harder to make the prices go up when they sold their items. He also wanted to see the Garnet family elder appraise his items too. He felt that his insight was very valuable.

The amount of guards and attendants at the door had tripled compared to the last time they were there. This must have been the additional security due to the high class guests and the rarer items. The party was in awe seeing that the interior designs had also changed. Instead of the red color scheme like last time their carpets and drapes had been replaced with purples and yellows. The paintings had all been swapped out and even had price tags next to them so that those who liked them could purchase them. There were newer furnishings polished and hand carved. They did not know that the auction house went to such lengths to maintain it's high end appearance.

"Hello sirs and madams, can I please ask you for your name?" The main attendant approached, he seemed rather new and was shouldered by a security guard. They were taking their job very seriously. The guard was glancing at Midnight and was most certainly a bit put off.

"We are the omnipotent party and we are bringing two guests with us." Walker took the lead to make sure everything went smoothly.

"Perfect, you have been upgraded to a balcony seating for the auction by one of our family elders for your assistance to the auction house and the family. Thank you for accepting our previous quest with the adventurers guild. High priest it is an honor to see you again, may you have good luck tonight and enjoy the atmosphere." The man had become much more polite and open the second he had read their name on the list. Walker was pleased to hear that they had been upgraded to a better seating and was interested to see what this seating would look like. 

"Thank you very much." Walker and the high priest both spoke at the same time making it a little awkward but in a good way. The two of them led the way while the others followed, Midnight was right on Walkers heel as then went through the door. She seemed fairly enamored with the nice appearance, she even wiped her feet on the mat at the front of the door before entering. Walker wondered where she had learned this etiquette. 

Walking along the hall they came to a familiar face waiting at a counter before the open hall. "Hello again, and welcome back to the Garnet family auction house. Are you looking to sell more items this time?" She clearly had remembered the corpse spider eggs that the party had sold the last time, however this was not a surprise since her job relied on her having a keen memory of guests and what they sold.

"Yes, we have brought a large amount of items. Do you have a place we can put them down? We do not want to disturb the flow of guests here." Walker had thrown the woman off just a little but she was quick to point to a room branching off from the main hall. 

Walker and the high priest were the only two that left the group. Walker had expected him to stay but looking at his eyes he knew that the high priest who had rarely ever left the kingdom was curious to what an adventurer had brought back. 

"Well back again, hahaha you even brought one of my friends along."

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