Lilac Ink and Tarnished Silver
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Tenby, 5th July, 2025
| speaking | thinking | all other dialogue |
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"I imagine you plan on going glass hunting, hmm?" Efa called from around the corner, her sing-song tone rang clear, and bright. Adeline couldn't help but smile a bit - it was nice to be known. "What, am I that obvious?" Adeline's smile was evident in her voice. "But before that.." She stuffed one last piece of juicy tomato into her mouth, chewing and swallowing it down hurriedly. "I am stopping at the market to see if the Powell's have gotten in anymore lilac ink. Do you need anything from town while I am out?" She called to Efa as she rose from her place at the table. Efa did not respond, but the tapping of her boots on the old wooden floors grew closer and closer. She rounded the corner, face washed with concern. "Be careful at the market, sweetheart." Her mother's previously playful tone dropped to a more serious cadence. Adeline's blue eyes instinctively rolled. "I know. Don't talk to strangers." She did her best to feign a smile as her mother spoke once more. "It is only becau-" Adeline interrupted "Because you love me. I know, mam." Instead of speaking, Efa simply smiled, before straightening Addie's cap, and placing a roll from the counter into her hands.
Adeline was sure that there was a spell to change her black ink pots to lilac. She also knew that Efa knew this, but let her go anyways. A trip to the market was mostly an excuse to explore town, to experience the world that usually passed by her window. For days like these, Adeline and Efa came to a silent agreement - Lilac ink from Powell's was an absolute must have.
The streets were wet from the previous evenings rainstorm, cobbled alleyways shone like giant, glistening scales. Adeline's walk was beautifully uneventful - she had enjoyed stretching her legs, and breathing in the clean morning breeze. As always, the market's familiar aroma drifting through the streets was the first indicator that she was drawing close. Locally baked goods, freshly polished leather, and sweet notes of freshly cut flowers drew the girl into the square.
She spent her time bartering with an older gentleman over a jar of buttons (he eventually caved, and accepted the old copper ring) enjoying an assortment of taffies, and of course, grabbing a new pot of lilac ink. A healthy dose of people watching, sweet eating, and sunshine had left the girl feeling entirely content. She stood from her spot on the bench, and gathered her things to leave.
She had not planned to take a detour, but as Adeline stepped out of the market and into the street, an inky blue blur drew her eyes down a winding alley. She stopped in her tracks and peered down the alleyway, brow furrowing curiously. Adeline's eyes fell on an unexpected friend. A Magpie, busily toying with a small trinket.
A smile crept onto her face. Addie loved birds. All birds, but particularly the clever Magpies. It was obvious even to her that she bore a resemblance to the notoriously clever hoarding, intelligent creatures. What have you found.. Adeline slowly stepped into the shadowed alley, curiosity leading her off of her set path. The clever bird looked up at her, beetle-blue wings glistening in the sun's stray rays. The creature held in it's beak a small, tarnished locket tangled in a broken chain. The young girl perked up at the curious sight. Adeline reached into her bag and grabbed the fresh bread Efa had sent her with. "Trade?" She beckoned excitedly, tearing a piece from the roll and tossed it to the bird. The Magpie hesitated briefly before eagerly chomping down the crumbs. Beady eyes glared up at Addie- she would have to do better than that. Adeline tossed the remaining bread to the bird, who gratefully scooped it into it's beak and flitted away. Just before disappearing up and out of the alley, the Magpie perched itself on the edge of a building and bobbed it's head in a show of thanks.
Ocean eyes shift to survey the tarnished locket. Approaching the artifact sent Addie's heart fluttering. The thing was small and worn, but etched with exquisitely detailed florals. Mavin would have a field day restoring the piece, and Adeline would have even more fun adding it to her collection.
Adeline glanced back up to thank the little Magpie, but he had already flown away.
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