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As his right hand settled onto her lower back, his left reached for the door to the shop and opened it with easy familiarity. Rook stepped inside, guided gently by a steady palm, and took in the showroom before her. A tinkling bell sounded behind them.
The room inside was fairly dim, but brightly illuminated display cases lined the walls. Plush burgundy carpeted the floor, and the scent of warm metal and petals in the rain wafted through the cool air. Glittering gold and precious stones shimmered, twinkling in the varying light, snug in their boxes and resting delicately on velvet busts.
Rook attempted to keep a neutral expression on her face, but her eyes widened ever so slightly and her lips parted in a soft ‘O’ of wonder. She had, of course, seen plenty of grave gold in her time in the Necropolis, and Nevarra City as a whole; hell, even on Emmrich’s person day in and day out. It shouldn’t be a striking sight. But these pieces were all new: untouched, untarnished, suspended in a liminal state between newly made and properly claimed. Golden works of art that glinted with potential, awaiting the scratches and dents that came with being treasured and well-loved.
Emmrich removed his hand from Rook’s back and turned his head to face her. “Darling, I have just one spot of business to attend to, and then we can be on our way back to the Eluvian.” He pressed a soft kiss to her temple before walking to the point of sale counter and the older gentleman on the other side.
“Professor Volkarin! It is always good to see you, my friend!” A stocky human man with a rounding belly and balding head of white hair clapped his hands to the countertop before extending one to Emmrich.
The necromancer took the man’s hand in both of his own and gave a small, exuberant shake. “Herr Mueller, how wonderful it is to see you again! Your shop is as lovely and welcoming as always.”
The man grinned broadly. “Always a point of pride to keep her in tip-top shape, especially when I know one of my favorite patrons has an appointment.” Mueller added an exaggerated wink before glancing over Emmrich’s shoulder. “And who is this beautiful fraulein you have brought with you today?”
A flush crept up Rook’s neck and cheeks before she raised a hand in a silent hello. Emmrich turned his head over his shoulder to offer her a love-struck smile before returning his attention to the jeweler.
“Ah! This striking lady is Rook, my confidant and partner. It’s all somewhat new, and very thrilling.”
“How splendid! Please, my dear, let your eyes and feet wander the shop. We should be but only a few minutes.”
Rook inclined her head graciously before glancing around, taking in the artful array before her. She stepped delicately alongside the cases, fearing that too harsh a sound could upset the tranquil balance surrounding her.
The first case on her left contained all manner of bracelets, bangles, and cuffs. A few were slim, unadorned, and affordable - probably marketed to new graduates of the Grand Necropolis who boisterously set out to begin cultivating their own grave dowries. More were etched with filigree patterns, floral arrangements, ensnaring vines, or braided ropes, so minute and precisely rendered that the amount of time and craftsmanship that went into each piece was glaringly evident. Some of these sported very tiny gems of varying colors, accents to the carved artistry. The final few pieces Rook could only describe as gaudy; these were large cuffs that had been encrusted with gems, from the lesser amethysts and citrines to the emeralds and sapphires and diamonds. Three or four were tennis bracelets, but the remainder were pavé set and situated so tightly that barely any of the golden base peeked through.
Clasping her hands behind her lower back, Rook strolled to the next display, full of grey velvet fingers and a vast assortment of rings. Again, some were very plain and were probably intended for older students or financially conscious bridegrooms, while others proudly held faceted rocks the size of sparrow eggs. The price tags themselves did not give Rook pause, but the idea that many Nevarrans wore embellishments like these on all of their fingers did. She could not imagine attempting to wield a staff or a dagger with half the weight of the Charnel Pyramids on each hand.
As she continued to browse, Emmrich watched her covertly from the other side of the shop. Herr Mueller had disappeared to the back in search of his client’s order, which gave the professor a few moments to observe his Rook and what items might have caught her interest. Thus far, she seemed to be either ambivalent in general or mildly disgusted by the more garish pieces. His mouth twitched and curved into a hidden smile: he would expect nothing less from her.
Meandering along the back wall, Rook came upon a smaller case that contained less readily identifiable golden pieces. After tilting her head to and fro, she came to the conclusion that they must be less popular types of grave gold, and was able to identify toe rings and decorations for belly button, nose, and nipple piercings. A wicked grin crossed her face as her eyes alighted upon the nipple jewelry. She imagined what it would be like to thread them through her own sensitive parts and lounge on Emmrich’s bed in the nude, waiting for him to enter the room and find her a living display, reclined and wanting. Her eyes flashed as the tip of her tongue darted out to wet her lips. She chanced a glance behind her, and saw her professor in conversation with the jeweler, a black box between them.
Making her way around the loop of the store, she found herself in front of a rather small earring display. Most of these pieces were practical and unimpressive; they all emitted a brilliant sparkle as the light reflected off their surfaces, but were mostly unadorned and utilitarian. Rook shrugged. Earrings must not be very popular with most Nevarrans either. She didn’t personally know any Watchers who wore adornments on their ears, as there were too many perils involved in traversing the depths of the Necropolis and the last thing anyone needed was to find themselves parted with one of their ears due to an accident. Earrings would only be necessary in the event of a gala or ball, and even then, it was not uncommon to go without.
As Rook steadily moved toward the final case, Emmrich completed his transaction with the proprietor. He thanked Mueller before taking his bag, the box containing his purchase tucked carefully inside, and walked over to Rook silently. Emmrich began making mental notes of where her gaze landed and how her expression changed based on what she was viewing. She had leisurely perused the shop while he had attended to his business, and he was keen to glean any preferences she might express for particular pieces. Thus far, his covert observations had yielded no fruit.
The long, tall, tiered case was neatly arrayed with black velvet busts in a variety of sizes. Very few of the necklaces featured were simple gold collars or chains; most had gems or crystals to create sparkle and add visual interest. The most impressive piece of the bunch was a beautifully woven gold chain that featured a miniscule vial containing tiny shards of lyrium. Rook absently trailed a hand from her clavicle to the top of her breasts, imagining how the piece would lie. On the same display bust, a golden choker rested above. Two large gold beads would flank the hollow of the wearer's throat while the golden loop connecting them snaked behind the neck, leaving a marvelous gap between the spheres to showcase the delicate anatomy of the throat.
A flash of green as quick as a wink caught her attention. At the end of the case sat a singularly displayed pendant: a large, elliptic emerald rested proudly on the black velvet, facets dancing in the curated lighting like flames in a sconce. Rook took two tentative steps forward, bending her body closer to the glass to chance a better view. She tucked her long raven hair behind her ear before marginally tilting her head and releasing a quiet, appreciative hum. The rich verdant color evoked images of solidified veilfire, of swirling necromantic magic, of the matching marquis gem that rested on Emmrich’s finger. It was by no means the flashiest item in the case, let alone the shop, but it captured her imagination all the same.
Emmrich studied her movements for several long moments before interrupting her reverie. “Darling, are you ready to make our way back to the Eluvian? Myrna’s name day gift is in hand, and I should hate to miss dinner, you know how cross Lucanis can get.”
Rook startled slightly before turning to grace her professor with a beaming smile. “Of course, my love. He told me that he’s making mushroom risotto tonight, and I know how much you enjoy it.” She took his proffered elbow and with a swift goodbye, the two mages departed the shop and headed toward the Eluvian that would take them home.
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Several days later, Emmrich returned to Herr Mueller’s shop alone. After exchanging pleasantries, he intimated the reason for his visit, and the jeweler responded with a mischievous smile and a glint in his eye. Mueller removed the emerald pendant from its place within the glass case, and the two men discussed the particulars regarding the type and length of gold chain that would be required to complete the gift.
“Any personalizations for this one? The bracelet I engraved for you half a sennight ago came out splendidly, if I do say so myself.” He grinned broadly and chuckled.
Emmrich offered a small smile. “Ah, yes. On the reverse, an etching of vines winding up and along the edges.” His hands fluttered as he spoke, mimicking an upward twirling motion.
Mueller had pulled out a parchment and quill, and settled small spectacles on the bridge of his nose. He leaned on his forearms against the counter, quill poised to take notes, and looked up and over the frames. “Anything in particular?”
Emmrich answered after only the briefest of pauses –
“Ivy.”