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 Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 1:18 pm
Robert spent his free time doing the opposite of what most people would consider relaxing. His hobby was running a store, and spending his time there when not at his 'day job' or now his new night one. He was just a man that liked to keep busy, and always had plans that needed completing. Running this store for pleasure allowed him to relax, surrounded by things he loved, doing something that maybe the world did not see as important, but that came with freedom and peace. He could do what he wanted while behind the counter of his antique store, Old as Time.
At the moment, what he wanted to do seemed to be wiping a set of silver bottles down carefully with a smooth cloth and a gentle concoction he had made to help shine silver without taking away too much of its aged charm.
A little cleaning never hurt, but there was no need to undo what time had done to something. That was what gave it it's charm, after all, and what made every item in his shop unique and interesting. He only bartered in those two things, after all: this was a trade shop, where deals were made based on arbitrary concepts of value rather than a concrete monetary number.
He heard the bell on the door jingle softly as someone came in, but did not glance up from his work. Most of the time, it was just a curious person browsing the shelves, but not too interested in making a deal. Really, he doubted they had anything worth his time or attention.
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 5:35 pm
There were a surprising number of antique shops in Destiny City, and Emily had already visited two of them, and had entered the third, looking around the shop, unable to keep the excited expression from her face. Old things fascinated her. They were so full of history. So full of stories of the people who used them and the places they had been. She glided around the room, looking at some of the odds and ends, finally something caught her eye. It was a book, a beautiful, dust covered book, that looked like it was right out of some perfectly wonderful era where books had the respect they deserved.
Oh, finally there was something she had to have from one of these stores! Upon closer inspection, she found that this wasn’t just any sort of book, but it was a book of fairy tales. Her absolute favorite kinds of stories.
The woman picked the book up gently and began to flip through its pages as carefully as she could for a moment, before closing it again and making her way to the counter. “Excuse me, I was wondering how much this book is? It’s absolutely stunning and I…well. I need it.”
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 5:44 pm
Robert glanced up from the silver when the customer approached the counter, expecting one of the usual questions or comments. Yes, it was a nice store. Yes, he did have some nice items. No, there weren't prices on anything. He was already prepared with a deadpan expression, but for some reason his brain stalled.
He had not seen her in the store before, and she took his breath away from a moment. The surprise of seeing someone so... well, very lovely in his pokey little store, filled with dust and forgotten heirlooms, was arresting. He paused for only a moment, not enough to really be noticed by anyone but the one who knew him best. Himself.
It was very foolish behavior for him.
"Well," he said smoothly, putting the rag and silver down and addressing her question. He looked at the book, then up at her. "It doesn't have a price. This book, you see, is full of wonder and magic, of tales of fantasy and love. How could I put a price on that?"
He picked up the book as he spoke, holding it gently and showing it to her, opening to one of his favorite illustrations in the book, though all of its art was beautiful. It depicted a woman kneeling, crying, in a field of beautiful flowers, with a fairy floating over her, holding out a little wand.
"I'm less interested in selling something like this, and more interested in a trade. What do you think a book like this is worth, then?"
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 6:05 pm
Oh! Well now, that was something different, yes indeed! Most of these antique store owners just wanted to make top dollar on their stuff, no matter how cool it was, no matter the stories behind it…though, the bad part about bartering was…right now she had nothing worth trading. Her berry colored eyes moved to the illustration that the man behind the counter showed her and it felt as though her heart was going to just break from the level of detail depicted in the picture.
“It’s stunning…Honestly, a book like that is worth anything. Everything to the right person.” Emily tucked a lock of her multi-colored hair behind an ear and thought for a moment, though paused when the sleeve of her shirt came up a little, showing a small flash of silver. Well. Maybe…
She hastened to remove the charm bracelet that was on her arm and laid it on the counter, allowing all of the charms to glisten in the light of the small shop. “Well…how about this. It might not mean much to you, or to the world…but to me, this is everything. I started working on it when I was eleven, and I got a new charm for every place I visited since then…I’ve finally managed to fill up all of the slots…so…does my life’s memories add up to such a precious book? I think they should. My memories for the collective memories of the world, that’s at least somewhat fair, don’t you think?”
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 6:15 pm
The shop keeper looked down at the charm bracelet she put down on the counter. Carefully putting the book down, he moved to pick up the chain, looking over the charms. He was going to ask her if it had a story, but, as was often the case with people who truly cared about such things, she was already sharing it.
He smiled as he held it up, seeing it sparkle even in the dim light of the crowded, dusty shop.
"Your life's memories, hm? Yes. I think that will do," he hummed thoughtfully, enchanted by the bracelet and wondering why she would offer something that meant so much to her for the book. But, he hoped it also meant that some day she would come back for it, and trade him something else. In that way, he held a bit of power over her. More than that, though, he had an excuse to see her again. This little bracelet was now very important to him, though maybe not as much as it was to her.
That just made it better.
"My dear, that book is yours. I think you are a more than fitting owner for it. And I hope it provides you with some new memories, though they might not come with charms," he indicated to the bracelet, "to mark them."
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 10:15 am
Emily reached out and picked up the book, cradling it close to her chest. “Thank you for the trade. I appreciate it.” Her eyes moved to the bracelet in his hands and she glanced away again. “I’ll um. Take a look around my place. I’m sure there’s something else that I can find that you’ll like even more than a silly old charm bracelet. I’ll be back in again sometime soon to see what I can do.”
Now that she had given it up, she felt almost naked without it. That piece of jewelry hadn’t left her wrist for more than a few hours at a time in seventeen years…and now she had traded it for a book…though it was a very nice book…
Oh well. She’d find something to trade for it. Hopefully. “Even if I can’t find something else to give you, I’ll be back. Your store is the nicest one in the city, so far, though I do only have two others to compare it to.” The woman flashed a smile. “Expect to see me around again…Mr…? What is your name, anyway?”
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 10:58 am
Robert watched her, finding himself oddly enchanted by her. He wanted to know more, but it was not really in the cards for him to get distracted by such... trivial things. He had a lot to do, these days, particularly with his new occupation as a Lieutenant in a war. That did give him an idea, though.
Perhaps he could see her again... on his own time.
Her promise to be back to trade again, made him smirk, and he nodded his head at what was almost a challenge she was setting forth. It was just what he wanted to hear, and he closed his hand carefully around the bracelet and brought it to him.
"Until that time, I will take care of this for you."
Realizing he had not introduced himself properly, he put the bracelet in his lapel pocket and then extended his hand across the counter to her.
"Robert. Robert Bastion. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to seeing you again, miss...?"
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Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 12:15 pm
Emily watched his hand close around the bracelet and she nodded. “All right. That sounds…great, Robert. Or Mr. Bastion. Whichever you prefer.” She took the hand and gave it a firm shake, as well as giving him a warm smile. “I’m Emily. Emily Bellerose. It’s very nice to meet you, and I’m glad you look forward to seeing me again, because maybe I’ll be looking forward to seeing you again too, Mr. Bastion.” She couldn’t help throwing in a quick wink, though turned. “Thank you for the book, and do make sure you take care of that bracelet for me…I’ll be back for it soon.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she gave Robert one last smile, and left the shop, still clutching the book close.
It was a trade that was worth it, and a meeting that was even more worth it…it was.
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