⚝ antique shop。

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ "Yes! All of this! I'm slowly transitioning my apartment to have a more Nordic feel to it and these would go good with the collections I have." There was even an authentic battle shield with clear Viking elements to it, worn and covered in a few knicks; clearly having been used before at some point. The shield, aside from the dagger, were the two items that called out louder to him than the rest. Perhaps it was the symbol painted on the shield that kept the thrum steady. "I'm dead serious about taking these off your hands, Baek. I'm already trying to figure out my budget... Might have to cut back a bit on groceries to add one here and there." Christopher chewed on his bottom lip with a thoughtful expression. He soon snapped out of it when Baekhyun began explaining the alternative speculation towards the dagger, something he had already been fully aware of - even the coin part. A lot of cultures and religions still see the blade of a dagger as an omen while other lesser known ones still stuck to the other meaning. His eyes widened as they noticed the coin sitting in Baekhyun's palm, lips slowly parting in shock, then they snap up to stare into the pair already looking back at him. And after a still moment, a slow smile begins to appear upon his visage. He reaches out to accept both the dagger and the coin. "You know," he began, twirling the coin around his fingers for a few seconds while stepping forward, "you're much smoother than you think." There's a small pocket on the front of Baekhyun's work shirt. He drops the coin into it, traces of mischief glinting in his mismatched eyes. "Symbol of friendship accepted."

@christopher b。ᵐᵒᵒⁿˢʰⁱⁿᵉ "All of this?" Baekhyun asked, wanting to be sure he had heard the other correctly. "If you are sure that you really want all of it, we can come up with a price and a payment plan that works for both of us. Since it's all back here nobody else can try buy it. I've had people try convince me to sell them something that was already sold before." He could already tell that Christopher would treasure the items.
The Imugi's smile grew wider as soon as his friend refused by telling him about the dagger. "Yes, I know how valuable it is." It was refreshing hearing someone else talk about the history and traditions surrounding something. "Did you know that many people believe that gifting blades such as this will bring bad luck? They think that it will sever the bond between the blade giver and the receiver?" There was slightly excitement in the olders tone. Excitement for sharing information. "How people have been countering this is by very simply gift a coin with whatever blade they give." Upon saying that, he moved the dagger to reveal a coin sitting in his hand. It had been there the whole time, just covered by the dagger. "The coin is returned to the original owner as a symbol of payment and there is no more risk to the friendship." His smile was still there as he asked "Knowing this, and of course the value of this beautiful dagger and what it means when gifted, will you please accept my gift as a sign, or symbol of our friendship?"

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ "Well ... I'll have to come back periodically when I can afford to then," he muttered thoughtfully, already trying to fit this into his budget. "I'll get all of this off of your hands. It'll be a win-win situation for the both of us." That wasn't necessarily a lie. The items before them would most definitely be going to a good home with someone who, clearly, would treasure them completely. It'd also clear up some space and possibly knock one thing off of Baekhyun's Stress List. Most of these items would be good props for the upcoming music videos he is set to start filming within the next few days.
Christopher freezes. He looks down at the dagger that's held out to him then back up at his friend, back down at the dagger, then back up and-- "I-I can't just take this!" He exclaims, bewildered. "Baek, t-this... this is extremely valuable. I'm not about to j-just take this as a token or something." Christopher could go on for hours about Nordic and Viking traditions - in fact, he could probably talk Baekhyun's ear off. "Do you know what that dagger is? It's a sacrificial dagger. A dagger itself presents a connection of humanity and the gods in the way that Viking's would use a dagger to when preparing their animals for various rituals or sacrifices. Hence, the dagger /also/ means dedication and sacrifice. Receiving a dagger would be akin to being gifted life and honor. I can't--" His wide eyes looked down at the beautiful weapon. "--I-I can't just take it..."

@christopher b。ᵐᵒᵒⁿˢʰⁱⁿᵉ "I have indeed. Many people looked, but no buyers for this particular piece. All of these are back here cause I haven't figure out a place for them just yet. I might have to rotate things out every now and again so I display different product. There's quite a lot, if you haven't noticed." He answered, gesturing to all the stuff in the back with them.
Baekhyun watched as Christopher scrambled to put the dagger down then put his hands behind him. This action made the older tilt his head slightly in confusion. Reaching out for the same dagger he said "I guess it's a really good thing you're here with me and not some other Antiquarian." Smiling at his friend he held the dagger out for him to take. "I'd like you to have this as a sign of our friendship."

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ "1845? Holy ... You've had this piece for over a hundred years?" Christopher was in shock. It's not even the length of time that made him so surprised - it was the fact that no one even bothered snagging the item. Regardless if the person knowing about Nordic runes or not, the dagger was in perfect condition and it was just... stunning to him. "How come you have it in the back? Was it not selling?" So many questions. Christopher grimaces a little and quickly sheathes the dagger. He shouldn't just touch things so mindlessly. That was the ADHD aspect of him. Anything that remotely interested him, he /had/ to explore.
The boop to his nose makes Christopher pause mid-motion, blinking a few times as a soft blush appears on his cheeks. He stares over at him, so very flustered at the smallest of touches and, man, that was embarrassing. "R-Right! Right, uh..." Christopher makes this hitched little noise in his throat as his nerves were getting the best of him; humiliated on top of being flustered and shy. He scrambles to set the dagger down, tuck his hands behind him as to not touch /everything/ in the vicinity, and turns to Baekhyun with his lips pressed into a thin line. "Er... I-I probably couldn't afford it a-anyway... I don't have much money nowadays."

@christopher b。ᵐᵒᵒⁿˢʰⁱⁿᵉ Baekhyun watched as the other silently picked out a beautiful Nordic dagger from the many items in front of them. It didn't take him long to remember the piece and where he had gotten it. "That's a beautiful piece. It was sold to me not long after I opened the shop for the very first time. Back in 1845."
The world had changed a lot over the years. Sometimes it felt strange thinking back on how different things were in his younger years. They feel so far away. So long ago. But compared to others, and within his own species, he was still young. Then again, compared to the human in front of him, he was very old.
"Anything?" He repeated, looking at his friend with an eyebrow raised. Without really thinking, he reached out and gentle tapped the younger males nose as he said "That is not how you get the lowest price for yourself from an Antiquarian. If there's no price, you put an offer out below the maximum of your budget and they either accept or counter offer with an amount above the minimum price they are willing to sell at."

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ "Oh, please. I'm tougher than I look." Christopher brushed off with a low scoff, chuckling soon after. "I can handle a lot. Especially pain. Besides," he turns to look back at Baekhyun with a sweet smile, "if it meant that I could see you more often, I think I'd happily get hurt again."
Was it intuition? He was never sure. But funnily enough, things seemed to be a bit... different after his second brush with death. It was like Christopher's third eye opened. He felt more psychic, ironically. And more often, he would feel things call out to him - they almost sounded like low vibrations or rumbles that would make all hair stand on end. He'd be able to find lost items within seconds, seemingly figuring out exactly where they were just by thinking about them even if those items weren't even his. That same pull would be felt and heard much stronger whenever anything with runes were in his presence. It's like the runes themselves would call to him - and that's exactly how he finds himself holding a Nordic dagger. Christopher blinks a few times, startled, as he doesn't even remember seeing it much less picking it up... but now he can't seem to put it back down. The blade was intricately designed with specific and familiar runes engraved into the metal. The handle and sheath were made of genuine leather with clear Viking and Nordic elements added in.
"This one," came a distracted mumble. He couldn't even look away from it. "I don't know where it came from but..." A pause and Christopher is finally able to look away, mismatched eyes locking with Baekhyun's. "Name your price. I'll give you anything for this piece."

@christopher b。ᵐᵒᵒⁿˢʰⁱⁿᵉ The thought of the other visiting more made him very happy. He really liked spending time with Christopher.
"Good, good. Can't have you getting hurt again just cause you came to see my store." Baekhyun smiled brightly when the other said his reason was good enough. "Of course I meant it. We'll arrange to do that some other time though." Although he thought he heard Christopher mumble something about making him shy, he didn't ask for incase it wasn't something he was meant to hear.
Seeing how the human reacted to seeing the Nordic items made him happy. It was clear to him just how much his friend loved them. "It looks authentic cause it is. Not a single fake among them. I'm very careful with stuff like that." When asked about the prices he gently shook his head. "I haven't priced them yet. That's why they are back here." Moving closer he said "Show me exactly which pieces you'd like. I'm sure we can come up with a way that you can have them without costing you too much."

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ The dust of pink doesn't go unnoticed, yet Christopher was not a patronizing man so he didn't make a comment on it. Instead, he just smiled a little wider at him, eyes crinkling and making it somewhat more difficult to see properly. "There's no need to thank me," he earnestly dismissed. "You told me to be honest, right? Well, this is me being honest! I mean it, I might just come here more often. And not just to see you." It was a cheeky little remark and a cheeky little wink however his cheeky little grin was still warm around the edges. That's the thing about Christopher; he was always encouraging, always supportive, always patient and kind and way too understanding. Those traits often got misused by others and he was often taken for granted, even by his own friends. Sometimes, the guy really was disgustingly too nice that not many people seemed to trust it. That never made sense to him but that's not the point right now. "I didn't, I swear." Another laugh resonates from his lips, filling at the air between them as Christopher follows closely alongside him. His knee had no issues ever since Felix healed him that day. Though when the earlier conversation was brought up, he glances over at Baekhyun curiously and - if possible - grows more excited at the prompt of seeing him in his other form. "You meant that?! Ah, alright, alright-- it's definitely a good enough reason! I'll try not to hide so much but I can't help it. You make me shy for some reason." He mumbles the last part, plump brims pursed as though he was pouting. Once they reached the room and all of the Nordic items came into view, Christopher immediately found himself striding forward quickly until he was standing right in front of it all. "This all looks authentic, too... /Actual/ Nordic items - I've been meaning to get my hands on some of this stuff but they're so expensive." A pause. Christopher turns to face him, frowning. "What're the prices on these?"

@christopher b。ᵐᵒᵒⁿˢʰⁱⁿᵉ Baekhyun's mouth opened slightly in surprise upon hearing the other say his shop was the best he's been in. He had no clue how to respond as he hadn't expected that comment. This was his first time hearing that and he had been in the business for over a century. Just when he had decided to ask if he had heard right, he felt a gentle squeeze. That simple action made him change what he was going to say. Instead, a light blush dusted his cheeks and he said "Thank you. That means a lot."
Seeing how excited Christopher was made him very happy. "I have most of them in the back." He said he turned to walk back to where he came from. "You didn't hurt your knee again on your way here, did you? No bumps or bruises I need to be worried about?" Baekhyun asked in a light tone as he lead the other into the back part of the store. "Actually, speaking of when you were on your way here. You asked me to give you a reason not to hide away forever. I still haven't shown you my true form. You won't get to see it if you hide away forever. Is that a good enough reason?"
The Nordic items Baekhyun had mentioned collecting were very easy to spot once they entered the back room. It was a decent sized collection.

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ Everything in this shop was... remarkable. Beautiful. And everything else in between. Every item was unique in its own property and, even though there were many in one area, the human found himself studying each and every piece he came across. Christopher was busying examining an old record player that looked be /rather/ outdated when the other had approached, and immediately all of his attention was on Baekhyun. A warm and happy smile instantly pulled at his plump tiers the second his gazes landed on him. "Hey!" Christopher greeted, all dimples and pearly whites. "This is the best antique shop I've ever in and I haven't even taken 10 steps in. You did /fantastic/ with this place!" A reassuring hand lifts to touch Baekhyun's elbow, giving it a gentle squeeze in hopes that it would help ease any worry the other man had. Christopher looks off towards the themed rooms, eyes widening briefly as his lips part in shock. "Whoa, I didn't even see those-- Okay, okay, you definitely gotta give me a tour but please do show me those Nordic items you found first. I practically ran here when you said you had some." He laughs, timid and embarrassed from his own excitement. Hopefully Baekhyun wouldn't find that weird.

@christopher b。ᵐᵒᵒⁿˢʰⁱⁿᵉ After Changhyun's visit to the store, Baekhyun added a bell to the door so he could hear when people entered. It was a simple bell, but one he could hear from every part of the store. He was in the back when he heard it chime after his usually closing time. There were two possibilities on who it could be. Number one: A potential customer; or number two: The man he was waiting for.
A bright smile came to his face when he poked his head out to see and his eyes landed on Christopher. Curious about what the other thought without any possible influence from him, he watched him for a moment.
"I'll take that as you like it." The Imugi said as he approached. Pointing towards the sections he had done up as if they were rooms, he said "They are done by year. I was trying to make it easy for first time antique buyers, but also make it feel like you've stepped back in time to when all of these things were new. Do you get that feeling?"

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ ( sorry for the short starter im on mobile atm ;;;; )

The antique shop was now in view. Peaking over at him from beyond the slope up ahead. He could see the sign outside like he was standing right outside, directly under it, which is quite interesting. Christopher's eyeside is a little... off ever since the car accident. Most times he can't clearly see two inches in front of him and then the next you know he'd describing the sign to shop that was several yards away. Enough of a distance to be just barely in sight. He isn't sure what that quite means or if it's even something that should be noted. The human trudges up towards the shop and gently nudges the door open, hearing the bell chime up above to alert those that worked within that of his presence. Christopher looks around, slowly stepping further in before coming to a complete halt to instead look at everything that surrounds him with nothing but utter fascination and awe twinkling in his mismatched hues. "Whoa..."

@changhyun y。ᶠᵒˣⁱᵉ The Imugi was so happy to hear that the experience he wanted to give his customers was coming through clearly with the layout he had created. He really wasn't sure it would, which is why he got so happy when Changhyun offered to give his opinion. That, and because he was excited to meet the Kitsune.
A light blush dusted his cheeks when the other informed him that the flowers were grown for him. It made him feel very special, and of course, very welcome. This made the already precious gift even more precious to him. He would keep the flowers safe and well.
Baekhyun chuckled softly at the others' comments. "Are you sure about that? There are a lot of tables out here," Pointing towards the back he added, "and there's more in the back."
Shaking his head lightly, he answered, "None yet. But I only opened around the time you offered to help out. Before that I was still moving things and organising stuff. I did see some people look through the windows a few times. Don't really wanna think about how crazy and disorganised I must have looked to them, if they even saw me." Smiling at the other he asked, "How's your work been going? You're a vet, right?"

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ I did come because I wanted to help but also to see you, Baekhyun *admits with a toothy grin then I tilt my head to the side, listening intently to your explanation* That's exactly how it felt when I walked inside! Like a time traveler hehe. I love that you created a section for each year. It's so organized and it'll definitely make the process easier for the clients. You did amazing~ *gives you a thumbs up with a firm nod. Beams brightly when you compliment the flowers and fidgets a little with my fingers, feeling a bit timid now about the gift* A-Ah, I know I didn't, but I really wanted to! I'm so happy that you like them. I grew them for you with lots of love *blinks several times as I watch you go, following you with my gaze until you disappear into the back of the store. Waits patiently and as soon as I hear you calling for me I walk over to you, smiling widely the moment I see the flower pot I've gifted you on the table* They look perfect! Like they were made to be there~ Now I want to give you different flowers for each table here! *laughs softly even though I'm being serious about wanting to do it. Coos when I notice the "Flowers not for sale" sign, finding it utterly cute that you're protecting them like that* By the way, when did you open the shop? Have you had any clients?

@changhyun y。ᶠᵒˣⁱᵉ "This is the least I could do after you've come all this way to give me your opinion on how the store looks." Baekhyun said with a bright smile. Once the other declined the drink offer, the imugi sat in the opposite seat and took a biscuit for himself.
His smile widened when he heard Changhyun's opinion on what he'd done. "You really think so? I was trying to lay the shop out in a way that would make it easy for first time antique buyers, but also make it feel like you've stepped back in time to when all of these things were new. That's why I have little sections done up as if they are rooms. The items in each of those sections are from the same year. As in, each section has a year assigned to it."
"These are beautiful, Changhyun." He said as he accepted the gift. "You know you didn't have to, right?" After a quick glance around the store, he stood up. "I know exactly where to put these!" Baekhyun announced with a big smile on his face before he disappeared into the back, flower pot still in hand. When he reappeared, there was a sign in with the flowers that said "Flowers not for sale". The Imugi walked over to a section near the front of the shop and placed the pot on the table there. His smile widened and he called the other over before asking "What do you think?"

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ *my nervousness was almost completely gone the moment I saw your bright, friendly smile and I greet you back with a big smile of my own, eyes turning to crescents and my white kitsune ears flicking with contentment* Oh, don't worry~ I'm glad I didn't startle you. Sorry, I should've let you know I was here hehe *takes a seat on one of the armchairs when you gesture me to, eyeing the snacks and picking up a biscuit from the plate* Ah, thank you so much. This is so lovely and so are you! *takes a small bite of the biscuit then shakes my head with soft smile when you offer me something to drink* I'm fine~ Thanks again. By the way, this place looks amazing! You did a beautiful job decorating and organizing it. And you have such fascinating pieces here, I can't wait to buy from you! *I said enthusiastically with a small chuckle as my eyes wander around the shop until I remember I had something to give you so I quickly turn to face you and hold out the flower pot with gardenias that I was carrying* A welcome/congratulations gift~ These are gardenias, they're super pretty and they'll keep this place smelling soooo sweet and delicious.


https://bit.ly/3bAR2rZ

@changhyun y。ᶠᵒˣⁱᵉ It had taken a while, but he had finally turned the sign on the store from Closed to Open. He did this around the time Changhyun, a guy he had recently been chatting to online, offered to help him. Since all he really felt he needed was another's opinion on how the store looked, he said that, but in all honesty, he didn't expect the other to say he'd come.
Baekhyun was surprised when that was the message he received. Surprised and grateful. He was excited to meet the other in person. They got along when talking online after all.
After sending Changhyun the directions to the store, the Imugi popped into the back to get some light snacks and put them on a nice antique plate. He figured it was the least he could do. While back there he also stuck the kettle on to boil so he could offer the other something hot to drink.
Wanting to have it displayed nicely for when Changhyun arrived, he went back out to the front towards an area he had designed as a nice little seating area with comfortable armchairs and a nice little coffee table. He was fixing the snacks on the plate when he felt a gentle poke on his shoulder.
"Oh! Changhyun, welcome!" The Imugi greeted with a bright smile as he turned to face the other. "I'm so sorry, I didn't hear you come in. I think I might need a bell for that door." He chuckled lightly. Gesturing towards the seats he said "Please, have a seat. And feel free to have some of the snacks. Can I get you anything to drink? Tea? Coffee? Water?"

@baekhyun b。ᵈʳᵉᵃᵐˢᶜᵒᵐᵉᵗʳᵘᵉ *as soon as I sent the message that I'd be going to visit you at your shop, I jumped out of bed to get ready and chose a dark academia kind of outfit to fit the whole 'visiting an antique shop' idea but using shorts since it's pretty hot outside today. Once I'm satisfied with how everything looks I head out and walk towards your shop, following the directions that you sent me. I was so excited that I'd meet you in person that I almost ran there. When I finally arrive I stop to examine the exterior of the shop and bite my lip, the nerves hitting me suddenly at the realization that I was actually going to see you. For a minute or two I stare at the items displayed at the front of the shop before finally deciding to enter, looking around with a fascinated expression on my face until I spot you. Approaches you quietly and plays with my fingers nervously for a few seconds before gently poking your shoulder to get your attention* Baekhyun~ Hello~

Standing in front of the antique shop stood the little angel, who was unable to look away from one of the pieces in the display windows. It was a beautiful Victorian cabochon necklace with an antique brass design and a shimmering amethyst opal. Ever since Felix happened to see it in passing, he hasn't been able to pull himself away from it. However, one look at the price-tag has him frowning. It's not that expensive but he also currently doesn't have the money for it. With a small exhale, his grip tightens on the strap of his duffle bag and he turns away from the glass window to continue his journey back to the cottage. The morning air was still a bit cold on the breeze though it felt nice when it gently ruffled through his silver tresses.