“Say…you know your way around this place, right?” you asked, gesturing at the room as a whole.

Janine nodded eagerly.

“Yup! I've watched the shop by myself loads of times before.” she explained in a way that told you she was very proud of that fact.

You tousled her hair, and she giggled.

“Great. Maybe you can help me pick out some equipment for this big battle we've got coming up.”

Janine gasped with all the drama and enthusiasm that she could reasonably express with her human features, and you couldn't help but mirror her excitement.

But before she could reply, Shaggy threw the front door open and stepped inside.

“Not without direct supervision, you're not.” he interjected.

Deadhead followed him in, glancing around the room with interest.

“Got any grub? I worked up an appetite having to climb all those stairs earlier.” he said, patting his stomach.

After him, was Harpy. But due to her immense size, she was having far more trouble fitting through the door than everyone else.

“Should've had soup.” Harpy suggested as she grunted with exertion. “Was…adequate…!”

“I would have! If someone didn't house the entire pot!” he exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at her. “And look who can't fit through the door.”

Harpy bared her fangs and gave Deadhead a dangerous look. The blue, muscled merc then threw his arms up in a placating gesture.

“I'm joking. You’ve got a great figure.” he tried. “You're a little bottom-heavy, but–hey, guys love a gal with a little meat on her bones. It's a sign of wealth, and good health. Plus, big butts are really fashionable right now.”

You shook your head at him. The moment Harpy managed to wiggle her way inside, it was all Shaggy could to keep her from eviscerating him.

“Not in the house! Not in the house!” he pleaded.

—----

“You pray to the moon?” Deadhead said with a poorly concealed scoff. The man was currently healing from his last scuffle with Harpy. This one wasn't nearly as bad as the last one had been, so maybe that was progress.

“No, he's real. He's an Egyptian deity that works to protect the travelers of the night.” you explained while picking through the assortment of potions, artifacts and baubles that Janine was bringing you. “Typically, he acts through his servants, like me. I'm supposed to protect the innocent in his name.”

Shaggy placed his forelegs onto the counter, immediately snagged a magical artifact that he apparently didn't approve of you using, and moved to place it in a pile with the others. So far, you managed to hold onto the staff that switched between different weapon forms, a couple of acid jars, and a bag full of bombs that could forcefully shapeshift anyone that it hit.