The next day. Awake and full of determination, Vex and Amelie found the gallery. It sat on the main road, squeezed tightly between other slim looking buildings. The only differentiating feature it had, was the big bold sign "Merlo's Treasured Pieces". It had a modern feel Vex thought he'd never see in Pangea. The golden letters were bold and blocky, unlike neighboring cursive signs.

  Vex and Amelie strut in like they owned the place the pungent smell of oil instantly hit their nostrils. A tall balding man dressed as a proper noble, wearing a crimson vest greeted them. He scanned the duo. Amelie's robes repulsed him. Layers of patches on top of one another. But they were cleaned and well taken care of. He thought maybe it’s a new fashion trend.

  Then he started analyzing Vex. Clothes noble but very wrinkly, messy hair, boots begging to be polished. He couldn't decide if they were commoners playing nobles or nobles doing a hipster act. He decided to be safe and tried to shoo them away

  "Dear children this is an art gallery, the soup kitchen is 3 blocks south."

  Vex quickly stopped his condescending tone.

  "We know, we know, anyway, What's up Merlo? We are artists, we came to do an exhibition. We'll show you some real art."

  "It's Mr Tisto and sorry, the gallery is booked for tonight. A good friend of mine reserved it."

  "Is Sergeant Hal the good friend ?"

  "Sergeant?"

  The owner understood the situation. It had to be one of Hal's jokes. He was debating.

  "They look like foreign artists. But Hal introduced himself as a Seargent... this is a coin flip for me. Maybe he did find a couple of geniuses. I'm intrigued."

  He decided. Life is more fun if you take chances. Even in the worst case scenario, at least he'll get his fee with the price of minor reputation drop.

  "Yes, my dear friend Hal. Well then, all I need is 20 gold and the floor is yours. Mister ?"

  "Emperor Vortex, the Unyielding. And this is Amelie, she's an artist from overseas."

  "Overseas?"

  "Foreign. Anyway we have a little problem, we only have 10 gold on us right now, can you do a "dear friend discount” ?"

  "Ech that rascal Hal, I knew he'd screw me over one way or another. Let's make a deal. Since you only give half the fee, I'll take half the profits you gain from selling this evening."

  Tisto didn't think the duo would sell anything expensive. He would have been glad to get even a single extra gold. Vex on the other hand already decided that the minimum price for a piece will be 100 gold. So he'd lose a lot of money if he managed to sell anything, but there was no other way. A disappointed "Deal" crawled out of Vex's mouth.

  "Well, we are very secretive about our pieces, we don't want anyone to look before the exhibition is set up."

  Vex hinted Tisto to leave and handed all the coins in his purse.

  "Fine. I'll come back in the evening and we'll open the exhibition."

  Tisto decided today is gonna be his day-off. He walked away and didn't look back, worrying wasn't gonna make things better anyway.

  As soon as Tisto walked away Vex and Amelie prepared a studio. Vex started scribbling on fake maps trying to imitate Van Gogh. Amelie also joined, trying to imitate Vex's style. They finished 20 pieces and were ready for the opening of the exhibition.

  Vex looked at Amelie, and her robes. There were minor stains that didn't look out of place, but that was even more concerning.

  "Listen Amelie, these guys will never buy from us if we look this scrappy, go to market and buy a nice dress, while I set up the works"

  Amelie looked at herself. To her, she looked fine, but her lord's word was final. She bolted out and searched for a market. 15 minutes later she was already at the shopping district they passed this morning while searching for Tisto's gallery.

  After entering the first shop she saw, she looked around and picked out the prettiest dress. When it came to time to pay for it she searched her robes' deep pockets but only found 17 coppers. The fancy dress had a massive "15 GOLD" tag on it.

  "Miss, I have valuable herbs, could I trade for them?"

  The entitled cashier felt offended.

  "Herbs ? We specify in luxury wear, kid. We have no need for herbs, if you can't pay for it, get out!"

  Amelie looked to the ceiling as if asking the stars for guidance.

  "Huh... If I can't pay for it..."

  She completely ignored the cashier asking her to leave, and started pacing around.

  "I got it! If I can't pay for it I'll just make it! Like Lord Vex taught me with the maps."

  A childish smile took over her deep thinking frown and she ran out of the fancy shop. Nearby she found an empty alley, the kind you wouldn't want to be in at night, and started undressing. She took off her massive robes and laid them on the ground, leaving her petite frame shivering when a chilly wind decided to blow through the alley. After rummaging through her bag, Amelie took out leftover dyes and started painting all over the robes.

  "Well, I guess it's not a dress, but it will be pretty just like the paintings Lord Vex and I made."

  On a canvas the designs really looked just like weird scribbles, sometimes attempting to make a coherent design, stealing motives from famous Earth's painters, but on the robes it looked like a fashionable design. All the patches and small trinkets only added onto the hipster look. It was unique but approachable, something the fashionistas would go crazy over.

  Amelie put the newly decorated robes back on and started going back to the gallery. She really liked how the robes looked now, out of joy she started singing completely out of tune.

  "A-melie A-melie Amelie the pretty squireeeee."

  A crowd started gathering around her and even following her. She got uncomfortable and stopped singing.

  "Why are you guys following me ? I'm on a super serious mission guided by the stars!"

  A fashionably dressed noble wearing a blue berette came up to her. He had a fake sounding lisp and talked flamboyantly.

  "Girl, you have to tell us. You. Are. Servingggggggg. Where did you get these robes and who is the designerrrr. We gotta know, sis."

  Amelie had never heard this type of speech. The thought that maybe it was a new trend calmed her a little, after all her lord also speaks in a weird way sometimes. She remembered how Vex talks in these situations and decided to attempt to copy him to her best ability. She took a few steps forward, to get outside the circle of people around her, turned around to face them, planted her skinny legs as wide as she could and crossed her arms. The cherry on the top was her "serious" expression that was more cute that serious, knowing the context of her attempting to be cool.

  "These robes were designed by Star Lord, Emperor Vortex, the Unyielding. If you want to find his works, come to Tisto's gallery."

  She turned around again and swiftly walked away. It was a little embarrassing so she got flushed.

  The crowd started discussing.

  "Tisto's ?"

  "I think she means Merlo's Gallery, Tisto took it over a few years ago."

  "Well. We GOTTA check it out"

  "I can tell that Star Lord guy is a real designer"

  "I hear of him, He's mega popular in Wavel"

  When Amelie came back, the doors were already open, every piece was on display with a "100 GOLD" tag. Vex paced around inside out of frustration.

  "Those commoners don't know shit"

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  He stomped his foot. Tisto sitting in the corner in a nice sunny spot tilted his head from the newspaper. In a way Tisto liked their art, but he waited for the popular consensus before expressing his opinion. Usually he was careful to share his opinion on new trends.

  "It's just a few bottom-feeders, a waste of breath to get upset over them. O! Hey, the girl is back. Too bad you couldn't find a nice dress. A well dressed woman would definitely bring in the commoner crowd and that would make the nobles check it out. But I like the robes anyway."

  Hal stepped in, dressed in his usual attire. Vex barely recognised him.

  "Oh it's the dog. Nice to see you found time to visit us in between you harassing innocent victims. Must be tough work, huh ?"

  "So called Emperor, you haven't even figured out I'm not with the law enforcement yet ?"

  Hal bursted out laughing.

  The shock on Vex's and Amelie's face made it clear. They clearly haven't. Their expression made Hal start rolling on the floor. It wasn't even a good trick, he wasn't sure himself why fooling these two idiots made him so happy. He finally got back his composure. Still smiling he waved.

  "Well I'll be back later. Best of luck idiots."

  After the last night Vex didn't even want to attempt to start a fight with Hal.

  "He's probably packed with these gadgets. Just who the hell is he?"

  Tisto got up and unexpectedly answered his question.

  "He's Hal Raisin, heir to the Raisin estate, grand-grandson of Holden Raisin, The Father of Magic. The man who basically invented artifacts. And Hal is a specialist with them too, he just hates studying it,he says he’d rather experiment and discover than dig in old muck."

  "You forgot to add "asshole"."

  "You are right Vortex, he does find amusement in other's failures. I just hope there won't be any today..."

  The doors busted open. A group of fashionable flamboyant nobles came in. They started flooding the room. Their heels on the marble floor clacked like a room full of metronomes. They started discussing, commenting on art.

  "This... this represents the human struggle! The stick figure is us, lost in the maze of life, and the X is the treasure of self-discovery!"

  Soon, the gallery was full and not just with the flamboyant kind.

  Another noble looked at a crude giant "VORTEX" painted in graffiti style.

  "Ah! The bold, chaotic signature, it symbolizes the untamed spirit of the artist!"

  One saw a tiny swirl.

  "It's like it's drawing me into itself. I can feel the existentialism!"

  Vex tried to hold back his laughter.

  "That's just an asshole..."

  Another saw a “sexy lady” rendered with Vex’s below average abilities

  "This one comments on how society views women. Who painted this ? They are a genius!"

  In no time every piece was reserved, an enthusiastic patron even asked to buy Amelie's robes. They hit a specific alternate fashion nobles fell head over heels for. Years of use but clean, careful repairs layered one on top of another, wavy folds puffing out its form and passionately embroidered stars.

  Without any doubts Vex sold them too, leaving the tiny oracle to stand half naked. Snobbish nobles treated the act as a performance art.

  "The artistic genius of this man doesn't stop this evening! Look at the girl's expression!. He must be a feminist!"

  "Exhibitionist at an exhibition ? I think this piece has humorous tones!"

  The stars in Amelie's eyes had gone out as she wasn't able to get out a single word before Vex undressed her. She was not going to rebel against her emperor, but the situation ruined her mood. She didn't care about standing half-naked in the middle of the show, her concern was with the robes Vex just sold without even asking for her opinion. At the moment she was not capable of feeling sadness, she felt emptiness, as if a part of her was torn off.

  Theoretically after giving half to Tisto the profits rounded out to 1050 gold. Tisto couldn't be happier that his clients didn't have the full fee in the morning, he hit the jackpot. Everyone who knew him would fight a person if he called Tisto greedy, but he really needed money to start repairing the gallery.

  Hal came back. As soon as he stepped in he observed the room from left to right. There it was, his experiment's results. Every single piece of art had a sign "reserved" next to it. A group of people gathered around Vex's tiny sidekick, discussing her as "art". His heart was pounding, he couldn't hold his excitement. It was the best outcome he could hope for. As he panned to the right he saw it. His stomach twisted, he felt paralysing unease. There, imposingly stood his father sipping wine, chatting with his mother.

  "Why would he be HERE?"

  Their eyes met. His father's expression swiftly changed, a glance at his son soured his joy. He quickly walked up to Hal gently pushing people to the sides.

  "Hal. What are you doing here ? Why are you not at home studying ? We locked you in the library for god's sake! And you sneaked out to go around town, looking for fun ?"

  "Father, I’m conducting an experiment, I observ-"

  "Always with the excuses, you can experiment when you FINISH YOUR WORK."

  As their conversation kept going, talking turned to shouting.

  "I saw unexplained phenomena and started an investigation, these so called "artists" are just lucky fools, tha-"

  "That's enough! Don't embarrass our family's name with your delusions, no lucky fools would sell out a gallery in one evening. You sleaze… I bet you saw the barely dressed girl and decided to take a closer look."

  "Oh you're one to talk father. I think mother should hear about your relations with my professor. What kind of "lessons" you gave her."

  His mother gracefully tip-toed next to Hal. With a soft voice, surrounding people couldn't make out she told Hal.

  "Silly boy, do you think I'm stupid too ? It's no secret. Where do you think I'm on Thursday nights? Remember the imported marble wood table you begged for ? You can thank me and count Gerald for that. Those tomes on Curses ? Lord Tirahim. And that's just a few examples."

  She faked a graceful but sneerful laugh that echoed through the whole room. It was her attempt to make this a less serious situation. Hal's knees only got weaker. He had no words left to express his disgust and the feeling of betrayal. Vex enjoyed the drama, wishing he had popcorn to enjoy it with.

  Hal's father stepped closer, pushing his wife to the side. He talked to his wife with a slightly calmer tone..

  "Dear, I understand you want to de-escalate the situation but I've seen enough”

  He turned to Hal.

  “This attempt to embarrass us in this public event was too far. Always probing, never committing. That's not the Raising way. So I announce it to everyone. From today I disown you, leave the Raisin name and never come back, you are not welcome at the Raisin estate anymore. I leave with no parting gifts, NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, SCUM!"

  The crowd gasped. Hal's knees finally gave out. He fell on the marble floor leaving only a "thud" that echoed through the silent crowd. Suddenly chatter came back even louder. Tisto quickly grabbed him and brought him to his office. The Raisins left. The exhibition ended.

  Vex and Tisto looked at the empty gallery, Amelie still stood still without saying a word. Vex joyed at the sight, thinking about the money they'll count up in a second. Tisto with a melancholic polite smile exclaimed his concerns to Vex.

  "Mr Vortex the sales may have been a success, but look at your subordinate. Poor thing, what happened to her ?"

  Without any people around Amelie finally let herself lose her composure. Fat blobs of tears started forming in her sky blue eyes and running down her face.

  "Lord Vex, my robes..."

  A screeching cry came out, hurting Vex's ears.

  "Listen,we have money now, we'll buy you new ones, even better ones. Or maybe you want a pretty dress"

  Still sobbing, Amelie replied with a lisp.

  "Of course I want a pretty dress! But I need my robes too. They were enchanted by the stars."

  Her frequencies started peaking. Vex couldn't handle this anymore.

  "Ok ok, we'll get them back, just stop."

  Amelie suddenly stopped crying.

  "Really ?"

  ?????

  Vex and Amelie, who was back to her old self, but now wearing a tight fitting dress picked out by Vex, not fit to adventure in. As they walked, Vex played around with his purse, filled with around 1000 gold, occasionally checking Amelie out from behind.

  "Lord Vex, The stars say we don't have enough time, we need to hurry up."

  It was surprising to Vex, Amelie was taking the lead. Vex caught up and took a map out of his bag that Tisto gave him. He also marked Culra - the town the noble who bought the robe was from.

  "Good thing Tisto keeps strict paperwork, but we need someone who can actually navigate."

  "Spirits whisper to me, that we'll find them."

  There he was, leaning on the city's wall near the gate. With a smile and friendly wave he ran to the Duo.

  "Tisto had a hunch you'd need help navigating with a map. I see you still got my bracelet. Although it is only a decoration."

  The duo in sync shouted.

  "HAL?"

  "Alive and well, friends"

  He emphasized the "friends" part. He came to study them, he concluded that approaching in this manner had the highest chances of success.

  Hal was kitted out with multiple belts and pouches, some barely fitting in the artifacts he carried. Vex asked.

  "How did you get those ?"

  Amelie was more interested in his relations.

  "Did you make up with your parents ?"

  With a smile Hal looked at the sky, lifting his hand to stop the sun rays from blinding him.

  "I didn't. But they haven't patched up my sneak-out routes, so I just came and took what's mine"

  He followed his boast with a healthy laugh. Vex with a twisted neutral grimace asked.

  "So we going or nah ? If we don't hurry, chicken little right here is going to lose her shit."

  Hal and Amelie turned to each other to see if they understood.

  "Chicken?"

  "Little?"

  The exhibition started an art movement, influencing a new generation of art. Many copycats tried to imitate it and claimed to be the original creators but serious collectors knew there were only 21 original pieces. Tisto managed to fix up his gallery and the town became known for the birth of the "Map Art" wave for generations to come. But that wasn’t the biggest thing that would happen that day. In the future that day became known as the first publicly recorded instance of “Divine Energy”.