The Antiquity Shop down the Street

The young Griffin showed up earlier than usual. Agamemnon looked up at her, silently. He inspected her a bit, she stared at him back.

“I truly hope you’re feeling better than you were last time you came here.” She nodded with energy and sat at the counter.

Long pause. “I’m sorry for what happened. Last time.” The Sphinx didn’t react. “I talked to Nevski.” He raised an eyebrow. “Who’s that ?” She stuck her tongue out, just a bit, before she continued. “The man I met when I was crying in the street. The one you don’t like.” He kept his stern expression. “I don’t like most people, Skapii.”

She rubbed her cheek. “Do you not like me at all ?” He looked back at her again. Thoughtful. “I tolerate you without too much effort. That’s a good start.” 

She kept quiet until he added : “What did you tell Nevski ?”

“I told him what happened. I mean, what I remember to have happened.” Little pause. “I told him about you too. I’d like you two to meet each other.”

He slowly, oh so slowly lifted his head to look back at the little Griffin. “I beg your pardon ?” She pouted and shrugged all big. “I think you would be a lot nicer after meeting someone as nice as him.”

He snickered and went back to his writing. “It’s gonna be absolutely hilarious to make sure he hates me, if he’s so kind.” Skapii didn’t answer, and started working on her homework.

And after a while… “Skapii. I really hope you’re feeling better.” She looked up at him, under shock. He kept going, annoyed. “You scared me.” She answered with a tiny voice. “Did I ?” He looked back at her again. Looking annoyed. “Yes, you did. It’s good if you feel better now.”

“… Thank you, Agamemnon…” She was talking so low, so shyly. Looked up at him. And went back to her homework. He sighed in relief, quietly, and started writing again.

“Agamemnon ?” 

“What.”

She gulped. “I wanted to know if I can have your phone number.” He looked at her, dead in the eyes. “Why would you need that ?” She frowned a bit and breathed out sharply. “Nevski gave me his. Set up your game.”

“Skapii, if you don’t take that back within 5 seconds, I’m going to kick you out. Ever thought about respecting your elders ?” She backed off, fearful. He lifted his hand a clicked his tongue. “I’m not gonna hurt you. But please consider asking politely if you want my number.”

“A-Agamemnon, would you please accept to give me your phone number ?...” He looked at her. “Why would you need it, Skapii ?” She gulped again. “B-Because… I… Want to talk to you even when I can’t come here…”

He grabbed a paper and wrote down his name and number. Handed it to her abruptly. “Spam me even once, you’ll get blocked.”

She nodded and sent him a little “🐦🦐 Skapii”. Looked up at him and added. “There’s no flamingo so you have a shrimp bird. It’ll become a flamingo.”

He sighed and added her number. “I apologize greatly Skapii, but I am not going to send you emojis.” She answered calmly, in a mature and almost fatherly tone. “It’s okay Agamemnon. You don’t have to apologize for the emojilessness.”

He sighed again and left the counter to help a fresh new customer. She finished her homework quickly and started to make origamis.

He came back with the customer, who smiled to Skapii. She didn’t smile back, but waved a bit. They bought something expensive, Agamemnon saluted them sternly, and came back to his writing.

“Hey, when do you think you can meet Nevski ?” He tapped his fingertips against the counter. “I don’t know Skapii. I don’t even care.” She didn’t answer. “I guess he can come anytime.”

“Even in the night ?” Agamemnon blew some air, looking annoyed. “Why on earth would he pass by at night, Skapii ?”

“I think he’s nocturnal.”

Now that’s something else. Agamemnon sighed again. “What kind of person did you befriend ?” She shrugged. “A nice one.”

Agamemnon looked at the ceiling. Skapii, the child whom he was sadly getting truly attached to, wanted him to meet someone. Fine. “Tell him he can pass by in the evening. Before 10pm. Any day of this week.”

She smiled. He gave her a glare. She smiled wider, and went back to her origamis.

When 5pm rang, she put away her stuff and dumped a dozen origamis into the Sphinx’ arms. He sighed, but let her do. 

She was heading out when he stopped her. 

“Hey.” She turned around, surprised, nervous. “Text me when you’re home.”

She nodded softly, and disappeared into the street.