G equals L.

Ah, come in, come in.

Mind the steps, and forgive the smell of frosting.

Someone in the back has been trying to scrub it from the floorboards.

Now then, today's piece is unsettlingly festive.

A birthday candle, small, unassuming,

though the pink wax clinging to it has an odd way of refusing to come off.

It arrived with a note we won't speak aloud,

and the distinct sense that it had already been lit far more times than a single celebration should allow.

This one's called, the people upstairs won't stop singing, happy birthday.

Before we begin, I want to point out some of the customers whose names have been etched in brass on this beautiful plaque I had made above the front desk.

These are some of the members of the inner circle of the Antiquarium.

We go by the Obsidian Covenant.

Recent initiates include Raven D.

Topsy Crit.

Melfina.

Christine Howell.

Christine from Montreal.

Joey.

Luis Baltadano.

Jessica Reed and Marnie Frisbee.

We are ever appreciative of your devotion to the order.

...