The late afternoon sun filters in through the heavy-paned windows of the shop, catching on shelves of odd trinkets and gewgaws made from wire, glass, stones, and even small unidentifiable bones. At the rear of the shop is the counter, made of some heavy, dark wood that will probably outlast the house itself. Next to an incongruously modern cash register there is a small statue of Baphomet. Anna von Bernus sits on a stool behind that imposing counter, resting her chin on one hand as she scrolls through her phone with the other, heaving a sigh as she does.
A keen observer might be able to discern a clue as to the source of her malaise--a chalkboard sign set up just by the counter, plainly visible from anywhere in the shop. It reads:
HEXES (small inconvenience)
HEXES: (significant mishap)
CURSES:
--Misfortune
--Poverty
--Disfigurement
--DEATH
Next to each item on the 'menu' is a price, with the death curse being the most expensive by far. However, it's clear from the chalky scuff marks that each price has been erased and re-written a number of times, going lower each time. The unspoken meaning is clear: business is not good, at least when it comes to hexes and curses, and thus the source of the young woman's morose expression becomes clear.
The sound of the door creaking open reaches the ear of Anna von Bernus, third generation witch and reluctant small business owner. Sunlight glints off of her round glasses as she looks up to see who's coming in.
"Hallo, welcome. We are open until sundown, so feel free to look around. But do buy something, ja? This is a serious establishment."
