New Leaves
(( DWC February 2026, Day 4, Failure/Unravel, @daily-writing-challenge CW: none ))
"Alright, spit it out, Bindle, what's the big plan this time?"
"Cousin Shiree, my most capable of relatives, it's a guaranteed success!"
Shiree rolled her eyes, and busied herself cleaning a glass. "That's what I was afraid of."
It was an hour before Shiree's bar, the Elementale, was set to open for a night of drinks, food, and open mic partying, and that meant she had nowhere to escape her dear cousin's latest scheme. "So what're you planning on spending my money on, Bindle? Void real estate? Sunwell tours and merchandise? Human versus orc action figures? How are you going to lose it all and end up begging me for forgiveness this time, hm?"
"Better. Here, try this." Bindle said, grabbing a glass off the bar and filling it with a liquid from one of his vessels. The drink was shimmering and violet.
"What is it?"
"A bit of mixology inspired by my trip to K'aresh, combined with a little bit of alchemical know-how. Go on, it's safe, I've had plenty myself during the testing process."
Still uncertain, Shiree took up the glass, and gave the drink a sniff. It was obnoxiously fruity, and actively fizzing, throwing tiny droplets up against her nose. Gingerly, she took a sip. It was almost spiky in her mouth, a nearly overwhelming citrus, but as she swallowed it, she felt a warmth spread through her. She blinked in surprise. "Bindle... this is... this is good!"
"You always said there was more I could do with alchemy than healing potions and enhancement phials."
"Wait... wait are you actually listening to me? You're taking my advice?"
Bindle shrugged. "Well, you and all the adventurers I know who basically dragged me away from the Sunwell amusement park idea. So, I figured maybe, just maybe, I try to do things your way. Make a few alchemically infused cocktails for your bar, build up a nest egg the," Bindle sighed, ears drooping for effect, "*slow* way."
Shiree patted her cousin on the shoulder. "Hey, better late than never. It says something to your character that you stayed determined through -several- failures and people you trust telling you that your investment ideas are bad. Not everyone's a business goblin, but every goblin can make money if they realize what they -are- good at. And this drink?" Shiree lifted the glass, downing it. "This drink is going to put the Elementale on the *map* cousin."
"Glad to hear it, cousin! So, fifty-fifty on the sales?"
Shiree burst out a guffaw. "Nice try. Seventy-thirty my way, and I'm garnishing your thirty until you're done actually paying me back for the last three loans I gave you. And no, I'm not in a haggling mood, I have a bar to open. Your room upstairs is as ready for you as ever, Bindle," she finished, turning her attention back to the glasses as Bindle sighed and passed over the recipe.
"Hard bargains, Shiree. Hard bargains..."
"Aw, don't be like that. Make me more drinks and you'll see just how much money focusing on what you're good at can actually make you. Trust me cousin, there's nothing the people like more than a way to get drunk with novelty!"
Visions of gold piling up in his mind soothed Bindle's bruised ego, and he flashed his cousin a grin as he gathered up his pack and made himself scarce up the stairs. It was a new year, and finally, a new Bindle was gonna meet it.
