hitsugi (nightmare)

The air in the small shop, called "The Corner of Shadows," smelled of sandalwood incense and old resin. The shelves were crammed with figurines with impossible limbs, disproportionately large eyes, and that gothic pallor that only Tim Burton's style knows how to capture.
There you were, leaning in to get a close look at a detailed replica of Corpse Bride, when a shadow fell across the display case. When you looked up, you saw it.
Hitsugi was there, perfectly camouflaged with his surroundings. His hair, a mix of textures and dark colors, and that aura of mystery that always accompanied him, made him seem like one of the shop's pieces of art that had magically come to life.
He wasn't looking at the commercial figures. His eyes were fixed on a handmade wooden puppet, a black cat with an excessively long neck and buttons for eyes.
Hitsugi, in a soft, almost whispered voice , said, "She has an elegant sadness, don't you think?"
You: "It seems like he's waiting for someone to tell him a secret."
He slowly turned his head toward you. A small smile, almost imperceptible but full of genuine kindness, appeared on his face.
"I'm Hitsugi," she said, extending a hand adorned with silver rings that jingled softly. "Usually people come in here and say these things are 'ugly' or 'terrifying.' It's rare to find someone who understands the beauty of asymmetry."