The Antiquity Shop down the Street

Nevski showed up in front of the antiquity shop soon after the sun went down. Skapii texted him, telling him Agamemnon was okay for a meeting this week… And he decided to finally see this man face to face.

He checked his texts again. His phone screen lighted up, displaying his conversation with Skapii. Conversation in which she assured him she told Agamemnon he would come and pass by today.

He took a deep breath, smiling faintly, and entered the shop, looking for the man.

Agamemnon was… Hard to miss. He was standing tall, looked absolutely impeccable and very memorable, and most of all, he had an absolutely huge pair of pink and black wings folded in his back. The Sphinx was putting some order into the shelves.

“Hello. I hope I’m not bothering you.” The feline gave a quick glance at his visitor. “I suppose you’re Nevski.” The gargoyle nodded, with a soft smile. He approached and reached out his rock hand to shake Agamemnon’s.

“Nevski Jacob. Nice to meet you.” Agamemnon shook his hand, looking dubious. “Agamemnon Drakos. Can’t say the same.”

Nevski closed his eyes and chuckled softly. So, this is how it was. When he opened back his eyes though, he looked incredibly gentle.

This took the Sphinx off guard.

“I probably don’t know Skapii as well as you do, but she talks about you quite often. I’m glad to finally meet you !!” Nevski smiled bright. Agamemnon cringed a bit. “She talks about you quite a lot as well. Therefore, I can safely assure I do not condone your methods.”

Nevski kept smiling softly, although lowering his ears and saddening a bit. “I fully understand. This shouldn’t keep on going though. I’m going to contact her orphanage as soon as possible.”

The feline raised an eyebrow, then frowned. “Really ? I was starting to think you enjoyed abusing of her naivety.” Nevski remained very calm and gentle, but he lost his smile. “I don’t.”

Agamemnon leaned against the counter. He started inspecting Nevski, calmly. At least until the gargoyle interrupted him, with a soft voice. “I think we should both contact her orphanage. Skapii has serious problems, she needs to be placed in a foster family as soon as possible. They might be more reactive if the both of us address the problem together.”

The Sphinx sighed. That was true. “Yeah.” He took a moment before he continued. “Do you want a drink or something ?”

Nevski smiled softly to him. “I wouldn’t refuse.” Hm. “Coffee or tea ?” The gargoyle adjusted his suspenders. “Tea, please.” The feline turned around, reached the backroom and invited the gargoyle to follow him. A few minutes after, they were installed into the room with tea and coffee.

Agamemnon crossed his legs, looking at Nevski, stern. “So… You met Skapii in the street, right ? You just found this crying child and thought it would be nice to chat.” Nevski sipped on his tea. “What would have you done ?” The Sphinx was expecting a snarky remark – a little aggression. It was so easy to criticize him. But none arrived. He just looked at Nevski, lost. Trying to find some composure back. 

People would usually get aggressive or at least antsy and uncomfortable around him. But Nevski ? He was calm. Still smiling. Still radiating gentleness.

The gargoyle broke that awkward silence. “And how did you meet her ? I’m genuinely curious.”

“She entered the shop during a shower. She was soaked wet, so I let her rest a bit inside.” He stroked his beard with class. Nevski smiled bright. “That’s very kind of you.” 

He snickered. “Even a monster like me wouldn’t kick out a child under the rain in winter. At least if said kid can handle themselves to some extent.” Nevski sighed softly. “You don’t need to call yourself a monster, Agamemnon.” A cold glare. “And who’s going to stop me, Nevski ?”

“Not me, but believe me when I say I’d rather have you not saying these kind of things.”

Agamemnon’s jaw dropped a bit, but he tried to get a grip back on himself and took a sip of coffee. “Thank you, mister the therapist.” That was harsh, cold, but Nevski giggled softly, looking at Agamemnon. “You don’t need to be so aggressive.” 

The Sphinx squinted. The gargoyle’s smile thinned slowly. “Agamemnon, I can deal with that aggressivity. I’m a century old creature, and I’m determined to share nothing but kindness through my deeds.” The feline opened his mouth, but didn’t have time to add anything. “Not everyone can do that. I’m thinking about Skapii in particular.”

He stopped, ashamed. That wasn’t not the first time he felt bad for treating Skapii the way he did… But that was the first time someone else called him out on something like that. Dear lord, Nevski was fully in control of the situation, and that drove the Sphinx absolutely crazy. In a confused way.

“… I really try to treat Skapii better. I’m getting attached.” Nevski smiled softly, sipped on his tea again. “She’s quite attaching.” He growled. “You don’t understand. I don’t like getting attached. I’m better off by my own.”

Nevski looked at his cup, nodded. “I think you and Skapii have a lot in common.” Agamemnon choked on his coffee. “Care to explain me in which kind of way are we even remotely close to each other ??” Nevski smiled gently, all peppy and amused. “That wasn’t an aggression. I just think Skapii also believes she’s better off by her own.”

“Nevski, please be serious. She’s literally holding onto two men she barely knows.” The gargoyle shrugged. “She needs points of references. She’s discovering in a very rough way she’s actually not doing better off by her own.”

The Sphinx took another sip of coffee, looking at Nevski. 

“I do believe she feels close to you.” Agamemnon shrugged. “Probably.” 

Long silence. He tried to enjoy it, getting ready for Nevski to break it at any given point. He closed his eyes, until he realized the gargoyle wasn’t going to interrupt this time.

He spoke up again. “So, Nevski, what do you do for a living ?” Nev adjusted his collar and smiled, very gentle. “I’m a service warlock and demonologist.” The Sphinx nodded. The gargoyle kept going. “I will probably try and pass by in other settings sometimes soon. Strictly for business. I’m pretty sure you have objects that are filled with magic around here.”

“Mayhap. I couldn’t tell. I’m not specialized in magic.” Nevski smiled, all peppy and looking… Cute. “That’s okay, of course. Besides, I’d be more than happy to help with all of that.” 

Agamemnon took a pause. “… Thank you.” He put some order on the table to avoid Nevski’s eyes. Thankfully, he got the perfect excuse to not look at the gargoyle when someone texted him.

That was Skapii. ‘Is Nevski over ?’ He focused on the phone. ‘Yes, he is.’ She sent an exclamation point emoji. ‘Do you like him ?’ 

He stared at the phone for a moment, with a weird face. ‘Not really, no.’ From the other side of the line, Skapii was absolutely devasted.

Nevski spoke up again. “Are you busy, Agamemnon ?... I could probably leave and come back later in the week.” Little pause. “Or not come back at all.”

“It’s Skapii, so you could stay if you wanted to. But if you wish to leave, I wouldn’t stop you and I’d gladly walk you to the front door.”

Nevski didn’t react, simply smiling warmly. “How is she doing ?”

“Bad I assume, as she hasn’t replied to me since I told her I do not enjoy your company.” Nevski kept his smile, but frowned a bit. “Of course, that’s a perfectly fine thing to feel, but did you really have to tell her that way ? She was looking forward us getting along.”

The Sphinx glared at Nevski, stern and cold. “I’m not gonna lie to her either.”

He got another text from Skapii. ‘How much do you dislike him on a scale from 1 to 10 ?” He huffed out a laugh. Looked at Nevski. ‘Only 1. He’s not bad.’

“Is that still Skapii you’re texting ?” He looked at the gargoyle, sternly. “Why do you care ?” Nevski sighed. “I’m really worried about her, Agamemnon.” 

“… Yes. That’s her.” He checked his notifications. ‘How are you doing knowing I don’t overwhelmingly dislike your fav person, Skapii ?’

“I’m asking her how she’s doing. If she’s available, we can probably call her. I guess that’d make her going to bed pretty happy.” Nevski softened a whole lot, immediately. “Thank you, Agamemnon.”

Skapii texted back. ‘I’m okay.’ He answered quickly. ‘Would you like to call us ? Nevski is worried about you.’ It took a while, but after a few minutes, he answered her call.

“Hi, Skapii !!” Said Nevski, all peppy and cute. The only answer he got was the sound of something falling on the ground. “S-Sorry. That was a broom.”

“Where are you exactly, Skapii ?...” Asked Agamemnon. “In the closet.”

She could hear the loud sighing of both of the adults. She could also clearly picture their expression, a mix of sad, disappointed, and weary. She felt bad. “I-It’s not that bad. I can talk, and people can’t reach me.”

Nevski spoke up. “It’s okay Skapii. How are you doing, hon ?” Agamemnon was confused by such kindness and softness in the gargoyle’s voice. Now that was what Skapii was deserving of.

“I’m… Doing okay. Talking to you both helped a lot lately. I just miss the hugs.” Nevski smiled. “Good to hear, hon.”

“How… How are you both ?” Nevski answered first. “I’m doing good, sweetheart, just a bit worried about you.” She let out a little ‘aaaah’ before she added. “I-Is Agamemnon still here ?...”

“Yeah, I’m right here sweetie.” She gasped. Sweetie ?? From Agamemnon ?? Nevski looked at the Sphinx with the biggest smile. He got embarrassed and gave a glare to the gargoyle.

“Can I come over tomorrow Agamemnon ?” He raised an eyebrow. “Of course. You don’t have to ask. I’ll let you know the day the shop is closed.” She seemed to move around a bit. “I don’t have homework…” He looked at Nevski, who was smiling like a cretin from his point of view. “You can still come. As usual, you just stay quiet and you don’t touch the merchandise.”

“O-Okay.” She yawned. “You should go to bed, hon.” Said Nevski. Agamemnon bit his tongue. “You can come early tomorrow if you wake up by then. But you’re going to have to go and get some sleep first.”

Surprisingly, she didn’t resist. “Okay. Goodnight.”

The two men answered together. “Goodnight, Skapii.” Before she hung up. Agamemnon sighed sharply. Nevski smiled to him, softly put his hand on the Sphinx’ arm. He jumped in surprise, but let the gargoyle do.

“Thank you for making that effort, Agamemnon.” He pouted. Fluttered his wings a bit. “I told you I was getting attached.” Nevski smiled. “I know.”

The Sphinx sighed. “I’m gonna head back home. Unless you need something more.” Nevski smiled warmly. “I don’t. Or maybe, can I have your phone number ?”

“Why for, Nevski ??” The gargoyle chuckled softly, looking at him all gentle. “Not to harass you. I’d just like to keep in touch, if you accept.” Agamemnon didn’t answer right away. “I’d love to get to know you better.”

The feline tried hard to hide his surprise. He gulped, standing up abruptly. Why the fuck would that pretty man, an actual angel, want to know him better. “Fine.” He wrote down his number, handed it to Nevski.

“Thank you, Agamemnon. Take care, hoping to see you again soon. Goodnight !!”

“Hm. Yeah. Goodnight. See you later.” Nevski didn’t wait any further, and headed outside. Agamemnon took a while to close the premise and go back home himself.