(no subject)
Charaters: Jamal, Candy, Shell, Rex, Sarah and mentions of Robin
Part 2: Gifts
“Turn around and close your eyes.”
Candy turned her back to Jamal and dramatically clapped her hands over her eyes. She peered out through the cracks between her fingers.
Jamal chuckled. “No peeking.”
“How did you kn-I mean I’m not peeking!”
“Because you always peek, sweetheart. Now close your eyes.”
With a pout Candy obeyed, dropping her arms and closing her eyes. Jamal reached around her, fastening a necklace. When he stepped away it bumped against her chest. Her hand raised and fingered it a moment before she opened her eyes and looked down. Gold, copper and brass wire were braided together then twisted into a figure eight, creating an unbroken loop, the sign for infinity. The symbol was hung on a delicate gold chain.
Candy cradled it in her hands and her mouth formed an ‘o’ though no sound emerged.
Jamal smiled at her reaction. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two more pieces of jewelry. “I have something for all of you.” His smile dropped then, and he looked around the bookshop at his two employees and Candy, holding each of their eyes for a moment. “There is more to it then just presents, however.” He sighed and leaned back against the counter. “I have been having disturbing visions lately.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Most of them are frustratingly vague, but all of them carry an ominous sense of danger.” He nodded towards Candy’s necklace and held up a ring and a bracelet. “I made these for you to give you at least a measure of protection against what is coming. I know this may be difficult to believe, but I ask that you wear them for your own protection.”
He turned to Rex then, holding out the bracelet. It wasn’t as heavy or wide as a man’s bracelet nor was it as delicate as a typical woman’s bracelet, but like Rex hirself was somewhere in between. “Will you wear it?”
Rex looked up at him with wide eyes, then nodded once. “I don’t quite understand but, if you think it’s best.” Ze held out an arm and Jamal slid the bracelet over hir hand and latched it so the braided wire created an unbroken loop snugly encircling hir wrist.
Sarah shifted slightly, uncomfortable with what Jamal was implying. Of course she knew Jamal seemed to know things, but most of that she chalked up to him manipulating situations to go a certain way and the rest, well, she tended not to think too much about that. But magic jewelry that was supposed to protect them? That was a bit much to believe. Still Jamal had been good to her, giving her a job and the opportunity to make some real friends. And he seemed to genuinely care, about her.
So when he turned to her, she smiled at him and let him slide the ring on her finger.
She and Rex mumbled thank yous that were downed out by Candy who threw her arms around Jamal and squealed in his ear. “It’s so pretty! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Sarah glanced over at Rex, sure he felt as silly about this as she did, only to see him running a finger slowly over the braided band.
Candy pulled back from the hug, letting her hands rest on Jamal’s shoulders. She looked up at him, her cheerful face grave.
Their previous conversation echoed between them.
How bad will it be?
I don’t know.
Her hand wrapped around the wire and her eyes asked will it be alright? Jamal’s smile was small and strained and seemed to answer I hope so.
~~~**~~~
The record store had been relatively busy all day, yet Jamal managed to walk in during a lull when Shell was the only one in the store. Figures the bastard could pull something like that Shell thought annoyed.
“What the hell do you want?”
Jamal smiled. “I came to give you something and to ask a favor.”
“I don’t want it and no.”
Jamal laughed and leaned against the counter. “I know. That’s why I’m insisting.”
“That sure is a fucking great way to start out asking for a favor.” Shell scowled at him, not sure why he bothered as it had no effect on the bookstore owner.
“Oh no. You misunderstand. I’m insisting you take my present.” Jamal pulled something gold colored out of his pocket, waving it in front of Shell to quickly for him to get a good look. “I know you will agree to the favor because you care about them too.”
Shell shook his head as if he could physically clear it of the twists this conversation was taking. “What the hell are you talking about?” He peered at the thing glittering half obscured in Jamal’s dark hand. “And what is that?”
Jamal opened his hand so that the object dangled from two fingers. Shell leaned closer and examined it. The bracelet was wide and smooth, the braided strands pressed flat, gold, copper and brass almost blending into one another. “The strongest protective spells I know are woven into this.” Jamal’s voice was soft, but Shell heard every word. He jerked back.
Jamal continued before Shell could speak. “I hope I am being an alarmist, however I fear even this won’t be enough.” Jamal ran his hand though his dark braids and sighed. “I have given something similar to Rex, Candy and Sarah. And this is where the favor comes in. Not to sound melodramatic, but something dark is coming. I know you can all take care of yourselves, but this is something beyond the ordinary dangers of the city. I am giving all of you all the protection I can, but even I can’t be everywhere. Please, I need to you to keep your eyes and ears alert for trouble.”
Shell opened his mouth prepared to argue that he didn’t want anything to do with this, but he made the mistake of meeting Jamal’s eyes. He wanted to say fuck it and look away, but Jamal was looking at him expectantly like he actually believed Shell would just roll over and play watch dog for that bunch of crazies.
“I’m asking you this because I know I can count on you to watch out for them.” Jamal was looking at him like he trusted him.
Shell hissed. “Oh fuck it. Fine, whatever. I’ll let you know if I see any boogie men skulking around.” He stuck his arm out, looking determinedly away. A moment later he felt the cool metal slide over his skin and latch into place. He pulled back and crossed his arm quickly, letting his sleeve hide the bracelet.
“Thank you, Shell.” Jamal’s hand rested on his head for a brief moment.
Shell hissed, but the touch was gone before he could swipe the hand away.
~~~***~~~
Jamal left the record shop. A ring, wider then Sarah’s and hung on a gold chain that would be easy to conceal under a shirt, a heavy weight in his pocket. This one last gift he was unable to deliver. Robin was still in turmoil and needed space to choose what direction to take. He knew better then to push the young man and right now anything from them would be rejected. With the way events were moving, Jamal could only hoped Robin would make up his mind soon.
~~~***~~~
When Candy came barging into the record store with her usual exuberance later that day, she spotted the bracelet right away. Shell shook the sleeve of his ratty sweater down to hide it but it was too late. She had one of those looks on her face and was opening her mouth. “Shut it.” He said. “Just. Just shut it.”
Surprisingly enough she did. Two fingers reached up and touched a braided figure eight hung on a chain. She looked at him with a strange, un-Candy look on her face. He realized then that he had never, ever seen her be serious before. In that moment he knew that she was aware of the gathering danger too and that she too was willing to fight it if need be.
Then the moment past and she was bouncing around the store and if her smile was a little too bright and her insane chatter a little forced, he let it go.