Abe stood in front of Cobwebs and Curiosities, an antique store with smoky windows and crowded displays. The open sign in the window was only half lit, and the lights were out.

Abe pushed the door slowly, peeking inside. He stepped inside, calling into the store. "Hello?"

"We're open!" A voice called from through a doorway covered by a curtain with a sign above it that read 'EMPLOYEES'. "Plugged in a lamp that just came in and it tripped the breaker."

The lights flicked back on with a dim, puttering flicker, and suddenly the rest of the store was visible.

Glass cases were filled to the brim with every kind of bit and bauble. Shelves reaching to the ceiling were full of so many books and boxes that they looked only a moment from caving under the weight. Every flat surface was covered in anything ranging from jars of sea glass to old books and porcelain dolls.

An old woman with short orange and gold hair walked out of the back of the room, pushing the curtain aside. "Good mornin', welcome to Cobwebs and Curiosities." The woman finally looked at Abe, stopping to look him up and down. "...Ain't you a big fella."

She stuck her hands in her pockets. "You just browsin' or can I help you look for somethin'?"

Abe glanced around momentarily before shaking his head. "I was told you might be interested in something I was trying to sell."

"Depends on what you're sellin'."

"A ring." Abe twisted one of his rings off, holding it out to the woman. "It's three quarters gold, with real rubies. One of a kind."

"That's a bold claim, hon." Mai took it, "There's a whole lot of rings out there." She turned the ring over in her hand, squinting. "Suppose it looks worth somethin'." She turned, walking back towards the curtained doorway. She gestured for him to follow. "What's your name, kid?"

"Abe." He carefully slipped between two glass cases, catching a doll before it fell to the floor.

"Biblical." Mai led Abe into a cozy living area covered in even more trinkets and antiques. "I'm Mai." She pulled a stool in front of a coffee table cluttered with tools, magazines, and old newspaper. She gestured to a green couch with a crocheted blanket draped over the back of it. A cat was curled up in the corner of the couch, sleeping. "Sit down."

Abe carefully moved around the coffee table, and held both arms of the couch as he sat down, careful to avoid the cat. He rested his arms on his knees. "...Your home is nice."

"Thanks." Mai chuckled, grabbing a pair of glasses and putting them on. She pulled a tall lamp a bit closer to her, adjusted the neck to point towards her and the table. She turned her head over her shoulder, shouting through a separate doorway leading into a small kitchen. "We're gonna need an extra cup of tea!"

"Do we have a guest?" A voice called from the kitchen. "How do they like their tea prepared."

Mai looked at Abe, who shrugged. "I like it sweet?"

Mai turned back towards the kitchen. "He likes it sweet!"

"Alright! I'll be out in a moment."

Mai nodded to herself, flicking the lamp on and grabbing a magnifying lens from the table. She clipped it to her glasses, lifting the ring again to study it. "How much are you looking for this?"

"As much as you can offer."

Mai looked around the ring at him. "...That desperate?"

Abe intertwined his fingers with a grimace. "My trip here was... unplanned. I need funds to last me until I can get back home."

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Mai lowered her arm, pushing her glasses up onto her head. She leaned forward, glancing back to the kitchen before whispering. "...Are you safe? Do you need help?"

"I..." Abe tilted his head, unsure how to react. "no, I'm okay. I'm safe, I just need a place to stay for a while."

Mai eventually nodded. "I assume you'll need actual cash then."

"If that's alright."

"I can do cash, but you'll have to wait for me to go to the bank. It's just two blocks from here." Mai pulled her glasses back over her eyes. "And you're sure you're safe?"

"I am."

"Positive? Marge and I might not be able to help much, but we can take you to the police. Or we could call around, if they aren't an option."

"I'm okay." Abe smiled. "I... appreciate your concern, but I assure you it is unnecessary."

Mai nodded, "Suppose I should've figured." She returned to studying the ring. "...These look like Old Nordic runes." She frowned. "Where'd you get this?"

Abe was quiet for a moment, leaning back in his seat. "It's an heirloom."

Mai nodded absently, calling out. "Hey, Marge!"

The voice from the kitchen answered. "Yes, dear?"

"I want you to come look at something!"

In a moment, Marge, another older woman, with a mess of curly silver hair walked into the room and towards Mai and Abe. She held three handmade mugs with steam coiling up from them. She looked at Abe with a smile. "Hello, darling." She offered him a mug, "I hope you've had a lovely morning."

"Thank you." Abe took it, gesturing outwards with a dip of his head, "You, as well."

Mai handed Marge the ring as she took the mug offered to her. "How old would you say this is?"

"Let me see." Margaret sat down, taking the ring and holding it up towards the light. She tilted her head, eventually handing it back to Mai. "Taking the runes inscribed on it, I'd argue a few centuries, at the very least. Possible over a millennia."

"You think those are genuine Old Nordic?"

"Oh, yes. They appear to be old binding wards. To prevent theft. They're in excellent condition, as well."

"...Can we even buy that?"

"Probably. Unless they were bound to bloodline, these wards are long inactive. But even if they weren't." Margaret shrugged. "He's giving them up willingly, so they would just get bound to us instead." She leaned down to look at the ring. "It's in excellent condition."

"Huh."

Marge looked at Abe. "Why are you selling your ring?"

"I need money." Abe shrugged, "One ring won't go amiss."

"They're incredibly beautiful."

"Thank you."

Mai looked at Abe. "Have you tried selling these to a jeweler?"

"I have. They all said it wasn't something they'd be able to sell to their typical clients."

"I can see why. It's a hefty ring." Mai set the ring down, pulling off her glasses. "Are you sure you want to sell this? You were wearing it earlier."

"I don't mind parting with it."

Mai nodded, "I'll give you five grand. I'll need to go to the bank to get the money, but if you're willing to wait, I can get it to you today."

"How long would it take you to get the money?"

"Probably about an hour, if it's not too busy."

Abe was quiet for a moment. "Is... five grand enough for an inn and food?"

"An inn?" Mai looked perturbed for a moment. "Like a hotel or somethin'? Who the hell—" She stopped, raising her hands. "Really, it just depends on where you wanna stay. Hotels can get pretty pricy, but motels are normally pretty cheap. And it'll definitely be enough for food."

"Then I'll wait."

Mai nodded, standing up, "You're welcome to stay here, or you can come back later today, if you got places to be."

Margaret perked up. "I can make lunch! And we got some macarons from a friend just the other day. There's far too many for the two of us to eat."

Mai nodded. "Got some of that stew I made with the venison Leo gave us in the fridge."

"You don't have to." Abe started, but Marge was already heading back to the kitchen with a cheerful buzz.

"Just accept it." Mai grabbed a coat draped over the arm of the empty arm chair. "Marge likes playing hostess. Don't disappoint her or she'll get pouty."