Bernie cleared his throat and asked Maverick a simple yet unexpected question.

“Maverick, do you trust this old man’s words?”

Mav’s eyes intently focused on the box, responding with an excited, “yes.”

“Maverick, without seeing what I have in this box. Would you trade me your bag, cord, marbles, and everything for the soul contents held inside this box? Said Bernie with a bit of mirth in his voice.

“Eh?” Maverick responded as the offer was unexpected. In the last year since he has been visiting this shop, never had he been presented with the chance to own anything from ‘Marbles Mercury’, or any of the ones showcased within the front of the store. Bernie is the reason he owns the current assortment and is also the reason why he knows and cares for the collection currently presented.

“Maverick, the value of what you own and the value of what I offer are incomparable. You’ve seen the other shipments and have marveled at everything that’s been seen before. I will not beg you, but the offer is on the table until you leave the shop today.” Said Bernie.

The mirth in his voice still evident. Bernie was not someone who dwelled on the conversation for longer than needed. Maverick knew that this opportunity was only open till the box was closed. The new selection never came back out once it was returned to the box.

“I have fifty marbles if you include my bowler. How many would I receive in the trade?” Mav inquired.

Bernie took off his spectacles and leaned over the counter. One hand carefully holding his glasses while the other gestured over Maverick’s collection.

“I'll trade you one bag, one cord, and a single Tolley. With what the trade entails I believe it to be a fair-trade Mav.” Said Bernie.

“That is not a fair trade! I know I saw more than that in the last shipment you opened.” Blurted Mav, frustrated at the idea of a bad trade with a much-respected friend and mentor. He felt infuriated by the confidence presented by the old man. Why did he sell all these marbles just to take them back in a one-sided trade?

“Maverick, I have never cheated you. Therefore, I asked that you trust me."

Bernie put on a face as in deep thought which vanished as quickly as it came. Adjusting his spectacles back onto the bridge of his nose.

"This will be the first time I have increased an offer, but let me add one blessing of character; a marble from my personal collection to finish the deal."

"Would that be, okay?” Bernie calmly stated.

Mav paused. In all the time that he had been visiting the shop his assumption was that the glass display's were Bernie’s collection. Mav understood that Bernie owned the shop, but without customers it slowly felt like he had a large collection at his disposal.

Bernie saw that Mav was in thought and turned his back to the wall behind him. Grabbing a leather pouch, he turned around and loosened the cord from the bag. In a show of gratitude, he softly said a verse like the one Maverick repeated earlier.

“These blessings are my own, a fit of character is seen as it is shown. This day I present my soul to my audience before me. My dearest friend.”

Tipping the bag over a large green tolley rolled onto the felt, followed by a purple marble. The tolley appeared vibrant and alive. Almost like a never-ending field of grass. It felt like the longer one gazed into the marble the more details could be gleaned from within the greenery.

Beside the green tolley a purple marble, with what appeared to be a one-sided coin suspended within; rolled to a stop.

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“Mav, for all your collection I will trade the contents of the box and my personal ‘blessing of luck marble’.” Said Bernie, leaning back over the counter to prop his hands under his chin while resting his elbows onto the table. He was careful not to disturb the contents between them.

Thinking about it for a moment Maverick looked back on his time with Bernie. Thinking about all the interactions that’s taken place concluding that he has never done anything to make him believe he was getting the short end of the stick. Maybe these marbles were expensive or super rare. A long moment passed before Mav firmed himself to respond.

“I hope I don’t regret this. Let’s do it.” -Mav

Maverick stuck out his hand and grabbed the purple marble. Holding it Mav could swear the marble almost pulled itself away from his hands. Quickly he sat the marble back in place as he registered the shock on Bernie’s face.

“Boy, you never fail to entertain this old man.” Said Bernie as he handed the boy a smooth brown leather bag from the box.

His eyes fixed on the purple marble that Maverick had just sat down. Clearing his throat Bernie grabbed a silver and gold rope from the box. It was unlike anything Mav had ever seen. The work was composed of a silver fox running through a forest interlaced with a golden wolf chasing a wild hare. Staring at the rope you could tell it was just a carving but as Maverick zoned in it appeared that the fox and the wolf were sprinting through the rope the hare a breath ahead of his pursuers.

Placing the items on the table, the old man was mirroring the method used earlier in laying out the contents of Mavericks marbles.

Placing the rope in a circle, Bernie then covered a portion of the rope with the leather bag.

Looking at the bag Mav noticed that someone had pressed a butterfly wing as a symbol onto its surface.

Next Bernie placed his blessing of luck marble within the circle. He then rotated the shipment box to retrieve the tolley, placing the box between him and Maverick. Opening the box lid he took out the tolley and placed it within the circle next to the purple marble of luck. The tolley was covered in what appeared to be a felt covering that was similar the mat covering the counterspace.

At this point the hair on both Bernie and Mavericks’ heads were touching as Bernie removed the covering to reveal a pure black marble that contained flakes of stars and small dots that looked like planets revolving around a center point. The edges of the marble held a greyish white haze that made the marble feel endless as if it held no edge.

“Maverick, I feel that impossible futures start with impossible circumstances…” Bernie spoke ending with a long-drawn-out pause. Bernie’s face looked as if he had aged greatly in the last few moments as the truth of the trade had completed.

Based on his appearance Maverick could not tell if this was a good thing or if he just lost his marbles.

“Boy, do you see the stars? They are endless within the void. As if the universe belongs to you. The two marbles that you have are called the ‘Blessings of Luck, and the Expanse.’ In many worlds this marble is highly sought after. You could say that only one in the whole world exist at a time from how rare it is. The Expanse represents an endless journey. A story that is always beginning, always expanding. -“

“Now let’s wrap these up and have you on your way. Today is going to be an exciting day you know, and you must be on your journey.” Bernie said.

With the abrupt change in tone and character Maverick was taken back. Bernie was always eccentric with his speech.

You never knew if he was about to speak of a story held within a marbles history. Or if he was going to stop mid sentence and move on to another selection of marbles in the store. He would weave a magical story of dragons with spells and sorcery, ending with the valor or defeat of a brave hero. Then follow up with a marble that was nothing more than a keepsake that oddly enough he kept.

Maverick understood that each story, tidbit or outburst typically ended with life lesson that quickly felt like it directly applied in his day to day life. Recalling then what Bernie just stated.-

“Journey? I only live two blocks from the shop?” Mav spoke.

“Yes, with trade we choose to embark. It’s the start of the journey where one’s choice creates a multitude of chances.” Bernie continued as he began placing Mavericks traded marbles onto the glass plate that was set out on the countertop.

Not paying much attention to the words Bernie was speaking Mav prepared to place the marble and tolley into his new bag. First, he corded the bag and then carefully placed the Blessings of Luck marble along with the Expanse tolley within the bag. Once he had fastened them to his waist, Mav waved Bernie off and started towards the foyer. The butterfly imprint on the leather bag faintly glowing as he turned to walk away.

“Maverick, before you head off. Remember what I have told you and remember the test’s we have played. I think they will serve you well.” Bernie’s words echoed as Maverick’s vision started to tunnel and spin.

Everything went black. Leaving the store owner alone in the foyer.