[Plot] Pawn Scars

[Leo Eskandari]

While Leo was in the process of sniggering, Aunt Fi announced their arrival at the pawn shop.

"Guess that's it for the history lesson," he said before heading for the door.

[Narrator]

A chime sounds as the groups pushes itself inside. The interior of the smallish shop is lined with shelves showcasing a chaotic arrangement of goods ranging from used electronics to low-value jewelry. The more valuable items are likely behind the security grating where the gray-haired proprietor sits, an irritably concerned look growing on his face.

"What are you doing? That thing can't be in here," he complains with a sneer.

"That is my nephew, Mr. Entwistle," Fi corrects firmly, "And I'm sure you don't want it known that you're in the business of dealing in stolen merchandise. But no one is here to shake you down. Deal with us like anyone else and you'll have no issue."

Entwistle fumes quietly before a look at James cuts him short.

"It's true in a way Entwistle. I thought my wife had forgotten about the old stuff I sold you. Turns out she was holding it for this one until he was old enough. Just sell the boy what he actually wants and we'll be out of your hair," James bullshits.

"Oh! A misunderstanding," Entwistle says, thinking something over, "I'll tell you what, since you're a friend, I'll waive the thirty day policy and let you pay only what I paid you, plus interest of course."

James smiles, "Of course. You are a good friend."

[Ainsley Green]

"Leo..." Ainsley called out to him as he casually looked about the place.

"Pretend you can't hear me right now, but I want you to listen.

As you probably already know, this is the man I stole the ball from. If you don't see your items here, he might have them in his possession at home."

[Leo Eskandari]

Leo's subtle nod was distracted, as he was growing suspicious of the way Entwistle seemed to be going out of his way to please his uncle. Had he underestimated the danger the man presented?

Entwistle directed the group to where the majority of the items from the pawn ticket were. Most of that was clothing and decorations from around Leo's childhood home that held little emotional value for Leo. He stopped to look closer at a few things, choosing an actual quill pen with an accompanying empty inkwell of dark blue glass, a necklace made of a copper coin covered in calligraphic words in what could be farsi, a blue jean jacket that would never fit him without extreme modifications, and a collection of fanciful sketches like the one from the gallery.

"You think he drew these with this?" Leo asked Ainsley, examining the unusually patterned large brown and red feather.

[Ainsley Green]

Ainsley furrowed his brow and examined the artwork more closely to see if it looked like quill work, or more like pen work.

[Narrator]

Of the inked drawings in the set, many of which are on the same parchment-type paper as the one from the gallery, most do seem the work of a quill. The quill drawings are also notably more lifelike than the rest. Perhaps they are the work of two different artists.

More importantly, one is of a little boy. Aww, little Leo.

[Ainsley Green]

"Seems very plausible." He remarked, then motioned to the one with the boy.

"You?"

[Leo Eskandari]

He gave an embarrassed groan. "Tell anyone I was cute and your ass is mine," he warned with mockmock severity.

[Ainsley Green]

"Who shall I tell? Mice? Magpies? That dog with one eye that hangs around the tubes?"

[Leo Eskandari]

"Shit. Sorry," he said, sighing.

"So... looks like my dad's an artist too. One who uses a really old-timey medium," he continued, rotating the pen back and forth between two massive fingers and watching the feather shimmer dully in the shop's lighting. It definitely wasn't the usual goose or swan feather, or even from a bird Ainsley recognized.

[Ainsley Green]

He didn't, but he also didn't think much of not recognizing it. He presumed it to be some form of American bird, given Leo's heritage.

"Old skills must be kept alive.

Shall we take them all? I could help you get them stored or framed appropriately."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Oh, yeah, definitely," he smiled.

Going back over the items on the ticket, he said to his aunt, "Looks like there are a few things too valuable to have out here."

She nodded and started to quiz Entwistle about it.

[Ainsley Green]

'Too Valuable' got Ainsley's attention and he stopped inspecting the artwork in front of him to go and see what it was Leo was looking for exactly.

[Narrator]

Entwistle places a trio of items on the desk inside the security grating. The first is a single, simple gold hoop earring. The second is a sheathed dagger that looks straight out of Arabian Nights, only it doesn't seem to open and thus is purely decorative and not a violation of any laws. Lastly, a silver ring with a large, rounded sapphire.

"Unfortunately, the bracelet was sold already," he says apologetically.

[Leo Eskandari]

"Wow. Dad was really into his ancient Persia," Leo said, wide-eyed at the treasures on display.

"Are they real?"

"The materials are, but I'm afraid they aren't particularly old," the pawnbroker answered.

[Ainsley Green]

"Is it a preoccupation with another culture, or his own?" AInsley asked out of curiosity.

[Leo Eskandari]

"His own. Eskandari is a Persian name."

[Ainsley Green]

"These are very fancy things... but not heirlooms..."

Ainsley observed. He was especially intrigued by the completely ceremonial dagger.

Then he had a thought.

"Get the old codger to tell us who he sold the bracelet to."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Mr. Entwistle, who bought the bracelet?" he asked.

Entwistle frowned slightly, "I can't tell you that. If I can't guarantee confidentiality, then..."

Leo cut the man short with a look that said 'remember, manticore translates to man-eater.'

"But since it was sold to me illegitimately, I think I can make an exception," Entwistle said with a gulp, checking his records for the buyer. "Ah, yes. Just let me write this down."

The man scribbled down some contact information and handed it over. "Will you be buying back these items?"

"Yes, I think I will," Leo said. He then stepped aside for his aunt and uncle to carry through with the transaction.

[Ainsley Green]

Ainsley waited patiently, but would definitely press Leo about that card later.

[Leo Eskandari]

The group soon left the shop, with Leo holding the bag as if it were going to run away.

"We should get this to the van before anyone gets stupid ideas," he said, not wanting to get mugged.

[Ainsley Green]

"Should we find somewhere to stash it so we can ditch the geezers?"

[Leo Eskandari]

"Nah. We're basically done here. I mean, there's still whatever's left in Aunt Fi's storage unit, but she can check that without me."

[Ainsley Green]

"You trust her to get it to you?"

[Leo Eskandari]

He sighed. "No. Not entirely. He could still worm his way back in her head."

[Ainsley Green]

"I still got plenty of free time if you want to go there too."

[Leo Eskandari]

"You sure you don't mind? You might just end up waiting in the van."

[Ainsley Green]

"Yes, that's fine. I've been in lot of vans. They're basically home now."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Thanks," he responded with an affectionate smile,"I don't think I would have had the guts to come out here without you."

[Ainsley Green]

Ainsley beamed back but didn't give further response, and simply followed along with Leo as he was wont to do.

[Leo Eskandari]

They reached the van without incident and Leo's uncle stayed behind as they followed Leo's aunt to a storage facility at the opposite end of Enfield.

Before he got back out of the back of the van, Leo asked, "So you coming or waiting here where it won't be cramped?"

[Ainsley Green]

"Whatever you think is best."

[Leo Eskandari]

"Well, I wouldn't mind talking to her alone. But it shouldn't take too long," he said. He flashed a smile and hopped out of the van.

[Ainsley Green]

Ainsley did his usual bit of scanning the area to see what was going on around him, and what sort of animals were hanging about.

[Narrator]

For a time all he sees are pigeons, a few rats, and a lone stray dog. Then he sees the most dangerous animal of all: people. Angry looking people wielding assorted urban weaponry begin to file into the parking lot. There can be little doubt why they've come, and it isn't for a game of cricket.

[Ainsley Green]

Fuck.

Ainsley slid to the floor slowly, hoping they hadn't noticed him.

"Leo, can you hear me?! Angry gobshites are coming. escape and find an alternate method of leaving!"

[Narrator]

"This must be the van," says a voice outside.

"Should we wreck it?" asks another, tapping the van's side with some variety of blunt metal object.

"No you idgit, the beast will hear that. You two just watch it, and don't let the freaks leave," a third says. Several sets of feet walk away, towards the storage units.

[Leo Eskandari]

While searching through some boxes inside the storage units, Leo's ears twitched. He straightened up, hair rising on his neck.

"What is it Leo?" his aunt asked, "Is something wrong?"

"I thought I heard Ainsley calling me. I'm gonna go check it out," he said worriedly. He headed out into the aisle of units, moving towards the parking lot of the outdoor storage facility.

[Ainsley Green]

Unaware of what his would be boyfriend was up to, Ainsley shifted very slowly towards the front of the van hoping his aunt had left the keys. Failing that, he would inspect the steering column to see if he could hotwire this bucket.

[Narrator]

He could probably manage to get the car going, given some time, but climbing into the front seat Ainsley can spot two guys right on the other side of the driver-side window. Their backs are to him, but that just let's him get a good look at the biker logos emblazoned on the bomber-jacket and ratty jean vest respectively. Among other, even less savory symbols.

Meanwhile Leo turns into the aisle that's a straight-shot down to the parking lot, but as he does a group of three guys more or less fill the space, walking shoulder to shoulder, one of them pointing and saying something to his buddies as he unwinds a bike-chain from around his arm. "Oi! You gotten lost mate? This ain't the zoo now, innit?" he shouts at Leo.