One last stop., for Kitty

[purple epidemic]

It was a gorgeous day. Birds sang in their treetop houses and people were out and walking wherever they could. The air was warm and saturated with smells from many different restaurants and specialty shops. On the corner of pleasantville and cheapside, Xanthe stopped and pulled a crooked cigar from her paper pack. In a burst of light she lit the match and proceeded to draw the smoke in her lungs. From behind her over sized sunglasses she surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings. She had walked unusually far today in the pleasant weather and was quite far away from her near campus home. Behind her were quint little shops, before her mostly warehouses and old historical homes fallen into disrepair. It seemed the last landmark before the ruins was the small store she was standing in front of. Named Chic Antiques on a gold leafed sign hanging above the door, the interior looked warm and inviting behind the sold barred windows.

Xanthe took one last drag and stubbed the cigar out on the ground. One last stop before she turned back. As she opened the door of the shop, a small bell rang out cheerfully from somewhere within. Although the interior appeared to be similar to many other antique shops, there was something... different. Was it the smell? Xanthe sniffed the air tentatively.

As she made her way around the shop the golden blonde admired some of the wonderfully restored pieces and trinkets. She had always loved antiques, as they were a little bit of history in themselves. As she approached the jewelery counter she saw a necklace that seemed too beautiful to be real. Glittering dimly through the cloudy glass, Xanthe could almost make out the shape of a bird. She wanted a closer look.

"Hello? I'd like to see something, please." She called out pleasantly.

[K-Squared]

Mr. Jenkins, the shop's proprietor was in the middle of his lunch, a Phillie cheesesteak sandwich. There was no way he was willing to risk getting a single globule of grease on the glass. It would vex his assisitant to no end. So he called out. "Charlie, could you come open a case for a customer please?"

Charlie who was dusting a ceiling fan, climbed down from his ladder and came to do so. He like most everything else in the store, bore the distinct odor of lemon scented furniture polish.

[purple epidemic]

Xanthe gave a warm smile to the man that came to greet her. The smell of citrus washed over her and she immediately recognized the smell that had puzzled her before. Meeting his eyes, she felt something... odd. Something pulling her towards him. Xanthe took a mental note.

"Hello there. Could I see that bird necklace please, it looks beautiful."

[K-Squared]

Charlie jingled in his pocket for a moment to produce the keyring which would let him open the case. "Which, Miss, the enamaled cross, or the Swavorski bird pendant?" He asked, not entirely clear on which piece she'd pointed at.

[purple epidemic]

"The pendant, please." she replied, trying to focus on the pendant and not the man. It was odd, what she was feeling. She had sensed things similar in deep meditation, but this was exotic... new.

[K-Squared]

He picked up the object with seeming reverence for it and handed it over carefully so she might examine it.

He crinkled his nose momentarily, because she smelled faintly like cigar. It wasn't an unpleasant smell, just unusual on a woman. He adjusted his wire rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose while she looked at the necklace.

[purple epidemic]

The pendant she held was exquisite. Silver inlaid with precious stones, it made the form of an elegant necked bird. It glittered beautifully in the light and Xanthe had to tell herself that she could in no way afford it. With a small sigh she handed it back to the man, and as she did so their hands brushed lightly. This small contact made her scoff at herself. He was only human. She made and effort to smooth the goosebumps from her skin as she tried to think of something that she could rationalize her feelings from.

"It's a beautiful piece." She said wistfully, remembering that she was in the company of the man.

[K-Squared]

"Very old, we picked it up at an estate sale." He said. "Can I show you something else?"

There was a tingling as he brushed her hand that he knew to emanate from those touched by magic in one way or another. It hardly surprised him, the shop and it's contents seemed to draw such people.

[purple epidemic]

"I don't know, what do you have that is interesting?" She asked, flashing him a white toothed smile. Her charm was not something that she could turn on an off on a whim, but when she noticed her male attendant was rather handsome, the woman in her decided to have some fun.

[K-Squared]

"Like Art Nouveau?" He asked moving down a few cases. The pieces were very tasteful and much more affordable.

[purple epidemic]

"Yes, as well as more traditional styles. I like the feel of truly old pieces." Xanthe said as she looked through the old glass. "They have memories, and if you listen they'll speak to you." She smiled to herself as she looked down at a small pin in the shape of kitten. Shifting her sight to the man who smelled of lemon furniture oil, she finished ,"But I'm sure that sounds a little odd."

[K-Squared]

"Some people believe objects carry resonances related to their histories, and that some people are sensative to them more than others." Charlie offered carefully. Clearly she believed something at least, similar in premise.

[purple epidemic]

Xanthe nodded but decided not to comment any further. It was a good general practice to keep it simple with people you're going to buy something from, as you never know how someone will feel on such matters.
Looking down at the foggy glass once more Xanthe browsed until her eyes came upon a medium sized pin that immediately caught her attention. Within it's oval shape was the image of three nude women dancing in a field. Pointing to it she asked, "Could I see the 'Three Graces' pin please?"

[K-Squared]

Charlie knew what is was, but only because Jenkins was very good about educating him on such things. He nodded and got it out for her. It was a piece that always felt comfortable to handle.

[purple epidemic]

Xanthe smiled as he handed her the pin. It was in perfect condition aside from a bit of discoloration from years of wear. The three women depicted danced gracefully, freely. The symbolism and the beauty of the picture made Xanthe grin and looking at the small price tag attached.

"I think I'll get it." She said to him.