Given the amount of things to try, Amy was feeling a bit overwhelmed - and a bit intimidated. Of course, a part of her felt that it was probably mostly likely that the man was simply just crazy. Or, maybe not even crazy, not exactly - maybe he was just a good salesman, playing up the appearance of being like a doddering old wizard to entice more people to come in and shop. That was the kind of shit that tourists ate up - and if Amy was being generous, the kind of thing that worked on her as well. Either way, the odds of anything happening as a result of wearing some of the objects was pretty low. After all, if such a shop really had magic, wouldn't more people be talking about it? The rumors she'd heard were probably just some form of viral marketing.
The more she thought about it, the more Amy found herself rolling her eyes at the idea of the whole thing. Of course none of this stuff would have any effect!
Her eyes were drawn to the golden tooth that read "Midas Tooth: Do not touch anything living while wearing this." She remembered reading about King Midas in school, the myth about the guy who had wished he could turn things to gold with his touch.
Given how expensive everything is, and how little I make at my job, that sounds pretty handy right about now, Amy thought with a smirk. She took the tooth in her hands, turning it over. For a moment, she held her breath...waiting for something to happen.
When nothing did, she laughed softly. Of course - they were just cleverly named trinkets.
She glanced over to where Lina was browsing some odd looking musical instruments and smirked. She put the tooth in her mouth, covering one of her real teeth, and sauntered over to her friend. Lina looked up as she approached.
"I don't think I've heard of half of these instruments before," Lina told Amy, gesturing at the table. "What the fuck is a digeridoo? Or a hurdy-gurdy? I think he just made this shit up!"
Amy snorted, and then held up her hands and grinned wide, showing off the gold tooth. "Yarrrr matey, I'm here for yer booty!" she said.
Lina looked up and let out a laugh. "Where the hell did you get that?"
"It was with the jewelry stuff over there," Amy said, giggling. "Maybe I could use it for a Halloween costume or something."
"It was on display and you just put it in your mouth? Ew!"
Amy rolled her eyes and playfully shoved Lina in the shoulder. "Oh whatever, you thought it was funny."
"Yeah, and I think these instruments are funny, but that doesn't mean I'd want to put them in my mouth without cleaning them off first," Lina said. "You should probably....probably..." Her voice trailed off, and Amy sighed. Lina could be so high strung sometimes.
"Whatever dude, I thought it was funny."
"Amy..."
"I'll go put it back," Amy said.
"AMY!!"
Amy whirled around, almost stumbling back from the sudden movement. "Wh-what?!" she demanded.
Then her mouth fell open in shock.
Lina's shoulder seemed to be sparkling - shimmering - reflecting the light. It looked shiny. Metallic.
Like gold.
And it was spreading.
"Holy shit," Amy whispered.
"Amy?! What's happening?!" Lina shouted. "It...it feels cold...!"
Amy watched in horror and fascination as the gold began to spread. Lina was shivering now - she tried to take a step forward, only to find herself freezing in place, and both girls looked down to see that her lower body was swiftly turning to gold. Amy backed up until she was up against a shelf, her breathing rapid.
"Help....me...." Lina gasped. And then the gold swept over her face, rendering Lina completely still and silent. A perfectly detailed golden statue was all that remained of her friend.
"Oh fuck," Amy gasped. "That's not...that's not possible...Lina? LINA?"
There was a rustling nearby and then the old man appeared, broom in hand. He took one look at Lina's golden form and threw his broom down on the ground. "Infernal stars girl! Did you listen to nothing I said?! I put warnings on the products - I warn people directly - and they still don't listen!"
"L...Lina...!" Amy gasped, trembling, pointing a finger at Lina's golden body. "She...I..."
"Hell's bells!" the old man swore, taking a step back. "Be careful where you point that thing!"
"We have to find a way to turn her back!" Amy cried. "I didn't mean...I didn't know...!"
The old man sighed.