Squash

_____Squash is the owner of a quaint little shop in town called The Broken Vial, known for having all different kinds of items, from simple oddities, to ancient trinkets, to magical items. There are shelves and tables filled with objects, organized in a somewhat logical manner.
_____He is friendly, playful and curious, always chatting with the people who enter his shop, which has led him to have quite a few recurring customers. When he was younger he enjoyed going on adventures, but nowadays he prefers a calmer life, not being as bold as he used to be.
_____He has several children, that have already grown and gone off to have their own adventures, once in a while coming by to visit.



_____Although his real name is Pebrot, everyone that knows him calls him Squash. Nowadays most people don't really know the reason behind the nickname, but it originated from one of his adventures as a teenager too interested in an object that already had an owner, a very large owner. Unfortunately, Squash was not very stealthy and had his presence noticed by the creature, who was not very happy about it and trampled the dragon a few times. From this experience he got not only his nickname, but also a slightly crooked flight, due to one of his wings being permanently injured; on the same side, he also had one of his horns broken in half.

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The lively bright chime of the bell hanging on the door makes Squash suddenly smack his head on one of shelves of his counter in his excitement. "Ow!"
Footsteps pad over, the customer coming to stand in front of the counter just in time as the shopkeep pops his head up from behind it, a big bright friendly grin on his face.

—"Hello! Welcome to the Broken Vial! How can I be of help this lovely day?"
The vivid scaled Nocturne quizzes, light green eyes shining with excitement.The newly arrived customer sweep their eyes around the shop mutely with a light, subtle scowl in puzzled concentration for a brief minute before eying the higher rafts behind him. He waits for them to speak up patiently, glancing at the same shelves over his shoulder-- following their gaze.

The potions rafts-- the six shelves decked and lined up with empty glass vials of all shapes and sizes, vials holding colorful potions freshly brewed, bags with ingredients, and....candles. For, some reason. How exactly they're possibly related to potions brewing and alchemy only Squash knows. However it is hard to deny:
They do give a nice aesthetic. An arrangement that give homely subtle aroma and cozy feel.


—"I'm...looking for a shape-shifting potion. For a friend. Yes, a friend of mine."

The yellow and black blottched dragon turning back to face them, noticing the nervous quiver and uncertainty that echoed in their voice for a second. Putting his fez back on his head and adjusting it, Squash claps his hands, stepping around the counter.

—"Ah! I got just what you need!" The enthusiastic clerk skims over the lined up middle shelves with a claw gingerly and takes one of the vials, handing it over to the gawking Snapper kid. Turning to crane his neck, he peers back at them curiously when the glimmering violet dragonet stammers with a weak smile.
—"Uhm, what does this potion turn into, if I may ask?"

—"An animal of your imagination. There's other variants, of course!" He notes cheerily, turning back to grab another vial that has a light golden liquid inside.
Contrasting the one carefully held in the client's paws with extra care, the Snapper looking down at the more earthly colored syrup-esque substance.

"Like this one-" Their brown eyes snap toward the chattering shop owner who has disappeared between the rows of shelves on the other side of the isle. Now poking his head from around the corner with yet another potion vial held in his talons-- the one with the unknown golden brew gripped in his tail.

Gently returning the potion in their paws to where they assume it was, the kid trots over, taking the vial from Squash's tail. "Does this turn into a dragon??"
Looking over the thicker liquid, it crawls around the vial's walls.
—"Oh yes, it does! Based on the temperament of the drinker."

—"Okay. And what does this one do?" They ask, peeking over at the round glass vial housing a muddled leathery brownish‐ almost sickly green-yellow goop.
It shines a brilliant red, green, yellow and blue when held up to the sunlight.

—"This little thing? It turns a dragon to a beastman according mostly on the drinker's personality and temperament. You can have a sample of each if you like?" The bat-like dragon explains and offers, the customer nodding their head grinning. Walking back to the counter, Squash produces a small shot and pours a bit into it from each vial one by one-- watching his client shift and change with each sip.

First they became a beastclans-- a dazzling chocolate brown Longneck with very curly matted and shaggy fur that has soft tinges of cottoncandy pink and violet at the tips in a smooth gradient, looking over themselves with immense glee.

—"Woowie! I look wonderful! So poofy and cozy!" The kid gawks in the small mirror Squash gives them, and hug themselves happily, adoring the feel of the fluff. Almost squealing in delight as they then look down at their hooved hands.
Taking a sip from their next chosen brew-- the child shrinks even more on the floor. Turned into a cooing dove in a jiffy, now sitting on the carpet.

Finaly pouring a drop of the last selected shiny golden brew, the Nocturne holds the small cup up for the bird to drink from. It flaps its plush feathery wings and lands on his arm, dipping its little beak and sipping from the syrup then hops down.

Suddenly growing in size and changing shape until the dragonet is back to normal. Brown eyes wide and gleaming with great joy as they turn to him.
—"Can I have all three? Please? That was AWESOME! I liked the fluffy sheep."

Clapping his hands together with a merry smile, having watched the entire process in fascination, the Shopkeeper nods his head. "Why of course! That would be ten gold each."


—"Okie dokie! Here you go!"

Taking out their coin pouch, the Snapper kid opens it-- shaking out thirty golden coins into their palm and extending it up. Taking the coins offered, he packs the three vials in a paper bag and hands it over to the other dragon.
Holding the bag in their mouth, the customer pances off outside.

—"Thank you, Mr. Shopkeep! Have a nice day!"

—"Have a lovely day too, kiddo! Don't forget to be careful!"

—"I won't!"

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graphics by FR's team