[XOTM] Sift’s Secondhand Storytime

Sift tapped his claws against the hardwood countertop. Today had been very slow, even by his standards. He was thinking of closing the shop to get a headstart on treasure hunting for the day, see if he could find anything new to add to the mess that was his shop.

He brushed past baubles hanging from the ceiling, and tidied a few shelves that rotated in the middle of the store. The edges of the store were littered with things that didn’t quite fit on the shelves, like tables and statues he fished out the water.

Just as he approached the door to turn the sign to “closed” he saw someone reaching for the door. Opening it for them he grinned. “Welcome to Sift’s Secondhand Treasure Trove, how can I help you?” Ushering the customer in he closed the door behind them.

“You want, a story?” He clarified after they explained what they were after. The Xero nodded, and Sift started swiftly tapping under his chin before leading them to the counter. Behind it he pulled out a ring.

“This isn’t just any wedding ring.” He answered the Xero’s confused face. “I found this deep in the swamp, far past any normal Xero would go. Deep in the murky depths, I have to wonder. Was this a spouse scorned by an unfaithful lover? Was it a widower, no longer wanting to hold onto their lost love? Or maybe an unlucky Xero, oblivious to the nefarious intentions of their beloved, struck down in their prime and left to rot in the swamp?” He set the ring down on the counter. “Many stories can be told with just a simple object and where it was found.”

The Xero shook their head, this wasn’t the story they came for.

“So you want something less tragic? Alright..." Sift trailed off, putting the ring back behind the counter before scurrying to a shelf. The Xero followed and watched as he pressed a button, rotating the shelves to a small oil lamp.

“I found this deep in the desert. Legends told of a Genie in a lamp, who could grant any wish no matter how impossible it seemed. It is said the B’haddu was carved with a wish from the Genie, by a powerful king who wanted the best for his people. The Genie is said to be gone, a foolish romantic wished him away for not making his crush love him back, but it is said if you wish hard enough, and polish the lamp just so, your wish might still be granted.” He handed the lamp to the customer to inspect.

After briefly looking at it, the Xero handed him back the lamp, shaking their head disastified.

“You want something that’s not a fairy tale? Fine.” Sift threw the lamp back onto the shelves, bringing the Xero to a corner of the shop that had a ship’s figurehead, a beautiful mermaid carved out of wood.

“This mermaid was from a ship, lost at sea. Her captain had all but given up hope, when a mighty wave came over and smashed the ship. He clung to a bit of his ship’s wood, drifting onto an island. There he survived for forty days and nights, lighting up bits of his ship so that passing ships could see him. He survived off of coconuts, and just as he burned the last of his ship that washed ashore, he was rescued. This was part of that ship, I found it diving in the Earle Sea. How’s that for a story?” He looked expectantly to the other Xero, who shook their head.

“That story’s already been told? A lot of stories have been told time and time again. But I think I know what you’re looking for...” he led the Xero to another part of the shop, a whip coiled on a hook.

“I found this whip deep in the Jungle. An adventurer, following a map to ancient ruins. In those ruins he found murals depicting legends of gods, and demons. One area was full of traps, and the daring adventurer made it through, only to discover a great big ruby. Something possessed this adventurer to bring it out, and the moment sunlight hit the ruby it transformed! Legends say a great evil was hiding in that ruby, but nobody knows where the temple is or what happened to that poor adventurer. It’s still out there, waiting to be found..." he looked towards the Xero, who’s curiosity piqued at the ending. 

“Seems like you liked that one, I’ll tell you where I found this whip if you like, but anything else that happens is on your paws..."