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 Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:16 pm
Athan sat at Reyna's desk rifling through an assortment of paperwork. Most of it was useless and necessary only in that he was required to keep said records for a total of seven years. Given his extraordinarily long lifespan, seven years was nothing, but it was still frustrating to keep up with. At least, with it being so very early in the morning and the shop not yet open, it was easier to get it done and over with.
He rubbed at his temples a bit irritably as he came across an order he had placed and not yet received. Truly, he hated dealing with that particular company. Always late, and this time doubly so. He had ordered an entire custom set of mystery eggs last October that were intended for Easter -- an event that had already long since past.
He was definitely going to be exchanging some words with the owner. The delay (and without any explanation!) was absolutely unacceptable and in his eyes, highly unprofessional.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:21 pm
While it was still early, the bell above the door suddenly rang and a low, cheerful voice broke through his reverie. Someone had entered the shop and that someone was a vocal ray of sunshine.
"This is where Mommy works, Delly," Kova announced as she made a broad gesture around the shop. "I haven't brought you here since you were a little cabbage head. You used to sit right on that table while I helped people."
Obediently, Delilah studied the indicated table silently. Then she offered her mother a small smile and nodded.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:24 pm
Athan looked up from his paperwork briefly when he heard the bell chime. He relaxed as he realized it was simply Kova, though he did take notice of the small child that accompanied her. He offered them both a small smile despite his rather cantankerous mood.
"Good morning, Miss Kova," he replied conversationally, "And who might the lovely young lady at your side be?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:34 pm
Kova smiled brightly and set her hand on Delilah's closest shoulder. "This is my daughter," she answered. "Delilah, this is Mr. Athan. He's my boss and he does a lot of the pretty things around here."
Shyly, Delilah ducked a little curtsy to Athan. "Hello," she whispered. "Nice to meet you."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:38 pm
"And you as well, Miss Delilah," Athan answered with a rather charming grin as his dour mood seemed to fade somewhat. How darling! He did so have a soft spot for children.
He stepped away from the desk and moved towards the two before kneeling down so that he was more at Delilah's level. "Are you going to be helping your mother today or are you just visiting?" he asked, warm smile still in place, "I'm certain that if you did perhaps we could arrange so that you may be able to take a necklace or bracelet of some sort home with you."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:05 pm
The little girl's aquamarine eyes went wide and shining, clearly flattered and impressed. Then she glanced at her mother who merely smiled back. Delilah returned her gaze to Athan and, after a momentary hesitation, dipped another little curtsy. "I would like that a lot, please. It's Saturday so there's no school."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:11 pm
Athan chuckled quietly, a warm mellow sound. "Indeed so. Shall we get to work, then?" he queried as he stood and offered his hand to the little lady in invitation, "I have recently received a box full of gems and trinkets that need sorting. Perhaps you can help."
He led both ladies along towards the back room. "I'm sure your lovely mother wouldn't mind the change of pace either. I dare say everything within the front end of the shop is cleaner and shines brighter than it ever has what with all her hard work," he went on as he settled himself upon one of the overstuffed couches and bent over a small box that sat upon the coffee table.
"See all these little bags?" he began as he held up a plastic zip lock bag that contained a gemstone within and was labeled by type and color on the outside, "I need to go through each and every one of these and make sure nothing arrived damaged. Do you think you could do that for me?"
He smiled before adding, "With your mother's aid, of course."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:33 pm
Delilah hesitated again and looked to her mother for permission. When Kova nodded, though, she turned back to Athan. She offered him a very shy, little smile. "I'll do my best, Mr. Athan. I'll be very careful." She moved to sit daintily beside him, barely making a dent in the overstuffed couch. "Do I have to compare them to a list?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:38 pm
"Brilliant child!" Athan declared with a bright grin, "Where have you been hiding her, Kova?" He reached to retrieve the packing list from the box that was neatly folded in quarters. "This is the list you have to compare to. The description should match the labels on the outside of the packages. If there are any discrepancies or if something is broken, just set it aside for me to take care of."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:49 pm
Delilah flushed pink at his compliment and ducked her head. A piece of her silky hair fell over her eyes, affording some protection from his gaze. "Okay," she whispered. Then her little hands dipped into the box and began sorting carefully.
Kova watched her daughter for a moment and then nodded warmly at Athan. "Thanks for this. I wanted to show her where I worked but, um, I hadn't thought beyond that."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:52 pm
"Not a problem," Athan replied smoothly as he strolled towards the small bar and sink off to the side to pour himself a cup of coffee, "Reyna brings little Samara in with her quite often. I truly do not mind."
He paused for a moment as he leaned back against the counter and sipped at his coffee after stirring in a bit of cream and sugar. "Although, I can't say I recall your ever mentioning having a child, or is my memory fading me due to old age?" he questioned in a light, somewhat teasing tone of voice.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:08 pm
"Oh, I haven't had her long." Kova moved to lean against the back of the couch, half-watching Delilah work in the box. "You've met her before, though. I brought her to work when she was just a baby. I put her on that table in the sunlight so she could drink it up while I worked."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:21 pm
Athan frowned, brow furrowed in confusion as he attempted to recall when the child had been there. He took a sip of his coffee and very nearly choked on it. He turned away to regain his composure and to clear his throat.
"... so," he started again, still looking somewhat distressed, "She uh... came from.. that cabbage?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:34 pm
"Mmhm." Kova blinked at him, eyebrows curving down in confusion. "You didn't know? I thought I'd told you or Miss Reyna had. She met Delly the cabbage."
Delilah looked up, little mouth pursed. "Mama, please," she murmured. "I wasn't that way for long."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:06 pm
"Well," Athan began as he idly pushed a hand back through his hair in an anxious gesture, "I recall your mentioning it, but... it's just that..." He exhaled slowly to keep his calm composure firmly in place before folding his arms over his chest.
"I discovered a cabbage the other day. In my garden."
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