Klance cursed au

Calling me to came back

The tinkle of the bell at the front of the shop startles him out of a trance. It takes a moment for him to settle back into his body enough to stand up, skin still tingling slightly from the residual magic, but he manages. Keith scowls in the direction of the customer even though they can't see him, stretching his limbs out enough to release some of the tension that's built up, sighing as the buzz fades. He's been completely still for almost an hour, searching through the haze of magic surrounding a silvery teakettle, which still sits innocently on top of his desk. He frowns at it, then reaches to a side table to find a glass cover rimmed in copper, setting it over the top of the kettle.

"Stay," he says sternly. The teakettle doesn't respond, but shivers slightly.

He winds his way through the corridor leading to the front desk, ducking a few hanging herb planters that wouldn't fit up front and one or two listlessly spinning light charms that have found their way into the hallway.

The front of the shop has dozens of the charms floating overhead, easy spells that save Keith on electricity and give his shop an authenticity that those who come to it are apparently seeking. He doesn't have to have all of his herbs and gemstones and books filling up the front of the shop -- in fact he'd prefer them be in the back, where people couldn't touch them -- but Allura had insisted it was a good look for the shop, that people would be drawn to it, and he trusted her.

The girl in front of him does seem impressed, her eyes flicking all around the room, lingering on the glowing light charms, and the wall covered in sticks from a dozen different trees, and the shelf full of jars that are labeled with a system only Keith knows. When he steps to the other side of the counter, she looks straight at him and smiles nervously.

"Hello," she says, in a thin, melodic voice. "I've heard that you might be able to help me?"

Keith takes in her kind smile and studies her aura briefly -- a hedge witch, probably good with nature and not much else.

"Depends," Keith says. His voice is slightly scratchy. He should have grabbed a bottle of water after his scrying. He swallows and tries again, saying, "I don't sell spells, I break curses and offer herbal solutions to problems. If you want love potions, you'll have to try the shop over on Elm. Although their spells aren't very strong, you'll want to add some echinacea to strengthen it, especially something made from the root."

The girl smiles, shaking her head. "I don't need a potion. I need a hex broken. It's this music box," she says, digging into her purse. "It's my grandmother's music box, from when she was a little girl." She sets it on the counter. Keith glances up at her and then gently reaches out with his magic, prodding it.

The music box has several charms on it; one keeps the wood from warping or aging, and one ensures the springs and mechanisms of the box stay oiled and free from rust. But there, clinging to the gears, is a small tendril of blackness. Keith hones in on it, pushing harder, and it recoils from him, clinging stubbornly.

"She's in the hospital," the girl says, oblivious to what he's doing, "And she wants the box with her there. But I can't take it in there like this."

"How did it become spelled?" Keith asks. "It's a small spell. I'm assuming all it does is play the music at odd times, probably backwards, maybe too loud."

"Yes, exactly," the girl says, making a wry face. "I honestly think it might have been someone in my family practicing, maybe trying to improve it. Maybe even grandmother. Her magic has been...difficult, since she's been sick."

She looks briefly upset, and it makes him avert his gaze.

"What's your name?" Keith asks, realizing he hasn't introduced himself or asked about his customer at all so far. Allura would scold him for being rude, but thankfully she isn't here. The girl looks up at him, blinking.