part of your world

Belle smiled softly as the other woman spoke. “I’m interested in so many things, I don’t know what I would write about,” she admitted. “I would probably just…end up writing a book about books.” She laughed. “Maybe I could write about the history of the library or something. Did you know there’s a library in Vermont that actually crosses the Canadian border?” She laughed a little. “I don’t know, maybe if you had a pool floatie or something,” she joked. “You’d be surprised, I have t talent for reading anywhere.” She smiled. “Yeah, I’ll go for a dip next time. Maybe we can go to together and make a day of it.”

“Well, there in lies your task, Narrowing down what you want to write about first.” she said matter o’factly. “I didn’t but maybe you could do a bit of everything and write a fact book about random facts.” she suggested wiping down her counter top, lifting the mermaid carving up before setting it down carefully. “I think the waves wouldn’t be your friend in a pool floatie.” she chuckled picking it. 

A grin spread across Basil’s face. That was exactly what he needed to hear.

“It was stolen, I’m afraid. But not from me.” He steepled his fingers. “I wouldn’t be here if it was your run-of-the-mill thievery, either. Those are actually quite boring. People are generally untrustworthy. But that particular stolen valuable seems to be connected to a murder.”

He was so caught up in the excitement of something turning up through this lead, he forgot that it was generally frowned upon to smile when discussing violent crimes.

“I’m going to need every detail you can remember about that box and who brought it to you.”

“Fish tails.” she tsked banging her hand down on the countertop in front of her. “that was not the answer I wanted to hear, it’s bad for business but seems like it’s the answer you were looking for.” she sighed typing in a few keywords before finding the photos she documented. 

Ivelisse wasn’t surprised that Ariel had found another piece for her. The girl was undoubtedly gifted at finding the most glorious oddities. It was why she was one of the few, who Ivel didn’t automatically become defensive with. After all, Ariel had practically decorated her bedroom at this point. “Oh it’s lovely Red.” She took the mirror out the box, fingers running over the delicate gold. “where on earth did you aquire it?”

Ivelisse was her best customer. She was always purchasing items that were unique and expensive and she gave Ariel quite the challenge in finding things she might like. “I’m so happy you like it. I bought it at an auction, along with a few other things, a very regal collection wouldn’t you say?”

closed starter for @partofyourworldd​

Basil knew the antique shop was a long shot. Hardly worth calling a ‘lead’. But, at the moment, it was the only one he had. And his job meant exploring even the most unlikely of possibilities. 

He scanned the items, with no luck finding what he was looking for. He was ready to leave, to back to his notes, and reassess when he noticed someone had appeared behind the counter. Owner? 

“Ah! Hello.” He jumped to attention. “Tell me, did someone donate or sell an oak box to you last Sunday? Just over twenty-five centimeters long. Engravings of olive branches.” The words rolled out in rapid succession.

It was the bell on her shop door that alerted her someone entering the front. Ariel had been in the back her attention lost to the countless items she had acquired. It was just so interesting to her. She poked her head out noticing he was looking for something. Putting down the brightly painted vase she headed to the front with some paper bags she needed to restock. 

“Yes.” she said proudly popping up from where she was restocking the bags behind the counter. 

She tapped her finger against her lip thoughtfully. “That does ring a bell. Don’t tell me it was yours and it was a theft.” she sighed. She did her best to make sure she bought things that were on the up and up but sometimes terrible things happened. 

      “Just some?” he teased. eyes following the smoke as it bellowed up from the hood of the car. “You might want to step back in case that bursts into flames.” Smoke coming from something that it wasn’t supposed to was a bad sign. Not wanting to leave her there alone in case something happened, he glanced at the vehicle. “I can stay with you until they come if you want.” 

Her eyes widened and she almost gave herself whiplash from the way her head spun towards him. “What? Really?” she asked concerned. “What about all the stuff in my trunk!” she quickly ran over her heels tapping on the ground as she threw open the trunk. “I can’t let this stuff blow up they’re antiques!” 

Belle smiled brightly as Ariel spoke. She all too often was met with blank looks or outright disinterest when she rambled on a subject like that, so it was a nice change of pace to find Ariel so interested. “Oh, thanks,” she said, and then gave a little laugh as Ariel went on, shaking her head. “No, no, nothing like that,” she said. “I just like learning, I guess. I’ll read anything and retain the most random information.” She smiled softly and nodded in agreement. “I think so, too,” she said. “I just love myths like this that cross cultures. It just goes to show people are more alike than we think.” She chuckled a little. “I do like the beach,” she said. “I mostly go to sit on a beach towel and read in the sun.”

“Well I think you should write your own book. You’re so knowledgeable surely you have the motivation to write something of your own.” Ariel suggested. Belle was probably the smartest person she knew. She could remember facts and knew so much about well, really anything and everything. “Well you can’t exactly read while in the ocean, but the salt water is so good for you, you should really read up on the benefits and maybe you’ll put the book down for a moment when you’re at the beach and enjoy.” she chuckled. 

Open starter for @aforgottentale-starters​

        An absent whistle emitted from Robin’s lips as he emerged out of the woods. Spotting someone stopped on the road, his lips parted to speak as he stopped at the tree line. “You okay?” He questioned, cautious to approach the stranger. He may have been the thief, but that didn’t negate the other person as being a possible threat. Plus, he only stole from the rich to help those less fortunate. It was an act of service, nothing more. This person looked like they were already having a bad enough day. Turning his head down the road, he didn’t see anyone else. “Are you out here alone?”

Ariel didn’t know the first thing about cars, this was a rental they assured her would get her from A to B and it was currently smoking. The hood of the car was up and her hands were on her lips annoyed when a voice had made her jump. Spinning on her heel she saw a man watching her. “Oh uh, just some car trouble. CAA should be on their way soon.” she quickly added. Perhaps she should have gone along with someone after all to pick up her trinkets for the store.