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Soul Ties
The shop was full of animals as we stepped inside. I could smell burning incense and the aroma of fresh pastries drifting from a nearby room, which I could only guess was the living quarters. A small rabbit-bat creature could be seen on a small perch that hung over head. The Shop Keeper flashed Lena and me a smile before facing us. "Welcome to Cont D's Pet Shop, where we make all of your hopes and dreams come true. How can I help you?"
His voice...
It was so charming and eloquent. I'm not sure whether this was part of a gimmick to draw in the customers or not but I felt both easy and uneasy. Lena wasn't qutie captivated the Pet Seller's charm, but then again, she was always a bit wary of strangers. "Is...are you Count D or is the Count out?" I asked timidly.
The Chinese male merely chuckled from behind a delicate hand at my shyness before speaking. A kind sympathetic look was on his face as he answered, "Gomen, but Count D is my grandfather and yes, he is out--again." I could hear the slight bitterness in his tone at the mentioning of his grandfather, "I'm just minding his shop for the time being."
It was then that Lena looked over at him. She had been watching the strange rabbit-bat (or the Rabbat I called it) fly around until it landed on a nearby counter. "So, I guess the store is closed then?" She asked. She was definitely happy to hear that we didn't have to deal with what she called a crossdressing vampire. The Count's Grandson shook his head politely, his black hair following his movements, "I'm sorry, but the shop is open for business, despite the absence of my grandfather." Again there was a bitter tone at mentiong his grandfather, but this time it was more evident.
Did he not like his grandpa or something? But then again, this man was doing Count D's work. Casting a nervous glance in my direction, Lena just stared hard at the middle aged Asian, trying to decide what to make of him. I, however, was intrigued and still a bit scared. Clearing my throat, I gathered my courage nad brushed my hair out of my eyes. I looked at the man, "If you're the one I'm buying a pet from then what shall I call you?"
The shopkeeper's smile grew a little more as he now stood straihgt nad placing one arm across his chest, he leaned forward into a bow, causing his black hair to fall over his green and purple eyes, "You may call me, "Count D.""
'Count D?' My heart fluttered at the Count's words. Was "D" his real name or was it just an alias he used? What did D stand for?
Dracula?
Demon?
I didn't know, nor did I want to know. After all, being mysterious is part of some people's charm. It was definitely part of D's.
The count stood straight again and in his most polite manner, he smiled, "And what can I call the two of you besides two frightened kittens?" I merely blushed at his teasing and Lena stared darkly at our acquaintance. "Like we're gonna tell you our-" Lena yelped as I quickly pulled her away by the sleeve of her sweat shirt, "Ayala, what the hell?"
Count D gave us a mildly curious glance as I pulled my friend almost out of ear shot of him. "Ayala, what the hell was that for?" Lena asked in an irritated whisper. Herdark brown eyes narrowed. "You don't have to insult him, Lena; he is the shop owner! Rub him the wrong way and he won't want our business. He'll throw us out, I won't get a pet, and then 'I'll have to torture you with no coffee for a whole month!" I said.
I saw Lena;s eyebrow go up in a challenge, "REally? You'll take away my coffee and chocolate for a whole month? I dare-" But she grew quiet at seeing the serious look on my face, "You're serious, aren't you?" With ymy threat in mind, the nineteen year old gave in and decided to to stick to the rules of etiquette.
After a minute of discussion, the two of us turned back to Count D. Lena decided to let me do the talking. "We're sorry, Lord Count, let us start over, my name is Ayala and this is my friend, Lena." A polite smile formed on Count D's lips as he took my hand into his., "Ayala sounds almost like the lovely Countess Ira." He said quietly, causing me to blush deeply.
The more I stared into his eyes, the more I became drawn to him. I stood there in shocked silence until something moved from within my coat pocket., "Huh?" Feeling something stirring, I stuck my hand into my side pocket, only to feel something fuzzy brush against my finger tips, "What is..."
Before I could finish, a small white bat-rabbit like head emerged from my pocket. When I looked down, I saw that it was the Rabbat pet of D's with a pieace of candy tart cake in it's mouth. "Hey, isn'tthat your homemade chocolate tart cakr?" Lena asked, confused. The Count immediately jumped in surprise, "Q-chan! I'm so sorry about him eating your dessert.."
I just smiled as Q-chan flew out of my pocket and landed on D's shoulder. "No, it's ok. I made it because I heard you liked sweets." When I pulled out the bag containing the tart cake to survey Q-chan's damage, there was only a small tear in the wrapping on the side where Q-chan had bit into it. "Wow, there's still plenty left." I said in amazement.
"Kyu." Squeaked Q-chan from the Count's shoulder. Setting the cake on the counter, I tore off another piece and offered it to Q-chan, or at least I began to when I asked D for permission. Q-chan flew to my hand before his owner could comply and happily accepted my offering.
"Too late, he took it." The Count smiled, but his gaze now flickered to the whole cake itself, "Do you mind joining me in the next room to eat your lovely cake?" Before I couldanswer, the Chinese man walked into the other room, cake in hand. Lena excused herself, claiming to have a college class today nad left me alone with the count.
 Tygras_Kitten_Kori · Thu Feb 11, 2010 @ 11:57pm · 0 Comments |
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