Chapter Text
Location: Shimmer & Shine Jewelry Store, Bigg City.
Time: 1:27 p.m.
Date: December 24th, 1925.
Hercules whistled a calm and soothing tune as he kept his hands in the pockets of his yellow winter coat due to the winter chill that was happening in Bigg City. All around, people were walking back and forth in different stores, shops, and boutiques getting their Christmas shopping done for tomorrow was the big day and everyone was excited to spend the entire day with friends and family alike. The man smiled as he saw some kids playing, having snowball fights and just simply enjoying themselves on their two-week winter vacation from school not having to worry or think about schoolwork, homework, or having to do any projects for that matter. The snow crunched underneath his black boots as he finally got to his destination opening the glass front door of the most quaint but bejeweled Jewelry Store that the city has ever had known as Shimmer & Shine.
Within the establishment, stood a young woman who looked to be in her early 20's sporting shoulder-length curly red hair along with dazzling emerald green eyes that sparkled with excitement and joy upon seeing the ocean-going sailor; she grinned as she walked towards him to give him a hug who politely returned it back as they soon separated.
"Hercules, how wonderful to see you, it's been quite awhile since we have last seen each-other, how have you been?" She asked as he shook his head still smiling mildly.
"Just rather dashing Miriam m'dear, been away for 4 weeks in Hawaii, but luckily, I'm back home to take some time off for the Holidays; you see, I have a big date by tonight and I was wondering-"
The woman, now named Miriam, held up her hand to indicate to him to stop still grinning. "Say no more, I have just the right hot rocks you would like to gift to your lovely lady in waiting she winked causing him to chuckle; if there was anyone who knew any different pieces of stones whether they were rare, antiques, or just plain fakes, Miriam was the right girl for the job. The two had met each-other just 6 months ago after when he had stopped a purse-snatcher from running away with her bag as she tried to catch up to the thief who was just too fast for her (especially running in high heels wasn't such a great idea at the time), Herc happened to be at a newspaper stand when he witnessed the stranger who wasn't paying attention to where he was going found himself bumping into the sailor who then picked both him and the bag up thus seeing the young lady huffing and puffing trying to catch her breath in an attempt to speak.
"I assume this happens to be yours m'dear?" He asked holding up her possession towards her who took it gratefully making sure to check her belongings to see if anything had gone missing; thankfully, nothing was stolen."
"And you, stealing a young lady's purse, is very stooping low for someone like yourself who is in desperate need for money to want to get either a hot meal or a place to sleep for the night. Do something like that again, and it will not be easy for you next time do you understand?" Looking down in shame and nodding his head he soon walked away while the red head smiled bashfully at her savior.
"Thank you so much for the way you acted there, that was very brave and generous of you. My name is Miriam Peterson."
Instead of shaking her hand, he then kissed it making her give out a little swoon and a blush. "Hercules, Sailor of Star Tug and Marine, it is a pleasure to meet you darling."
"My, aren't you a charmer? I swear more guys like you would make this world a better place to live in." The two soon laughed as he then offered to take her out for lunch wanting to get to know the attractive female a lot more.
Pretty soon, as the couple of new friends were eating, The male sailor was already getting to know about Miriam a lot more learning that she had moved to the city from San Francisco to open up her very own Jewelry store. Her mother was a stage actress but never got to know her father; however though, her step-father not only was a firm, stern, but a sweet kind-hearted and down to Earth man who owned a Jewelry shop showed her the many types of expensive and priceless rocks that money could buy and would also take the time to show her the ways of how they needed to be handled gave her the inspiration to stand on her own two-feet to honor him; besides, Bigg City was a humongous place where some parts only the rich and high upperclass would take the time to wander around to show off their many assets as well as wanting to surprise their loved ones with the most finest pieces of silver, gold, and many others as anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, wedding presents, and much more.
Hercules became very encouraging and supportive just by listening to her story and gave out the right words for her to listen to in order for her to follow her dreams and make them a reality.
They then found themselves in a closed off area away from the outside as she then brought out a tray that held in the many different rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that literally screamed money all in bold different sparkling colors that the Shine from them reflected his glasses.
"They just came in this morning, and might I say, that these are the most exquisite pieces yet. So tell me, what is her favorite color?"
"Red, without a doubt." Hercules answered without hesitation as she guided him towards the ruby red rings of many different shapes. They all dazzled in the dimlight as he picked a particular one that suited his fancy which was a golden band which was feminine in its shape, but stood out amongst the others as not only was the ruby the most prestigious and ornate one of all, but tiny diamonds also helped to give it a more in-depth appearance. It was the one, but he wasn't finished yet as he had one more ring to shop for.
"Do you happen to have one but in black as well?" Miriam looked confused, she thought that he only wanted one ring, but he didn't specify what the other one would be for who. She had only known about Lillie, but he never spoke about another person. Maybe he was going for two? Man, this guy was absolutely charismatic material but she never saw him as a play-boy. (Sure, she had a slight crush on him), but they were better off as friends and she would have rather his friendship than to get her heart broken.
"Yes, I do, and this one is the most rarest of them all." She then got to the display case lifting off the glass as she walked over revealing to be a silver band with a big black onyx as it twinkled with all of its masculine charm that drew Herc like a moth to a flame as he could picture a certain someone's face when he would gift it to them.
"I'll take it, how much are you selling it for?"
Miriam was surprised how could a sailor be able to afford something so priceless as that? but she didn't question his motives. "To be honest, it's not for sale, but for you, I will give it to you for free. I mean, no way am I trying to offend you, or be disrespectful, or trying to get into your business, but...are you in fact, going to do a double proposal?" She asked hoping she was getting her question straight and sensible as Herc only looked on with a twinkle in his eye and giving out a wink."
"You could say that, but it's not that if you are wondering."
"Well then, could you at least tell me who your second one is? I can keep a secret." She giggled only to get a chuckle from the man standing right in front of her as he soon whispered in her ear.
"Let's just say they don't like to be revealed at the moment, they like to stay....incognito." Miriam humphed wanting to know the juicy details but kept her mouth shut but deep down, she was screaming in excitement wanting to know who this mystery person was.
"You sly dog you...if you weren't taken, I would just have you to myself." Hercules chuckled once more thus giving her a kiss on the cheek as a little something to remember him by and as a thank you soon leaving the store but not without wishing her a happy holiday.
He had a date to prepare.