The bookstore on the corner of an intersection had a white stone veneer, with stones recessed and some sticking out in no discernible pattern. On the front of the bookstore, there are three large smoked window panes set into the muted purple storefront to maintain the temperature and allow the use of sunlight for easy reading. In the windows are displays announcing new releases in paperback, hardcover, and audiobooks. In addition to the announcements, there's a sticker announcing the addition of 'Coffee Mart' and their new seasonal drink.
Inside, the air is filled with the smell of coffee grounds, pastries, the quiet hum of the A/C, and lofi beats to read and buy books to. Physically, it's spacious enough to allow people to walk along the thick cherrywood bookcases aligned horizontally in front of the check-out counter, bookcases spaced out, specialized bookcases towards the front, and the more generalized ones towards the back end of the shop. The walls are painted a vibrant yellow, with posters adorning the walls to encourage reading and announcing local events for the bookshop, with an events table in front of the door with further details.
In front of the hardback bookcase, there's a place on the wall that has no poster, no banner hanging over it, and some clutter around it to make it blend in and look like it's just been left vacant on purpose for someone to put something there. As the mundane townspeople walk by it, some can swear that the edges of that section of wall... shimmer in the corner of their eye, as if it isn't there, but it feels real when they test their theory, and they can lean against it. But many of them will never see behind that wall, for it keeps those who aren't graced with the ability to use mana for the arcane or have a business card, detailing a business that seemingly doesn't exist within the town, out.
Those who can pass through the false wall are granted to tonal whiplash; the quiet and setting of Faust's Fount have been replaced with royal blue walls with a welcome sign as the first thing for arrivals to see. This is the true attraction: Dewell's Magic Emporium! Once fully inside the store, there are two rows of shelves, some aligning the wall, segmented by being physical items and belonging to the arcane, as in the front are enchanted items, relics, and alchemical ingredients, and the back has magic spell books, magical theory tomes, and alchemical supplies, ala Alchemical starter, intermediate, and advanced kits.
The air is more chaotic than in Faust's Fount; the smell of raw regents with that quiet hum continued on with an actual music playlist of songs that were definitely legally obtained. Something that sets this store apart is that it's personally run by the bald mage himself, and it shows. In between the shelves, there are displays of featured items, ranging from new magical theory books, grimoires, and even, from time to time, a mass-produced enchanted item. On the walls there's also a poster for the magic training offered by him and even an item enchantment service as well. In the corner, where it's the magical book and tome area, there's a single poster, as if it were ripped from Faust's Fount and slapped there. A READ poster with a depiction of Faust surrounded by stacks of books. It never failed to make Jackson chuckle as he stocked books and even took some promotional pictures near it.
Jackson himself was at the counter near the entrance of his store, Dewell's Magic Emporium, running over the numbers on his laptop and may have employed a maniacal cackle at how his profit margin surpassed his expectations. Once he got his celebratory cackle out of the way, he started to sweep and pick up small trash to ensure that the shop looked perfect, to which he heard a loud THUD against the wall. He approached the wall, and the false wall cleared the surface of his side like a one-way mirror, seeing that it was another person who charged at the wall and was now getting sternly spoken to by his hired Fount staff. 'Give 'em hell, Dresden.' He thought to himself and made sure that his hidden security camera was recording to add his collection of entries before resuming his cleaning duty.
Inside, the air is filled with the smell of coffee grounds, pastries, the quiet hum of the A/C, and lofi beats to read and buy books to. Physically, it's spacious enough to allow people to walk along the thick cherrywood bookcases aligned horizontally in front of the check-out counter, bookcases spaced out, specialized bookcases towards the front, and the more generalized ones towards the back end of the shop. The walls are painted a vibrant yellow, with posters adorning the walls to encourage reading and announcing local events for the bookshop, with an events table in front of the door with further details.
In front of the hardback bookcase, there's a place on the wall that has no poster, no banner hanging over it, and some clutter around it to make it blend in and look like it's just been left vacant on purpose for someone to put something there. As the mundane townspeople walk by it, some can swear that the edges of that section of wall... shimmer in the corner of their eye, as if it isn't there, but it feels real when they test their theory, and they can lean against it. But many of them will never see behind that wall, for it keeps those who aren't graced with the ability to use mana for the arcane or have a business card, detailing a business that seemingly doesn't exist within the town, out.
Those who can pass through the false wall are granted to tonal whiplash; the quiet and setting of Faust's Fount have been replaced with royal blue walls with a welcome sign as the first thing for arrivals to see. This is the true attraction: Dewell's Magic Emporium! Once fully inside the store, there are two rows of shelves, some aligning the wall, segmented by being physical items and belonging to the arcane, as in the front are enchanted items, relics, and alchemical ingredients, and the back has magic spell books, magical theory tomes, and alchemical supplies, ala Alchemical starter, intermediate, and advanced kits.
The air is more chaotic than in Faust's Fount; the smell of raw regents with that quiet hum continued on with an actual music playlist of songs that were definitely legally obtained. Something that sets this store apart is that it's personally run by the bald mage himself, and it shows. In between the shelves, there are displays of featured items, ranging from new magical theory books, grimoires, and even, from time to time, a mass-produced enchanted item. On the walls there's also a poster for the magic training offered by him and even an item enchantment service as well. In the corner, where it's the magical book and tome area, there's a single poster, as if it were ripped from Faust's Fount and slapped there. A READ poster with a depiction of Faust surrounded by stacks of books. It never failed to make Jackson chuckle as he stocked books and even took some promotional pictures near it.
Jackson himself was at the counter near the entrance of his store, Dewell's Magic Emporium, running over the numbers on his laptop and may have employed a maniacal cackle at how his profit margin surpassed his expectations. Once he got his celebratory cackle out of the way, he started to sweep and pick up small trash to ensure that the shop looked perfect, to which he heard a loud THUD against the wall. He approached the wall, and the false wall cleared the surface of his side like a one-way mirror, seeing that it was another person who charged at the wall and was now getting sternly spoken to by his hired Fount staff. 'Give 'em hell, Dresden.' He thought to himself and made sure that his hidden security camera was recording to add his collection of entries before resuming his cleaning duty.
Clad in black jeans, a snarky grey t-shirt, and a well-loved leather motorcycle jacket, Vik McQueen doesn't necessarily look like the target demographic for Faust's or Dewell's...
Like a little raincloud, McQueen always looks a bit RBF... or maybe like she has a sinus pressure headache. Kind of grumpy & unapproachable. And in want of a nap. Maybe a hug.
Yet, those citizens who know her tend to overlook the dour mask when they learn to what lengths she will go to protect their very special town.
In a gloved hand is clutched a zipped leather binder. Not a return. Or legal papers.
Slipping inside she can hear the faint sounds of a customer and Dresden, instantly avoiding the second entrance. "Egh."
The creak of snug leather is easier to hear in a peaceful store; she almost appears to step more gently while circling the events table.
Listening quietly, while pretending to be deeply invested in the table she peruses flyers a bit before unzipping the binder.
With a soft thud a small stack of flyers announcing the opening, FINALLY, of the Crow Bar plop gently on the table. She spends a silly number of minutes aligning these and all the other flyers in the most Jackson way she can conceive. ...Readjusting anything that seems out of order, picking any offending lint, smoothing or straightening the table cloth.
These particular flyers note Monday July 29th... an intentional choice made by Vik and Gil because they were gonna celebrate all weekend with friends and family and a very special party after making it all this way.
Finally, curious, Vik wanders over to see if she can spot Jackson or Dresden or if the dingus customer has yet fucked off from the Dewell's entrance.
She grumbles.
Like a little raincloud, McQueen always looks a bit RBF... or maybe like she has a sinus pressure headache. Kind of grumpy & unapproachable. And in want of a nap. Maybe a hug.
Yet, those citizens who know her tend to overlook the dour mask when they learn to what lengths she will go to protect their very special town.
In a gloved hand is clutched a zipped leather binder. Not a return. Or legal papers.
Slipping inside she can hear the faint sounds of a customer and Dresden, instantly avoiding the second entrance. "Egh."
The creak of snug leather is easier to hear in a peaceful store; she almost appears to step more gently while circling the events table.
Listening quietly, while pretending to be deeply invested in the table she peruses flyers a bit before unzipping the binder.
With a soft thud a small stack of flyers announcing the opening, FINALLY, of the Crow Bar plop gently on the table. She spends a silly number of minutes aligning these and all the other flyers in the most Jackson way she can conceive. ...Readjusting anything that seems out of order, picking any offending lint, smoothing or straightening the table cloth.
These particular flyers note Monday July 29th... an intentional choice made by Vik and Gil because they were gonna celebrate all weekend with friends and family and a very special party after making it all this way.
Finally, curious, Vik wanders over to see if she can spot Jackson or Dresden or if the dingus customer has yet fucked off from the Dewell's entrance.
She grumbles.
Dresden tried to whisper, but it was a common enough issue that he needed to tell this grown adult to quit their bullshit! It was quite loud enough in this quiet bookstore. "Boy get your goofy ass up; why are you running into a wall? You don't need a bookstore; you need to go back to school. They'll let you run into walls. Get outta here. Go." The sputtering retort of 'The wall shimmers or something, man!' was silenced with a swift handwave. "Don't make me call Officer Greg. Now get!" Dresden made sure to escort the man out of the store, looking at his friends expectantly. "Behave, or join your friend back in elementary school." They blinked and went back to shopping quickly. Dresden had returned to the wall to 'inspect' the damage.
Jackson had stopped his cleaning and set the broom up against the wall and snapped his fingers at it, animating the broom to begin cleaning. He approached the wall and listened to the exchange and waited until Dresden returned to slowly exit from the store, as if he were materializing from the wall. "Very good, Dresden. I have it all recorded too; you know where to go to see the updated compilation. I'll be out here to watch it closely." Jackson and Dresden were both magic users, and he's scared Dresden enough with this same act that Dresden just expects it most of the time. Dresden nods and makes his way to the break room as Jackson pulls out a notepad and starts checking the Hardback shelf, seeing which books need to be restocked. "Damn, they love Smotherin Mother Lovers: Electric Boogaloo. Couldn't be me." He jest to himself as he heard approaching footsteps, soon enough spotting Vik from his peripheral vision, and turned to give his full attention to her. "Oh, hey there, what brings you about?" Jackson gave a small smile to the approaching friend, tucking away the notepad.
Jackson had stopped his cleaning and set the broom up against the wall and snapped his fingers at it, animating the broom to begin cleaning. He approached the wall and listened to the exchange and waited until Dresden returned to slowly exit from the store, as if he were materializing from the wall. "Very good, Dresden. I have it all recorded too; you know where to go to see the updated compilation. I'll be out here to watch it closely." Jackson and Dresden were both magic users, and he's scared Dresden enough with this same act that Dresden just expects it most of the time. Dresden nods and makes his way to the break room as Jackson pulls out a notepad and starts checking the Hardback shelf, seeing which books need to be restocked. "Damn, they love Smotherin Mother Lovers: Electric Boogaloo. Couldn't be me." He jest to himself as he heard approaching footsteps, soon enough spotting Vik from his peripheral vision, and turned to give his full attention to her. "Oh, hey there, what brings you about?" Jackson gave a small smile to the approaching friend, tucking away the notepad.
Lips pursed, moving a bit like a sneaking cat, Vik skirts around the front shelving to avoid blatantly staring at the departing goober who has zero chill.
Officer Greg, eugh... Vik didn't even like the sound of that.
Grabbing a map focusing on the composition of Appalachia, next she sidles over to the staff picks shelf.
Secretly, the spooky lady likes to guess which ones are from Jackson. A smirk steals her lips at the mention of a compilation.
When she appears from around a row of shelves, Jackson's greeting is met with a canted head and a broad smile. Her long dark mess of hair tumbles off the edge of a leather-clad shoulder.
"You never did tell me what you do with this footage." Lowering her voice, "Is it a youtube channel dedicated to people walking into brick walls?" The other choice was possibly, 'don't let these dummies back into the bookstore' Or ... other? Her curiosity was maddening.
Victoria McQueen smiles at Jackson; holding the binder, the map, and some sort of smutty space adventure in hand.
"Hello there. I took the liberty of adding flyers for The Crow Bar to your events table... if that's alright. And, I wanted to invite you to the shenanigans on Thursday the 25th - Saturday the 27th. You know, soft open- family and friend's shenanigans. And these." She waggles the space smut adventure and laughs.
Before she fully forgets, Vik looks around for Dresden. "And Dresden." Sheepish.
Officer Greg, eugh... Vik didn't even like the sound of that.
Grabbing a map focusing on the composition of Appalachia, next she sidles over to the staff picks shelf.
Secretly, the spooky lady likes to guess which ones are from Jackson. A smirk steals her lips at the mention of a compilation.
When she appears from around a row of shelves, Jackson's greeting is met with a canted head and a broad smile. Her long dark mess of hair tumbles off the edge of a leather-clad shoulder.
"You never did tell me what you do with this footage." Lowering her voice, "Is it a youtube channel dedicated to people walking into brick walls?" The other choice was possibly, 'don't let these dummies back into the bookstore' Or ... other? Her curiosity was maddening.
Victoria McQueen smiles at Jackson; holding the binder, the map, and some sort of smutty space adventure in hand.
"Hello there. I took the liberty of adding flyers for The Crow Bar to your events table... if that's alright. And, I wanted to invite you to the shenanigans on Thursday the 25th - Saturday the 27th. You know, soft open- family and friend's shenanigans. And these." She waggles the space smut adventure and laughs.
Before she fully forgets, Vik looks around for Dresden. "And Dresden." Sheepish.
The staff picks are all varied, but Jackson likes to play a little joke, almost always selecting a book with a skeleton somewhere on the cover or dealing with dark magic as a little joke to himself, blending it in with another fantasy book or book in a similar genre. He wouldn't dare reveal which ones were his, however.
"I put clown music over it and laugh at them and upload it to a small youtube channel." Jackson replied with a slight chuckle in his voice, keeping his volume down so that way people wouldn't try to look for his channel. He wasn't certain why Vik was here, but he welcomed it all the same. She was quite the looker, enjoying that RFB, but he kept that sentiment to himself. No need to complicate a friendship.
He cants his head forward, giving her a knowing look. "Yeah, friends, family, smut in space." Jackson mused, a slight smile on his face. "Oh yeah, that's fine. The event table is meant for community stuff, not just bookstore events or something Faust's is sponsoring. I'll mention it to Dresden; see if he wants to come by if he isn't too tired. Otherwise, I'll make an effort to show up. You want that book? I'll get you squared away. Of course, with the discount." He makes sure to add that in, despite doing his best to add in that discount when they got close enough, and he was able to handle her purchases. Maybe he needed to create a 'Discount' list, but it'd be a short list.
"I put clown music over it and laugh at them and upload it to a small youtube channel." Jackson replied with a slight chuckle in his voice, keeping his volume down so that way people wouldn't try to look for his channel. He wasn't certain why Vik was here, but he welcomed it all the same. She was quite the looker, enjoying that RFB, but he kept that sentiment to himself. No need to complicate a friendship.
He cants his head forward, giving her a knowing look. "Yeah, friends, family, smut in space." Jackson mused, a slight smile on his face. "Oh yeah, that's fine. The event table is meant for community stuff, not just bookstore events or something Faust's is sponsoring. I'll mention it to Dresden; see if he wants to come by if he isn't too tired. Otherwise, I'll make an effort to show up. You want that book? I'll get you squared away. Of course, with the discount." He makes sure to add that in, despite doing his best to add in that discount when they got close enough, and he was able to handle her purchases. Maybe he needed to create a 'Discount' list, but it'd be a short list.
Not only was Jackson handsome and well put together, he was the kind of snarky funny that made McQueen laugh no matter what. She tries not to look too adoringly at him; especially when he really gets her good; like now. She couldn't stand to burden him, he didn't need her silly bullshit getting in his way.
Even if his story wasn't true, it was exactly the kind of absurdity that Vik enjoyed. There was so much bad shit in the world... Taking the piss just helped roll with the punches, you know?
"Oh yea. I mean, of course I'm gonna read it... but, I had a thought to just sprinkle nasty books all over the bar for lounging people to have a gander at. Mostly because it'd be funny if it catches them off guard. And the map, I was thinking we could outline the town in gold paint... maybe draw lay lines..? I dunno. And frame it. And then surround it with pictures of all of us." Did that grumpy Gus actually blush? "Is that too cheesy?" He probably knows despite her raincloud, McQueen is also a softy.
"So... If you don't mind, come prepared to be photographed..." and she smiles, sliding the map and book over to him. A time ago, Vik had stopped arguing about the discount but always puts money in a tip jar, specifically tips Dresden, or buys coffee and pastries.
And as for possible repayments of deeper gratitude, with a smile McQueen holds out a card to him. It's a thick matte black card stock, about the size of a credit card. The Crow Bar logo and Vik's Signature. The other side reads, 'Jackson Dewell and Co. DO NOT have a tab.'
A smile spreads across her mouth as she holds it out to him. "For the ice cup. It's really great. Portable, convenient. Great idea and perfect execution."
She lingers a moment to admire the place but never likes to keep him from his business. When she's all paid up for the smut and the map, Vik bids him a good day and departs considerably sunnier than before.
Even if his story wasn't true, it was exactly the kind of absurdity that Vik enjoyed. There was so much bad shit in the world... Taking the piss just helped roll with the punches, you know?
"Oh yea. I mean, of course I'm gonna read it... but, I had a thought to just sprinkle nasty books all over the bar for lounging people to have a gander at. Mostly because it'd be funny if it catches them off guard. And the map, I was thinking we could outline the town in gold paint... maybe draw lay lines..? I dunno. And frame it. And then surround it with pictures of all of us." Did that grumpy Gus actually blush? "Is that too cheesy?" He probably knows despite her raincloud, McQueen is also a softy.
"So... If you don't mind, come prepared to be photographed..." and she smiles, sliding the map and book over to him. A time ago, Vik had stopped arguing about the discount but always puts money in a tip jar, specifically tips Dresden, or buys coffee and pastries.
And as for possible repayments of deeper gratitude, with a smile McQueen holds out a card to him. It's a thick matte black card stock, about the size of a credit card. The Crow Bar logo and Vik's Signature. The other side reads, 'Jackson Dewell and Co. DO NOT have a tab.'
A smile spreads across her mouth as she holds it out to him. "For the ice cup. It's really great. Portable, convenient. Great idea and perfect execution."
She lingers a moment to admire the place but never likes to keep him from his business. When she's all paid up for the smut and the map, Vik bids him a good day and departs considerably sunnier than before.
Jackson would share his secret... in due time. He needed to make sure that the people he wanted to reveal his power to were going to know that he, first off, wasn't a danger to the town and that he wouldn't use actual corpses unless in a corner where he couldn't get his minions in. He liked Vik and wanted to take that step... potentially with some other steps, but he wouldn't push for it and didn't want to be a nuisance and, well, hit on someone playing for the same team, so to speak.
Jackson definitely added clown music over these clips and then had the part of where Dresden roasted and called them dumb play out in full, ramping up the clown music during the escort of shame. He was tempted to show Vik the old videos he had online, but he'd save them for when she was going through it. They always cheered him up.
"Oh, just one? C'mon, you gotta get more, unless you want to just add them over time and in random places." Jackson had to mull over her other idea and thought it was cute, befitting someone like her. He had to focus on being goofy right now to not be sappy towards Vik! Bad Necromancer! "Sounds good. I have a ley line map in there." He gave a swift head tilt towards the false wall. "So we can chart it together whenever you want." Why is he inviting her to do this? He should be giving it to her! His brain and his mouth weren't on the same page.
The bald store owner took the book and the map and then blinked when he saw the card and inspected it, looking at Vik and then back at it. "You know I drink mead and ale, right? I'm gonna drink all of them. You might see Drunk Jackson. It's no problem. Just don't put it in bodies of water. You'll freeze the whole thing." He chortled lowly before leading her over to the counter and looking around before setting the stuff down and just rolling over the counter before quickly scanning everything and then pulling his wallet out and a card from it before the purchases were heavily discounted. Once she was gone, he walked over to the events table and picked up a flyer, reading it over and nodding. 'I've been around there. I could port over...' He decided that this would be a one-man mission.
Jackson definitely added clown music over these clips and then had the part of where Dresden roasted and called them dumb play out in full, ramping up the clown music during the escort of shame. He was tempted to show Vik the old videos he had online, but he'd save them for when she was going through it. They always cheered him up.
"Oh, just one? C'mon, you gotta get more, unless you want to just add them over time and in random places." Jackson had to mull over her other idea and thought it was cute, befitting someone like her. He had to focus on being goofy right now to not be sappy towards Vik! Bad Necromancer! "Sounds good. I have a ley line map in there." He gave a swift head tilt towards the false wall. "So we can chart it together whenever you want." Why is he inviting her to do this? He should be giving it to her! His brain and his mouth weren't on the same page.
The bald store owner took the book and the map and then blinked when he saw the card and inspected it, looking at Vik and then back at it. "You know I drink mead and ale, right? I'm gonna drink all of them. You might see Drunk Jackson. It's no problem. Just don't put it in bodies of water. You'll freeze the whole thing." He chortled lowly before leading her over to the counter and looking around before setting the stuff down and just rolling over the counter before quickly scanning everything and then pulling his wallet out and a card from it before the purchases were heavily discounted. Once she was gone, he walked over to the events table and picked up a flyer, reading it over and nodding. 'I've been around there. I could port over...' He decided that this would be a one-man mission.
And Vik would be waiting. Their dance was probably the most slow and gentle of all the little dalliances and therapy sessions and crushes in Laurel Hill Springs. Just two extremely cautious people circling each other while curiously observing every single detail.
"Well, If you have other absolutely filthy recommends I'm all ears!" Her cheeks were unusually pink. With a smile, Vik glanced briefly in the direction of the false wall. A nod. "I'd like that. I'll bring dinner." My god, these twoooo. What nerds.
McQueen watches his inspection with hopeful curiosity, but tries to hide her giddy joy.
"I do know!" Laughing, she leaned against the counter a bit casually. "I've wrangled a few youths who are responsible to offer rides home..." McQueen, the ever-prepared!
--
Outside, she gives one last glance to the store before donning her helmet. And like that, she's off for other errands on her bike.
"Well, If you have other absolutely filthy recommends I'm all ears!" Her cheeks were unusually pink. With a smile, Vik glanced briefly in the direction of the false wall. A nod. "I'd like that. I'll bring dinner." My god, these twoooo. What nerds.
McQueen watches his inspection with hopeful curiosity, but tries to hide her giddy joy.
"I do know!" Laughing, she leaned against the counter a bit casually. "I've wrangled a few youths who are responsible to offer rides home..." McQueen, the ever-prepared!
--
Outside, she gives one last glance to the store before donning her helmet. And like that, she's off for other errands on her bike.
Moderators: .the.MILK.theef. Caprice (played by KorrokMustache) Jackson Dewell (played by Hoogabooga)