It was early, too early to be awake, at least to the person who was currently grumbling about the time of day.  He shuffled through his flat half-dressed searching for something with enough jolt in it to wake him up the rest of the way.  Liam Darrow was not a morning person.  He made his way to the small kitchen without managing to stub his toe more than twice, which for him, was a good thing and he rummaged around his cabinets for a brief minute before finding what he was looking for with a quiet shout of victory.  He set the water to boil on the stove, because he wasn't too lazy to just use his wand, besides, heating the water too fast made the coffee taste weird.  As he finished the first task of the day he shuffled back to his bedroom to get dressed.

Getting dressed quickly he walked to the bathroom barefoot to run his hand over his hair and smirked satisfied into the mirror when his hair did exactly what he wanted it to do.  Back to the kitchen to make himself a cup of very strong coffee, with a little cream and no sugar, he sat down at the table to put his shoes on.

Ten minutes later, coffee drunk, shoes on, and almost fully awake Liam headed down the small staircase that led into the back room of the shop.  He walked to the front of the shop and even though it was still somewhat dark outside, it being early morning, he flipped his sign from "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" (which always made him laugh), to "OPEN - I think" and then went to sit at the counter in the middle of the shop.  It was a round counter, kind of small, but it suited him just fine because he was the only one who worked there.  He would often recline in the chair with his feet propped up on the counter and a book in his hand.

He didn't get too many customers that he thought would be stupid enough to steal something, but he did keep an eye on whoever came through the door, carefully not losing the place in his book.  Today was no different.  He sat down, reclined back and propped his feet up on the counter.  Randomly grabbing a book from underneath the counter where he kept his books, as well as books people asked him if he could hold for them, he opened to the first chapter of The Hobbit and began to read.  He stopped halfway through the first page though when he realized that the small light coming from the glass window in the door might be enough for him to read by, but not enough for customers to see anything, he pulled his wand out of his left sleeve and spelled the lights on.  Putting his wand back, he looked over his shop one more time before turning back to his book.

It had been a long time-- too long since she had made her way to her favorite bookstore. Maiko's summer had been quite busy so far, and she had returned from Hogwarts' Southeast Asia trip with a dark tan (thank you wonderful healing poions), shiny new earrings, and several novels worth of stories. It had been a wonderful experience, and she hoped to chaperone for the next summer's school trip.

Despite the amount of books that littered her home, many of which were never read, she was getting the itch--- the itch to give a new-to-her book a loving home.  As a regular at Liam Darrow's shop, books were often put on hold to her when they came in-- sometimes they were other editions of books she already owned, and sometimes they were sequels to books she had already read.

It was still, barely morning-- which meant that she had plenty of time to actually wake up, drink some coffee, and relax before school officially started again. She missed the students, she missed her coworkers-- she missed Hogwarts in general. She was also quite excited about some new additions to the staff one of them including her dear friend (who was more like a brother), Callum. He was going to teach Muggle Studies, and Mai was certain that his classroom would rarely have a dull moment.

"I'm back!" She announced as she entered the shop. It had hardly changed. "I bet you missed me." Or at least, he missed the fact that she spent galleons worth of money at his business. Maiko barely gave him a chance to respond when she saw what he was reading. "Oooh! The Hobbit! Fantastic choice. I don't usually see wizards reading muggle classics." With a muggle mother,  being raised like a muggleborn, and living with a magic-less little squibly brother,  she was rather partial to certain aspects of muggle art and literature. Her brother's influence, at the very least, helped keep her updated.

Liam was so engrossed in the book, actually finding something he liked about it in the first chapter that just kept him reading, that he didn't even look up when the door to his shop opened and someone walked in with a cheery hello. He finished the sentence he was reading, placed his bookmark, an L-shaped piece of paper designed to mark both his page and sentence he had finished reading, and looked up to see Maiko, one of his best customers.  Well, she was one of the few who kept coming back because he had a knack for finding exactly what she needed.

"Yes, The Hobbit, I randomly picked it out of the shelf of books in my place I have yet to read and so far, I find it very intriguing." He took his feet off of the counter, the ladies who came into his shop always got better treatment than the guys.  "And how are you this morning m'dear." he asked her as he straightened up, placed his book under the counter and leaned forward until his arms were flat on the counter and his chin rested on his hands.[1]

1.	Kind of like this, only without the hat and the eyeliner, and he's actually wearing a shirt

"I'm surprisingly awake." She replied, it was a feat that she owed to the espresso machine Kohaku had purchased while she was on the Southeast Asia trip. So far, she had not managed to destroy it by using magic in it's presence, much to her brother's relief. The morning's mocha had been more than sufficient to keep her awake and functioning. She figured that she had better start getting used to the school schedule before September started.

That was easier said than done, especially for night owls.

"I believe I have some books on hold from when I was away-- but first-- how have you been? Besides reading The Hobbit, of course."

He looked under the counter to get the box of books he had held back for her.  "Here you are darlin'." he said with a smile on his face.  He knew it wouldn't offend her, he harmlessly flirted with almost everyone who came into the store, there was no shame in that.  "And I've been busy, what with the no one coming in to the store, and the re-shelving books because no one came in to look at them... super busy." he answered her sarcastically. 

"Shop's been a little slow lately, but now that school's starting back up, should get some younger clientele in here for the odd book or random crazy object they find lurking over there." he said, straightening up and pointing to the side of the shop with all kinds of interesting items in there.

She accepted the box of books looked down at them, brushing a tuft of hair behind her ear. Mai fidgeted with the sleeve of her blouse before finally crossing her arms over her chest. Or should she put them at her side? She didn't know. Suddenly, she had no idea what in Godric's most glorious garters she should do with her arms. Suddenly they were cumbersome. In the pit of her stomach was some sort of squirmy, wormy feeling that pestered at her. In the center of her chest was a hot, prickly feeling.

"Can you, you know. Not?" She asked, "Just stop. Stop with the 'darlings' and the 'm'dears.' It's condescending, and invasive and above all, dehumanizing. I mean, I've been coming here awhile, but those terms of endearment? Those are reserved for people who know me well or people I am in a relationship with. Neither of those apply to you." She let out a small sigh, "Otherwise though-- I've been good. I did some travelling, though I did miss my books and my beardog." And Kohaku, "And I guess I missed my absolute ass of a brother." Mai smiled weakly.

"How much do I owe you for these?" Mai uncrossed her arms and motioned towards the books.

Liam watched her as she seemed to get a tad uncomfortable at his words.  He hadn't meant anything by them, but her little tirade made him a bit upset.  She had been coming in his store for random books for awhile and he always said something like that, heck, even the elderly women that came in got the same treatment, as did most of the men.  It was just him, something he did and he felt like saying something.

"You know, Ms. Maiko, you are a valuable customer and you know it," he began, dropping his friendly demeanor quickly and standing up straight with his arms crossed over his chest, "You've been in here before have you not, have you not heard those same words coming from my mouth before and you have never said a word.  I know you've heard me say the exact same thing to a witch twice your age before.  You may feel uncomfortable, but that has nothing to do with me.  I harbor no romantic feelings towards anyone who comes in my shop, even if they are single and available," he took a breath, "So kindly please remember that the next time you enter my shop."

And as soon as he was finished, the normal Liam came back.  He slouched slightly, uncrossed his arms, gave his repeat customer a blinding smile and answered her question, "That'll be 10 Galleons," and without a hesitation he finished his reply with, "love."

She narrowed her eyes at him and stood up straight as well, resting her hands on her hips. "Just because you've used those names on me and on other witches doesn't mean I was comfortable with it then." Maiko began, reaching into her purse to pull out ten galleons. "It's not about romantic feelings. It's harassment. Yes, I should have spoken up earlier, but I've spoken up now and you blatantly treated it like it was nothing. I am uncomfortable. It has everything to do what you refer to me as. I have the right to ask to not be called something! Is that really so difficult for you to respect?"

She placed the galleons on the counter and gave her the most venomous glare she could muster with the ferocity of an angry hippogriff. In fact, at this very moment she wished she had an angry hippogriff to sic on him. Or a bludger. A bludger would do quite nicely. A good hex could--

She looked around. Nope. There were witnesses. She could get arrested for that. Fine.

Maiko placed the galleons on the counter and picked up her stack of books. The fact that he called her 'love' immediately after her request was absolutely reprehensible. It made her feel a weird mixture of queasiness and unbridled rage. "You complete-- Fine. If you want a tirade, you get a tirade." She fumbled with her books, "You know, I would love-- absolutely love to see things from your point of view, but unfortunately, I can't stick my head that far up my ass! Really, I'm impressed, you absolute flobberworm. People like you are the reason that mandrakes cry!" She took a deep breath, "I assure you, I am not coming back."

Mai  turned on her heel made her way to the exit. "Go play in traffic."[1] She sneered, slamming the door behind her.

1.	A very muggle insult, he might get it.

Liam stood there for a moment, not really registering the fact that a customer had totally turned his words back on him and made him feel like a complete idiot.  But, he was not one to apologize, no matter how much he loved his shop and the repeat customers, nothing would make him apologize to anyone.  So, without thinking it through, he picked up the 10 Galleons on his counter, nodded to a customer assuming they'd keep an eye on things for a moment, and high-tailed it out the door after her.

"Whoa, hold up there a moment lassie." he said as he stopped behind her and tapped her lightly on the shoulder, "I just want you to know sweetheart, that even if you don't like it, honey, most of my customers don't have a problem with it.  And Angel, if you had a problem with it, princess, then I suggest you just take back your money, precious, because I don't take money from those who don't respect me in return." He grabbed one of her hands and dropped the money into it with a smirk.

He knew he'd probably gotten in over his head at this point, but he turned his back on her anyway and headed back to his shop.  It was only then he'd realized he had left his wand under the counter back in the shop.  This was not going to end well.

As she left the shop, she was fuming. Other fellow pedestrians seemed to pick up on the smoldering fury that radiated from her, and were quick to get out of her way and avoid eye contact.

It seemed that Liam followed not far behind her-- he had the audacity to return the money, which was an insult in itself. But wait-- there's more! He actually proceeded to continue peppering her with a string of terms of endearment that frankly, were not very endearing. She had made it quite clear that those names were unwelcome, and he did not respect that. From the beginning, he had not respected her.

He grabbed one of her hands, causing her books to topple onto the ground. People were beginning to stare.

"Don't touch me! And I am not a collie!" She seethed, hurling the coins back in his face. Mai pulled out her wand--without hesitation, she bellowed, "Ducklifors!" There was a flash of yellow light that engulfed the shopkeeper. The witch watched in satisfaction as he was transfigured into a rather rotund duck with puffy cheeks and stumpy wings.[1]  With a proud huff, she knelt down to pick up her books and turned her back on Liam. At least now she had a story to tell.

A sweet little octogenarian took pity on the man, hobbling over and nudging him with her ornate cane. "Well aren't you mighty cute." She croaked, hand shaking as she pointed her wand at him to perform the counter-jinx. "You can call me your angel, but only if you give me a kiss~" She winked and made a smoochy face at him before letting out a sinister cackle.

1.	With Angel's permission! I imagine it looks a bit like a Fat Chocobo

He'd known that he was heading for trouble the minute the books she was holding fell to the ground.  He barely had time to close his eyes before the coins were launched back at his face.  "Crazy woman." was all the had time to mutter before he found himself staring at the world in a whole new perspective.  She'd actually hexed him, turned him into a 'duck' of all things.  This is why Liam didn't bother with talking to people outside his store, she had just proven everything he'd ever thought about normal society... okay, so that was stretching it a bit, but he was a duck now, he could feel how he wanted to.

He eyed the older lady as she came over and removed the hex on him, wanting a kiss in return.  He ignored her, picked up the Galleons on the floor and started to go back to his shop.  But pride got the better of him and he ran up to the woman who had just made him a momentary water-fowl and stood in front of her. 

"Here's your money back lady," he began, "Unless you have a problem with that name too.  I call everyone in my store something and as hard as it is for you to believe, no one ever has had a problem with it, however, since you are a valuable customer, I shall bring it upon myself to apologize, just this once for being myself and ignoring the fact that it bothered you."  He held out his hand with the money in it.  "Here's your money back, the books are on me."

He started to walk away but he couldn't resist one more.  He hoped that this time it wouldn't have an adverse affect, "By the way," he said looking in her face, "You may not have liked all those other names I use, but you've got a permanent one now."  He turned and headed back to his shop and right before he ducked back inside he looked directly at her and said, "See you next time, Tiger."

The nerve!

Mai couldn't believe this guy, seriously! He was so arrogant, so self righteous. Calling her lady and tiger. It didn't matter that he called everyone else by some cutesy name. She did not like it. And she was sure that she was not the only one-- just the first one who actually spoke up. "Just because no one says they have a problem with it, doesn't mean they didn't." She thought to herself. In general, it was scary to speak up about something like this, in a way that was difficult to explain. This guy-- this guy had the privilege to ignore his male privilege, something that Maiko thought was a good way to explain privilege in the first place.

But this whole thing was exhausting. She didn't feel like fighting anymore. She didn't feel like explaining anymore. He simply, did not get it. One day, she hoped, he'd be more receptive to listening and realizing that although his intentions were good, the impact it had on her was not good. The money he tried to give back was an insult in itself, his apology was in no way a real, genuine one-- and it only showed how little he really understood the situation.

She clutched the stack of books that now had some galleons on top of it. "Next time you call me by anything other than my name, you will wish that I had turned you into a duck instead." Maiko replied, but it was too late-- he had already headed back to his shop.