A week had passed. A long week where Mike began committing himself to maturing into a stronger form. He would get up on his own early every morning to go and train by himself with renewed vigor. Syrup felt proud that she had motivated Mike to improve himself, and she could only assist by 'preparing' breakfast and dinner (in her own way, as usual), and by joining him in his training regimen.

However, by the end of the week, Mike was frustrated in that he had shown no physical change, and feeling that he was long overdue for such an event, it was disheartening.

That was when Syrup decided that the next day would be committed to a special project, which she would announce in the next morning.

"Mikey-boy, we better git' goin' to the store in Gambitville today. We're about finished with the beef stock we have. So let's git' goin' right now!" Syrup pushed Mike out of his chair and out the door. "I'll be right outside in a sec'! Jus' grabbin' some cash!"

Mike didn't feel like wasting a day on groceries... but then again, he didn't want the possibility of having to hunt with his mother for food, so he reluctantly agreed with his mother to go to Gambitville.

As they arrived into the very same (and only) store in Gambitville, they were greeted with an empty counter, coupled with angry shouting coming from the back room.

"An' you want to WHAT?! You can take a day off when I'm dead!!"

Syrup didn't appreciate having to wait for business, so she began to pound the bell on the counter.

"An' now it sounds like we have customers, so git' yer slithery beehind out there an' tend to them!!"

From the backroom slithered out a large black snake wearing a white bow over frills and proceeded to respond to Syrup's beckoning. "W-why yes, how can I help you this fine day?"

"Ah... um... ulp..." Mike could only nervously swallow as he gazed at the serpent. She was definitely a Seviper, identified through experience back at Tao Village. Mike didn't care for the ones back at Tao Village, but... there was something alluring about this one.

"Yeah! How about you tell me who you are, 'cuz I haven't seen yer face before!"

"O-oh! I'm sure you don't want to hear, but... My name's Opal, and I recently moved here." Opal bowed her head at Syrup, and upon doing so, finally noticed Mike whose height was below the 's. "Oh my! Sorry, I didn't see you there, mister...?"counter

"This here's my son, Mike, and my name's Syrup. Well, now that we got introductions outta the way, how's about you tell me yer plight? Somethin' wrong?"

"Oh... oh no no no, I just couldn't dare to drag you two into my mess..."

"Aw c'mon, try me!" Syrup patted her own chest with dignity.

"Well... since you asked... Ever since I moved here last week, I wanted to get into jewel cutting, but my boss doesn't believe I could even do such a thing to let me leave the store... It's hard enough as it is when you move into a new place with next to no money and lodging... Donahue may be kind enough to discount my room, but I really--"

"Now now, hold on there. I hear ya, times are hard on ya, but I think we'd like'ta help you out, ain't that right, Mikey-boy?" Syrup had to nudge Mike to bring him back to reality.

"Uh... yeah? What kind of help, though?"

"Well, I can't just leave this and all, but... I know there's a cave across the Sandsong Desert where I can dig up gems but... going all by myself and such... There's the possibility of Flygon attacks, and not to mention I don't necessarily have the arms to bring back a big enough haul..." Opal sighed wistfully while Syrup saw an adventure in it all.

"That sounds excellent! Let's leave now while the gettin's good!"

"Wait, what? Right now? I've never been through the desert, mom! Plus, don't you two need things like water and such? I don't even think the store owner would let Opal leave."

"He's right, I'm grateful for your hospility--"

Syrup slammed down a bag full of money on the counter. "Ain't grateful unless you actually take us up on yer offer! So let's git' goin'!"

"Well, okay!! But what about supplies like Michael said? And my boss?"

"All the supplies are right here! We'll jus' be rentin' them. He ain't gonna complain if I left all this money for him. Plus, I'll leave a note right here. If he crosses me, he'll be sorry, that's fer sure!" Syrup began writing on a notepad that was situated next to the cash register, and then ripped it off and handed it to Mike. "Here, start grabbin' these things, we'll be needin' them!" Syrup began to write on another sheet of paper that would be the actual note.

Mike went to work to take things from the shelf as there was no way he could convince his mother to drop this. Once Syrup had that certain fire in her eyes, there's no stopping her. "Uh let's see... Pamtre Salve... jerky, bandages, tinder, blankets, canteens, oh and three packing bags... I guess that's all of them. I hope Opal doesn't mind mom for a bit."

"Okay, I'm all ready!" Opal placed a sign on the counter that stated 'Out to lunch' but with the last word crossed out and replaced with 'please ring bell very loudly.'

"Good, so am I! Mikey-boy, ya better be ready!" Syrup placed her note filled with dire consequences on the cash register while filling it with all the money she had as it was of no use where they were going.

"Yeah yeah... I got everything. Let's uh, go!" Mike handed Syrup the bag with the essentials, and the three left the store, out for the Sandsong Desert.

=====
Part 12 of "Reprieve" by

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