Raleigh's Emporium

[Raleigh]

Just thinking to me is enough if you would prefer that method but most any form of communication you choose to employ and direct to me will reach me. If this number is easiest for you that is fine as well.

[Whatevr89532]

An artificial intelligence hosted on a large number of servers distributed across a particular Earth several universes away--the ultimate origin of the voice on the phone--tries 'thinking at Raleigh' the phrase "this is a test to see if the thoughts of a computer can also reach you".

[Raleigh]

*Reverberating inside the server is the response.* Indeed I can. You'd be surprised at how often I have psychic discussion with machines.

[Whatevr89532]

The other end of the phone hangs up. The AI thinks: "We would be lying to say this doesn't makes us nervous. But at least it should be very easy and inexpensive to place orders quickly this way."

[Raleigh]

If I'm not making those who meet me nervous I've probably caught them in a glamor. Yeah, speed of thought is so much more efficient.

[AmbushCat]

*Ran returns to the counter, carrying a new futon (with a vaguely blue crystalline sheen), a trio of thick blankets, some of the tofu she wanted, and a music box.*

[Raleigh]

Find everything you wanted? *Starts to scan the items in to ring up the price.*

[AmbushCat]

Ran: Took some time to decide, but yes.

[Raleigh]

Which currency would you prefer to pay in?

[AmbushCat]

Ran: Yen, preferably.

[Raleigh]

Okay, that'll be about 7,400 yen I believe.

[AmbushCat]

*Ran withdraws some money from within her sleeve without looking and hands it over.*

Ran: That should be exact change.

[Raleigh]

Thank you Ran. Have a good day and feel free to come back anytime you need to purchase something.

[AmbushCat]

Ran: *bows* Thank you. You too, Raleigh-sama. *takes her purchases and leaves the store*

[Raleigh]

Hm... I wonder where Miku and Zatsune are these days.