Ineffable Scales

The Corner Store

A girl enters a bookshop in London. She is a college student, a fashion major, and a troubled youth. She is looking for inspiration on her new designs, so she was roaming the streets of London when she stumbled upon the corner shop. She could have mistook it for a antique shop had it not had a sign out front reading 'A.Z. Fell and Co. - Antiquarian and Unusual Books.' Deciding that she had been wondering for hours and it was getting cold she stumbled in.

The first thing she notices in the, undoubtably old shop was a cheery man in the back who is humming to himself and organizing the books by color. When the bell on the door rang she watched as the man swiveled around to look at her. He honestly looked down-right terrified. The look turned into a small uneasy smile.

"Oh, um, can I help you?" He asks, walking to her and placing his folded hands in front of him. The girl looks around and shakes her head.

"I'm just looking." She walks over to one of the many shelves and pulls out one of the many books. She carefully runs her hand over the worn cover. There was a picture on the front she could quite clearly make out despite how ridiculously old the book appeared to be. There was a lovely golden dress imposed into the books cover. When she opened it the title was 'Miracle Fashion' with the date at the bottom reading '1666.' There was a small note on the bottom of the page that was quite faded, but could be made out to say, 'Eloquence is Very prideful, Angel. -C'

When she closes the book softly and looks around she notices a nice spot near the window with a comfy looking couch. She felt bad about not intending to purchase anything, but she needed some space and a good deal of time to think. She was hoping the book keeper wouldn't mind.

The man, in question looks over and smiles more gently this time. "That's one of my favorites." He says walking over. He takes the book out of her hands, gently. He looks old and content looking at the cover.

"Is it okay if I read it here? I am afraid I do not have enough to purchase anything." She blushes and looks down.

She looks up cautiously after a few moments. The man, to the girls surprise, is giving her a bright genuine smile. He hands her back the book and gives a soft (relived?) chuckle. "That is quite alright, my dear. Take all the time you need." He turns away with a knowing glint in his eye. The girl is pretty sure she loves him already.