The Catalog of the House of Vane

Fiction

ESTATE SALE: THE HOUSE OF VANE Date: October 14th, 1884 Terms: All lots sold as seen. Buyer assumes all risk regarding emotional residue. Lot 12: The Speculum of Retrospection. A hand-mirror with a heavy silver filigree frame. The glass has been treated with a high-concentration distillate of personal regret. When utilized, the mirror ignores the physical surroundings of the viewer; it instead presents a vivid visual manifestation of the viewer's most enduring failure. The image remains stable under most lighting conditions. Provenance: The Vane primary dressing room. Estimated value: 400 to 600 crowns. Lot 28: The Pendulum Cloak. A full-length cloak of weighted midnight-blue velvet. The fibers are impregnated with the atmospheric tension of a storm that never broke. This produces a persistent scent of ozone and ionized air that clings to the wearer. The emotional weight is categorized as stifling and expectant. Condition: Excellent, minimal wear to the hem. Estimated value: 250 to 300 crowns. Lot 34: The Silent Nocturne. A small mahogany music box with brass inlay and a hand-cranked cylinder. The cylinder is not etched for melody; it is tuned to the specific sonic frequency of a secret being kept. The result is a low-frequency vibration felt in the jaw and temples rather than a traditional sound. Provenance: Recovered from the Vane library, dated to the separation period of 1872. Estimated value: 800 to 1,200 crowns. Lot 41: Domestic Linens (Six Piece Set). Fine white linen sheets and pillowcases. The fabric is infused with a steady distillation of prolonged domestic indifference. The material remains cool to the touch regardless of ambient room temperature. It provides a profound sense of isolation to the occupant. Estimated value: 100 crowns. Lot 55: The Vane Correspondence (Bound Volume). A collection of letters between the parties, each page treated with a different stage of matrimonial decay. Pages 1 through 40 exhibit high notes of optimism (scent of citrus and new parchment). Pages 41 through 110 exhibit a gradual slide into resentment (bitter metallic aftertaste). The final ten pages are saturated with pure, clinical apathy. Note: Handling gloves are recommended for the final section to avoid temporary emotional numbness in the fingertips. Estimated value: 1,500 crowns.