Ye Olde S33k & Finde

[DarkWarrioress]

"A song you say? Well, yes, that's easy enough to do, I suppose. Do you have a guitar somewhere about?"

It had been a long time since she sang for anyone. She was a bit nervous about it. But, given what she had traded for the other things, well, this was easy. She looked around.

"And a stool perhaps?"

 

[fr33ks33k]

Hmm...

*He turned and headed down an aisle, seemingly at random. He returned with both items in hand. The guitar was made of a rich maple, strings shining in the light from the skylight above. The stool was a simple oaken piece, four legs with tips that tapered to squares*

Will these do?

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Her green eyes lighted up with delight as she saw the guitar.

"Yes, thank you."

She took the guitar and sat down, settling the instrument across her lap. Gently she thrummed the strings and found them to be in tune, perfectly. She shot him a brief smile of joy before resettling her eyes on the guitar itself. Her fingers began to strum a tune, soft, gentle, a ballad. Her hair fell over her shoulders as she played, but she paid it no mind. She began to sing. Her voice was husky, soft. The acoustics in that small room were astounding.

She sang a song of a sea merchant who’s first love was the sea. When he came ashore, he visited a maid who owned a small shop. He would bring her gifts and she would shyly thank him. The song spoke of her falling in love with him, but he had warned her that his first love would always be the sea. Days would come and days would go, always the same. Each night before she went home, she would stand and stare out to sea, wondering where he was now and if there were others like her in different ports. One day he came ashore and found her not in her shop only to learn she passed away. He laid flowers on her grave before returning to sea.

She never once looked up as she sang. It was a haunting little tune, to say the least as well as a sad one. When the last note faded away, she set aside the guitar and looked up, a small smile on her face and she held out her hand, expectantly.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*The song was deep, in more than tone and message. It played at his heartstrings in a way that not many could do. When it was over, he gave her a small applause.*

That was beautiful, Aislin. I thank you. Here is your reward.

*He handed over the comb, plucking the tag from it in the process*

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She took the lovely comb and as she rose from the chair, she placed it in her hair, on the right side with a smile.

"Well Fr33k, I think I have taken up enough of your time today. I should be getting home. I have that journal to finish." She held out her hand, "Thank you, for letting me look through your treasures. I'll be back again, one day soon."

 

[fr33ks33k]

Very well, I'll show you to the lobby. I look forward to future visits, and of course the exchanges that are bound to occur.

*With a smile he took the guitar and chair back to their rightful places, returning and escorting Aislin back to the storefront, taking the usual twists and turns. After she'd gone, he turned and looked down the rows, ears on alert for any noise. On a whim, he went wandering. Perhaps the other young lady had lost herself in the stacks after all...*

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She was still sitting when she thought she heard the door close. She was lost in the old text, figuring out the script: scribes way back when sure had a strange sort of calligraphy. She mouthed the words as she read, a common thing for her: she was slightly dyslexic, after all. Her finger traced the lines, falling when the line broke. She had a smile on her face, thoroughly enjoying herself. It wasn't until he come upon her that she realized where and when she was. She looked up at him and smiled, closing the book gently, but remaining on the floor.

"Hello again Fr33k," she said with a smile. Her other two trinkets were sitting on either side of her.

 

[fr33ks33k]

Hello again, Miss...

*He trailed off, having never received her name. His smile was welcoming nonetheless, and he offered her a hand to rise from her position on the floor*

I see that you've found several items to your liking. I am glad that my humble shop holds such treasures.

*He saw two books, along with the music box she'd been eyeing earlier. One book was a larger text, the other seemed about the size of a novel*

 

[ObscureInsanity]

"Hannah," she said with a grin, accepting his hand in assisting her; she pulled herself up with his help. "I'm sorry, I forgot to give you my name..."

She looked down at the two books and the jewelry box she left on the floor and she nodded at them. She went about picking them up, largest item first, the two smaller items stacked atop of it.

"Yes," She answered softly. "I wasn't quite sure what I came in here for," she giggled shyly. "... but these things found me... I could spend days in this place; it's lovely."

She smiled brightly as she finally looked up into his face.

 

[fr33ks33k]

It is no trouble. There are those who come and go without so much as a word beyond their purpose and the negotiation of prices. Most things have a tendency to find their proper owners...these items are no exception. It seems you've found a rather large tome there. What topic does it concern?

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She smiled down at the huge book. It was an amazing piece of history: how it got here and why it wasn't in England where it belonged boggled her mind, but she was glad she had found it.

"It's an old Druidic bible of sorts," she explained enthusiastically. "It's the founding base of the new-age Wiccan faith, as well as, I'm sure the darker source of magick: satanic."

She was pretty sure she didn't need to explain who the Druids were, but her excitement overwhelmed her chatter box button. She blushed as she realized she rambled there a little. She could have just said 'Old Druidic text.'

 

[fr33ks33k]

Ah...the Ancient Arts....an interest in those, eh? I'm sure there are other texts around here to that effect. I can't recall offhand where though...so many different sects and rituals...

*He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, trying to recall the locations in vain.*

And the other? It seems very much like the bindings of a journal...there are many of those along these shelves....

 

[ObscureInsanity]

"I was interested as a teenager," she said nostalgically. "I'd frequently stay up late at night and research such things while my parents were sleeping... if they found out..." she giggled and shrugged. "Most old things interest me... most old religious, especially the 'dead religions'."

She smiled brightly as he took on an inquisitive look, stroking his chin.

"I'll have to come and wander around some more, I'm sure eventually I'd find them, if you cannot." she giggled again, then looked at the smaller book. "Its a sketchbook of some variety; I'm not sure the artist... it just... intrigued me, the amount of detail whoever it was put into their miniscule creations..."

 

[fr33ks33k]

Indeed. Between the two of us, they'll be found easily.

So, can I interest you in anything specific that you've not happened upon, or would you like to sort out the prices for these items?

*He leaned against a shelf, arms crossed over his chest as he awaited her answer*

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She laughed a little as the idea her friend set in her mind came about.

"There is... something..." she said quietly, as if it were a secret. "A... certain amulet... set in silver... I believe it's a garnet, the stone in the amulet, I mean..." She felt silly saying it: she knew it wasn't real... but there was no harm in asking about the figment item... it was in all the stories of alchemy and wizardry. She shook her head as she decided against voicing its name.

"Perhaps another day..." she corrected herself. "These treasures are good enough for me today."

 

[fr33ks33k]

*He smiled coyly at her description, pondering the several amulets that might suit it*

Perhaps....I know of one in particular that might fill the requirements. But yes, there will be other days for that. For now, if you'll follow me back to the lobby, we can discuss the prices of these items.

*He led them back to the storefront, stepping behind the counter and motioned for her to lay the items down*

As we discussed before, the music box is worth a song. The other two we shall attend to after this is settled. If you would like to negotiate another price, I am open to suggestion, as with all things.

 

[ObscureInsanity]

Hannah followed Fr33k to the storefront, taking her position across the counter from him.

As soon as he said that the jewelry box was worth a song, she reverted back to that shy young woman outside of the Antique store looking up at it. She blushed and bowed her head. There was no haggling with her, she didn't know how to; she always ended up taking the suggested retail price. Things flashed through her mind: how long did the song have to be? Did it have to be a certain genre? Surely, money would do better than song?

Her face fell flush, her eyes averted his as she thought about it. She nodded in acceptance, but still wasn't sure if he wanted an impromptu karaoke style song or... A Capella. Could she close her eyes as she sang, she wondered...

 

[fr33ks33k]

*As if reading her thoughts, he smiled warmly at her, speaking easily*

No need for worries, Hannah. The song can be anything you'd like, any genre, any length. You could even recite a children's rhyme. It matters not to me, so long as the price is paid.

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She looked around the displays behind him, trying to seek inspiration... On any given day she had a song stuck in her head, why all of a sudden any inkling of music seemed so far away was extremely confusing to her. She stood in concentration for a moment, then deferred to a song she used to sing to death as a teen.

She cleared her throat and began to sing a song by Story of the Year, taking a little artistic license by singing it a octave and a half higher to suit her soprano voice and using a bit of vibrato for longer notes so the sound would not waver. She was trained in high school under a fantastic teacher, and, despite her shyness, actually earned first seat soprano (imagine that). She poured her heart into the song, as she had done so many other things she was passionate about. Her eyes remained closed as she sang, even though she was pretty sure he would receive her voice with a smile of acceptance. As she finished the song she left her eyes closed, she was trembling a little out of nervousness.

She smiled as she opened her eyes: that jewelry box was well earned. She was a little excited about it, now. How liberating!

 

[fr33ks33k]

*The song was so much different than the one Aislin had sung. This one was full of something other...He applauded lightly at the end, smiling and sliding the jewelry box closer to her on the counter.*

That was lovely, thank you Hannah. Let's see what the books will cost you...

*There was a bit of an ominous tone to his voice, but mirth covered it quickly. The sketchbook was strung with a blue tag, darker than the box's tag. The large tome had a brown tag, more caramel or butterscotch than dirt in hue*

This will cost you a secret, and this one...*he patted the Druidic book*...will cost one favor, to be repaid at a time of my choosing. The promise of such a favor is only held by your word, but breaking such a promise would be frowned upon, especially if you were to frequent this place...

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She smiled as she took the box in her hand. As he spoke she looked at him, placing the box back down gently on the counter.

"Thank you," she whispered through a smile, then watched as he uncovered and observed the tags.

A secret? She could deal with that... depending on what sort of secret he had in store with her to admit... She glanced at the larger of the two books and gulped. A favor... a favor could mean a lot of things... she felt like brushing it off and considering that it was going to be something simple: maybe reorganizing one entire aisle of antiques? She could live with that...

"What... sort of Secret are we talking?" she asked, eyeing the little book and wondering if it was worth certain sorts of secrets. She'd have time to consider the other offer while she was coming up with a good one.

 

[fr33ks33k]

The secret can be a large or small one, but it must be personal. A fair price to pay for such intricate art, don't you think?

*His smile was jovial, but the edge of truth tempered it. Such things were not always so easily found, and so things not easily given would be the most fitting price to pay for them. He leaned back on his stool as he awaited her contemplation and response*

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She glanced at him then away, her brows furrowed as if in deep contemplation. What could she tell him? She looked back at him and bit her bottom lip. He'd keep it, surely? She glanced around the establishment, as if it was an entire room full of people.

"A personal secret..." she whispered nearly inaudibly. She raised her hand to her mouth and covered her lips, then, the lights in her eyes twinkled and she smiled a little, allowing her hand to fall back down to where it belonged.

"I was fourteen when I had my first kiss, contrary to popular belief," she said with a shy smile. "Everyone assumed it was my first boyfriend at sixteen, but, at a birthday party of mine, a sleep over... my closest female friends were there... and after my parents went to bed... well... me and my best friend made out... experimented a little..." she felt her cheeks growing flush. "We aren't friends anymore; she said she was in love with me, and I would promptly be kicked out of my parents house if I said the same, and we pursued it..." She was embarrassed, she bowed her head and sighed. "She was my first love... even though I tell everyone that my first love was my first boyfriend..."

She hadn't told anyone that, not even her ex-best-friend, not even her two current best friends; she had admitted kissing a girl, but denied liking it. Her head rose slowly and she glanced at him, hoping it was enough.

 

[fr33ks33k]

*His eyes glinted like topaz in the light as she spilled her secret. The look of longing and loss on her face made him frown momentarily, but afterward, his smile returned quickly*

Such a sweet secret. It is a shame that you had to deny that love and hold it so tightly to your heart. Well met, the sketchbook is yours.

*As he slid it to her, hand lingering on the cover for a moment, seeing if she would take what she'd rightfully earned or if she'd wait for it to be relinquished*

 

[ObscureInsanity]

She shrugged as a rogue tear fell from her eye. She quickly wiped it away as though she had dust in her eye and she smiled to mask the sudden pain she felt inside herself. She reached for the book, hesitated, and made sure to handle it where his hand did not rest.

"What... sort of favor goes along with this book?" she tapped the larger of the two, not pulling the smaller book from his hand or removing her hand from where it rested near his fingertips. She looked at him again, in the face, her eyes twinkled with curiosity. She braced herself for the worse response possible, though, as always, hoped for the best.