The origin is likely from the new wreaths hung from the door to chase away the last of the winter chill (yes there is a smell to winter, and they will argue it incessantly until blue in the face). But the shop is still a place for a good cup of tea and a pleasantly quiet place for aspiring writers. Unlike coffeeshops that shoo people with laptops and notebooks away if they stay too long.
“Hello! Welcome to the show.. we’ve been going under some renovations, pardon the shifting shelves. It’s usually a bit cleaner.” They curtsy and return behind a counter to finish setting up a plate of tarts. “Can I help you?”
She smiles a little, eyes taking in all she can before settling on the shop-keep. She’s a short thing, but Utena just thinks of Wakaba… And there’s a twitch of a frown on her face. Another person she loved that’s now gone.
She shakes her head and throws on a smile, finally coming to the front counter. Pastries and tea varieties give her pause, finally pointing at a currant scone and a few other pastries.
“One of each, please. And a cup of tea? I’m not picky, so you can surprise me.”
Another store?
It’s not really surprising since there seems to be a multitude of places like this. Odd stores selling odd things and helping all those who come into their doors. She enters, making sure the bells on the door aren’t that loud. The other people inside don’t spare her much a glance but she’s not sure she likes that.
It’ the faint smell of roses that attracts her to the other. She stares for only a moment, watching and possibly waiting for an answer.
“Hello?”
Many years ago, there was a little princess, and she was very sad, for her mother and father had died.
Before the princess appeared a traveling prince, riding upon a white horse. He had a regal bearing and a kind smile.
The prince wrapped the princess in a rose-scented embrace and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Little one,” he said, “who bears up alone in such deep sorrow, never lose that strength or nobility, even when you grow up. I give you this to remember this day. We will meet again. This ring will lead you to me one day.” Perhaps the ring the prince gave her was an engagement ring.
This was all well and good, but so impressed was she by him that the princess vowed to become a prince herself one day.
But was that really such a good idea?
