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]

Hold on. What was that all about?

[imperviously]

What? The investigator part or...?

[animated]

Let's start with the part where you're waving some kind of pendant all over my store.

[imperviously]

Oh.

It senses magic. [Says this very naturally and not at all like it's a big deal.]

[animated]

[ facepalm ] I've been here for years, totally unnoticed, then all of a sudden I get hit by people who can sense magic twice in a row.

[imperviously]

It's not me. The pendant's from my friend.

[Raises an eyebrow at the implication that there was someone else before him who sensed this place, but will put that thought in the back of his mind for now]

Sorry if that came out of nowhere though. I'm normal, so I'd understand why there would be uncertainty.

[animated]

Normal or not, wizard or not, people just don't walk into a place swinging around an enchanted amulet and talking about magic.

[imperviously]

I just thought I'd put it out on the table and get it over with. I'm a bit out of place in that respect.

[animated]

If you're new in town, I'd recommend exercising his little more subtlety.

[imperviously]

[Amelia may have tried to give him that advice at some point.....

But this is a guy who hides pistols and a knife or two in his jacket on a day to day basis when he's out and about.]

Right.

I don't think I got your name?

[animated]

Charlie. I own this place.

[imperviously]

It's nice to meet you sir. [Offering a hand. He is a polite and he figures if this guy is magic it means he's OLD.

So that means be respectful.

Even if it is kind of awkward.]

[animated]

Don't call me sir. [ He ignores that offered hand- he doesn't like being barged in on like that. ]

Was there something you wanted?

[imperviously]

[This happens a lot :( Putting his hands on his pockets and giving another once over to the store.]

Nothing in particular, unless you have a collection of information about magical creatures. [But that's what Amelia is for! Her library rivals that of other places.

He walks around and stops. There's something... familiar in the air.]

... Was a girl here before me by any chance?

[animated]

Nothing that's for sale.

[ He raises an eyebrow. ]

We're right by the high school. I get a lot of girls in here.

[imperviously]

Dark hair, red lipstick, grey eyes.

She most likely made a pass at you.

[animated]

Ah, yes. The succubus.

[imperviously]

... Shit.

[animated]

She didn't cause any trouble, if that's what you were worried about. I think I'm a bit... resistant to her charms.

[imperviously]

That so? Hope she didn't give you any deep scratches then.

I'm trying to avoid her actually. I thought I threw her off my trail.

[animated]

Date go wrong?

[imperviously]

Worse.

She likes me.

[animated]

[ that get a laugh out of him ] You poor thing.

[imperviously]

Tell me about it.

In any case, sorry you had to meet her. She's relentless.

[animated]

I think I deterred her well enough.