Dovetails [Solo]

[Elliya]

“Look missy, I believe you got robbed, and yes it’s very sad, but what does this have to do with me exactly?”

Elliya sighed and composed herself with a long inhale.

“All I’m saying is that the amulet in that cabinet looks exactly like mine, which was among the stolen goods.”

“So? Coulda gotten it at the same place, yeah? Coulda been a re-pro-duc-tion?”

The word seemed unfamiliar in the man’s mouth as he spat it out, as if dusted off specifically for this argument.

“Well, sure but uhm, actually no.”

“And why? Huh?”

“Because I made it? Sorry, that sounded like a question and it shouldn’t have, I did- I did make it.”

The pawnshop owner stared back at her suspiciously.

“I’m actually pretty good at this sort of thing, really. And maybe if you let me prove it to you by fixing the hinges on that cabinet over there, you’d be willing to give it back to me?”

“How’d you know it was broken, huh? Are you trying to scam me?” the man took a step towards Elliya and gritted his teeth together in some misguided attempt at intimidation.

Oh wow he’s really, really pale. Should get out a little more. Yikes. Could probably use a bath too, if we’re just being honest here.

“No, no, I mean I- Look, just look at the thing.”

For a moment he stared at one of the rust encrusted hinge as if expecting it to change in front of his eyes before turning back around.

“Frankly, they’re a little gross.” Elliya said. “I’d be happy to fix them up, give the cabinet a once-over, and then you’ll be so convinced you’ll give me my things back.”

“Bah, fine!” The man spat and retreated into the back of his shop. “But I’m gonna be watching you!”

Finally. Yeesh.

Elliya fished some rags and supplies out of her pockets and got ready to work.

Man, this thing must not have been cleaned since before I was born. It’s almost impressively bad. It’s like. . . the opposite of squeaky clean. Silently dirty? Whatever.

With a little elbow grease (and a little magic) the hinges were positively gleaming. A little extra wax and resin had the wood and glass face of the cabinet at least looking better than before. As a little test, Elliya gently pulled the cabinet door, which opened smoothly and quietly.

Best of both worlds. Silently clean. Haha!

“Great, so about my amulet and pack-”

“You never said anything about a pack, missy!”

“Oh come on, the pack that the amulet came in? That was sold to you by the same bandits?” Elliya glared back at the man.

“Fine, fine, just joking, just joking. Bah.”

The man fished out her things from behind the counter and handed them over to her.

“Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!”

Dick.

Elliya swept up her things, counted carefully to make sure each of her reagents was still present, and practically leapt out the door.

Sweet! Okay, that was annoying, but it definitely beats being robbed.

Time to find some information on this bandit. If he comes here regularly somebody must know and-slash-or hate him. I mean, I would.

The old man had begrudgingly given a description of the person who had sold him Elliya’s things, but it amounted to hardly more than what she had seen with her own eyes just the previous day.

---

After a long day of asking around, Elliya finally had a break- a known associate of the thief who frequented a particular dive a little off the beaten path.

If I’m not careful, I’ll stick out like a sore thumb. I mean, probably even if I am careful! Hopefully he doesn’t know I’m coming or he’s going to bolt the moment he sees me.

Elliya trekked off towards the bar, alternating practicing seedy scowls and looks of drunk disinterest all the way.