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

[recluserose]

No, it's Amelia. Let's see-

[She stops for a moment to think though and then looks at Charlie.]

How long has this bookshop been around?

[animated]

Like thirty years. Why?

[recluserose]

I was just wondering. [She looks like she's thinking and coming to a conclusion, albeit a disappointing one.]

I suppose you wouldn't do exchanges?

[animated]

I guess that depends on what you have to offer me.

[recluserose]

[And as if on cue, she pulls out a rather aged black hardcover book and in the silvery lettered title says:

Shoot for the Stars: A Magical Compendium of Constellations and the Magical Uses of Starlight.

Amelia looks at him expectantly for his answer.]

[animated]

[ He legitimately stares for a moment, tentatively reaching out a hand ]

May I?

[recluserose]

[She nods and hands him the book.

The book cover may look old, but the browned and yellowing pages are even older. It's hard to tell what's preserving the paper, but characters inside seem to have a silvery sheen to them which makes them look crisp and easy to read.

As for the contents there are comparisons of scientific and historical origins of the constellations, but in magical terms there's the history of astrology and using the stars for divining-

Even MORE interesting however are the diagrams and methodology of catching a shooting star to capture its light or stardust, both which apparently are difficult and rare components to make certain magical items and a catalyst for certain spells.]

[animated]

[ He flips through the pages with the utmost care, like it will disintegrate if he's not careful enough ]

I don't... where did you get this?

[recluserose]

It's from my own library.

The instructions and techniques inside are limited to ones ability, but I thought it would be interesting to study such methods even if one is unable to perform them.

[animated]

Wow. You'd seriously offer this to me in exchange for something?

[recluserose]

It would be temporary. I wouldn't want to deprive you of any of your own books.

[animated]

I--- ah, hold on, hold on. I think we need introductions first. Amelia, right? I'm Charlie Maxwell.

[ he offers her a hand ]

[recluserose]

[She accepts and gives his hand a shake.]

Amelia Steinbeck. It's a pleasure.

[animated]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess, what with the enchanted bag and magic book, that you're no ordinary Literature teacher.

[recluserose]

Mm. Well, yes, you'd be right on the dot.

[animated]

So what are you, then?

[recluserose]

Hm.

Different.

[animated]

That's not much of an answer.

[ He takes a moment to look at her- really look at her ] You don't know a Detective Jacob Randall by any chance, do you?

[recluserose]

[Blinks, but doesn't seem too surprised]

We're acquainted, but it's been a while since we last met.

[animated]

Aha. I thought your name sounded familiar- aside from John Steinbeck. I'm sure you hear that all the time. He came in here asking me about witches once.

[recluserose]

Yes, I do get that often enough.

[A tiny twitch at the edge of her mouth when he tells her about what Jacob did]

And did he now? What were you able to tell him?

[animated]

Just that they weren't anything he was liable to find on this plane of reality.

[recluserose]

Good answer. Witches tend to cause great headaches anyways.

[animated]

Yet here you are. You go hopping often?

[recluserose]

Not very much before, but as of late yes. [She's been spending lots of friend time with Madigan after all.]