@openedxdoors (cont. from here)
Not all alchemists liked sharing their knowledge. The one that James had come across was one of those greedy sorts. He was also on a list, for using human lives in his work. A list that had been given to Oliver, a hero who traveled the various worlds and realities that were connected through magical doorways.
A single shot rang out
The bullet ripped through the alchemists' brain, causing is head to jerk before he fell to the ground.
Normally Oliver would use is sword, Calibur. But given the subject of alchemy, he figured it best to keep the magical blade out of things.
He let his arm drop, and holstered the gun before kneeling down before James.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry that I used you for a distraction. Maybe I can buy you dinner to make it up to you?"
The old alchemist had lured James in with promises of knowledge and like little red riding hood fell for the wolf's disguise, the alchemist apprentice fell for their fake kindness and generosity. He should've stayed with his uncle, no matter how unkind and strict he was, he was a good teacher and he certainly never tried to make him an ingredient.
James was still stammering apologies when his assailant dropped to the ground and it took him a full second to fully grasp what just had happened.
"A distraction?!," he piped up, "No, I'm not okay. The old geezer tried to turn me into mince. I was about to become pie filling. Or worse a sausage roll. God, I hate sausage rolls." When in doubt: Ramble. Apparently James' motto.
But once he'd calmed down and was done venting his frustration, he got up and meekly offered: "No, but thank you. Dinner sounds nice, actually. I'm James by the way. Alchemist in training."
