Blast From The Past

Amani could hardly contain the internal glee she felt inside, even though her face remained serene as she exampled the piece of colored glass a student had brought to her. The student herself was a frail thing, hardly looking like she could muster up the smallest of spells, much less the more complicated ones, given her small size and pale skin. She looked rather sickly, but that wasn't really Amani's concern. Her interest was in the small, purple glass marble that she held within her hands, looking at the dark whorls with interest.

"So you said it has brought you bad luck," she said casually, making sure her face remained calm and neutral as she set the small marble back into the small box the girl had it in.

"Y-yes....the shadows...they f-follow me," stammered the girl, looking everywhere except at the small marble. "They w-won't stop....no one else sees them b-but....." She shook her head and swallowed. "It has to be dark magic!"

Amani's eyes flicked up and over the girl, making a decision inwardly to at least give the small girl a bit of peace. She seemed like the type to frighten easily. "From what I can tell, it seems to be just an ordinary marble," she said, holding up her hand to stop the impending outburst from the young girl. "Honey, I think you are just over stressed, and working far too hard on your studies," she said, her voice sweet and coaxing. "Here is what my price will be for you. I will take the marble off your hands, and give you something to ease your mind in return." The girl looked very relieved, and smiled weakly as Amani took the offending marble from the counter and placed it on the back counter behind her. She then looked into one of the cabinets beneath the counter, rummaging around a bit before producing a thin necklace, silver plated, with a small opal the only jewel.

She placed the necklace down on the counter between them, pushing it towards the girl. "This is a simple charm, and should you touch the opal and wish for light, it will glow for you. Filling you within, and casting a light in the dark," she said gently, wondering where her sudden generosity was coming from, but didn't question the feeling too much. The girl looked at the necklace, then carefully picked up the necklace and placed it around her neck. Amani watched as she closed her eyes and held onto the gem tightly, a faint glow beginning to be seen through her fingers. The girl smiled and opened her eyes, her relief palpable as she thanked Amani profusely and then ran out of the shop.

Amani watched her go, feeling strangely pleased, and then turned to see a furry lump of black fur watching her with green eyes. "Don't even say a word Binx," she said with a sniff, and the cat flicked his tail in response from his perch on the counter. "You just keep your silent judging to yourself while I play with our new prize," she said primly before turning her attention to the small purple marble.



@Foxy

Amani heard the tinkling of the shop door bells again, indicating that someone else had come into the shop while Amani was inspecting the glass marble. She knew that it was another fae, based on the feeling of the magic that it gave her. Most fae knew when they were in the presence of another fae. It's just that she was not expecting this particular aura, and she set the marble back down carefully. Amani had not been back to Under the Hill in a very long time, but she knew the other courts and the creatures that were within them.

At the sound of her name Amani turned to see another young woman looking back at her, a deceptive glamour no doubt. But she said Amani's name with familiarity, and Amani did not recognize her. Of course, it had been a long time since she had left her homeland, so perhaps this was a very old friend. That thought faded though as the other woman spoke, and Amani smiled but it did not reach her eyes. "I See You, Ceidwen Evans, member of Cupid's Court," she said formally, in the old elven way. "Mother always did have exotic tastes in tea, and I suppose that is where I got my love for the exotic," she said, deliberatly glossing over the slight that the other woman had given her. Amani was both Seelie and Unseelie, the offspring of an elf and dark elf and never truly belonging in either courts. Her mother's reputation had indeed spread, although Amani did not doubt the love that her mother felt for whoever Amani's father was. She had always wondered why the two had not come to Manta Carlos, to be happy together, but the topic had never came up.

"Manta Carlos is exotic and ever changing, unlike Underhill which probably hasn't even changed at all. I'm quite happy here," she said, wondering what the other fae woman wanted from her, unless it was simply to see a banished daughter. "I know much about your court, so I am sure you are having a wonderful time here in this city. Humans are so willing after all." Her smile widened and she folded her hands on top of the counter. "Were you looking for something special?"