The Eyes of Fate (Currently in Rewrite)

Blending In

Sentinel

Redbear, Washington State, USA

October 2nd, 2019

"Good afternoon, sirs and ma'ams," The man behind the counter said as the Eyes walked in, Sentinel bringing up the rear. This was the third store that Fang had driven them too, and yet he still felt self-conscious. This time, though, he wasn't sure if it was from not having his eyes covered with contacts in public, or from having them covered with sunglasses unlike the rest of the eyes.

The store hadn't had a sign out front, but the large window on the front of the building had shown carved wooden furniture inside. There were dining room tables and chairs, rocking chairs, benches, and what looked like wooden planters. They all looked hand-carved, and Sentinel could see immediately why Fang had brought him here.

"Howdy, Jim." Fang waved as he strode up to the desk. "How's the folks?"

"They're doing good," Jim said. "Mom's out of the hospital now, and Dad's in the back working on some new designs. How are all of you?"

"We're doing pretty good," Oracle spoke this time. "Bringing by a new member to see what kind of furniture we can get him."

Jim rounded the counter and stuck out his hand. "Jim Hoskins Junior, nice to meet you."

Sentinel shook the offered hand. It was rough and covered in callouses, which didn't surprise him. They were in a carpenter's shop, after all.

"Sentinel." Sentinel looked Jim in the eye, noting that the man's kindness seemed genuine. "Nice to meet you too, Jim."

"Come on with me then, let's go see what all we've got in stock for you." Jim said, walking towards the front of the store without waiting to see if Sentinel was following. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

"Nothing that I know of," Sentinel said, shrugging. He started to follow Jim but stopped when Fang cleared his throat.

"We're going to head into the back and talk with the old man," he said, pitching his voice so Jim could hear him as well. "Jim, whatever he wants, bill me for it."

"Sure thing, Fang." Jim said, taking a left at the end of the main aisle. Sentinel hurried to follow him as he kept speaking. "We've got all kinds of stuff here, from big old desks and tables, to bed frames and benches, to all the rockers in the front windows. Stop me if you have any questions or see something you like."

From there, Jim led Sentinel around the entire front of the store, stopping periodically to talk about some of the other things he'd made for Fang and the other Eyes. Eventually, Sentinel stopped him when they reached a wall.

"What about this?" He pointed at a piece of wall art that looked like it had been carved from a single piece of wood, then stained in different colors. It was a picture of a forest with a stream down the middle of it, and a bear standing on a rock over the stream.

"Ah, that." Jim rubbed the back of his head. "It was something that I had been trying out, to see how well it would work."

"Is it for sale?" Sentinel asked, stepping up. It wasn't the prettiest thing he had ever seen, but he could clearly see how much love and effort that Jim had put into it.

"Yeah!" Jim practically shouted, then lowered his voice. "I mean, yes, it is. You'd actually be the first person to buy one."

"I'd love to have it." Sentinel said. "It's gorgeous."

"I'll add it to Fang's tab then," Jim said. "You ready to keep looking around?"

"Yes, I am," Sentinel said, "But I think I have an idea for something else I want. Do you have any bookshelves?"