Thread: Au-delà du Temps: Beyond Time (LeatrixSage x SacrlettRose)

Hey, Addie, a warm feminine voice responded to the tingling of the little brass bell above the shop door as a young woman stepped into the reclaim shop in downtown Aiken. Autumn was well under way, and a gust of cool air pushed against the glass door as she tried to close it behind her. Hey, Lora, Comment allez-vous? Adelaide Aedler called out to the familiar voice to ask how the older woman was doing. She received a light, airy laughter from somewhere in the room behind the front counter, and the sound made her smile. Mrs. Mills had been a good friend of her mothers sense they had been small children, and after Addies mother had died, the little French woman had taken over. She couldnt abide the wild temper that Adelaide had picked up being raised with nothing but brothers to hew herself against, and Mrs. Mills had made it her lifes mission to refine her best friends little girl into a proper lady. Im well, ma fille, Im well, the older womans dark auburn hair glowed copper in the early morning light streaming through the shop windows as she made her way out of the back room, arms out to drag the taller, young brunette into a tight hug. What are you looking for today? Anything you think I may like, Addie chuckled as she gave Mrs. Mills frail body a gently squeeze. Or anything you think I can sell at a decent price. Antiques were the lifes blood of the little South Carolina town, and Addie was the newest shop owner on the Plaza. Her shop sat in a prime spot in the center of downtown. Everything that happened, happened in the Plaza, and because of that, she often supported the other shops by carrying product for them and sharing the earnings. In return, people like Mrs. Mills always contacted her with things she might like to buy outright. Of course, Mrs. Mills called her every day just to get her to come by and say hello. Particularly since Mr. Mills had passed. So, thanks to the lovely woman, Adelaide was also the leading in French antiquities in particular. Which, had somehow tied her into the small town more tightly than she had ever imagined. Once upon the time, among all the Irish plantations, there had been a small French quarter at the heart of Aiken. One of those founding families had been the dAleders, who had become the Aedlers, her fathers family. They closed three estates this week, trois ! the older woman fussed, throwing her hands up as she led Addie around the front desk and into the back. Children throwing away their familys history, c'est une honte. Its lucrative, the younger woman teased, earning herself a cutting glance from the Wiley shop owner and a sharp, disapproving click of her tongue. Addie raised her eyebrows, inviting the other woman to deny the advantage, but she didnt. Youre almost as bad as they are, ma fille, she chirped, her fiery nature showing through her reserved decorum. Mrs. Mills was a creature caught between a modern woman and the old world of southern, polite society. The things she had seen in her life time were more than Addie could wrap her mind around. So, she supposed the woman could look down on the modern world, see the selling of the estates as a disgrace, as much as she wanted to. The reclaim shops back room was a dusty place filled with boxes, trinkets, shelves, bags, and a multitude of strange shapes covered in sheets. Most people wouldnt know it, but there was a veritable museums worth of history under all the dust and grime. From each estate that was auctioned or sold to the country as the younger generation left Aiken to seek larger cities and lofty goals, Mrs. Mills had collected something. Some antiques she sold, but some she held as if they were dear treasures. Those things she didnt even allow Adelaide to see. Not that the older woman was hurting for money, but Addie was certain a fortune was hidden in the over-packed room. Maybe I am, Addie admitted as her thoughts turned quickly to profits. She loved the history, the uniqueness, the beauty of old things that had lasted through the ages. But, this was how she paid her bills, and revenue was more important than sentimentality. But, you brought me here to sell me something, Mrs. Mills, so you are on the same boat to hell that I am, arent you? Ne pas taquiner, the older woman laughed, telling her not to tease about such a thing, but relenting all the same. Youre right. I found a dress. A dress? Addie asked, frowning. Clothing didnt do well as it aged, and she immediately doubted the older woman had found a legitimate antique. Fabric simply broke down too easily, and moths were monsters. Is it still in one peace? Oh, je ne sais pas, I suppose youll have to find out, wont you? the older woman flippantly claimed ignorance, pretending she had no idea what the condition of the dress was while she surreptitiously dusted off a box, and then lifted it to hand it over to Addie. I dont know if you can sell it, but it looks to be about your size. Theres no corset or anything, but I dont think youll need it. Tu es si petite, ma fille. I am not tiny, Addie fussed as she took the box from her friend, and then leaned in to kiss the older womans cheek. Itll have to wait until this evening, though. I have so- Non, now! the older womans brown eyes lit up with mischief as she slipped passed Adelaide. Ill just wait out front, daccord? It wont take long. Mariam, Addie fussed, exasperated, but the woman paid her no mind at all. She didnt even look back before she slipped out of the back room and shut the door. Addies eyebrows shot up when she heard the door lock click into place, and then she sighed and dropped the box. A puff of dust came off of it, and she coughed as she fanned it away. Alright, what have we here. Adelaide pulled open the box to find a bright red fabric hidden beneath a few layers of delicate packing paper. It should have been dull with age, but as she reached in to lift out the dress, she found it heavy and durable. Frowning, she lifted it high, and her jaw dropped as she found herself looking at a stunning red gown in a style somewhere between British and French fashion from the 1800s. Unless she missed her mark, it was early Napoleonic, right as Britains bustle style was over taking the wide hipped monstrosities still found among the wealthy in France. And, it was in fantastic condition! It had to be a recreation, but it was a beautiful one. Alright, now Im curious, she admitted quietly as she set the dress down in order to wiggle out of her boots, jeans, jacket, and blouse in order to pull the dress over her head. Even without the traditional undergarments, the dress fit surprisingly well as it slid into place. The fabric was supply and rich, every thread catching the light as she moved. She had to be cleaver about pulling the stays tight in the back, but once she had them tied at the small of her back, she ran her hands down the front in admiration. It was absolutely beautiful. Curiously, Addie tip-toed across the room on bare feet to a long mirror that stood in the corner. She wasnt a person that was normally given to vanity, but she had to admit that the gown made her look absolutely stunning. It made her skin seem pale, but in a way that glowed, and her dark blue eyes seemed startlingly bright against the magnificent red. In hindsight, she thought she should have put her hair up to show off her long neck. The only problem she could think of was that shed never have a good reason to enjoy it. As she was admiring the dress, her eyes caught sight of something in the mirror. She squinted as she leaned close to rub the glass. It looked like a smudge in the shape of a man. She startled when it seemed to move, and then as she leaned closer, she swore she could hear music. A masculine voice cursed loudly in French, and Addie jumped as she turned around, tripping over her own feet. She waved her arms as she tilted back, but there was no saving herself. Addie held her breath and curled in on herself as she fell back toward the tall mirror, prepared for the shattering of glass, the creaking and snapping of the wood frame, but neither of them came. Her stomach lurched as she fell right passed where the mirror should have been. The world tilted as she twisted in the air, and a brightly polished wood floor meet her hands as she collapsed on the ground. Ow, she fussed as she pushed herself up on her knees and then froze. Adelaide was not sitting in Mrs. Mills back room anymore.