Late Night Shopping

[Forn Clakes]

A silver arch rises out of the floor and stretches overhead as visitors enter and exit this reclaimed warehouse building. The metalwork is quite exquisite, giving the optical illusion that tangled briars and thorny vines are growing from its reflective surface, despite the fact that the arch is actually quite smooth to the touch.

The Quicksilver Gate, in the heart of the up-and-coming Oak Park retail corridor, is a shopping complex which currently featuring dozens of tenants offering unique apparel, jewelry, artwork, home furnishings, gifts, accessories, antiques, toys, and gourmet treats. This two story galleria supports small, independent retailers and maintains its mission to provide a unique shopping experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. The Quicksilver Gate prides itself on its dedicated support of local artisan and entrepreneurs, acting as a brick-and-mortar retail outlet for many up and coming designers who may not be able to afford their own storefront in such a pedestrian-friendly location.

The main entrance leads visitors into the farmers market, where they will find all manner of small-batch wines, artisanal cheeses, and freshly-baked breads in addition to the typical local fruits and seasonal vegetables. One deli-style restaurant is located in the middle of the market, and offers an eclectic menu which changes daily, based upon the ingredients that are available from their neighboring market vendors. Particularly well known for their sandwiches, Pastoral has won over both customers and fellow merchants at the Quicksilver Gate, due to their outstanding quality as well as their reasonable prices. Toward the back of the ground floor, the farmers market gives way to the more upscale dining experience known as Campagna. Located next to the elevator and back stairwell, this Italian trattoria-inspired restaurant also takes advantage of the readily available products of their neighboring vendors in an effort to provide their diners with an unforgettable gastronomic event. The impressive selection of old vine wines and craft spirits has made this unpretentious restaurant popular with old money gourmands as well as fad defining hipsters.

To either side of the main entrance lie sweeping staircases that lead to the loft-like retail stalls. This large balcony space overlooks the farmers market below and is separated into booths, which may be rented by the month, as convenient spaces for local home-grown artists and artisans to display their handiwork. Each stall is operated independently and all transactions are handled by the individual merchants.

For this one night, Monday the 1st of December, the grand market has opened late for anyone wishing to find something a little different for a Christmas gift and Quicksilver Gate has responded to the approaching season. A large Christmas tree has been decorated ornately and exquisitely, reaching up to the balcony above. The moment shoppers enter, they are offered free egg-nog or a small sherry along with a festive mince pie and each of the markets have condiments laid out to try, each secretly attempting to out-do the next. The restaurants are not overly-busy but the atmosphere is pleasant and jolly, in keeping with the distinct grotto was doing nicely with a line of families waiting to see Father Christmas and his busy elves.

This is an open Shard event and as such please keep in mind the rules for crossover. It will run for one month. Many thanks and enjoy!

[Terri Nutkins]

Upstairs on the second level, Terri had just finished touching up her little retail stall, Treetop Fashions, the place for haute coture, one-off designs; some of which where her own creations. Anything for those who wanted their fashion to be unique have come to the right place. Christmas decorations were on display in reds and greens and the vendor wore something particularly sparkly and golden. With her petite figure, Terri could happily perch on top of the grand tree Gianna had purchased for the foyer.

Terri would have loved that.

In her little stall, there were racks of individual outfits, mainly for women but with some shirts for men, along with hats, scarves, gloves and other accouterments. Overall, she had been excited about the evening and as she smiled to all who passed her shop, Terri sipped at the egg-nog that had been brought around not long ago.

Outfit

[Aurora]

Her shopping list for Christmas was small, and she had no clue what to get anyone. Which was frustrating! When she found the Quicksilver Gate, she eagerly went inside, hoping Fate would lead her to the perfect gifts.

Blue eyes take in the sights around her, from the exquisite metalwork, to the Christmas decorations set out. The varying smells from the food court made her smile, as she happily bounced around, iPod buds in her ears. Tonight she had on her long red leather coat, which she thought went good with her favorite leather pants.

Her random path lead her up to the second floor, as her eyes take in various wares. But so far, nothing caught her eye. Until she saw the booth, Treetop Fashions, with the unique designs. Perfect! She thinks, surely she could find something here. Hands reach up and remove the ear buds, as she flashes a smile to the petite woman. The other woman, in the bright hoodie, gets a friendly smile as her eyes continue to take in the designs.

[Tally Benoit]

Tally is busy doing some organization at the shop entitled Mr. Tickle's Wonder Emporium. With some tape, she finishes putting up a poster of a Christmas scene on a spot on the wall. Her radio already has seasonal music playing loud enough to be heard within the store.

Near the counter, there's a banner that says Merry Christmas as well as around the edges of the counter minor decorations stringed up on a length of white tree tinsel, taped at regular along its length. The simple tree decorations feature reindeer, nut crackers, and the usual colorful plastic balls. On the counter is a small LED tree that lights up that shifts into different colors and has tiny boxes in gift wrap plus a medium jar to collect tips.

Behind the counter, she has some rolls of gift wrapping paper along with some flatten gift boxes that can be instead of using the gift wrapping paper.

Tally returns to the counter, stashing the tape onto the lower shelf.

[Terri Nutkins]

"Hey Mal!" Terri greeted the Hunterheart with a big grin, her eyes casting themselves across the sheer volume of yellow that was her hoody. The Truefriend never made judgement, however. Everyone had the right to wear whatever they wanted and right now, Mal had selected a colour so bold, so brash, it made Terri smile in delight. "How're you doing tonight?" she asked honestly?

The confident looking woman who entered her stall made Terri look around and offer a welcoming smile in return. "Good evening! That is an absolutely amazing coat," she chirped, wondering if it was a Burberry. "Feel free to browse. I'm more than happy to help out if and when needed."

[Aurora]

As the cute and friendly redhead addressed the woman in yellow, Mal? Faye continued to look over the wares.

When the friendly woman smiled at her, “Good evening to you as well! And thank you!” she says with a thankful smile. The coat was one of her older pieces, but she kept it in good condition. “Sounds like this is your work?” she asks, “If so, I have to say, these pieces are simply amazing!” she gushes with honesty. “I’m actually shopping for a friend who is a stylish dresser, always in something eye catching. So I’m hoping to find something different and unique for her.”

A shy smile was then offered to Mal, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She says, her tone apologetic.

[Kyle Ferlen]

The dreadlocked Minstrel arrives at the silver arch with his hands in the front pocket of a green, hooded sweatshirt - that probably could have used a washing. His fingers toy with the small treasure he hid within it. Kyle had saved up just enough money from his last few shows to possibly find something nice. Or at least something unique. Still clutching the small wad of money with one hand, he eagerly accepts the sample of sherry with the other. Maybe if I leave and come back enough I can get a little buzz going... He smiles at the thought; amused by his own humor. When he lays eyes on the free pies as well, he almost forgets about the money in his pocket and quickly accepts that as well.

"Sweet! Thanks!" He takes a little sip of the sherry and offers the kind stranger a warm smile. "I swear... it's like everything is ten times better when it's free." He raises the hand holding the mince pie in a goofy sort of salute before making his way towards the stairs. Doesn't look like there is much beyond food on the ground floor. There is an eager spring in his step as he makes his way up the steps - hair bouncing and swishing with each step and hands playing a balancing act with his spoils. Once his arduous task is done, he takes a sweeping look across the shopping center. Lots of clothes. Some decorations and ornaments. Oddities. He spots only a few music-related shops and most of them were only selling CD's and iTunes gift cards. I'd kill for a new synthesizer. Right. Like I could afford it.

In his search for something affordable that he could actually use, he very nearly bumps into an older fellow walking around with a cane. "Woops! Sorry bout' that. Just get caught up, ya know?" Kyle is full of energy tonight, it would seem. There is a pleasant mood in the air and he can't help but laugh and joke and talk with perfect strangers. Finally spotting a booth that had a couple of Bluetooth headphones, Kyle zeroes in. He awkwardly pats the front pouch on the sweatshirt with his elbow to make sure his money was still there. Much to his immediate dismay, he doesn't feel it there anymore. "Ah, fuck! Really? The hell..." He quickly turns back and starts retracing his route, making a fuss and seeming even more oblivious to the crowd.