Stepping out of the subway, Ella was caught in a sudden downpour – the vision of the jostling crowd mirroring the rain’s relentless rhythm as if swept up in nature’s unthinking choreography. Her sense of detachment as an observer vanished as urgency swept over her; she reached into her bag for an umbrella, only to find empty hands. Where did I leave it?
She suddenly remembered the afternoon interview: “Was I convincing?” But there was no time to wonder. The downpour thickened, each drop urging her forward. A feeling of insignificance washed over her like a lost raindrop in the flow of it all just when
Ella’s intuition led her to a serene spot, with a flickering neon sign reading ‘Wonders and Whims,’ a shop that stood ahead. Its light sign mingled with the weak warmth of the public lightning splitting tranquility on the rain-soaked cobblestone sidewalk. The shop was calm, nestled in a charming two-story building. Its large windows offered a glimpse of peace that contrasted with the bustling outside.
Without further consideration, she stepped into the grand wooden door flanked by mystical symbols and tinkling bells announcing her arrival. She slowly removed her trench coat, and when she looked around for a place to hang it, an older man came and offered help after introducing himself. ‘Magnus Katz, at your service. But please, call me Magnus,’ he said with a slight bow and a warm smile, instantly putting Ella at ease.
Ella felt a flicker of something more profound in his eyes – a silent acknowledgment as if he had been waiting for this moment – almost a recognition she couldn’t quite place.
‘And whom do I have the pleasure of addressing this evening?’ he asked, offering his hand to take her coat.
“I am Miss Ninh, Ella Ninh. And, yes, please, thank you, Mr. Katz.
“Magnus nodded slowly. “Ninh,” Magnus thought, lifting his eyes as if searching through his memory. “Ninh sounds oriental,” Magnus thinks aloud and quickly pulls himself together. “Forgive me, Miss Ninh, for being nosey,” he adds softly, moving an old object as if making it look more substantial.
Ella smiles slightly and lets her curiosity show. In her world of unadvised exchanges, meeting someone so calm is rare. For a moment, she feels like she has entered another time.The dim golden light in the store made Ella feel embraced in an atmosphere of endless possibilities as she observed Magnus searching through a drawer, each movement a silent dance in the tranquil space.She looked out the window to see that the rain lingered, and sighed as she returned to Magnus holding a small globe, and spoke.
“Miss Ninh, allow me to introduce you to this precious artifact that I’ve baptized as Moment Catcher,” he says reverently. “You may hold it.
”Why that specific object?” she wondered.The sphere glowed a white neon light.Captivated by the globe and the shop, Ella curiously addressed Magnus.
“How did you come to collect all these treasures, Magnus? I mean, all these antiques.”Magnus chuckled softly. “For a moment there, I thought you were asking how I managed to capture moments themselves.” Ella laughed, and in that instant, her initial tension melted away, and the warmth of the shop had gradually put her at ease.
But why antiques? What’s drawn you to dedicate your life to collecting them? Ella asks, intrigued.With a gentle smile, Magnus said, “I see that this place speaks to you, Ms Ninh. To me, these objects, these antiques, are more than mere relics from the past. Each carries a piece of history, a fragment of lives long forgotten beneath the uncountable layers of never-ending new events.
As Magnus spoke, Ella wandered through the store, her eyes carefully sweeping over the displayed treasures. “So, it’s not just about the object.”
“Precisely, completed Magnus. “Each object carries a living tale. Magnus continued with excitment under Ella’s curious peek.
“A book that someone with a pen or typewriter may have written provided solace to the writer and later to a lonely reading soul on a cold winter night. All of this reflects our desire to leave something lasting.” And he continues. “These aren’t just objects to me; they’re soft reminders of lived experiences, precious memories, and our timeless need to forge connections. Indeed, that is why I collect antiques: to keep the stories alive. There’s a reminder in these antiques that our past is always with us, shaping who we are and who we might become.”Magnus says so by indicating a comfortable chair and inviting the woman for tea, who hesitates for a moment, glancing through the rain-stained windows.
The persistent downpour and the pleasant atmosphere led her to accept. Magnus carefully serves the tea in delicate Chinese cups adorned with randomly dappled purple flowers intertwined with golden tendrils. Ella notices the meticulous movements he attributes to serving tea. The tea exudes elegance and warmth with its soft pink hue and subtle jasmine fragrance. She somewhat unexpectedly realized that this moment of calm was what she needed and surrendered to the tranquility with a deep breath, taking her first sip of the delicate tea. Ella reassured herself that Magnus was just an older man, harmless and wise. After all, big cities are teeming with opportunities, but not all of them are kind.
To Ella’s surprise, the silence added even more peace to the moment as she submerged in the softness of the Bergère with that globe, the Moment Catcher, as Magnus called it. Magnus rose from his seat, picked up a tray from a nearby display, and handed it to Ella, softly breaking the silence. “Will you allow me to show you this tray? I recently purchased it in an auction.”
“Of course,” Ella replied.”Can you feel its history?” Magnus asked, his voice blending with quiet reverence.Ella examined the tray closely, tracing its intricate patterns. “It’s fascinating,” she murmured. “How come the craftsmanship of the new design integrates elements from its predecessor, creating a bridge between eras?
“Magnus leaned his head, intrigued. “You seem to recognize something in it. Are you, by any chance, a history or design student? Your insight suggests a background in studying the past.”
“I’m an archival scientist,” Ella answers.Unable to hide her fascination, Ella says, “Magnus, as I examine this tray, I’m struck by how much it reminds me of something. Magnus nodded with a knowing smile, “That’s a wise observation, Miss Ninh. How so?
Ella runs her fingers over the tray’s surface, “Well, just as this tray has been transformed over centuries by different cultures, it occurs to me that people’s lives are alike. Each person carries the imprints of their past experiences and the influences of those who came before them.
“Magnus acknowledges, “That’s a profound thought. Indeed, our lives are shaped by layers of history, our own and that of others. Each experience and relationship leaves its mark that fits like layers. “Magnus excuses and leaves Ella to pick up another antique.
At this moment, Ella felt her eyelids grow heavy. She was exhausted, and the atmosphere was relaxing. As she closed her eyes, her mind slowly depicted a massive, dark void carved into a towering rock face framed by a tangle of dense, overgrown vegetation.
The place appeared untouched by human presence for decades. Yet, Ella was irresistibly curious to enter the tunnel. Its air whispered reassurance despite its appearance, carrying a sweet, inviting scent from within. The temperature embraced her, while the fresh undergrowth beneath her bare feet offered a smooth, humid warmth, making her feel protected. She was about to enter the darkness when she was abruptly interrupted by a shiver of unease and jolted awake, her eyes snapping open. A sharp, high-pitched “meow” pierced the silence. A small, black cat with green eyes sat on the counter, staring at her.
Her eyes searched for Magnus, whose calm now seemed strangely unsettling in the dim light of the shop. “Ah, it seems you’ve met Nyx. She is known for making herself known at the most unexpected moments.”Ella blinked, still half-lost in the remnants of her dream.”She’s quite the entrance-maker.” Magnus smiled, gently scratching the cat behind her ears. “Nyx has a way of reminding us that not everything needs to be involved with mystery. Sometimes, the most grounding presence is right in front of us.
Magnus words were distant when Ella’s heart raced as the eerie feeling of the tunnel lingered in her mind. Without another word, she bolted from the Bergère towards the grand wooden door, leaving her trench coat behind. The tinkling bells above echoed her hurried exit.
Magnus watched silently as Ella quickly fled the store. A mixture of concern loaded Magnus’s eyes. The rain had given a break when Ella stepped out into the night. Only the sound of water dripping from rooftops reminded her of their recent experience in the shop – the tunnel.
Outside the shop, Ella hesitated momentarily, feeling as if she’d missed something important. With unthought impulse, she turned back and pushed the door open. The bells jingled, and Magnus looked up, not surprised.”Thank you for the tea,” she exclaimed. Then she carefully places the round, bright object on a nearby piece of furniture and leaves.”Before Magnus could respond, she was already out the door, disappearing down the street.
To rescue the shop’s inner peace, starkly contrasted by Ella’s sudden reaction, Magnus gently stroked Nyx’s sleek fur, his gaze lingering on the door Ella had just rushed through. “Well, Nyx,” he murmured, “it seems we’ve surprised her more than we intended. Perhaps she wasn’t ready for the histories we hold. She surprised me when she immediately recognized the differences between items separated by centuries.”
Nyx purred and narrowed her green eyes as if she understood more than she let on. Magnus chuckled, “Yes, my friend, not everyone is prepared to face the unknown. But there’s a curiosity in her that even fear can’t extinguish.”And saying so, he gave the cat one last affectionate scratch before standing up. “Let’s give our new guest some time. Some journeys require a little distance before they can truly begin.”
