Moonshade Occult Shop

[Rhiannon Shaw]

"Los Angeles is a massive city. You can live here your whole life, never see half of it." he said.

He was certainly right about how massive Los Angeles was, especially to someone like Rhiannon, who'd always been able to walk a few blocks and reach her hometown's center. In fact, she practically walked everywhere, because most important buildings or spots were close to one another. Even the mall, on the outskirts of town, was just a few bus stops away from the town square.

It was ridiculously smaller than Los Angeles, where you could get lost after traveling down a few blocks. Which had happened to Rhiannon. On multiple occasions. Embarrassing, really. Even having a map didn't provide much help. You still got completely disoriented. Fortunately, you could always find some sympathetic soul that gave you a few directions. After about ten minutes trying to approach someone on the street and getting ignored.

Sometimes she really missed home, where you could ask for directions and have everyone on a two-mile radius flocking to you with instructions, diagrams and assorted maps. Small town solidarity was always strong.

"It is a good place to go, Lorne has helped me a lot. That's what I was thinking, actually."

"That he could help you? With your... with Christopher?" Even the name made her shiver now. Ridiculous? No... not at all. She'd seen the darkness on the man's eyes. There was nothing ridiculous about fearing what should be feared.

Her thoughts were fortunately interrupted as heavy steps made their way up the stairs and the kitchen door opened to reveal Stone.

"Rhiannon, I'm terribly sorry but i have to go. So i guess we just have to take that flight some other time."

"Oh," she said softly, then smiled brightly. "And I was so looking forward to it. But I understand." She rose from her chair and went to Stone, one of her slim and tiny hands (compared to his) gently falling over one of Stone's arms, squeezing lightly. "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we have the opportunity to talk more."

She paused, and looked over her shoulder at Reuben. "I... I should probably go back down. Actually pretend I'm working," she said with a chuckle.

[Reuben]

"Sure, I should get back to my apartment and try and convince my land owner I still work." he said. "Thank you, again."

He stood, moving forward, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Really, thank you. I'll see you around."

With a warm smile, he turned and headed down the stairs, the bell chiming again as he pushed the door open.

[Stone]

"It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we have the opportunity to talk more."
"So do i. Your a great girl" he gave her a slight smile "Or women if you prefer. But i got promises to keep, so i say my goodbyes." He bowed slightly before grasping her in a hug, her head barely reaching his chest. Then, with surprising grace for a animated statue turned flesh, he made his way down the stairs.

He said his goodbyes to Siobhan as well before making his way onto the dark street. As he took into the air, the ingredients tied to his belt, he headed for the church he called home.

[Rhiannon Shaw]

"Sure, I should get back to my apartment and try and convince my land owner I still work." he said. "Thank you, again."

Rhiannon felt a stab of disappointment that Reuben was leaving, but she quickly ignored it. It was probably for the best that he was going, since she did need to return to work and he probably had things to do other than hang around the store. She just hoped she had helped him. She didn't know how useful that spell would be, exactly how protected it would keep him, but at least she'd tried her best. All that was left was to wish him safe.

"You're welcome," she said softly, smiling at him.

He stood, moving forward, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Really, thank you. I'll see you around."

Her smile grew into a grin and she nodded.

"Merry part, Reuben." 'And merry meet again', she added silently, watching as he left, listening as he climbed down the stairs. She could imagine her grandmother's face at having a complete stranger come down from her apartment.

Her attention was brought back to Stone when he spoke.

"So do i. Your a great girl" he gave her a slight smile "Or women if you prefer. But i got promises to keep, so i say my goodbyes."

Rhiannon was then enveloped in a bear (or maybe one should say gargoyle) hug, which almost stole her breath, but made her laugh. She watched him go down the stairs and followed him at a more sedate pace, meeting a seemingly harried Siobhan once she entered the store proper. Rhiannon braced herself for whatever comment her grandmother would make, but she was once again surprised, though this time it wasn't due to any supernatural phenomena.

"Rhia, I need to leave right now. I already called a taxi and I'm going to meet an old friend." At this, Rhiannon wondered if 'old friend' actually meant an old friend, as in over 100 years of age. She'd never take the meaning of those words lightly again. But her curiosity was also peaked.

"Siobhan, what... why are you...?"

Her grandmother interrupted her questions with a gesture that clearly told Rhiannon to quiet down. She did, confusion clearly on her face. Siobhan's expression softened.

"I just need to talk to a friend, discuss a few things, seek a bit of advice. She lives across town so I want to leave now. I don't know when I'll return so could you please close the shop? And don't wait for me for dinner."

"But... did something happen?"

"No, no. Well, perhaps." Siobhan patted Rhiannon's shoulder. "Nothing for you to worry about. Only an old woman's need for some sage advice." She didn't give any more explanation, just told Rhiannon not to forget the closing rituals (to protect the store at night from unwanted presences) and went out into the street, the sun disappearing on the horizon, casting shadows onto the buildings.

Rhiannon sighed. Things had been rather... surreal... today, including her grandmother's need to suddenly leave, and Rhiannon actually hoped her evening would be calmer than the day had been. That no more surprises were scheduled for today.

With a sigh, she sat on a nearby chair and looked around the suddenly empty shop.

What a day...