Rifle Shopping

You sat back in a rocking chair on the porch as grandpa James snoozed in his own rocking chair without a care in the world. Your grandpa as you had learned was born without magic and had lived most of his life as a Tachite miner before he met your grandma.

Tachite is a magical substance which is known for being deadly in large amounts and is used primarily in energy production and to enhance magical spells usually fire based magic. Unfortunately your grandpa James had caught Nelson’s Syndrome as a result of too many years in the Tachite mines. A disease similar to ALS in many ways except it also caused searing fiery pain throughout a person’s body for the rest of their life.

Thankfully there was **** for the disease that prolonged the life of those afflicted by the disease and removed the fiery pain however it only did that not curing them. Meaning grandpa James was for the most part a vegetable with rare moments of fluidity and was also incapable of taking care of himself mostly due to his muscle atrophy.

As you walked over to your grandpa you could see he was sound asleep, tucked away into his old rocking chair with his plaid red blanket on his lap, a collared black plaid patterned lumberjack shirt and glasses hanging on his neck via small wire for the rare treat when he was fluid and conscious.

Satisfied that he was comfortable by the looks of it you sat down on the porch waiting for your grandma while the wind seemingly rocked grandpa’s rocking chair slowly as he was sound asleep. As you sat and stared at the endless rows and rows of corn fields you heard the screen door open and your grandmother looking over your grandpa before she shouted towards the barn to the left of the house.

“Ted you make to watch your father while I am in town for supplies understood.” You heard a loud crash and some profanity before you uncle Ted shouted back from within the barn. “Yea ma don’t worry about it.”

Satisfied your grandmother took you by the hand and led you to the black Model-T ford before getting into the driver’s seat and getting onto the dirt road. You were quiet watching the seemingly endless rows and rows of crops pass you by as the car traveled the dirt road into town. As the car made it way into town you could see a multitude of old cars much like the model-T parked in and around various building and the small sleepy town.

You watched as people in country clothes hustled and bustled in and around the town laughing and talking unlike the city where it was sad and gloomy. The town truly felt alive in every sense of word with people vibrant with energy and happiness.

As the car parked in front of a small shop you could see the words Wilson Gunsmith and Ammo Store sprawled in large black letters on the wooden store front. “Here we are now come on Nathan there is nothing like buying a new gun we’ll make a country boy out of you yet!” You grandmother said cheerfully as you followed her into the store.

Upon entering the store you could see locked shelves filled with the brim with old western rifles from lever action repeating rifles to old style buffalo rifles to basic shotguns. As you followed your grandma you soon began enamored and amazed with the variety of guns they carried here.

“Afternoon Mrs. Price fine day here in Princeton isn’t it?” You heard a loud voice say as you looked at some of the gun displays. “You bet Sammy as you can guess I am here for a rifle for my grandson here.” Your grandmother said as you kept looking.

“Oh really I thought you didn’t have any grandchildren since you know...” said Sammy. “Its a long story actually can you be a dear and fetch your father for me please Sammy?” Your grandma replied. You could hear the patter of footsteps before another much older but still loud voice was heard.

“Why Beth how lovely to see you here how’s the family? Did Andrew already burn through his ammo supply hunting again? or did Teddy want to ask about his custom order?” Your grandma chuckled heartily before replying.

“No Wilson I’m actually here to see about getting a new rifle for my grandson but since I am here I may as well ask about Teddy’s order and see about getting more ammo before Andrew burns through our supply again you know much the boy loves hunting.”

You made your way back to your grandma as she spoke to Wilson a grey haired man with busy a heavy apron on and muscular build standing behind the counter. “Sammy can you get me 200 rounds of .405 Winchester rounds please?” The older man yelled to the back of the shop. Before he reached down behind the counter and set a package down on top of the wooden countertop.

“I am correct in assuming its the usual price Wilson?” Your grandma stated as she took out her pocketbook. “Your correct Mrs. Price same price as always and Teddy already prepaid for the custom order the only thing we would need to settle is what kind of rifle for your grandson. Am I correct in assuming you want it custom made like your own and with slots for magic runes and engravings available as well?” The man said as he took the maxims from your grandmother.

“Yes please and oh where are my manners Wilson this is my grandson Nathan he’s Stephanie’s little boy.” As your grandmother said this the old gunsmith smiled warmly before speaking. “It almost seems like just yesterday that your mother was about your age when she was getting her very first magic rifle to Nathan.” Wilson said as he lead you to the back of the store. “Now come with me Nathan we are gonna have to pick out some important part for your custom rifle.” Wilson said as you followed behind him.