Technically, I was supposed to be on shift as usual.
However. I just answered, Yes.
I'd never asked for a day off at the last moment. In fact, I hadn't asked for a day off in over a year. What if I just— Surely it wouldn't be too bad?
After Llewellyn had teleported away, I pulled up the agency's shared spreadsheet on my phone, trying to find out who was on for the next few days. Altan had been asking for extra hours a lot. His name wasn't on the schedule until Friday, which meant he might be available.
I opened our messaging app and typed:
Ryo: Hey, you still looking for extra shifts?
The reply came in a few seconds later.
Altan: Always. What's up?
Ryo: I know it's very short notice, but any chance you could cover my shift tonight?
Altan: Yes! Absolutely
Honestly, he was the best.
Ryo: You're a lifesaver.
Altan: Don't even mention it, you're doing me a favor.
Ryo: Thanks, seriously. I owe you.
Altan: It's really not a problem. You okay though? Your grandma's good?
Ryo: Yeah, she's fine. Something just came up suddenly.
I thought for a second, then typed:
Ryo: Don't tell anyone, but I think I'm soon going to have to drop at least one shift permanently, maybe more. If you're interested, I could mention that you'd like to take it.
Altan: Are you serious? That would be amazing
Ryo: That's settled then. I'll write to HR about tonight and I'll update you about the rest in a week or two.
Altan: Perfect. Thank you, man.
I exhaled, relieved.
I sent a quick email to HR about the shift change, then realized I was still in the middle of the street and asked the System to get me home.
It took a while to calm Penguin down, but he perked up when I told him we were going out that evening and mellowed out almost instantly.
I set him on the kitchen counter as I finally made coffee. There hadn't been any in the cabin earlier, and I was dying for a cup.
When I scooped him up to move to the sofa, he let me without complaint and, after a few belly rubs, he settled happily in my lap while I played a mobile game and waited for my phone to charge.
***
I met Llewellyn at Baekrang Station, then we walked through the streets until a seedy alley opened up before us, Penguin curled up in my pocket.
The neon signs gave way to warm streetlights, and the polished storefronts soon turned into walls covered in graffiti.
"Here?" I asked, trying not to sound judgmental.
Llewellyn just kept walking. "You'll see."
Halfway down, out of nowhere, a sign seemed to appear hung above a narrow door: The Rusty Chalice.
I frowned. Was there a concealment artifact at work?
Llewellyn pushed the door open. The pub was dimly lit, looking more like a medieval tavern than anything else. A few patrons nursed drinks in dark corners, none of them looking up as we passed.
At a table in a corner, under one of the brightest lights (though 'bright' was an exaggeration), a young man who looked like he was in his late twenties sat alone, completely engrossed in a thick book.
Llewellyn slid in the bench in front of him and sat down. I hesitated, then did the same, taking the seat beside Llewellyn.
"Just finishing this paragraph, wait," the man said, raising a hand, eyes darting quickly as he read.
Llewellyn leaned back against the bench's backrest, apparently used to this.
I glanced at the book's cover, but the title was partially obscured by the man's hand.
"You should really read this," the man said after a moment, marking the page and closing the book, sliding it toward Llewellyn. "I mean, I think everyone should read it, but you in particular."
Llewellyn gave him an unimpressed look but then took it, eyeing the cover. The book's cover read: Geusgnosis: The Faculty of Life's Zest.
I snorted.
The man turned to me, extending his hand. "Sorry for the rudeness. You must be Ryo, Llewellyn's mysterious partner. I'm Tiernan, the leader of TAPESTRY."
Tapestry? Well, that was certainly a choice.
Llewellyn leaned in toward me as I shook Tiernan's hand and said, "Rumor has it he let AI choose the name."
He whispered it, but clearly meant for Tiernan to hear, and seemed amused when he did.
"I did not," Tiernan protested taking the book Llewellyn was handing back. "Not that there would be anything wrong with it. I do work with AI, as you know. But I chose it because it's an acronym of what we do, AND because our members' initials form the name. I told you that."
Another man, looking about the same age and wearing a neon pink beanie, came to sit next to him just then, dropping a bunch of boxes onto the table, all piled on top of each other.
"That's true," he said, grinning. "But he particularly liked it because there are two Ts—both for Tiernan—since he's the leader."
"Ejay," Tiernan said. "Thank you for that helpful contribution."
Ejay grinned, then leaned forward to shake my hand.
Penguin was scampering in my pocket, wanting to get out, but I tried to signal to him to stay put.
"Should we order something before they kick us out?" I asked.
"Nah," Tiernan said, "Phelan owns the place, we're cool. Unless you're in the mood for Destabilized Whiskey—but I wouldn't recommend it if you're not planning to get wasted."
Oh, so this was one of those places.
Despite its name, Destabilized Whiskey was magically distilled whiskey that had gone through a process of purification and yeolation—to remove anything dangerous before reactivating its magical signature.
I'd never had Yeolated Liquors. They were technically legal, but difficult to find unless you frequented spots for awakened people—which were generally hidden and considered dangerous for non-magic users.
According to the internet, drinking Destabilized Whiskey probably felt like drinking a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster.
"We're fine for now," Llewellyn said. "Do you need to stay here or should we move toward the headquarters?"
"Ejay is going to take over," Tiernan said, head tilting toward the man in the pink beanie, "and Phelan is over there playing pool. We can leave."
Llewellyn nodded and got up.
I'd used a concealment artifact on Penguin earlier. Thankfully, he seemed happy to just peer out of my pocket for now rather than jump out and explore.
Still, I didn't think this would last long so the sooner we left, the better.
***
Llewellyn's colleagues' headquarters was off Haon Station.
We got off the train and followed Tiernan to a nondescript door tucked between a vintage record shop and a bakery. He pressed his palm against a small panel, and the door clicked open.
Inside, the space opened into a bright, modern room with brick walls, bathed in a warm light coming from multiple floor lamps scattered around. Artifacts floating in weird jars sat under screens displaying data feeds.
"Wow." I looked around. "What do you guys do here, exactly?"
"Team for Artifact Phenomena Emergency Support, Triage, Recovery, and Yeolation," Tiernan explained. "Hence, TAPESTRY. We study artifacts. I thought that's what you're here for?"
Oh. Right.
Well, at least they looked like nice people.
Penguin chose that moment to poke his head out of my pocket, looking up at Tiernan curiously.
I deactivated the concealment and Tiernan looked taken aback.
"Is that—?"
"This is Penguin," I said.
I scooped Penguin out, holding him.
Tiernan leaned forward.
"I've never seen anything like it," he said, reaching out with his hand.
Penguin bumped his head against Tiernan's hand, looking pleased, then he seemed to spot something.
His eyes went wide and, before I could stop him, he launched himself out of my palm.
"What? Wait—"
Too late. Penguin hit the floor running, his small form darting across the room toward one of the jars with floating artifacts. He climbed up the base until he could reach the jar itself, and pressed his tiny flippers against the glass, chittering excitedly at the artifact inside.
"What's he doing?" Tiernan asked, bewildered.
Penguin chirped and moved on to the next jar, then the next, practically vibrating with enthusiasm as he scampered from artifact to artifact, as if greeting them.
I was similarly perplexed.
Penguin had now stopped to get a better look at a weird orb suspended in water.
"Has he ever done this before?" Llewellyn asked.
"He's never seen artifacts before. Well, except for himself, I guess, and a couple of concealment items."
Tiernan frowned, pulling out a tablet. "This is highly unusual. Most Elementals are either hostile to foreign magical signatures or completely indifferent."
Penguin had moved on to a jar containing what looked like a twisted piece of metal. He pressed his face against the glass and made a soft, pleased sound.
I went to scoop him up and stood there with him for a moment. "Do you like it?" I asked.
Penguin chirped.
Tiernan moved closer too, looking even more perplexed. "That artifact's been inert since recovery. It's failed every magic scan, doesn't respond to external prompting, and, even after purification, still refused to yeolate."
Whatever that meant, it seemed to be a big deal.
We both looked down at Penguin.
"Come on," Tiernan said after a moment, gesturing for us to follow him into another room. "Let's get a proper look at your companion."