Ye Olde S33k & Finde

[fr33ks33k]

Indeed. There always seems to be more, even when everything seems to be discovered.

*He felt the need to linger, but knew that there would be time later to explore. He stepped around her, moving to a separate aisle.*

I fear I've kept you longer than intended. I'll lead the way to the lobby, but know that you are always welcome here.

*His eyes caught hers in a knowing stare, his jaw set squarely*

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She followed him out from bookcases and retrieved her books once in the lobby, touching her necklace lightly and briefly. She turned at the door, smiling.

“I would hope so. Good day to you Fr33k. It has been a pleasure dealing with you. I’ll be back. Count on it.”

Opening the door, she let herself out and walked down the sidewalk. The funny thing was, if anyone had been watching, one moment she was there, the next, gone.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*He smiled at her parting comment. He certainly felt the connection they shared, even as she left. He moved to retie the two remaining necklaces into their respective parcels, setting them back where they belonged. Before he could make it back to his post at the counter, he caught a glimpse of something from the corner of his eye. He wandered down an aisle to follow the sight.*

 

[fr33ks33k]

Found among fragments of a miniature greenhouse. Row 17, Fourth Shelf

June 19

The experiments are proceeding swimmingly. The RNA-synthesis processes have proceeded without hindrance. It is my hope that full cohesion will occur within the week.

July 4

Something intriguing has happened. All the plant matter has been absorbed into a sort of 'hive mind'. This centralization of instinct has created an entity, sentience sprouting even as it flowers.

July 25

The hive mind of the subject has grown exponentially in these few weeks. Curiosity seems to be at the forefront of the being's driving forces. Somewhat troubling when it extends tendrils to explore the borders of it's containment field.

August 9

This will likely be my last entry. The....thing...we've created has gone beyond our control. We should have known better than to play God. It has come to call itself Viridian. No one is sure what caused it's sudden outbursts, nor how to rein them in. Pesticides, fire, nano-nuclear explosions...nothing has worked. We have taken refuge in the greenhouse, using the miniaturization process to make our hiding spot less conspicuous. We're low on food, our company has grown annoying...it's only a matter of time before Viridian claims us as it's own. I only hope that when we die, we die with dignity.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Discovered in a small music box. Row 451, Second Shelf.

Music: my medicine, my Morpheus, my morphine. My muse, my metaphysical model, my masterful manipulation (maybe manipulator). My molten mystic middle, my most memorable mention. Music: Me.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Engraved on a pair of solid silver manacles. Row 23, Bottom Shelf.

Whosoever is bound by these chains, may they know the truest pain, tempered by euphoria. Whosoever binds one with these chains, may they know the opposite. In that balance, may the binder find peace with the one they bind, and find less use for these chains than they thought necessary.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Excerpt from the diary of Andrew Gilthand. Row 902, Bottom Shelf.

March 5

Last month, I completely lost memory of the three hours before the change. This is disturbing because I simply cannot account for my behavior during those hours. I will have to try and retreat to the safety of the woods sooner this month.

March 19

Last night was the Moon. I awoke, as usual, in a bloody pile of viscera somewhere in the woods that I was completely unaware existed. The troubling part of this otherwise normal night, was seeing the bloodied footprints leaving the area I woke in. Human footprints. Lord have mercy on whoever they were, and may I have been too distracted by whatever I'd killed to attack them.

April 14

I've noticed one of my coworkers acting strangely. She seems to look at me more often than usual. I doubt it is attraction, but she certainly does make more effort to bump into me. One particular time, I caught her smelling the air near me. This is an odd development; one I shall have to investigate further...

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Three days. For thee days, she read the journal. Jack, it seems, was an interesting character. She was fascinated with the human mind. It reminded her of Fr33k’s place. So many places unexplored, even for him. Fr33k. Now her thoughts turned on him and the things she had felt in his presence. They had certainly established one thing, there was….something… that moved between the two of them. Undeniable. Well, at least for her. She wasn’t privy to Fr33k’s thoughts but from what she observed, she didn’t think he was unaware either. She let her head fall back against the comfy chair she was sitting in, closing her eyes. She saw and felt his fingertips on her skin. She had feeling they could be gentle or firm or even rough, whatever was required, needed, of them to be. Something twitched deep in her lower abdomen. Feeling restless, she left her chair, exchanging it for a view from her window. She really needed to get cracking and find her own place. In one of those hasty, sporadic, spur-of-the-moment, decisions of hers, she withdrew some things from her wallet, snatched up her keys and left.

She stood outside, staring at the building. It had as many secrets as she did. Maybe that’s why she had been drawn to it. Well, whatever it was, she had arrived. Again. Turing the handle, she gently pushed the door open and was rewarded by a loud creak. She scrunched up her nose. Fr33k certainly didn’t need tinkling little bells with a door like that. Stepping inside, she gently closed the door behind her. Moving further into the lobby and peering around, she didn’t see Fr33k. More than likely he was back amongst the bookshelves somewhere. She had no doubt that he had heard his door open and close. In the meantime, while she awaited his presence, she looked over the shelves in this part of the shop. Small things, larger ones, books galore. Everything with a story and her mind itched to know them all.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*He heard the tell-tale groaning of the door, protesting its motion. He gently closed the diary he'd been reading, replacing it on the shelf. He quirked a brow at the light green tag dangling from the spine of it. An interesting price to be paid for that one...

He moved with a steady gait through the aisles of shelves, coming out into the lobby from the East. He saw her auburn curls and a smile infected his lips, curling them heavenward.*

Hello Aislin. I see the lure of this place has brought you back. Is there something specific you seek today?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She turned at the sound of his voice, he having emerged from the east side, while she, was standing at the western side. Setting the object she had been looking at gently back on the shelf with a small caressing gesture, her eyes traveled over him, from head to toe and back up again. Nope, nothing had changed since she had left here last.

“Hello, Fr33k,” She pondered the honesty of telling him that it had been him, not this place, that had drawn her back. On the other side of that truth was that while she was standing in his shop, she was drawn to it.

“Actually, you brought me back here. I find speaking with you to be enjoyable. Jack’s journal is quite fascinating. I’m halfway through it already.”

 

[fr33ks33k]

I'm glad you find it so, both our conversation and the journal.

*He crossed the distance of the lobby in a few strides, standing now before her. He could feel the reminiscent static charge on the air between them. The smile on his lips faded to a simple grin as he searched her eyes for...something...*

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She tipped her head slightly to one side, her eyes steady on his own. They were clear and about as open as she was willing to let him see for now. Her voice was very soft.

“What are you looking for, Fr33k?”

 

[fr33ks33k]

Not sure. There seem to be hidden depths...and being a seeker as I am, I think I subconsciously attempt to find them. My apologies.

*His eyes ceased their intent focus, instead roaming over her physique. Once they had taken in the entirety of her from this angle, he smiled again*

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She smiled.

“I hold secrets too, Fr33k. We all do. Perhaps in time, we’ll share a few.”

Her words were hasty, feeling a “skittering” across her soul. Oh no, you don’t.

“Like what you see?” Her tone was playful as she turned in a circle for him.

Today she was dressed in another pair of jeans, black this time. The necklace she had gotten here a few days ago, set against her throat. In her ears, three sets of small emerald studs gleamed. Her blouse was silk, vee cut and royal blue in color.

 

[fr33ks33k]

You could say that, certainly. I see the necklace has found a wonderful place to rest.

*As she turned round full-circle, he felt a twitch in his gut, an animal urge that he put to rest. For the time being...*

In regards to secrets, you are correct. All in due time though.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Why did his words send a shiver down her spine? Maybe the way he says it? No. it was more like what he said or rather, didn’t say. She touched the necklace lightly.

“Indeed. It feels as if it were made for me. Fanciful thought, isn’t it?”

 

[fr33ks33k]

Not necessarily. Things have a way of finding their way to the proper owner.

This place for instance....it stood abandoned for a long while. The owner had no one interested in it until I came along. It was as though it was my home away from home, a place to call my own in a sea of others' belongings.

*His eyes caught more light in that moment, glinting bronze before fading back to a near-black tone*

 

[ObscureInsanity]

It was typical of her, really, having passed the place three or four times; She was a nervous wreck that always had to reassure herself to do things for herself. She could do all for others, but when it came to her thoughts, her wants, her needs... she often put them on the back burner just out of courtesy.

As she stood on the sidewalk staring up at the old building, dressed casually in a red a-line blouse and a pair of hip-hugging boot-cut jeans, a small smile crept over her face. Déjà vu swept over her, as it always had, standing there. She would be so pleased to enter, to look around... A trinket always came to mind when she looked at the Antique shop, something her best friend had mentioned a few times: a mythological stone set in silver like an amulet. She laughed internally at the thought, as she took a few steps towards the entrance. The wind blew softly, rustling her short dark ash blonde curls into her almond brown eyes; she forced her mane back into place and flattened her bangs as her other hand gripped the door knob. She turned it with trepidation, a little creak escaped the internal workings of the brass handle. She pushed the door open and stepped into the shop, eyes automatically drawn this way and that.

Her usually stoic face evolved into child-like awe: this was a treasure trove! She stood in awe, mouth agape, for several moments before realizing the door stood ajar, and was inviting the elements, including the brisk air, in. She clumsily closed the door behind her, and glanced at the shopkeeper who seemed busy with another customer. She observed a moment longer and smiled to herself at their interaction: they seemed to know each other a little better than just strangers, so she left them to it, exploring the first rows of shelves to her right. She walked with grace, posture perfect. Her arms drew into her sides to avoid her little black and dark grey checkered zip-down hoodie from touching anything. Her eyes intimately viewed each object on the shelves to her left; she imagined where they used to be, what they had seen, why they were given up. She could spend days, if not weeks, in here coming up with little stories for each item.

She glanced to her right at the other shelf; Her eyes automatically drawn to a small hand-widdled jewelry box adorned with little buds and roses sticking out of perfectly crafted tiny vines along the top edge. It was beautiful. She gently picked it up and blew the dust off with a temperate exhale of air. She looked on the bottom for a sticker price and found none. It must not have been for sale... She put it back carefully and walked forward, towards the next pair of shelves.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“So I’ve been told on more than one occasion but this is the first time anything has found me. Thank you Fr33k. I know we bartered for it, but still, it came into your hands before it came into mine. Aside from delightful conversation with you, I was wondering if you had anything from the ocean you could show me or perhaps,” she glanced over her shoulder as she heard the door open again, “point me in the right direction of where I could find something? Either from the ocean itself or something ocean themed if there is nothing available from the former.”

She had sensed something in him when she had twirled around. It was unclear what it was, but there had been …something. Acknowledgement of a blacksmith to molten steel? Perhaps.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*The new patron, she was...different. It wasn't the interesting hue of her hair, nor her choice in clothes. It was something unspoken that seemed....shy, introverted, yet curious. He smiled, eyes moving back to Aislin*

Well, it would depend on if you simply seek shells and starfish, or something more specific. There are many aisle filled with nautical journals and books of shanties. There was also a rather large pearl.....odd one, that. It was black as night, without so much as a mark on it. The size of my head, I swear.

Think on that a moment, Aislin. I would not wish to be a discourteous host...

*With that he moved over to the newcomer, stepping into her view. He hoped not to startle her, partially for her proximity to many breakable items, mostly because he knew this one would have to be handled in a slightly different manner than the bolder Aislin.*

Hello there. I am Fr33k, proprietor of this fine shop. May I help you?

*He noted the jewelry box that had been handled, moving to it and taking it in hand. The small violet tag swung free after he turned it over in his hands a few times*

Does this hold interest for you, Miss....?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“Of course, Fr33k,” she smiled, “ by all means.“ She watched him move toward the lovely lady who had entered and a seemingly shy one at that. She smiled gently, remember a time when she was just like that. Forged in fire. She wasn’t anymore. Not like that. She felt almost envious. Almost.

Fr33k mentioned a pearl as large as his head or almost so. Damn it. She hadn’t come here with the intent to buy today. She studied some things on a shelf, unwittingly moving deeper among the cases as she explored.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*As he awaited the shy young lady's response, his peripheral vision caught motion. A quick glance showed Aislin wandering amidst another row of shelves. He found it amusing that without trying, she had managed to move closer to the things she'd asked about. Perhaps she had a larger gift of intuition than he expected...

He turned his attention back to the young miss, smiling and showing her the tag attached to the jewelry box*

All items will have a tag, much like this one. They are color coded, alas the code is long and tedious, so if you find something you like, you can bring it to me and I'll tell you what it will cost. This piece, for instance, is worth a song. Odd price, I know, but you'll find that many things do not have a monetary value. That is not to say that I am opposed to negotiation.

*He caught more movement; she was venturing off into a darker area, not precisely the way he would recommend. He set the box down, smiling and bowing politely to the unnamed woman. He made a note to catch her name before she departed...*

Now then, feel free to roam the aisles. Do be careful not to lose yourself, though. There seem to be more ways in and out than I can keep track of....

*Straightening up, he moved to follow Aislin as she meandered deeper into the stacks to the West*

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She wasn’t even paying attention to where she was going. When that thought occurred to her, she stopped. She didn’t move. She had been so engrossed in the various objects he had in the shop she hadn’t been paying attention. She looked around. Yep. Lost. Nothing to do for it but to stop and wait for him to find her. He would. She had no doubts. He would find her.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*He'd lost sight of her after a few turns, but he knew this area fairly well. He chuckled softly to himself as he continued after Aislin. Curiosity killed the cat, indeed. Luckily there wasn't much in the way of deadly surprises to be found amidst the treasures of the shop. Or so he thought.

He came upon her, standing still in the middle of an aisle. She was glancing about her, at ease though with a bit of worry edging in. His steps echoed a bit in this portion of the shop, many of the shelves empty and reverberating.*

You were quite close to the more oceanic trinkets, but I fear you've taken a few wrong turns. Would you like me to show you the way?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The sound of his voice immediately soothed her.

She had been looking around to keep the panic from getting a hold in her. She had remembered what he told her about getting lost in here. Apparently he didn’t get lost in here. He had explored a lot more than she had. She would get lost. Would he have even found her if she started screaming? Would he know where the screams came from? She didn’t want to test the theory. When he came upon her, her arms were stiffly at her sides. Her fingers were flexing into fists and relaxing.

Flex. Force relax. Flex. Force relax. Stop.

Her eyes focused on his face as he drew near. Her mind strove to focus on his words.

Inhale. Exhale. Slower. Pay Attention.

She blinked.

“Yes, please.”