The Antiquity Shop down the Street

Skapii hesitated for a long moment to hit ‘send’. 

She was feeling a bit better after falling asleep at Agamemnon’s shop. Actually, she didn’t even remember clearly what happened before she fell asleep. Probably something terrible, because the Sphinx walked her back to the orphanage himself.

In any case, she was safe now. She locked herself in a closet after dinner and was staring at her phone screen nervously. 

Nevski told her it was okay, and that he was looking forward to having news. She braced herself, repeated that to herself, and finally sent a short message.

“Hello Nevski I know it’s very early and we met yesterday but I think everything keeps being bad and I would like to talk.”

She then waited. After a whole bunch of minutes, that seemed endless, the gargoyle texted her back. “That’s fine hon. Do you want me to call you ? Or would you like me to go the orphanage ?”

“I don’t know.”

From his side of the line, the gargoyle tried to think. “Are you allowed to go out ? It’s dark outside.” She answered quickly. “No but that’s no problem.”

“Skapii sweetheart please stay where you are. I can call you.” No answer for several minutes. He tried to remain calm.

“I’m outside.” He growled and softly face-palmed himself. Tried to find some composure back before he answered to his newly found protégé. “I’m coming.”

He grabbed his coat and flew off to the orphanage. He landed just where he left the teenager last time, and started looking around for her. She approached by her own. 

He was worried, but true to himself, smiled gently at the little griffin. She looked up at him for a few seconds, looking sorry and ashamed. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize, hon.” He put a hand on her shoulder and looked around. He then guided her to the little brasserie still open in that street.

“Hello, do you mind serving by that hour ?” The server answered it was fine, looking vaguely surprised to have a young teenager over by that time, but didn’t ask further question. Nevski made Skapii sit in a corner of the room, and ordered two chamomile teas. He then got rid of his coat, and looked at her very softly.

“Tell me.” She looked at him dead in the eye, for a long moment, before she started whispering. “I think I... Like… Completely broke at Agamemnon’s yesterday.” Nevski let her continue. “I don’t remember but I think I cried a lot and told him things I don’t. Usually tell people.” He wasn’t smiling anymore, looking serious but still incredibly gentle. “It was probably terrible because he walked me back to the orphanage himself even though he’s a bastard man.”

Tea got served. 

“How did he react ?” Skapii scratched her cheek. “He wanted to call an ambulance.”

The gargoyle nodded. She kept going. “But I’m happy I broke at his place rather than at the orphanage.”

“Why so, hon ?” She sniffed her tea. “He feels safe to be around. He’s mean most of the time but he feels very steady and strong… He looks like me too, so I know he won’t try to pull on my tail or pluck my feathers.”

Nevski sipped on his tea, listening carefully. 

“He said I’m depressed. But also, he said it’s not the same as being broken. I’m not sure I see the difference.”

“Well, if you are depressed, it’s not your fault. It’s an illness. We, in the wide meaning of the term, we can help you get better.” She dipped the tip of her tongue in her cup, much like a cat, while listening to him. “The orphanage people aren’t helping me get better at all. I don’t trust them. They’re shady.”

“I know. But Agamemnon and I are here, right ? I’m sure you can reach out for the both of us anytime.” She took a sip of tea, looking at him. “I don’t know, you’re nice but Agamemnon is. Well he’s Agamemnon. I think we get along great for people who don’t talk that much though.”

Nevski nodded. He was still looking very gentle. Skapii was staring at him, at his soft features, at his sweet expression. Literally, if he asked her to, she’d kill someone for him. But also, she knew he wouldn’t ask that.

She spoke up again. “I asked Agamemnon if I could stay at his home.” Nevski smiled softly. “And what did he say ?”

“He said no and he told me he doesn’t understand why I like him because he makes effort to keep people like me away from him.”

Nevski nearly choked on his tea. 

“Skapii, I understand you appreciate Agamemnon, but he really. He doesn’t sound like that much of a great friend.” She pouted. Then suddenly cracked a big, big smile. “You should meet him !! He can’t be as mean as he usually is with someone as nice as you.”

Nevski raised an eyebrow. “Why not.” He then smiled softly while sipping on his tea. “I’d love to meet him, actually. Even though I suppose-“ She cut him short. “I told him about you.”

“Oh.” She kept going. “He said it’s not your job to be friend with me without telling my guardians and he sounded really angry. But point one : he always sounds really angry. And point two : I don’t care because I like being friend with you.”

The gargoyle closed his eyes and attempted to process the violence of this statement. That being said…

“Skapii, you know, he’s right. I would have called your guardians already if you didn’t seem to refuse that perspective.” She lowered her ears while looking at him. He talked really softly and gently. “I do think I’m going to call the orphanage at some point.”

She made a tiny sad ‘eep’ and stared back into her teacup. He smiled sadly, always very gentle. “Skapii, sweetheart, it’s going to be okay.” She took a sip of tea. “I… I don’t know…” He grabbed her hand, very gently, looking at her with a soft, reassuring expression. “I promise.” 

She squeezed his hand, looking up at him. Articulated quietly, without a sound : ‘Can I have a hug please ?’

He nodded, and she passed under the table to reach him and curl up by his side. He stroked her hair for a few minutes.

“Skapii, you’re falling asleep.” The teenager shook her head in an attempt to wake up a bit. “N-No I’m not…” The gargoyle chuckled. “You totally are. We’re going to head back to the orphanage, okay ?” She pouted, but nodded softly.

He paid, grabbed his coat back, and guided his protégé outside. She was following him docilely. 

“I hope it helped a bit to hang together.” She nodded. “I’m still here if you need anything.” They started walking toward the orphanage, a bit further in the street. “But don’t be afraid to text me for anything. You don’t have to feel bad to talk to me, okay ?”

She looked up at him. “I can just send pictures of stuff I like ?” He chuckled. “You better, I might get sad if you don’t.” She cracked a wide smile.

They reached the orphanage door. He patted her shoulder. “Goodbye Skapii !! Sleep well, hon.” She smiled at him and waved a bit. “Bu-bye.” Before she got back inside using the same hole in the barrier.

He nodded, waited for her to be inside, and started heading back home as well.