Chapter 3: The Shop

The train chugged to a stop. Ayaki and Rhena stepped off into a nice little town. They started in a shop which sold mostly bath jells and creams.

“What type of scent does your mom like?” Rhena inquired, picking up a bottle of moisturizer.

“She likes raspberry, I think.” Ayaki picked up a case of perfume, “Think she’d like this?”

Rhena scrunched her nose at the scent, “Nah, it’s too pungent. Are you sure your mom would like perfume? Maybe she’d like something else.”

Ayaki sighed, “You’re probably right. Let’s try another store.”

The next store sold clothing. After a few minutes in the store, Ayaki realized that he didn’t know what size his mother wore of anything. Defeated, the two trudged out the store, empty-handed. They went across the street to store that sold shoes. Unfortunately, there were no shoes that his mother would like. Most of them were too flashy or expensive. To a fro, they entered every shop they could see, but none held what Ayaki was looking for.

He wanted something special for his mother. He didn’t want it to look like he’d just decided to buy something and throw it in a box. He wanted to show that he was thoughtful about her present. He sighed, throwing his hands up in defeat.

“We’ve looked everywhere!” he said, exasperated.

“Mmm…not everywhere…” Rhena said, squinting her eyes.

“Where then?”

“There.” she pointed at the very end of the block where a small, barely noticeable shop stood.

“That’s funny.” Ayaki strained to see, “I’ve never seen that shop before.”

“Well, let’s see what they’ve got! No use wasting a good store.” she grabbed his hand and started walking towards the shop.

The shop was very small. The paint had peeled off long ago, leaving old worn wood. A thick layer of dust covered the windows. The nameplate above the door had well worn away. The small bells against the door jingled sweetly when they opened it. The inside of the shop smelled musty and incensed. The store had no lights, illuminated only by the sun. Beads of all sorts of colors and shapes hung from the ceiling. Rugs of intimate beauty and pelts of fur covered the walls.

“Welcome, my young ones.” A woman cackled. She sat at the back of the small shop, behind a counter. She was an old woman, withered with age, but her eyes glinted with knowledge, “Can I help you?”

“Yes!” Rhena responded eagerly, “We were wondering if you could help us find a gift for his mother.”

“Tell me about your mother then.” The woman grinned when Ayaki nearly jumped.

“Well, she’s very nice. She enjoys the outdoors and loves to plant. She has a hobby of making things. She also has the most wonderful cooking and—”

“That’s all I need, dear.” she crowed.

She pulled turned around and pulled aside a curtain. She pulled out a few boxes, setting them aside. She pulled out another box, grinning triumphantly. She blew the dust off and brought it to Ayaki. He looked at the box with a critical eye.

“What’s this?”

“What’s this?” she slapped him on the back, “This, my dear boy, is a one-of-a-kind fragrance set! Your mother will love it!”

“Uh…thanks. You’re sure she’ll like it?”

“Sure I’m sure!” she said good naturedly

Rhena looked around, marveling at the antiques the shop had. She liked trinkets, and the store was full of them. A statue of a dragon, tarot decks over there, charms in the corner, necklaces that looked as if they’d come from centuries ago! The old woman slid to her side.

“Like what you see?” she said slyly, “I’ve got just the thing for you!”

The old woman grabbed Rhena’s and pulled her to the back of the store. She brushed aside a bead curtain, muttering ‘it’s here somewhere’. She threw a few pieces of cloth aside, shaking her head.

“Now where is it?” she muttered.

The old woman went to the other side of the shop, looking in a corner behind a group of ceramic pots. “Aha! Found you! Here it is, dearie.” she waved a small golden box in the air.

Brushing off the dust, she handed it to Rhena. Curious, Rhena opened it and nearly gasped. Inside was a beautiful choker. It was a silver dragon with golden fangs and small rubies for eyes.

“There’s more.” she pulled out the inside fabric to reveal secret compartment in the bottom.

In the bottom lay two silver wrist chains with charms. They were shaped as little weapons and could be removed whenever needed. The bracelets created a sweet jingle when she moved them.

“I suggest you never take those off.” she indicated the mini warrior charms with a serious face.

“Why not?”

“No reason!” The old woman laughed, “There’s even more, but you’ll have to find that on your own, dearie!”

“Come,” She waved her hand at Ayaki, “Let me ring you up.”

Ayaki put the purple box on the counter. The old woman put on some very large glasses that made her eyes look a few sizes bigger. She ‘hmm’ed and ‘hun’ed, rapidly pressing the keys on a small calculator.

“Your total is ten and thirty-four cents.”

Ayaki’s eyebrows rose. He could’ve sworn it would cost him more than that. Slipping his hand in his pocket, he pulled out a ten and a one. He told her to keep the change. The old woman grinned and pulled out a plastic bag, placing the purple box inside. When Ayaki reached for the bag, she pulled it out of his reach.

“Now, now. I’m not done yet, now am I?” she scolded.

The old woman rung up Rhena’s items; they totaled to nineteen dollars and sixty-six cents. Rhena handed over the money, also telling her to keep the change. The old woman grinned, quite happy.

“Since you two are so kind to this little old lady; I’ll give you something nice.”

The old woman put the gold box in bag. She bent down, grabbing something below her counter. She quickly wrapped it in a cloth and put it in the bag, mindful of their inquisitive eyes.

“There you go, dearies!” she thrust the bag into Ayaki’s arms, chuckling when he blinked in surprise, “It’s always polite to carry the bags for a girl.”

Rhena opened the door for Ayaki, and wished the old woman a nice day before exiting herself. The old woman waved until she saw them disappear past her windows. Chuckling, she closed the door tightly, waving her hand over crevices. It glowed a bright yellow for a second and faded.

“What wonderful younglings. They’ll do well, I’m sure.” she cackled.

Rhena and Ayaki walked towards the train station, noticing the sun setting. Rhena picked up her pace and laughed when she heard Ayaki grumble something like ‘Stupid chivalry’. When they reached the station, they bought their tickets and waited for the train.

“Why don’t I take my box out of there, so you can carry it easier.” Rhena suggested.

“I can handle it!” Ayaki rolled up his sleeve and flexed his arm. “See?”

“Okay, okay!” she laughed, “But it need to take it home anyway. Plus, I’d like to see what she gave us.”

Curious, Ayaki peered at the bag, finding the bundle of cloth with a triumphant cry. Rhena pulled it out of his hands, carefully unfolding the cloth. Inside were two identical necklaces, excluding the pendants. One was a wolf howling to the moon, rimmed with gold. The other was a dragon guarding a sword, rimmed with silver.

Rhena’s eyes widened in shock and surprise. Ayaki’s mouth hung open.

“Do you think she…?” he stuttered.

“Nah, probably just a coincidence.” she waved her hand, pretending she didn’t care.

The train arrived, blowing hot steam in their faces. Rhena and Ayaki hurried on, making sure their tickets got punched. The train let loose a whistle and slowly chugged away from the station. Rhena looked out the window, finding she couldn’t see the shop.

How odd.

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Wrote this very early, hope there wasn’t anything I missed. Please enjoy!