Phoenix Feathers, Part II

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Joss is not only Boss, he is a cool Boss. You know, the kind who permits (and -who knows?- occasionally enjoys) such stories as we may procure, though all of this 'Verse rightly belongs to him alone. Thanks, Joss.

***

The battered door jingled shut after Koyi as the doctor barged into the dimly lit building.

The shop appeared to be deserted, with the only illumination coming from the street outside. At the front of the room was a cashier’s desk with an older-model register and a few odds and ends strewn about. Dominating the room were various clothing racks which displayed almost every conceivable mode of dress, ranging from simple shawls and old homespun dresses to ornate Sihnonese robes. A dozen mannequins were scattered about the store, unmoving and expressionless sentries. There were several private dressing rooms at the far end of the store, along with a passageway into the back, but whatever lay beyond it was concealed by a curtain of beads.

Koyi whirled to look out the smudgy windows, making sure that she hadn’t attracted the attention of the gangs which were converging in the street outside. Satisfied that she was safe, Koyi leaned her head against the window, her eyes closed, and caught her breath.

“Can I help you?”

Koyi nearly jumped out of her skin. Before her stood a short old man wearing a faded grey robe, small gold spectacles, and a polite smile.

“Where’d you come from?” the doctor asked accusingly. The old man chuckled.

“Sorry to startle you, miss. I was in back with matter of no great importance when you summon me.”

Koyi frowned, then looked above her head. “The bells. Oh. Well, I don’t really need any assistance, at least none that you could give me.”

The storekeeper waited for her to continue, his eyebrows raised slightly.

“There’s something going on outside. There are some men... I just ran in here to get off the street.”

“They chasing you?”

He moved to the window and squinted