Work Text:
"M-Master Qifrey, it's alright.."
Coco tugged Qifrey's hem anxiously.
Her posture was similar to the first time she confronted Olruggio in front of their atelier. When she was trying to make herself small, hiding behind Qifrey's back, hidden by his mantle.
"Please, Mr. Nolnoa, if you can give a little bit more discount.."
Meanwhile, Qifrey tried his best to negotiate.
Coco's 'future' new brush was at stake here and Qifrey would do anything to bring it back home and make the smile in his apprentice's face. Even if his wallet couldn't really handle tomorrow's dessert. It's alright, they could always picked some vegetables and fruits nearby them. That's also the reason why Qifrey has plenty of savings till now... till Coco's eyes found the perfect ink brush for herself.
In front of them, Nolnoa kept calculating and fixed his glasses again and again and again.
"Qifrey, my lad, you know how expensive the material is...this is the most generous I could give you" he pointed at his calculator "more than this and I will be in red"
Qifrey exhaled deeply.
He never thought there would come a day when money would be his biggest problem.
"Coco...forgive me, I failed to fulfill your wish"
It felt like he failed her whole life.
Coco, precious Coco, shook her head and smiled at him.
"It's alright, master Qifrey! I'm still alright with using the same pen I have been using all this time!"
Even if his precious apprentice said that, the guilty feeling is still wrenching his inside. He really wished he used money with more careful...
"Qifrey, what's wrong?"
"Olruggio, it's just..." his hands starting to fidget "...Coco wanted the new pen brush. Unfortunately the budget from Great Hall hasn't arrived yet. I'm hoping nobody bought it before"
Olruggio hummed before he swiveled to meet Mr. Nolnoa's stare and asked.
"How much is the pen?"
Mr. Nolnoa showed his calculator.
The atelier's watchful eye placed his right hand into the sleeve of his left's, fumbling with it for a bit before taking out a sack of full of gold coins.
"This should suffice, right?"
He threw a grin towards Qifrey.
Qifrey and Coco was gaping at him.
"No...wait, Olly! You can't! That's your money from recent commission right? I can't allow you to do that--"
His friend's hand placed the stack of money into Mr. Nolnoa's hands before Qifrey could do anything about it. Tartah, the good apprentice he was, quickly wrapped the silver pen with ribbon and handed it to Coco. The girl was beaming with smile and quickly dashing to Olruggio's leg to give him a heartful hug.
"Thank you, Master Olly!"
"You're welcome, kid"
As he pat Coco's head, he could hear the rest of the girls shouting.
"Master Olly, Tetia also want a new wand!"
"Richeh want this accessories"
"Tetia, Richeh, don't request for something that you already have!"
Agott reprimended her fellow apprentices.
"Master Olly, Agott has been eyeing that ink bottle today!"
"Tetia!!"
It was getting rowdier in the second floor as the girls running around. Coco still amazed at each item on the store's display asking details to Tartah whose cheeks getting redder each seconds.
"Olly..."
Olruggio snapped from his bubble when Qifrey stood before him, fingers anxiously moving arounds, scratching his nails and scraping skins.
"Are you sure it's okay? After all, I am their teacher and those money is the result of your hardwork.."
The watchful eye took Qifrey's hands in his to stop irritating those long fingers.
"I'm sure, afterall I've still got plenty of commissions to work on. Don't worry about it, okay?"
Oh... he's the sky's kindest--
"If you want something too, go get it. Spend some for youself too. I know you have been wanting to replace the nib of your pen"
--most radiant star.
Qifrey gave him a wobbly smile, he couldn't let out tears here, and smiled at his friend.
"Then don't mind if I do. Mr. Nolnoa, if you can give me the same nib with the newest material"
"OI!"
Olruggio might be grumbling but he paid every purchases today and somehow still has some leftover. The girls were beaming as they marched back home, making Qifrey smile in return.
Scratch that star.
He's the most radiant wallet.