At Aaron Lightfoot's Apothecary and Thaumaturgical Supplies, it's turning out to be a bad day. First, there are two strange Eeee that have been lurking about the store, continually browsing but never actually buying anything, and the young Apprentices from the Collegia Esoterica have shown up early for Jonathan Seagull's scheduled story-time … and have taken to amusing themselves with cantrips when they think Aaron's not looking. (To make matters worse, many of them have colds.)

It only gets worse, though, when a poodle noblewoman loses her pet fuff'nar, who has been "dieting" to lose weight … and thus is very hungry. Fortunately, though, a Skreek by the name of Skye, who specializes in capturing critters, is up for the job, and goes after the fuzzy little terror in Aaron's bedroom. Another Skreek comes visiting, trying to sell an artifact to Aaron, which turns out to be the very helmet he sold to Investigator Sesus. When Aaron tells the Skreek that this helmet was sold to an INQUISITOR, the Skreek starts choking, and collapses. Oddly enough, he's dead.

Then, the old wolf Exile by the name of Jonathan Seagull shows up, claiming that he's being pursued by four Himarian Jupanis … exactly the danger Aaron warned him out should word get out about his connection to the "boomers". As Aaron tries to hide the Exile, the two Eeee in the shop pull out crossbows, and seem to be inclined to take care of the wolf themselves. Skye comes down from the bedroom about this time, having captured the fuff'nar … and throws it at one of the Eeee. In the ensuing melee, the first Eeee is killed by the ravenous fuff'nar, and the other is snuffed out when he and Aaron go crashing through the front window. In the confusion, Jonathan Seagull escapes with the Apprentices out the back door.

Lakshmi appears to observe the mayhem and administer first aid to Aaron. Some Guards finally arrive, and head out the back, following Seagull's trail. Aaron gives Lakshmi the supplies she sent Skye to fetch, at no charge … and has the dubious pleasure of looking forward to having to file reports about this whole incident with the Temple.