Today feels like any other. Gnossienne No.1 plays softly on the vinyl, and Loriene’s fingers drum on the table, as if it were a piano. Weekdays bring fewer customers, especially during the rainy season, when storms give Loriene a rare break from his nightly struggles to close early. The chime of the bell above the shop door says otherwise as someone enters. ‘Brilliant, another customer before closing time,’ he thinks but his munchkin cat, Mr. Yorkie, reminds him the bills won’t pay themselves. With a sigh, he puts on his best smile and does his duty as a proper shopkeeper.

“Good evening, how can I—” “It’s strange how the bird has fallen from the branch.”

Oh.

“What bird?” Loriene inspected the form of the customer in front of him. Waiting for the potential customer in front of him answer “The Peregrine.”

With that, he nodded and adjusted his slipping glasses on the bridge of his nose before opening a passage behind the measuring room, revealing a cozy space. This was it, his true business, as a heart seamster.

“I reckon you understand the procedure, yeah?” he asked, receiving only a nod in reply. Thank heavens. “Well, just in case, I’ll explain it once more to refresh your memory.” He sighed as he took a seat in front of the crackling fireplace.

“I’ll need a keepsake to exchange for materials to mend the broken heart. Did you bring one?” He expected a nod, but got a shake of the head. Well, this was troublesome. He didn’t like the second option, but it was what had to be done. It was almost midnight, and he was sure you wanted to get this over with too.

“Fine. You can exchange anything with me—your lifespan, memories, or even emotions.” The thing is, he sensed no emotions or meaningful memories from you. As expected, you offer your short lifespan. Do you have anything else to give?

As he took part of your lifespan, his hand reached for your heart, but what he found wasn’t what he expected: a black heart.