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

[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.]

[animated]

Well, any friend of the Detective's is a friend of mine. If you want to swap books, we can swap books.

[recluserose]

[And that makes her light up]

Thank you! I... I didn't come here with a clear idea of what book I would like to read though, but perhaps one about different rune specializations?

[animated]

You're familiar with our magic, I see. I'm sure I've got something.

[recluserose]

I'll trust your judgment then. I look forward to seeing what you have.

[animated]

Let's take a look.

[ He heads for the counter, aaand again, a little whistle and here comes the step stool, following at his heels ]

[recluserose]

[... that's kinda cute]

Animation?

[animated]

Yep. That's my specialization.

[recluserose]

I see. A very handy one too I bet.

Thanks again for letting me borrow a book. I couldn't resist a visit once I heard about this place.

[animated]

It has its uses.

[ he begins rummaging through books, though her last statement does give him pause ] Who did you hear about it from?

[recluserose]

Adam. He told me about his visit.

I'm sorry if he wasn't particularly... well. [It's hard to describe what he does wrong sometimes :[ ]

Oh, but I do thank you for being kind to him as well.

[animated]

You must be his "friend" he kept referring to.

... Eh, he was a little rude, but then he had a mystery for me to solve. I can't resist a good mystery.