WHO Declan Ward OT Anna Volkova WHAT Declan gets the lay of the land while stocking up on needed magical supplies. WHERE The Wild Sage WHEN Saturday, August 1st, 2016 around 11:30AM WARNINGS TBD
Moving into and settling into the apartment over Obscura Books didn't take as long as it usually did. That was, in part, due to the apartment already being mostly furnished thanks to William, Declan's long time friend, handing it over to him. Technically he had co-signed the lease not only on the bookshop, but the apartment above so he could've moved in with his friend whenever he wanted. However, at the time, a gut feeling that the witch who'd cursed him would soon appear had kept Declan away. He did not want William seeing him at one of his lower points, but, he was being called home, so to speak, when the vampire needed his help. And so the two traded spaces.
When he arrived, the first thing Declan did was air the apartment out. As much as he enjoyed William's company, it was clear his friend didn't spend much time outside of the apartment. It reeked of vampire and Declan was glad it was still warm so that windows could be opened. Other than his clothes and specific equipment, the witch didn't bring much else with him except his magical collection of books, potions, and herbs which was looking rather sparse once he got remaining stock sorted into jars and packets. The rest were hanging to dry.
Waking on the morning of the first of August, Declan dressed in his usual jeans, dress shirt, vest, and tie coupled with a pair of sturdy Doc Martens on his feet. Due to the change in management, Declan though it bet to close the shop on Saturday and Sunday in order to meet with William's staff. That meeting was scheduled on Sunday so that he could prepare for it, but first it was time to familiarize himself a little with his new residence and town. With sleeves rolled up and his messenger bag slung across his body, Declan started the walk to Uncle Joe's Diner with the aid of Siri and his senses.
Based on stories William told him and having done his own research, Willow Creek hosted quite a tourist season, which still seemed to be in full swing due to the very warm weather if the crowded streets filled with laughter, suntan lotion, and rowdy children had anything to say about it. Then again, it was mid-morning on a Saturday, not only were the tourists out and about, but so were the locals if Declan's nose was right. He picked out at least a dozen shapeshifters and a few brave vampires hurrying to their next destinations and probably get out of the sun.
At the corner of 8th and Main, he got a whiff of herbs, tea leaves, and spices to hint at his second destination that day: The Wild Sage. The pleasant mixture of the shop only got stronger as he continued down Main Street, his cane swinging side-to-side, until he passed it. Getting ever closer to his primary destination, the constant air-shift as people passed by him or crossed his path coupled with the sound of distant conversation ahead of him that he picked up painted an interesting picture for Declan. Despite being a small town, it was quite active yet it wasn't the constant cacophony of noise of a bustling city that he had to constantly filter out unless he wanted to go mad. When he finally reached the diner, he was pleased to find out when he was seated that everything was locally sourced and the witch lingered over his oatmeal, pancakes, toast, and orange juice. He paid and tipped his server when he couldn't eat another bite and returned to the direction of The Wild Sage.
Stepping over it's threshold, Declan was assaulted with both the familiar and unfamiliar. He easily picked out the usual Earl and Lady Gray teas, peppermint, chamomile, lemon and honey. The witch had paused a few paces from the door, the tip of his cane resting against the floor while the grip was held close in order to lean lightly on it. Declan's head tilted this way and that in a slow imitation of a bird as he listened to the building shift and settle as a truck trundled by. The minute shift of the floorboards reached his ears as patrons moved, leaning on one foot and then the other, or simply strolled leisurely around the interior as they perused the shelves of tins (a dull, metallic noise reached his ears). The sound of a mortar and pestle reached him, finally, accompanied by the movement of hands at they worked to mix herbs and spices together. Murmured conversation surrounded Declan and while it wasn't necessary for him, sometimes closing his eyes and drinking everything in was soothing. The shop felt like home.