Books! In every cranny and all the nooks.

[animated]

[ Bookstores are always interesting places, though this one is perhaps a bit moreso than most. Large, towering bookshelves stuffed with well-worn paperbacks, stacks of books in corners when they simply won't fit anywhere else. The forefront of the store actually features a pretty decent comic book section, making it an ideal place for crowds of teenage boys after school lets out. (The wouldn't dare visit during school hours if they were ditching, since the owner's been known to rat them out.)

Speaking of the owner, he's a little on the scrawny side, but not uneasy on the eyes. Making this a spot for teenaged girls as well, if only so they can giggle amongst each other and steal glances at the blond behind the counter.

But, being as it's the middle of the day on a weekday no less, said blond is tidying things up. He's got a rag and some Windex, and he's cleaning a large glass case in one corner of the shop. ]

Comments

[deceitfulness]

[Ella was a girl who preferred nighttime over the daylight hours. Most of her kind did anyways.

But she doesn't let a little sun dampen her mood and thirst for exploration. It's been difficult to track down her current favorite (Adam was so adorably precocious and hard to grab a hold of at times!) and she figured she would let him think he was off the hook. For now.

There's a tingling sensation that crawls up her back as she passes what looked to be an old bookstore. Books? Pffff. Okay, she didn't mind reading, but it's a wonder this place caught her attention at all. Who knows, this might be worth her while and she could bring back a dirty book or two for her sisters if she could find one.

The door opens rather loudly and there's a smacking and popping noise as she licks a cherry flavored lollipop. ]

[animated]

[ The little bell over the door jingles and Charlie emerges, rag still in hand, and gives her a smile ]

Hey there. Is there something I can help you find?

[deceitfulness]

[Well.

Her grey eyes give him a quick once over and she tilts her head at him. There is... something about this girl. It's hard to pinpoint exactly. There's something like a subtle pull...

In any case she shrugs and replies.]

Mm. Is it okay if I look around for myself a bit?

[animated]

[ Well indeed.

That's really freaking weird actually, because Charlie himself is not attracted to women. At all.

He arches an eyebrow, but nods. ]

Sure. If you need a hand, just give me a holler.

[deceitfulness]

[She flashes him a bright smile (a smile that would send the weaker willed tripping)]

Thanks hon. I'll put you up to that!

[animated]

[ It just weirds Charlie out more than anything.

He goes back to cleaning the glass case- inside is an immaculately polished suit of armor with two blades strapped across its back, though it's clear it's largely just for show.

But, being as close to a high school as he is, he has a decent security system as well. With quick, small movements, he sketches out a little rune, ice blue lines trailing from his fingers, and the shop's various cameras begin to track her. ]

[deceitfulness]

[Ella's back tingles again. She felt that, but it was different from the magic she was used to. She doesn't bother to acknowledge the cameras though. She wasn't here to cause trouble!

Maybe. Even she couldn't guarantee it.]

Shake your groove thing, shake your groove thing!

[She sings to herself in a playful manner, not caring whether she's heard or not as her fingers trace over the spines of the books.]

[salamandher]

I hear there's a Greek family down the road who thinks Windex doubles as mouthwash.

[So says the redhead sauntering into the bookstore, possibly louder than necessary.]

[animated]

Well now, if it isn't my favorite firestarter.

Also, that's disgusting.

[salamandher]

Flatterer.

And yeah, it is. I'm just the messenger though so shush.

[She will just drape herself against the counter here.]

[animated]

Should I perhaps leave out the part where you're the only firestarter I know?

[ He sets his cleaning supplies aside and moves to the counter ] What can I do for you?

[salamandher]

Yep. You should.

[She waits, folding her hands.]

So... what do you know about... something called a "Hidesbehind"?

[animated]

I know a thing or two. I assume you're looking for those missing hikers?

[imperviously]

[Who says mysterious book stores don't attract tall, dark, and handsome strangers? Well, no one really. Even if it has been said, Adam wouldn't give a damn.

Besides, after parking his bike and renting a motel room, he passed by this particular store and heard a familiar hum coming from his magic sensing pendant.

Huh.

So in enters the supernatural investigator/hunter, tucking away his pendant which is still... humming. Oh well.]

[animated]

[ Charlie is behind the counter, sorting through stacks of books. If you look closely, you can see his fluff of blonde hair sticking out from behind all the stuff ]

Hello! If there's anything you need help finding, let me know!

[imperviously]

Ah. Thanks.

[Sort of mumbles this, because the pendant won't stop vibrating and it seems to be going crazy towards the blonde fluffy hair]




Do you have anything like a ghost haunting this place?

[... He's not as delicate as one would think about these things.]

[animated]

[ Now Charlie's head pops up over a stack of books ] I'm sorry, what?

[imperviously]

[Huuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm.

Adam stands there, pendant out, shades still on, and an indescribable expression on his face.

He then shrugs]

Or it could just be magic.

[animated]

[ Charlie gives this guy a once-over. He was cute. Weird, yes, but cute. ]

And just who are you?

[recluserose]

[BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Anyone who knows Amelia knows she's a bookworm. She loves collecting, exchanging, reading, analyzing, enjoying, studying... in short she really just really loves books whether they're classic novels from normal humans or the thick spell books she's grown up with. It's why she has her own library in her house after all.

So of course she couldn't resist the notion of a magic bookshop Adam mentioned to her in one of his messages. The notion of a bookshop she's never been to before with books she has yet to open is too tempting to ignore.

She enters inside with a book bag slung over her shoulder looking very curious indeed.]

[animated]

[ And today we find our intrepid shopkeeper on a ladder, shelving books. ]

Hello!

[recluserose]

Ah. Hello. [Must be the owner! Her friend mentioned him too and added that she might want to stay on his good side. Then again it was Adam who met him and she's certainly more careful about her actions.]

[Amelia immediately zips to a bookshelf- Adam told her that there were normal books as well. She doesn't discriminate and- oooh new mystery novel-- oooh a fantasy epic. Well, this sci-fi collection of short stories should do a good job for a lazy weekend--

Her pile is growing.]

[animated]

[ He laughs a little ] Book enthusiast, huh?

[recluserose]

[She nods]

I also teach AP Literature at a high school. I'm pretty much always reading.

[animated]

Aaah. I see. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?