savetheearth | [Open] Antiques Shop log

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[Open] Antiques Shop log

Who: Isaac Dian, Miria Harvent-Dian, (if you desire) Eliza Harvent, and YOU
Where: Something Old Antiques
When: Any point from November 15 to... let's say January 3.
What: Family troubles, judgmental old ladies, antiques, pleasant business

It's generally been/obvious it's going to be a stressful few weeks at the Dian household. Mrs. Harvent is the kind of lady who doesn't approve of anything surrounding her daughter's life. Or much anything her daughter and husband does. Everything the couple might do, from cook her a meal to make her bed to watch the news with her instead of holiday specials to running a business doesn't seem to be enough.

Long story short: they're desperate to impress. Or even better, have a conversation with someone in person without her involvement.

[ooc: Essentially, this is a catch-all post for the next month or so for anyone that wanted to see the Dians. Whether you want to see the items they have stocked up, pay an old debt, have an item appraised, or just say hi, this is the post to do it. Mrs. Harvent is entirely optional if you don't want her to appear.]

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Monroe has been scouting local antique shops. All of his usual places have figured out by now that if he's interested in it then it's seriously under priced. Jerks have been jacking up their prices the second he walks through the doors.

So hence his searching around "Something Old Antiques". Another business where he can nap all of their most expensive time pieces for next to nothing. Suckers.

The general layout of Something Old can best be described as unique. Clocks, masks, paintings, and even map or two line the wall. There are doors leaning against the small amount of free space they managed to find amongst the numerous items that have already been placed on the wall. Furniture is scattered throughout the large room, with chairs, couches, bookshelves, vases, and other items can be found. It's important to note that almost every item has an unusual shape, color, or presentation to it. The ones that don't still seem to carry an odd air to them. Most notably, there is a large machine placed in the center of the room. It appears to be some kind of Rube Goldberg device, but it's hard to tell amongst the many gears, levers, slides, and etc. where the thing starts and ends.

The Dians are at the counter, diligently signing forms or appraising items. They still manage to look up and smile at the new customer. There's also a notepad or two blatantly connected to the network in front of them.

Monroe ambles up to the counter with way more watches then one man would ever need. He sees the open network connection first. And blurts out the first thing that comes to mind. "What is wrong with you two?"

He put all of the watches down on the notepad, trying to hid it from view. He looks around to make sure no one has seen.

The couple jumps back at the sudden action. They quickly glance from the notepad to Monroe to each other to Monroe and back through them all once more before landing back at Monroe.

"...Nothing?"

"I guess we could improve our financial skills, but that's the only flaw coming to mind..."

Monroe gawks at them. "Your financial skills? Of course you have horrible financial skills! If you fixed these up they'd be worth twice as much. I meant what is wrong with you leaving that out?"

He gestures widely to the note pad. The one still covered with watches. Monroe should probably work on being clear.

They both gasp and huff angrily.

"How rude! We don't come into your workplace and criticize your flaws!"

"Just because we work in an antiques shop doesn't mean we know how to fix up watches!"

They are so upset by this really just awful insult, they completely forget his question directed at the notepad.

Monroe closes his eyes and counts to ten in his head. And that did absolutely nothing for him. When he answers his jaw is clenched as he's straining to be patient.

"Of course you don't! I'm a clock maker. I work from home. people just don't walk through my house without an appointment. You can fix up clocks but that's nothing on what a professional clock maker can do, but the point was why are you leaving the network open where anyone, including wack-job cops, can see it?"

They both freeze for a moment as they process his words.

"Oh! Sorry for snapping at you then!"

Almost immediately, they're all smiles.

"Well, even if someone sees it, we have to make sure our friends are a-okay at all times!"

"And this seemed like the best way to do it!"

[ ooc: tagging this now so i don't forget! ic date is at least a few days after the 12/3 earthquake. also ok with mrs. harvent if you like! ]

After his return to Locke City, Alex had made it a point to look up vampire weaknesses online. He already knew garlic was one of them (for himself) and suspected religious items might be as well. Now, he hadn't a clue if he already Echoed back an aversion to religious things, but he'd gotten several Echoes without immediate results and wasn't going to deny the possibility.

An antique store seemed like a logical place to hit up, and he was more than happy to give his business to other reincarnates -- well. About as happy as he could be given that he was a vampire shopping for items that were potentially lethal to him. But two attempts spurred by hunger to feed on his roommate were two attempts too many. Alex wanted something Ravi could use to protect himself.

That wasn't lathering himself in garlic, anyway.

Inside the store is an elaborate, disorganized set-up. A variety of objects sit on wooden tables spread throughout the shop, from things as simple as vases to complicated music boxes, instruments, or anything you can imagine. Furniture such as couches, tables, and chairs are interspersed in free areas. The walls are lined with masks, paintings, clocks, and a few doors lying beside them. Many items appear to have an unusual shape or color. In the center of the room is a giant Rube Goldberg device, though figuring out where it begins and ends seems near impossible.

As usual, the Dians can be found at the counter, either going through some items to appraise or on the network.

Edited (Wrong word) 2013-12-06 06:59 (UTC)

It's hard not to notice the device. Alex takes a few seconds just to stare at it before proceeding to the counter. Lifting his hand in a casual wave, he said, "Hey, guys. It's Alex. We met on Labor Day at Cinderella's place?"

Edited 2013-12-06 09:02 (UTC)

There's a long pause as they focus on him.

Eventually...

"ALEX!"

Admittedly, this was the first time they heard his name, or begun a lengthy conversation with the guy. That doesn't stop the Dians (in fact it might even be encourage them to) barreling over the counter to give their newest customer a hearty handshake.

"Good to see ya, old buddy! How ya been?"

Sorry, Dians. He honestly doesn't remember that he hadn't properly introduced himself to them.

"Good, good," he says, returning their handshake with less enthusiasm. It's not entirely true-- being an EMT responding to a disaster a city isn't prepared for is taking its toll on him, but he's not bad, either. Just tired.

He casts another glance around the shop. "How are you? Didn't lose anything valuable in the quake, I hope?"

They wave off his concerns in unison.

"Oh, just a few things here and there."

"Nothing really major."

"Should be able to replace it soon enough!"

The corner of his lips quirk in amusement. "So I'm here on some business," he begins, shoving one of his hands into his pockets. "You got any rosaries or crucifixes for sale?"

They rub their chins in unison.

"Well, we'd have to look around..."

"But I'm sure we could find what you're looking for!

"Great!" He rocks back on the balls of his feet. "I'll wait out here, then. Like a watchdog!"

The couple quickly begins racing around through the store, looking for their latest customer's desired ware. Isaac checks the items hung on the wall, while Miria glances through some tables.

At some point they begin to slow down, lacking the limitless energy to keep working at rapid-fire pace.

"Why are you looking for a rosary anyway?" Miria asks from under a table.

"Hm?" he asks, tracing the lines of a wooden, grotesque mask. A lion?

Then his brain catches up with her question. "Oh, uh. To protect a friend from a vampire," he says, shifting his weight. "Rosaries and crucifixes, right?"

From both their respective positions in the shop, the Dians sit up and stare at Alex for a moment.

"Alright then!"

"Good for you, protecting friends from monsters!"

"You're quite a guy!"

They nod in response to his second question and press on through the shop.

He lets out a weak chuckle, relieved that their staring hadn't amounted to anything. "You should keep one for yourselves," he says, picking up the mask. "Just in case. There's a few of them with Numbers." After a pause, he adds, a little softer, "Werewolves, too."

Edited (tenses!!) 2013-12-10 04:08 (UTC)

"Oh, well if they're from the network, I'm not too concerned!"

"After all, any friend of ours wouldn't go about doing monster things!"

That earns another weak chuckle out of him. "I guess not..."

Maybe he'll just let the conversation lapse until they find (or declare to not have found) any crucifixes or rosaries...

They spend a good couple minutes searching through the shop. They make plenty of conversation and don't seem put off by any lack of response.

Eventually...

"Hey, will this do the trick?"

At some point, Isaac finally spotted the desired object hanging on the wall, behind one of the doors. He chuckles a little.

"Must have forgotten about this one!

Alex looks up, hopeful. Setting the mask aside, he says, "Yeah, that's great. How much?"

They cheerfully wave away the question.

"It's a Christmas present!"

"Don't you worry about it!

[Midweek, after school, a pair of high school students come in. Given how often she came by or interacted with the two, it was pretty likely that they would be able to recognize Luci on the spot. The other blond that she was with might have been a bit harder--while they did make a costume for him for Halloween, he may have been in a time or two in passing. Possibly while skipping school.]

[Unlike previous visits, Something Old Antiques doesn't appear to be quite bursting at the seams in antiques and wares as usual. It's still plenty of items lying around the place, but about half a dozen of the inventory has disappeared since the earthquake. The Rube Goldberg device isn't standing upright at the moment, but it seems undamaged and it surprisingly doesn't take up much room. Just a pathway or two through the shop has been blocked.

The Dians themselves are, once again, appraising items, looking through forms, and keeping a notepad connected to the network each on hand. They look up briefly at the sound of the door opening before turning back to their work.

Then they do a quick double-take. Bursting into smiles, they race over to their buddies. Isaac, who sat at the end of the counter, simply gets up from where he was. Miria, all the way behind the counter, jumps over it.]

"Ez!

Luci!

How've you been, old pals?

Edited (html fail and spelling error sorry!) 2013-12-09 07:26 (UTC)

We're good! How've you two been doing?

[Luci would have noticed this if it weren't for the fact that the couple was practically in their faces as soon as they walked in. The blond likely would have jumped back herself if she wasn't holding onto Ez's hand, so instead she settled for shrinking just a little.]

Uh, hi..!

[She glanced at Ez, then back to the Dians.]

You guys know each other? I should have figured.

"We've been great!"

"Fine!"

"Okay."

"Sort of."

"Could be better."

They pause for a second.

"But it's good to have you guys here!"

"Oh, Ez stops by all the time!"

"But enough about that! It's great to have you around!"

What can I say, you guys have the most interesting stuff here.

[Was there something she was missing here?]

I see. All the time, really?

Oh, right. Did you happen to think of anything like I was talking to you about? Right, Ez, why don't you take it out so they can take a better look.

Oh yeah, at all sorts of various hours!

[They rub their chins in thought at the question.]

Well, we've been pretty busy...

But I guess we thought some kinda crystal sorta thing would work.

How's that?

[Ez will neatly sidestep the various hours bit and pull the amulet from his pocket. It's rather large, about as big as the back of his hand, with a strange symbol inlaid within it. It glows faintly blue.

That should work.

[She then looks at Ez, letting go of his hand to put both on her hips.]

"Various hours," what does he mean by that?

[She can wager a guess.]

Edited 2013-12-10 05:37 (UTC)

[Isaac gestures to one of the shelves, where plenty of jewels and necklaces sit.]

They might be something there...

Or in the back if you can't find anything that suits you!

[The Dians pause and gasp as Ez's reveal. They lean in to take a closer look at the amulet.]

I've never seen anything like it!

I don't even think we could appraise something like that...

[Sidestep, sidestep, sidestep the uncomfortable questioning line from my girlfrined]

Is there any way we can rig it to attach to my hand? I need to be holding it to use it properly.

Edited 2013-12-10 06:38 (UTC)

[She gives him a look that says she'll find out one way or another, and that he won't like it when she does.

She would wait to ask for herself later, they seemed rather impressed with Ez's amulet. Which, to be fair, was completely understandable.]

[They start rubbing their chins in unison once again.]

Hmmmmmm... Maybe you need some kind of glove-thing...

A glove-thing that can hold an amulet...

[They continue to furiously chin rub.]

That sounds about right, actually. Think you can do it?

We'd definitely have to look around...

[Isaac trails off as he already begins to search through some shelves.]

But if we can't find anything, we could get a sturdy glove and sew something to hold the amulet in.

It probably won't come to that, but...

Would that work?

Yeah that should work. So long as it's near my hand, maybe put it on the back of the glove so I can still hold things or whatever.

Great!

Then onward we look!

[And then they both start racing through the store looking for stuff. Because that's how they roll.]

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[Open] Antiques Shop log

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