The Eyes Of 'Rah

The Back Room

When the shop door opened the second time, she looked up to see Felicity Mosey strutting towards her.

"Where's Mr. Pawn?" Dumping the snacks she brought along beside the counter where Seraphine's books were neatly placed.

Pointing her hands up to indicate the old man has retired upstairs for the night as she went back to her writing.

Felicity yanked the pen from her, "that's enough for now, let's chat and gossip for a while before mama comes to drag me out." Putting on a pleading look, "boredom will kill me if I go home now"

Seraphine scoffed, "or you're hiding from doing your share of the house chores" suspending the rest of her work for later, she carried the snacks Felicity brought to another table and laid out all the snacks properly for their consumption. As someone who shared the same sweet tooth as her friend, she knew everything would disappear in no time.

"Do you know that Dr. Henshaw is a healer, ?"

"I was surprised when the old man mentioned she's a witch."

It is uncommon to see a medical doctor who doubled as being a healer. Healers are usually witches who solely delve into the business of healing people and animal using herbs and concoction. It is not new that most unorthodox medical doctors are always in disagreement with healer, they believe science is the absolute truth which is why both parties view things differently.

The witches are therefore mostly healers while humans beings are the most populated in the unorthodox medicine, no one knew Dr. Henshaw was a witch who uses both to treat her patients until recently.

Seraphine never knew other creatures aside from human exist until she started working at the pawn shop, the first time she saw a vampire, she had been afraid when he approached the counter. She had innocently thought the man wanted to pawn something in order to buy blood which he obviously lacked due to his pale skin.

Not until the old man came out and led him away, that he had an appointment with him. Later that day, Mr. Pawn directed her to the mini library in the shop which was full of old books. She had read everything she could find about them.

She got to know about other creatures as well, through books, the old man's speech and her encounter with them whenever they come to the shop. Strangely enough, it is mostly humans who come to get their things pawned, other creatures always coming to ask for the old man. Who knew what service the man renders for them.

Seraphine doubt if Mr. Pawn was actually human, not that he shared any similarities with any of them but there is just something about him that she couldn't place a finger on. 

"Did you also know that Lacy has been trying so hard to catch the attention of the new owner of the factory?

She only shrugged, not interested in knowing anything related to the factory, because of the painful memories attached to it, she had done everything possible to steer clear of going neat there or the town square.

Felicity who had remembered how uncomfortable her friend usually feels whenever the factory was mentioned scolded herself mentally for her foolishness and quickly changed the topic.

"So, when are you going to give Sir Bob an answer?" Giggling as she winked at her.

"I'm going to find the right time to decline him as gentle as I could"

"But why, it is obvious that he likes you, considering that the only attire you always put on is your ugly pinafore which you peg as your work cloth. He saw past that and still wanted you regardless" with her arms akimbo, she shook her head. "I'll be the one to set all your pinafores on fire one day"

Rubbing her forehead, Seraphine stared at her friend who had a thing against her choice of clothes, "I know you detest my pinafore but do not set them on fire dear. They are as dear to me as you are. Besides, working around in the shop with a dress is not as convenient as a pinafore. I walk better and freely in them"

"Don't tell me you place me and your ugly duckling pinafore on the same rank in your heart" glaring at her.

"Oh stop being dramatic, anyways, Sir. Bob was only infatuated because he saw my almost naked breast one time, thanks to someone"

Felicity cheek went pink out of embarrassment, it was few years ago when they were playing by the stream and Felicity almost slipped. She had mistakenly grabbed Seraphine's cloth instead of her hand to break her fall which resulted in the thin fabric tearing, exposing her breast. The clearing of a throat had alerted them them that a third party had joined them which happened to be Sir. Bob. He had then been lusting over Seraphine ever since.

"Perhaps, if you had been showing that pretty body more, you'll give him more reasons to pursue you"

"No, if I show him more of my breast or any other part, I'm sure he will show up the next day with his parents and ready for marriage"

"Oh my, what about Philip then? Why haven't you answered him? The boy is clearly smitten"

Sighing, "I'm sure when he sees my eyes, he would run with his tail between his legs."

"Don't say that, you need to learn to give people the benefit of the doubt, dear friend" taking the last piece of snack into her mouth, she looked straight at her friend, she removed her spectacle and stared into her eyes.

"You need to let go of what happened with Jacob. You're beautiful with your eyes and only a fool like him would say otherwise, I can't even count the number of men that has approached you over the years"

"That's because they didn't see my eyes. The one who saw it almost had his heart out of his chest in panic." She countered, "I know you mean well but for now, I think it's best I just leave feelings alone for now"

Jacob was the young boy she had developed feelings for back then, she had thought he would understand with the way they had become so close over a short period of time. They had discussed wide range of topics together and he seemed to be open-minded but the moment she had removed her spectacle that evening after being persuaded and reassured that he won't react differently, Jacob had panicked and ran off.

She felt shattered for days afterwards, the only thing that had kept her mind going was sorting and arranging items in the shop.

The rustling of papers as Felicity cleared the table snapped her back to reality, "it's late. I have to start heading home before mama throws a search party" putting her shawl around her neck, she got on her feet.

"Ok, send my regards to everyone?" Seraphine walked her to the door.

"Everyone? Including my mama" her lips tugged as she teased.

"Excluding Mrs. Mosey" Seraphine knew there was no way Mrs Mosey would accept her greetings. Even as everyone had gotten used to her, including Mrs. Mosey's family, she had been obstinate about accepting her.

Locking the door behind her, she ensured the shop was secure and headed round back to the stairs that led to her room upstairs was.

As she was about to ascend, her eyes darted to the left, there stood  the door to the room she had been begging the old man. The rough wooden door with no lock stood intimidating. It occurred to her that she could quickly sneak a peek while the old man was busy upstairs sleeping and snoring.

With that in mind, she took a detour and headed towards the door.