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Chapter 7 by Lost_Gamer74

Do You Listen To Her?

No

You refuse to look where Inara seems to be pointing. Inara clearly wants to corrupt you, to distract you. Like a fairy from myth, her words are not to be trusted.

Instead, you ignore her increasingly frantic pleas, before finding that the store is indeed still open. "Curious Curios" a simple wooden sign reads above the frame. Standing there in front of the store, still ignoring the busty dusky spirit, you wonder if this shop will provide any answers. You're not even sure how this place can still be in business; it looks like no one has stopped here for ages. With a sigh, you decide there must be something here, if only because Inara didn't want you to come here.

As you stroll in, it takes no effort for you to notice that Inara has gone silent. She could still be here, but here amongst the dusty knickknacks, you feel a brief sense of peace. Weaving beneath a taxidermied alligator dangling from the ceiling while avoiding a guitar that seems made entirely of beeswax and a bookcase filled with various cuckoo clocks, you make your way to the counter.

Sitting with his back to you is an elderly man mumbling to himself from a stool. Waiting to see if he notices you, you see him trying on an assortment of increasing flamboyant hats. Finally settling on one that resembles a lampshade made of peacock feather, the man turns towards you; he's wearing a handscrawled name-tag that says "Drew R."

"Thanks for waiting, Steven," he says, with a crooked grin. "Most polite. Unlike so many." You stand there, unsure of how this man knows your name.

"Good afternoon sir." You decide to respond. "I, uh, need some help."

"I can see that. The eyes on this peacock hat let me see all kinds of things." You'd think his answer would only confirm his lack of sanity, but considering what has already happened, you decide to accept his words as truth. "Looks like you're all wrapped up in the threads of an ifrit, in fact."

"Will you help me?" You can't hide the desperation in your voice. Even if you didn't know from D&D, you know from the past hour or so how bad things could get.

"Two ways I can help. One, you stay here. Quit your job. Learn the magic here until you can break the ties yourself."

"And the other way?" You are glad there's an option, but giving up your old life completely has very little appeal.

"Make seven wishes. Sinful ones. Personal ones." You almost interrupt him but he holds up his hand as continues on. "Rivers flow through the easiest path to the sea. Water can break stone, sure, but it is easier to go with the flow. Find a woman or two you like. Wish for lust on the first and jealousy for the second; gets you a nice but manageable harem. Wish for a giant home that you find someone else owns; that'll cover greed. Give your women a hunger for your cock for their breakfast; that should cover gluttony. Make sense? You screw over a few people, but you limit the Ifrit's power by giving it a manageable direction."

What Drew is saying makes sense, but you still aren't sure you want to take over other people, either their lives or their stuff. Working here might be the better option. Or you could just see what punishments or wishes Inara goes for. Might end up being better than Drew's offers.

What do you do? What's the plan?

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