Item du Jour

[Lucan White]

In usual fashion, the magical community of Napier was bustling with witches and wizards of all shapes and sizes. The approaching holidays saw that no shop was left without customers, and that no tailor was absent of children requesting their robes to be fitted for the term ahead. Lucan White smiled a rare smile as he wove through the bustling street, his mind drifting far away from the commotion and up into the wintry lilac sky. His thoughts became birds and his troubles seemed almost as distant as the single cloud above him. It was his first venture from the manor without the supervision of Keevan in over a month, and he'd missed the independence.

The open cobblestone road began to narrow, and Lucan briefly toyed with the idea of turning around before the crowd became too dense for a quick escape. Tightly packed streets were not ideal places for the anxiety-prone wizard to stroll, but for some reason he could not bring himself to stop walking. He didn't often experience such spontaneous moments of bravery, but when he did, something good was almost guaranteed to come of it. The downy-haired man couldn't imagine what good could possibly come of walking a little further down the street than usual, but he was about to find out.

Wonderful Wizarding Wares, Lucan read from a hanging sign as he pressed through the crowd. The Marching Manticore. Quentin's Quills. Appleside Couture. He paced back a few steps. The dazzling window display of the boutique stuck out in the ordinary street like a diamond in a coal mine. Nobody else seemed particularly interested in the vivid blue, gold-trimmed waistcoat on the left-most mannequin, but Lucan could hardly prise himself away from the glass. But eventually he did, because he simply needed a closer look.

The small bell chimed happily at Lucan's entrance. Considering the bustle outside, the shop was surprisingly empty, but he supposed not every wizard could afford such high fashion. Blushing slightly for his good fortune, Lucan approached the sleek counter and gave the lady behind it a warm smile. "'Ello," he greeted in an accent that seemed rather out of place in New Zealand. "Mind if I 'ave a closer look at that waistcoat in the window?"

 

[Lily Morgan]

And what a wonderful morning it had been. A new delivery of stock had been received just hours before, and the proud shop owner of Appleside Couture had admired and rearranged the outfits around the store. Today, Lily herself wore one of her favorite pieces; Deep red velvet dungarees paired with her black leggings, long sleeve shirt, and her black platform shoes. Her hair was up in pig tails, long and waving down both sides of her body. After 22 months the shop had picked up nicely, and while she didn't see too many students around the place, she definitely met her fair share of young men and women.

As the bell chimed, Lily's mouth broke out into a huge smile. Turning 180 degrees she clasped her hands together tightly, before hurrying towards the main door. Talking of new and fresh material! She thought, striding quickly towards the fresh face of the man who had just entered. "Well good afternoon to you!" She replied, content in her passion. Her eyes did a quick scan of the cloth that hung from this man, and she was glad he had come to her. "The waistcoat?" She repeated. She'd only just placed that particular item in the window, but she felt sure as she'd gazed upon it for the first time that it would surely bring her good fortune. And sure enough it was already working wonders. She turned speedily to the right, gliding over the white painted floorboards towards the window, "You mean this?" She questioned, her perfectly manicured fingers passing over the vivid blue fabric. This wasn't a store of manufactured produce. Everything in here was one of a kind. If this gentleman wanted the jacket then so be it, but she wouldn't be giving it away so quickly. Her eyes sparkled and her lips shone as she waited for the man's response within her second home.