A blonde women pushed open the front door to Circe’s shop with one trembling hand and stepped inside. Even on the threshold she was immediately assaulted by the sights, sounds, and smells beyond.
True to the rumors that brought her here, the shelves were well stocked with…. everything really, as long as it fit the fantastical mystical theme of the store. Otherworldly music reached her ears, beautiful but also unidentifiable in origin or instrument and sounding appropriate to be playing in both a traveling gypsy caravan and a trendy coffee shop at the same time. The smells hit her hardest though, mainly because they fought for and then fled her nose. Cinnamon turned to sulfer turned to lavender turned to female arousal turned to the smell of rain and on and on.
Feeling she couldn’t turn back now, she stepped inside and only then laid eyes on a woman behind the front counter who stood smiled politely at her and said,”Welcome, Jane Flair, I’ve been expecting you.”
“You…. you what?! Even I didn’t know I was coming here today.” Jane said shyly.
“It was written in the stars, my dear. But I’m being rude, allow me to introduce myself: I am Circe, sorceress and (for better or worse) literary figure, though I would like to debate some points of the latter.”
“Circe? Like in-“
“Yes, like in The Odyssey.” Circe finished with a tired laugh and then continued, saying,”Destiny has brought you here for a transaction which has been a long time coming, Ms. Flare. Shall we begin?”
“What exactly do you think I came in here for?” Jane asked, eyebrow raised.