The Story Keeper
A dark yet whimsical exterior gives way to a cozy, welcoming bookshop within. Shelves press in close together, a labyrinth of texts to explore to one's hearts content that seems bigger inside than the narrow appearance outside might suggest. Nestled amongst the shelves are little reading nooks, all of the armchairs mismatched and slightly sunken from use.
There is a little counter at the front where tea and scones are served, allowing the patrons to relax and stay a while if they wish. And this, of course, is where the portal to the Autumn realm can be found. Nestled somewhere in the stacks, between two books down where none would look is a little red door. Normal humans cannot see it- in fact normal humans don't find themselves drawn to that back corner of the shop at all. Maybe because the shelves are marked for topics such as 'tax law' and 'encyclopedias' but there is also magic at work to ward them off.
As for the door itself, it may be tiny, but if one steps towards it with the intent to enter, they find themselves capable of stepping through, of suddenly feeling the wash of magic sweep across them before they find themselves teleported away to the Autumn court. The same occurs to those that step through- it is as if it is a normal sized door. It is just that when one looks back, they find the door down by their ankles.
Since the bookshop was adapted from a Victorian home, there are still rooms upstairs, several bedrooms and living spaces. Mortals may think the proprietor lives upstairs, but in truth it is an open space for those coming to and from the Autumn courts to use. If a Fae needs time to rest and adjust to the human realm, or is waiting for a companion on the mortal side of the portal they are welcome to spend some days in residence over the bookshop.
