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Sometimes, accidents happen. Your character has found themself in a situation where an honest accident has resulted in an item being broken. Possibly your own, or you may have broken someone else's. Was it an item at a shop, or a priceless artifact? How does your character react to the honest mistake?

Arden never once thought of himself in an antiquities shop. Better yet, he never thought of himself in one because of a promise he’d made while tired after work. He’d crawled back in through what he thought was his and Colm’s window, only to find that the opening had belonged to another brother entirely. His clothing was covered in oil, dirt, and whatever sorts of sludge hung around the job site, no doubt staining Zev’s clothes when his little brother reached to pull him up. It had been a sobering affair; what if Zev told on him? He may not have meant anything, but what if it just slipped…

…so he offered to buy his brother’s silence instead. A day out, a nice gift, on the promise that Zev forgot that night completely. The only catch had been when Zev woke up the next day, ever eager to leave, but bedridden due to a fever that just wouldn’t break. It had clung to the younger hybrid for the past two weeks, falling and rising with the moon, to the point where stress in the house had once again risen. Ever so determined not to add to that, Arden went out to buy the very thing the boy had wanted in his stead.

Of course it was here though. Why couldn’t he just ask Marcella to do it for him? This would have been more her speed. Because she’s in Matori, dealing with her own family issues. And that was…just a whole mess in itself, wasn’t it? Sighing, Arden moved around the shop, holding out a scrap of paper with Zev’s instructions on them when a noise to his left startled the teen. He jumped a little, his spirit nearly falling out of his skin at the sight of the gnarled corpse woman, before knocking into a vase behind him.

It shattered the same moment she shrieked – or was it him? – and all at once the eerily quiet space was impossibly loud.

The ‘corpse’ turned his way and surveyed the scene. He’d thought she was dead at first – no living thing should look that way – but something about the Geian still had life. She creakily pulled a shawl around her shoulders and hobbled – or floated? – her way closer. “Oh what a shame. That was one of my husband’s favorites.” Even her voice was barely above a whisper, as if her lungs didn’t have the air to push it out.

Arden was still far too shaky when he said, “I-I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I’ll pay for it.”

“What startled you, son? You’ve gone so pale.” When she reached a hand up toward his cheek he scooted back with a nervous laugh.

“Just…just thinking about things. I’m fine, really. Do you, uhm, have a broom?” When she nodded and pointed toward it he wasted little time in grabbing it. Anything to keep him away from her and the mess he’d created. “I swear I’m good for paying for it, I’m not just gonna run off-“

“Oh, it’s alright dear, honest mistake. I believe you.” When she smiled there wasn’t a tooth in her head and yet, Arden couldn’t mistake this sharp, predatory look in her eye. “Y’know…I’m looking for someone to help me move some crates around in the back. Strong lad like you shouldn’t have any problems, right? You could pay me back that way and save your coin.”

It would be better to save his money, especially if he wanted to get something for Zev, but the idea of spending more time with her…It gave him the shivers. Do it for Zev. Do it for Zev….

“Could you tell me if you have this first? My little brother wanted me to look for it today.” As he finished sweeping up, the older Geian took his paper and poured over it. With a hmm she disappeared, leaving him to his task but within moments she came back with what was quite possibly the ugliest, dustiest, and largest book Arden had ever seen.

“Your Zev’s big brother, aren’t you? He’s in here about twice a week after his studies; always pouring over it, that one. Sweet boy.” She patted the book with a smile. “It’s gonna cost you, so it’s a good thing you’ll be saving so much by helping me~”

And wasn’t Arden ever so grateful for that.

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