Selling (Somewhat) Magic Goods in Arknights

[Paracsus]

Looking at her files should help out with characterizing her, but for the most part you can understand that she isn't against what Is happening and honestly? She is one of the better options when it comes to the underworld of Lungmen. Same with her father especially if you remember when Wei's own men against him and joined rat king in a taking care of the problem rather then mass genocide

Click to shrink...

I did read her files prior to writing this, and even looked back at some cutscenes involving her. Just still not overly familiar with her and the Rat King's personalities in general, hence not being so comfortable in writing them. Still, I have to try since it would be appropriate to have them in the story since they ARE some of the major faces in Lungmen.

I'm not trying to write them as antagonists, just observers to the recent anomaly that is gaining fame in their neck of the woods, that being the slums/vendor areas. I'm currently unsure if Lin and Arno would gain the same level of rapport as he does with PL any time soon, but for now she will remain neutral.

Also, I know they are pretty benevolent as underworld bosses would be considering that they stopped a potential slaughter. Their character types are just difficult to write for me.

 

[Paracsus]

Chapter — Even More Increased Demand

A few days after those visits, the cart became noticeably busier.

The change came quickly, but not enough to overwhelm its two staff members. More people began stopping by throughout the day, and the line formed earlier than it used to. The products had gained further popularity, just as Lin had predicted, and the effect was visible in the steady increase of customers rather than any sudden surge or disruption.

The usual crowd grew larger—office workers, couriers, students—but new faces began appearing as well. Some customers ordered in bulk. Others arrived with lists or containers prepared in advance. A few were clearly buying on behalf of groups rather than for themselves.

Neither Arno nor Niko knew the source of the change, or how the influx of people came to be.

Unbeknownst to them, the food Lin had purchased a few days before had been shared with her colleagues in the Lungmen Young Entrepreneurs' Association, as well as with personnel connected to the Rat King. Both groups tested the products over a period of time and the feedback was consistent: the food was filling without being heavy, was very healthy, and could be eaten quickly without interrupting work. With that approval, both sides began sending people to buy from the cart, not only for lunch breaks but also as part of their regular food provisions.

At the LGD office, the situation was very much the same. After the Senior Superintendent shared the location of the cart to those unaware, people started fighting over who would be the one to go there. Instead of officers leaving individually at different times to look, one person was assigned each day to pick up lunch for the entire station.

The position was fought over for a simple reason: whoever went to the cart that day had control over the order. They were the one who chose what went first on the list, what came back warm, and which items might run out before the rest arrived. If they wanted to eat immediately, they could, taking their first bite on the walk back while everyone else waited at their desks. The others knew this, which was why the task rotated only on paper. In practice, people bargained for it. Someone would offer to cover a report. Another would trade a later shift. A few didn't bother negotiating and simply volunteered early, knowing the first picker always benefited. By the time the runner returned, the office would already be watching the door. No one complained, because everyone understood the rules, and they did not want to get on the bad side of Senior Superintendent Ch'en for being rowdy.

The assignment rotated. Orders were written down ahead of time and grouped by item. By the time the designated officer arrived at the cart, Arno usually already had part of the order prepared.

Arno adjusted without changing his routine. He prepared larger batches of the same items, maintained the same spacing between orders, and stopped accepting new customers once his daily stock reached its limit. He did not rush and did not expand the menu. The pace of the cart remained steady.

As the week went by, Niko learned fast. She no longer needed to pause and think about which orders went together or how to stack boxes; it had become second nature. Her hands worked automatically to keep the counter clear, restock supplies, and prepare packaging without breaking the flow of the line. She eagerly anticipated Arno's directions, ready to fetch items the moment he asked. Even when the line surged, she adjusted seamlessly, never hesitating, never slowing the pace. By now, her presence was a steady part of the cart's routine, and customers noticed the smoothness of the operation as much as they did the food itself.

The system worked well enough that there were almost no complaints.

The customers also adapted to the heightened hustle and bustle. Runners appeared at scheduled times. They paid in full, collected their orders, and left without disrupting the line.

Some came every day. Others appeared every few days with larger requests.

The cart remained in the same place. The hours did not change.

By the end of the week, the street around it had adjusted. Customers knew when to arrive. Nearby vendors worked around the traffic rather than against it. Niko was no longer commented on or pointed out as much—she was simply recognized as a very cute part of the cart's operation.

---

The increase in traffic eventually reached a point where small adjustments were no longer enough.

By mid-morning, the line no longer thinned between rushes. Customers arrived earlier, stayed later, and returned in groups. Some waited with their own bags and written orders. Others asked if they could come back in the afternoon for a second pickup. Arno kept the same limits within reason, but even with careful pacing, the strain showed in how quickly solid stock ran low.

Niko then brought up an observation, as well as a common inquiry..

She didn't say anything at first. She just kept track of how often people asked if Arno had any good drinks to accompany the food. How many customers brought their own bottles and how often someone lingered after receiving food as if they were looking for something else than the normal, branded drinks that they see everywhere. When she finally mentioned it, she did it during dinner..

"People keep asking if we sell drinks," she said with a mouth full of curry. "Not just water. Something to go with the meals."

"Don't talk with your mouth full." Arno chastised, wiping a napkin at a bit of rice stuck to her face.

Arno considered it while sealing the last box of a bulk order. The cart already produced foodstuff efficiently, yet all he had at this point were the drinks that other stores had. The demand for something different was there, and more importantly, it was consistent.

That evening, after closing, the cart was updated. It was as if to reward Arno and Niko for the recent increase in sales.

The next morning, a new addition was added next to the shelf on where the bentos and bread sat. A chest full of ice, and among the ice was some thirst quenchers.

Fae Feast Accompaniment (Canned and Bottled)
Consumed orally. Stays cold.
Effect: quenches thirst and leaves the consumer feeling refreshed. Provides minor heat resistance.
Duration: immediate; persists for several hours.
Aftereffect: none; repeated consumption does not cause discomfort.

Available items include:

• Apple juice
• Citrus juice
• Berry juice
• Green tea
• Herbal tea

Sizes:
- Cans: 350 ml & 500 ml
- Bottles: 750 ml & 1L


The chest of drinks changed the atmosphere around the cart almost immediately.

By mid-morning, the heat had already settled into the street, and the line showed no sign of thinning. Customers arrived earlier than usual, some already carrying notebooks or folded slips with their orders written out. Others stood patiently, eyes moving between the menu board and the new chest set beside the cart. The lid was kept closed most of the time, but when Niko lifted it to show off the available contents, the sound of ice shifting and the cool air spilling out drew attention.

People asked the common questions at first. What flavors were available. Whether the drinks were cold all the way through. If they could open them while waiting. Arno answered plainly.

"Yes, they were cold. Yes, they could be opened immediately." He brought out a larger bottle that contained the Green Tea variant. "The larger ones are brought here at the counter to make room for the cans in the cooler. If you want a suggestion on the juice, ask Niko."

"I like mixed berry juice!" the aforementioned assistant chirped.

Once the first few customers did, the rest followed without hesitation.

People opened cans as they waited, the hiss of seals breaking becoming part of the background noise. The drinks made the wait easier. Customers shifted less. Complaints about the heat stopped entirely. The line stayed long, but it moved steadily, and people stayed in place instead of stepping out and returning later.

That was when the incident happened later in the afternoon.

Niko had been watching the chest more closely than the counter. It wasn't something Arno had asked her to do, but she had learned quickly that the drinks drew attention even when no one spoke. She noticed who reached for them, who hesitated, and who looked around before opening one.

A man standing near the middle of the line caught her eye.

He had grabbed a can before entering the line. He tried to be discreet when he opened the lid just enough to slip his hand inside, pulled out a can, and turned his body slightly away from the cart as he joined the line. As if to avoid drawing attention, while also hiding from Arno's gaze as he was busy bagging food.

Niko frowned.

The troublemaker's shoulders hunched as he popped the tab and took several quick drinks, his head lowered. Then, he looked around once more, but this time to look for something else.

She watched as he shifted his weight and glanced toward the trash bin near the corner of the street. The can disappeared from his hand a moment later. Instead of going inside the bin, it hit the rim and fell to the ground with a sharp metallic sound.

Several people heard it..

The officer's eyes followed the can as it came to a stop at his boot. He looked up and immediately spotted the man frozen in place, wide-eyed and realizing he had been caught.

Niko, watching from near the counter, stepped forward and spoke out. Her voice was firm and louder than she intended. "Hey! You need to pay for that!"

The man whirled around, feigning confusion. "What? I… I didn't—"

"You opened the drink and tried to throw it away!," Niko said sharply. "It's not free."

The troublemaker walked menacingly towards her. "Considering you're new here, I don't know if the shopkeeper pays you to lie–." He snarled, attempting to intimidate her into silence.

The LGD officer stepped in before it could escalate, and leaned slightly forward, his tone calm but unmistakable. "Sir, I saw the throw. You can't just take it without paying."

The man's face immediately paled as he was unaware that he got caught by someone from the Lungmen Guard Department. His earlier aggression at Niko forgotten, he continued to try making excuses about it all being a mistake, stuttering that he already paid and just went back to the line.

Arno stepped up behind the counter to address the troublemaker, his expression serious. "Listen carefully. Others have tried stealing before, none have succeeded. Some of them are not allowed here anymore because they refused to listen the first time. If this happens again, you won't be allowed here. Understood?"

The line shifted. Conversations stopped. Several people turned fully to look.

The man scoffed. "C-Come on, are you serious right now? It's just juice."

Arno walked back to the counter and continued his work. His expression didn't change, but his attention was fully on the situation now. "It's part of the stock," he said evenly. "If you take it, you pay for it."

The man crossed his arms. "It wasn't even that good." He sneered derisively

"That doesn't matter," Arno replied. "Once it's opened, it's sold."

The LGD officer nodded once. "That's standard procedure , sir."

Someone near the front of the line spoke up. "We all paid for ours. What makes you so special?"

Another voice added, annoyed that the drama was causing the line to stall. "If everyone did that, this place wouldn't last a day! Can you not afford it!?"

The man flushed at that last remark. His eyes flicked between Arno and Niko, the officer, and the people watching him. He bent down with a sharp movement, picked up the can, and looked at it like it had become a problem he hadn't expected.

"Fine," he muttered.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out the exact amount, and placed it on the counter. The sound of paper and coins hitting wood was louder than necessary.

Arno rang it up without comment and slid the receipt aside. Then he looked directly at the man. "Don't do it again," he said once more. "If you try to take something without paying, you won't be served here anymore."

The warning was clear. No anger. No raised voice.

The LGD officer stepped slightly to the side, making space in the line. "That's your warning," he added. "Next time, pay first."

The man said nothing. He took his food when it was handed to him, grabbed the can, and left the line quickly without looking back.

For a moment, the street was quiet.

Niko bent down, picked up the dented can lid that had fallen loose, and dropped it properly into the bin. She returned to her place beside the chest, hands clasped together, posture a little straighter than before.

"Good catch," the LGD officer said quietly as he stepped forward to place his order.

Niko nodded, looking down shyly. "I just saw it happen, sir."

Arno glanced at her briefly and nodded. "You did a good job. Thank you Niko."

The line moved again.

People resumed their conversations. More cans were opened—but now mostly after payment, always handed over clearly at the counter. No one else tried to test the system.

The drinks continued to sell steadily, easing the wait and keeping the line orderly. By the time the rush passed, the drinks were a smash hit as it paired extremely well with the already incredible food.

Suffice to say, even with that afternoon hiccup, the day and the new product were a success.

---

Sparks of the Past

It was Saturday, and the streets around the cart were unusually quiet. The bustle of the week had faded, and for the first time in days, Arno and Niko had no customers to attend to. The cart sat closed, the counter wiped clean, and the morning sunlight spilled softly across the pavement.

Niko wanted to sleep in today, after the very tiring day of sales with the addition of a failed Dine-and-Dash yesterday. As she was dreaming about the wheat fields around her village, she was awoken by a very familiar aroma.

"Wait… is that…?"

Arno emerged from the kitchen, a small tray in his hands. On it were three enormous, golden soufflé pancakes, piled high, topped with whipped cream, a pat of butter, and syrup glistening over the edges. "Surprise," he said simply.

Niko's eyes went wide. "Are those… pancakes?! But… they're huge!" She leaned closer, hands clasped together in disbelief. "And… so fluffy! Where did you get these?"

Arno shrugged lightly, setting the tray down carefully. "I made them."

Niko blinked at him. "You… made them? All by yourself?"

"Mm," Arno said, nodding. "Soufflé pancakes. They're a little different from regular pancakes. The batter is whipped until light and airy, then cooked slowly on low heat. They rise more than normal pancakes and stay soft and fluffy all the way through. I thought you deserved a little reward for yesterday."

Niko's ears twitched with excitement. "A reward? For me?" She clapped her hands together, practically bouncing in place. "Wow…"

Arno offered her the first plate. "Go on. Try it."

Niko grabbed her fork, eyes wide as she dug into the pancake. The fork sank easily through the fluffy, warm layers, and the whipped cream and syrup slowly slid over the sides. She took a bite, then blinked a few times, her mouth half-full. "Wow… oh wow… this is… so soft!" she exclaimed, her cheeks pink. "And… and sweet, but not super sweet! It's… it's really good!"

Arno watched quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "That's the idea. Light and fluffy, not heavy. Just something to enjoy without thinking about anything else."

Niko's tail swished excitedly as she cut another piece. "And you… you made these? All by yourself?"

Arno shrugged. "Mm. Soufflé pancakes. The batter's whipped really light, then cooked slowly so they stay soft. Thought you deserved a little treat for yesterday."

Niko's eyes went even wider, sparkling. "A treat for me? Really? For meee?" She grinned and laughed, practically bouncing in her seat. "This is the best! I… I've never had pancakes like this before. They're huge and so fluffy!"

Arno nodded quietly, brushing a hand over the counter. "You've been working hard. You kept up with everything yesterday—even with the drinks and the rush. You earned it."

Niko's grin grew even bigger. "Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She took another bite, humming happily as the soft pancake melted in her mouth. "Mmm… oh, wow… it's sooo good! I can't believe you made these! They're perfect!"

She kept going, forkful after forkful, her eyes lighting up with each bite. For the first time since she started helping at the cart, she felt completely relaxed. No lines, no customers, no rush—just the warm sunlight, quiet streets, and pancakes that tasted like they were made just for her.

By the time she leaned back, licking a little syrup from her fingers, she let out a happy sigh. "Arno… these are the best pancakes ever. Really, really the best!"

Arno nodded quietly, a faint smile on his face. "Good. You deserved it."

Niko had just finished a bite of the pancake when a strange lump formed in her throat. The fluffy sweetness, the warm butter, the syrup sliding over the edge—it all felt familiar, too familiar. Her mind flicked back to a small, sunlit kitchen, the smell of pancakes filling the air, Mama humming softly while flipping them one by one.

She remembered how Mama used to make extra-large stacks when she had a long day at school, how the syrup would drip down the sides and Mama would laugh when Niko tried to catch it with her fork. She remembered sitting at the table, sleepy and happy, feeling like everything was okay because Mama was there.

A tightness crept into Niko's chest. Her fork wavered in her hand, and her ears drooped. "I… I miss her," she whispered, her voice trembling. A small hiccup of a sob escaped, then another. Tears pricked at her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

Arno's eyes softened as he saw her, and he quickly stepped closer, keeping his tone calm and steady. "Hey… Niko, it's okay," he said gently. "It's alright to miss her."

She sniffled, brushing at her tears with the back of her hand. "I… I didn't think it would… I feel like this. I thought… I thought I'd just be happy with the pancakes." Her voice broke, small and shaky. "But it… it reminds me of Mama. And I… I miss her so much."

Arno crouched down slightly to be closer to her level. "I understand," he said softly. "I can't bring her back, but I can… I can be here while you remember her. And we can enjoy these together, okay?"

Niko nodded, hiccuping again, and rested her head lightly against the counter. Arno handed her a napkin and a glass of water, then gently took her hand. "You don't have to hold this in all the time," he continued. "It's okay to cry. It's okay to miss these kinds of things. I'm sorry for reminding you of your Mama"

She wiped at her cheeks, but a few tears still lingered. "I… I just wish she could've made these for me too," Niko admitted, voice quiet. "I… I loved it when she and my neighbors made food. They were so happy when they shared…"

Arno nodded slowly, letting a small pause settle between them. Then, with a small smile, he said, "Well… for today, I can help with that. These pancakes are yours. You don't have to share if you don't want to. You can eat them, remember her, and… maybe even feel a little closer to her."

Niko blinked, a small smile starting to peek through her tears. She took a deep breath, then dug in again, this time a little more slowly, savoring each bite. She still felt the ache in her chest, but Arno stayed close, silent but steady, letting her feel her feelings without judgment.

Arno watched her quietly for a moment, then leaned a little closer. "I know how you feel," he said softly. "I miss some things too."

Niko looked up at him, her eyes still a little wet. "You… do?"

He nodded, giving a small, wry smile. "I used to live in a big city. Lots of people, lots of noise, but… it felt like home. I had a bunch of friends from college—people I met up with regularly, shared meals, laughed about nothing for hours. And there was this one old man at a sandwich shop I used to go to. Funny guy. Always had stories that made me laugh, and he never forgot to sneak in an extra serving or two if he knew I'd had a long day."

Niko blinked, wiping at her cheeks. "So… you miss them?"

"Yeah," Arno said quietly. "I miss the people I had in my life, the sounds of happiness, and the little routines. But thinking about it… remembering it doesn't make the present any less real. It just… reminds me what I liked, and helps me make new good things where I am now."

Niko sniffled, taking a deep breath. "Like… like how Mama made pancakes for me… and now you made some for me?"

"Exactly," he said softly. "You get to enjoy the memories and the new moments at the same time. Doesn't have to be one or the other."

Her tail flicked slightly, and she gave a small, shy smile. "I… I think I understand. It feels… nice."

Arno nodded. "Good. Just remember, it's okay to miss things. And it's okay to enjoy what's in front of you."

Niko took another bite of the fluffy pancake, slowly this time, letting the warmth and sweetness settle. Her sadness had faded, leaving a quiet comfort.

After a few moments, she wiped her eyes completely and smiled up at him. "You really had a fun life back then, huh?"

"I did," Arno admitted, a faint chuckle escaping him. "And I still have good things here, just… different. You get to have your memories, I get mine. And we can share them, too."

Niko's ears twitched, and she leaned closer, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Can you… tell me more about your world? And your friends? And the sandwich guy?"

Arno nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Sure. And you can tell me about your school, and Mama, and the things you liked doing before…"

They spent the rest of the morning and lunchtime sharing pieces of their worlds, laughing and remembering, slowly filling the quiet space of the cart with stories and comfort. By the time the sun had climbed higher, and the pancakes were gone, Niko's tears had disappeared entirely, replaced by warm smiles and new memories made together.

---

AN: I think it was about time to build a little upon Arno and Niko's characters in this fic by letting them remember the things they lost. And I think it was a good call to segue into that by giving a relatively slow chapter as opposed to the others which were a bit more drama packed with the introduction of the Major Players, as well as Reselling Attempts.


The chapter slows the story as a sort of cooldown period. It lets readers see these quieter, human moments in between the busy days at the cart. It highlights the bond between Arno and Niko as they reflect on what they've left behind and what they're building now, giving a sense of warmth and stability before the next rush of events hits. It's a pause that deepens the characters without needing dramatic conflict, showing them learning, adapting, and finding comfort in each other. I just decided to finally write this chapter this way since Niko's first two weeks on Terra are finally over.

Here's a pic of her eating pancakes, straight from the game.