#rutgers

In the week before the fall semester stops up again, Sylvi ventures down to the Rutgers area and spends some time in the malls, frequenting the pricier shops.

She might be looking for accessories, or some more exclusive cosmetics...but she keeps her eyes open for a certain redhead.

One lady resembles A very young Lucille Ball. But that's not who she is after, and the redhead moves on

Sylvi's patient, and malls don't bother her.

Malls, they say, are dying, and yet in some ways that allows changelings to blend in a bit.

There's an Eshu wilder, younger than she, running, no skating, from security! The girl, and Sylvi can see it is a girl, has great moves. No way that rent a cop can catch her

And at a vendor cart in the hallway, a boggan man sells fine clocks and watches, time pieces of non digital non internet related things

Sylvi's a little skeptical about the quality of time pieces sold at a cart rather than in a shop with strong security, but she does venture over there. "Hi," she says to the boggan as she peruses the shelves.

He smiles to see her "Well, what a pleasure. A tall young person ... Please, let me know if you need anything. I also do repairs"

It looks to be quality... in fact, theft should be a true concern

"That's cool. I have to admit I rarely wear watches." Then she takes a look at the carving on the clocks. "Oooh. Wow, that's neat."

"Thank you, " he says "It was the main display of my shop when I had one"

Others are.. humbler

"What happened to your shop?"

"Priced out" he says "The contract had expired, and it was also a residential area so the owner jacked the price up so high I had to look elsewhere. Now it's become an over priced suite" A sigh "I was lucky the fellow who normally rents this spot was on vacation this month so he let me use it for my goods." A pause "mm how do you feel about pocket watches? Some folks don't like weight on the wrist. I admit, it doesn't have an ap or anything but there's art there"

He gestures to the pocket watches, some rather nice if very old fashioned. ONE might catch her eye

Her eyes widen abruptly with interest, and she might not school her features in time for him not to notice. "May I?" she says, extending a hand for the watch.

"Certainly" he says

His eyes sparkle

She takes it, turning it in her hands and taking a closer look, running her thumb over the shape of the rabbits.

Feels solid, good hinge on it . She flips it open, the clock within has cursive numbering, the word 'quartz' in it. It's running what looks like on time.

"That one came to me damaged. I patched it up, good as new" He says

She puts it to her ear, hearing the tic-tic-tic-tic. "It's nice," she says neutrally as she puts it on the counter. "How much would something like that be?"

"Oh, fine craftsmanship preserved? What would you say to 35 dollars?"

Again, the surprise registers before she can restrain it. "Done," she says, taking her card from her purse. "I don't have cash on me, but I can get some if that's better?"

"Oh I've got a card reader" he says "Can't get by now a days if you don't have that" A smile "It's a good bargain, I know, but I'm hoping you'll start some 'retro trend' with the other college students. Forgive, but you look like you attend Rutgers"

A smile. "Okay, that's clever, and I'll see what I can do about making sure it's seen and appreciated around campus."

"Thanks. Word of Mouth still means something. I'm Mr. Muligan, by the way."

She extends a hand. "Sylvi," she says. "Mr. Muligan, it's a pleasure."

As she accepts the watch, she quietly says, "I bet you've had other fae do some shopping here."

He shakes the hand "Oh now and then," He keeps his own voice soft "Mall rats were more a 20th century thing, but I've seen a few. There's some sluagh that slip in at night"

She nods. "It's a weird kind of zone, y'know? Sort of a neutral territory, I guess."

"Whole place is... I suppose you're too young to have heard of a movie called Casablanca"

A grin. "I've seen it, yeah. I get it." She scans around again. "All types, all classes. The most modest pooka to...I guess...the most pricey sidhe?"

"Yes, mall doesn't have much enforcement for our kind, so be careful. But so far" he knocks gently on an old clock "So good"

A nod. "Nobody messing with you, I hope."

"No, not so much. I can take care of myself. You don't get to be my age without learning how to spot the trouble makers"

"But you're not alone here, there are other wilders" A chuckle "Heck some even speak to me"

"Not too surprising, like you said, Rutgers. Heard anything good?"

"Oh, gossip now... how tawdry" But he chuckles then thinks it over "let me see. Rumor has it a group of satyrs on campus are planning to run naked on Orientation day this year wearing 'crimson knight' helmets to protect their identity. The usual suspects most likely. Lots of talk about how track is in the bag on the betting circuit thanks to some wunderkind brawny troll girl. A clurichaun sold me a very nice necklace.... I guess she wanted cash in hand fast. And rumor has it a piskie stole a truck full of insulin and then covertly donated it. Mortal police are baffled as no one can figure out what he looked like"

A brief frown, then covered. "That's a lot. I think I know a bit about a few of those. In fact...can I see the necklace?"

A surprised look "This might be out of your price range, no offense. It's worth at least five K even without a true mark up" But he reaches into the cart, pulls out a trunk, unlocks it, and along with some REALLY expensive watches, there is a necklace

He takes it out to show her

"5 K? Totally out of my range, yeah. But I'm wondering if I'll recognize it." And she leans over to take a look.

A delicate necklace of rose gold, the pendant shaped into a snake's head. A pattern of diamonds speckles the forehead, and the eyes are slivers of malachite. The box it is in says 'BVLGARI' which Sylvi may recognize as a high-end luxury brand.

"Wow," she breathes. "That's something."