366/Shop Smart, Shop Antique Shop!

Shop Smart, Shop Antique Shop!
Date of Scene:	08 March 2020
Location:	Kohler's Antiquities
Synopsis:	Zatanna visits Marly to find out more about the Maker and ends up inviting her to come to Shadowcrest so that she can meet other people in the Arts.
Cast of Characters:	Marly Kohler, Zatanna Zatara

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Marly Kohler has posed:
Today seems to a shaping up to be a very nice day.

The sun shines, the weather is arm, and from that people seem to be bustling about the city enjoying the respite from the cold.

Along with the people the shops and stores likewise seem to be enjoying the warmt. Several of them have signs showing their status is OPEN and many have their doors invitingly open, as well.

One shop in particular has both; a sign and an open wide door. The shop itself has a simple name Kohler's Antiquities and below the sign, upon the window, it spells out a bit more of what the store holds inside.

We sell, clean and repair antiques! Books, furnitures, art and even more inside.

All of those words are done in a bold, neat and tasteful script upon the glass of the window.

Once inside the store itself resolves itself into one large room. There's a counter with a register in the front and then shelves upon shelves that show off the store's wares. There's books, so many books, pieces of furniture, art, watches, clocks, small statues, even lanterns and lamps ... really, if it was created ages ago, it can likely be found here.

The owner of said shop is slowly manuevering herself from a bookshelf to the counter, and she carries an armload of books. Really, she's carrying too much, but when you're buy yourself during a shift you just have to make due with what you have.

"Almost there. You got this. Don't drop the books." Marly mutters to herself as she lugs the armload to the counter.

And lastly, though hardly least, there's a particular atmosphere to the store itself. It has the typical things one might notice such as age and dust and the distinct smell of book paper, but beneath all of that there's also a faint underline of magic.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
When one deals with magicks of all kinds, every once in a while, you want to shop. Plus, being a woman means you're automatically inclined to such things! Having felt the light pull of the leyline that is near the shop, Zatanna decided that she wanted to take a peek. And see if it's worth adding to her list of sources.

The bell of the door jingles in soft rattling tones, a pleasant noise as she enters. A black sweater hugs her torso, grey slacks upon her legs and leather pumps adorn her feet. Umbra hair is pulled into a ponytail, as Zatanna draws in a breath and is immediately enamored with the smell of dust, antiquities and magic.

That's when she notices the young woman heading to the counter with her books, and offers a polite, "Good afternoon!" Hopefully she doesn't distract her from her work as she peers at one of the display cases curiously.

Marly Kohler has posed:
Marly is fairly used to customers popping in at any time, so while she isn't startled per se, she does shift her focus from the books and her trip to the doorway and Zatanna.

"Afternoon!" She says cheerfully enough as she returns the greeting, "I'm Marly. Anything I can help you find? Or just browsing?", she asks with a grin, because Marly knows many-a-times people are just idly walking through. But that doesn't mean she can't help them find something they may want.

Those books are dropped (carefully) upon the counter and while she's as gentle as she can be there's still a *whump* of sound as the books settle.

For Marly she's dressed pretty casually, though nicely. A light sweater and a pair of dark blue jeans, with a pair of brown ankle boots to finish it all off.

The display cases near Zatanna hold a variety of things, but it definitely seems heavy on time pieces. There's pocket watches galore and also delicate wrist watches, along side that is cameos and cabochon jewelry.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Hi Marly, I'm Zatanna." the young woman offers as she turns her sapphire eyes towards Marly before she smiles warmly. "I was told that you do repairs on antique items with original parts? I have a gift for a friend, but I think it might need a repair first." she admits. Approaching the counter, Zatanna reaches into her handbag and pulls out a small box. She sets it on the counter and opens it.

Inside the walnut box with brass latches is a brass compass pendant engraved with a seafarer's compass rose. "It's lovely, but I fear it doesn't point north anymore." she admits with a frown.

Marly can sense it. As if Zatanna didn't eminate enough magical energy to light the Vegas strip, the small compass is more than it appears. It's a cartographer's pendant. When worn around the neck, it records a map of the environments that the bearer is exploring, and can magically project it for the bearer to see.

And it's currently missing a small sliver of silver that has never been exposed to atomic age nuclear energy to direct it to true north for an accurate map. It's been gently, carefully removed.

Zatanna's testing her. She heard rumors that there was a new Maker, and she's come to find out for herself. It helps that she's attractive to boot. Zatanna's smile is genuine. "Can you help me? I'd be appreciative if you can fix it!"

Marly Kohler has posed:
"Nice to meet you, Zatanna." Marly says and then she grins again, "And yes, we definitely do repairs here. If we can't fix with the original parts then we can definitely substitute with something that looks pretty-near-perfect to the original."

When the other woman steps over Marly makes certian to push the books towards the register, to allow for the majority of counterspace to be free. The box itself is given a curious look and when Zatanna raises the lid to reveal what's inside, Marly can't help but lean forward to get a better look at it.

"A beautiful piece." Marly says and after a moment the woman steps behind the counter and reaches beneath it. A second later and a leather toolbelt is brought out. The belt itself holds a variety of things, various sized pliers, scissors, a jeweler's kit, just to name a few. In one particular sturdy loop of leather is a hammer. It looks plain as day to normal eyes, just the typical hammer, but beneath that illusion sits something heavily enchanted and something that looks more like the hammer of a smithee.

The Maker.

And while Marly could go for The Maker, she instead reaches for a magnifying glass, though thankfully not the actual eyepiece one. She saves that for in the back office, where people can't quite see her 'nerd goggles'.

Either way, Marly brings the magnifying glass carefully over the compass. "The needle is definitely missing and it's something I can definitely repair, but if you'd like an original part to be located for it that may take me a few days."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
While Zatanna had seen pictures of the Maker before, she'd never seen it in person. The lifting of her dark brows may show Marly that Zatanna recognizes the hammer for what it truly is. Smiling warmly as Marly goes through her examination, she sets her hands on the counter to do her own gentle explorations.

"My father spoke highly of yours." she finally ventures as she watches the other woman work. "I actually have quite a few of his pieces in Shadowcrest she admits as she steps back to look around and take in some timepieces. "This is all very lovely. Are you able to handle it all on your own?" she asks curiously as she rubs her thumb along the bindings of the books, feeling them out.

Marly Kohler has posed:
Her magnifying glass pauses in surprise as Zatanna speaks about her father.

That surprise pulls Marly's gaze off of the compass and back to Zatanna, as she clearly digests those words. "You knew my father?" Comes the most obvious question for the young woman before, "Or rather, your father knew my father?"

There's perhaps a pause again from Marly as she considers her next words and in that consideration comes a-not-so-subtle look at the hammer that sits casually atop the countertop. One day Marly's going to have to figure out how to not be so ... naive, that's probably the best word, in dealings with magic and the magical community, but that day is not today. She's just too new at this whole thing and without her father, well, she's doing the best she can.

"Sorry to ask, but what's your last name?" She asks, her tone apologetic, "I don't have all of my father's former client's memorized. There were so many."

And beneath that apologetic tone is a carefulness too, she knows *some* of their clients knew exactly what her father and The Maker were, but one can't be too careful.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
After making sure the counter can support her weight, Zatanna lifts herself up to settle upon the edge of counter. Once she's settled, she gestures towards the box. "Look on the bottom of it." she offers.

Beneath the box is the aforementioned 'missing' needle. "I thought for sure you'd pick up on that." she admits with a little laugh, before offering her hand to Marly.

"Zatara. Zatanna Zatara, my father was Giovanni. Or John." Giovanni in the magical circles, though. "It's nice to meet another magic user that's close to my own age. But I get the feeling that your father didn't share much of what you are with you?" she asks curiously.

Marly Kohler has posed:
It's obvious that particular name is familiar as recognition hits for Marly, but soon enough comes embarassament as well.

At Zatanna's instructions to look at the bottom, Marly does so, carefully as she turns the compass over. "Blast." She mutters to herself before she sets the compass gently back in its box.

The question of her father brings a flicker of a look, but quickly, Marly sets a hand upon The Maker and for a brief moment The Maker flares brightly in the magical ether of the world. "He didn't." Marly begins, her tone more sober than before, "He was killed serveral years ago. I'm kind of figuring this whole thing out as I go along."

"And *obviously* not doing a very good job at it." Here Marly interjects a bit of self-deprecating humor, and then with a wry grin she asks, "So, would it be terribly uncultured of me to ask you what sort of magic you do?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"I totally understand that. I had the advantage that my father basically took me everywhere with him from the moment I could walk." Zatanna admits with a small laugh, but at the mention of her father's loss, she reaches over, covering Marly's hand with her own. "I lost my own father a few years back. I get it. Totally." she admits, giving her a quick squeeze before releasing the Maker's hand and settling her hands back in her lap primly.

"I may not have all the answers, but my dad may have had some books on it all in his library. You'd be amazed at what he had information on." she sighs lightly, a sad smile on her lips before she giggles at the next question. "Now, now, that is totally a second date question, especially on more... personal magic." she teases playfully before she reaches up behind Marly's ear. "Strange, I could have sworn I set this..." And she pulls out a pocket watch from behind Marly's ear and offers it to her.

So, it's sleight of hand there -- but wait, wasn't that watch in a locked case just a second ago? She gives a coy grin. "I dabble in a little bit of everything."

Marly Kohler has posed:
The offer of empathy there, as well as the revelation that she too lost her own father, brings a brief smile of thanks from Marly.

And understanding of it all, as well.

"Well, if you ever find a book on The Maker I wouldn't mind reading it if you'd so allow." States the young woman before she then laughs, a sound that's equal parts sheepishness and also amusement, when Zatanna reveals Marly's question is indeed quite gauche, "I'll remember that for next time -", and while she was about to say more her words pause when Zatanna reaches behind her ear.

And pulls out a pocket watch! Marly automatically accepts it and turns it over in her hands a few times. Then she really looks at it as she squints at it as she realizes it's definitely a watch from one of her *cases*. A case that's across the room.

"How?" She starts to say and then shakes her head, "Nevermind, we all know how you did that." Magic, of course.

Turning back to the compass for a moment, Marly asks, "Do you want me to get the needle back in place? With it being there on the bottom The Maker can take care of that with but a tap."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"I'd love to see you work with the Maker." Zatanna admits with a warm and encouraging smile. "It is a gift for a friend, but I figured it would be a good icebreaker to meet you." she admits with her own sheepishness, as she goes back to settling her own hands in her lap anew.

"Come by Shadowcrest sometime, we can share tea and I'll let you look over the books, if you want! Even give you the nickle tour." she offers with a small laugh. Flicking her wrists, she produces a card and offers it to Marly. "This has my contact information on it. Let me know if you're coming, there's some pretty powerful wards in place, and I'd perfer you not break them." There's a wink with that statement.

Marly Kohler has posed:
The offered card is accepted and briefly looked at, before Marly tucks the card into the pocket of her jeans, "I wouldn't mind coming over for a visit, especially to read books. I've read the majority of my father's and while some of it's interesting, there's not much on The Maker.", says the young woman with a smile.

That mention of wards, however, causes Marly to nod quickly, "I'll definitely call before I pop over. I'd hate to break any of them, especially since I'm not too sure I could fix *those* with The Maker."

As for The Maker, when Zatanna gives the permission to fix the compass, Marly reaches for the hammer a second time. Light halos the hammer for a moment at Marly's touch, but then quiets as she lifts it up. She takes a moment to center herself before she re-focuses upon the compass and with a breath drawn in and then let out, Marly brings the hammer down.

The hammer taps the compass with the lightest of touches, really just a graze, but as soon as the hammer touches the compass the peal of a bell can be heard by those who can hear such things. It's a long melodic note and upon that sound magic flares outward to encompass Marly, The Maker and also the compass.

As the sound fades so too does the magic and when all is said and done the compass and its needle can be found in full working order again.

"There. All fixed."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"I've always been curious as to how and why items select who wields them. I mean, the whole thing with Mjolnir, for instance." Zatanna says as she watches the work, her eyes rapt with attention on woman and hammer as they act as one. "Is there any inscriptions on there about being worthy?" It's asked in a teasing tone, but she's impressed at the magic. She can feel the anctient tug on it.

"Does it cost you anything to use it?" she thinks to ask. "A piece of your soul? Does it make you tired?" comes the curious, if slightly worried question. She'd hate to have done this if it hurts her!

Though the melodious sound echoes through the shop, and she's presented with a fixed compass, she smiles warmly. "Thank you." she offers in genuine gratitude. "How much do I owe you for the repair?"

Marly Kohler has posed:
Marly is quiet for a moment at the completion of it all, but then she turns her gaze back to Zatanna.

"I can't find any inscriptions." States the young woman as she turns the hammer over in hand, "But perhaps there was when it first came to me that I didn't see."

She turns the hammer in her hands, but beyond the leather wrapping used for the hand-hold the hammer is quite plain to see. It's definitely not pretty like Mjolnir.

The question of what's it costs causes Marly to shake her head quickly, "Not my soul to my knowledge, but sure if I use it enough I definitely get tired, but with something like this with all the parts here and they just need to be assembled correctly? It barely takes anything."

Her gratitude prompts a smile as she says, "You're welcome.", as to the question of how much, Marly waves that aside. "Nothing, please. I barely did anything. I'll just take you up on that offer of tea and books sometime, and we'll call that payment enough. It was really great meeting you, Zatanna. There are times it feels like I'm the only one here with this hammer and it's nice to know there are others too."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"You are far less alone than you think." Zatanna says, pondering for a moment. "Perhaps I should hold a tea. Or something. Just for us ladies that are into magic and mystical arts." She grins. "It'll be like a debutante tea for you!" she says brightly. "Introduce you to other women in our field and all that."

"If you'd be interested?"

Marly Kohler has posed:
Tea, yes, definitely Marly can get behind a tea party but at that mention of a debutante tea for her, she almost chokes. Okay, she does choke with surprise, "What? I -", she's about to say no, but then her eyes fall upon The Maker and Marly pauses.

If she really wants to try to unravel The Maker and all that it entails she should say yes. She definitely should.

And so, "You know what, yes. Please. I would love that. Though please warn them that I'm going to be like the country bumpkin cousin who knows *nothing*. Or, at the very least, very little."

There's a thread of humor there to her voice, but also honesty. She knows she has large gaps of knowledge when it comes to magic and the magical world.

And while those thoughts trundle through her head another thought pops up and she looks quickly back to Zatanna, "So, what's the dress code for this tea party? Dressy casual?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"It's your party, you get to decide the dress code." She winks at Marly as Zatanna hops off the counter. "Because if you ask me, I'm a corsets and fishnets type of girl." she admits with a playful smile. "And it'd be my pleasure. I think we all need to be more cooperative and open in these things, and to get to know each other's strengths so we can help each other." she admits honestly.

She slips the pendant back into her handbag. "We'll aim for Friday night?" she suggests. "That way we have plenty of time to get the word out, and you can decide on what you would like. Sound good?"

Marly Kohler has posed:
"Dressy casual is fine with me. So are jeans, if you ask me." Marly says quickly when Zatanna reveals her love for corsets and fishnets.

"Friday sounds perfect. Thank you so much, Zatanna. This really means a lot to me." And while Marly isn't necessarily a hugs-r-us type of person, she does at least offer a heartfelt smile to the other woman.

"Let me know if I can bring anything - beyond The Maker - and I'll be happy to."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
While Zatanna is a hugger, she respects someone that isn't, and the brunette flashes a winning smile. "I'll make sure we have some awesome snacks!" she offers up with a bob of her head before she presents her hand to Marly with a grin. "I'll see you then?" she asks. "If you want to come over before that, let me know!"

Marly Kohler has posed:
"Thanks, Zatanna. I will and I'll definitely see you then." Comes Marly's prompt response and when Zatanna offers her hand to Marly, the woman quickly clasps it for a shake.

"And if you need anything more fixed just bring it on down. I'll give you the friends and family discount."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Returning the shake, Zatanna grins. "I look forward to it!" And since Marly knows, the young woman steps back before making a couple of somatic gestures with her hands as a whirl of smoke and fog comes up around her.

"Emoh."

And like that, she is gone, returned to Shadowcrest.