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 Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 11:26 am
Amalthea had finally managed to read through all of the books on his reading list. He'd told himself he wasn't going to get anymore until he was done with it, so now it was time to restock his supply. After finishing up a class at the Academy, he decided to head into town to see what they might have. The regular book stores didn't seem to have anything new, he'd already gone through pretty much everything they had in the sections that interested him. He wasn't exactly keen on starting a new one just yet, though. Why buy a book if it wasn't going to be enjoyed? It deserved better than that.
And so, he found himself at a little antique shop, this one claimed to have some very old and rare books. That was enough to gain his interest. He pushed the door open and then stepped into the somewhat dark shop. Most of its lighting came from old lamps whose bulbs needed replacing... Ah well, that just meant there probably wasn't much light damage. He made his way towards the back, occasionally stopping to examine something that caught his attention... Even if they didn't have any books, this was at least amusing.
He turned the corner and then stopped, something had caught his attention in his peripheral... He backed up, peering down one of the aisles for a moment... He knew that girl, didn't he? She graduated recently... what was her name... Evan, right? She was going places. "Evan?" He quirked a brow, tail swaying slightly. He only uttered her name as a question to get her attention, but also give himself some leeway to apologize if he'd mistaken someone else for one of his former students.
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:20 pm
Evan had grown familiar with the dusty shop, her small apartment not too far off. She hadn't be able to move that far away from the Academy, especially with little change in her pocket, but most of the shops were in walking distance and there were plenty of perspective places she hoped to gain an apprenticeship in her quest for her own store. That being so, she was already on first name basis with the owner, though however they didn't seem to be warming up to her schmoozing. She really needed to find a job.
Hearing her name surprised her, for it wasn't on the lips of the owner or his re-shelving staff. She tilted her head, taking a step back from from the rack. "Hello Professor," she greeted, taking a beat to choose the right response. She had in fact graduated, but did that really mean the nature of their relationship changed at all? In her arms was a few thick, broken-spined books and she clutched them to her chest. She had been investigating them, trying to hone her skills on fakes, forgeries, and how to spot good editions.
Glancing behind her to make sure her large tail didn't get in anyones way, she took a few steps towards him with a dark-lipped smile. It was subtle, but clearly friendly. "Don't you have a class or two to be teaching?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:01 pm
Ah, so it was her. It had been some time since he'd seen her last, she was one of the more mature students, which was one of the only reasons he actually still remembered her. He tended to forget the troublesome ones after a while... Perhaps that was cold hearted, but it wasn't like he actually told anyone that. He noticed the pause, it brought a small hint of a smile to his mouth. She didn't know what to call him anymore. He supposed most students wouldn't.
"Amal is fine, Evan." He nodded, "You aren't my student anymore, after all." Not that he had really required them to call him professor anyway. So long as they didn't refer to him by his full name he was fine. The question brought on a small snort. "Ah, believe it or not, we professors do have lives outside of teaching. I'm here looking for books." He shrugged stiffly. Always stiffly. He never seemed to relax outside of his home.
"How have you been? You continued on to university, yes?" Naturally he assumed that she had. She'd had a lot of drive at the academy, surely she would've put it to use with continuing her education... right?
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:17 pm
The Imp considered it briefly. It felt weird being so personal with one of her teachers, let alone her Academy teacher, but on the other hand there was nothing to be ashamed about knowing Amalthea. He was respectable and well cultured, and enjoyed what Evan considered the better things in life. She nodded slightly in agreement. "Okay then, Amal," Evan corrected herself, parroting the response.
She tilted her head though, looking around. While she had books in her arms tonight, it usually wasn't the reason why she was here. "This place has a lot of everything," she offered in agreement, adjusting her hold on the stack in her furred arms. Evan's ears pressed back briefly at the mention of University. Did he expect that of her? It wasn't that absurd to have not...
"I didn't pursue it," the younger Nightmare informed, leaning over slightly to drop her stack of books on an empty shelf near her hip. She could re-shelve them in a bit, not that there was really much order here. "I am much more into these things," Evan explained, running her claws down the edge of the shelf. "I'm hoping to learn about the antique hobby and gain some expertise in order to start my own shop." Her eyes went off to the side briefly. Oh dear, what if thought that was a lofty dream? She had rationalized it to herself, but her familiarity with the Demon made her hesitate about his opinion of her. There was no way she was going back to school, that much was sure, but she appreciated the opinions of support of others.
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:11 pm
He quirked a brow, she seemed very familiar with this store. Did she work here, perhaps? No, she wasn't wearing a uniform... his question was answered a moment later when she commented that she was wanting to open up a similar shop. "Ah, my apologies for assuming. You always seemed to have a lot of drive, I just thought you would continue with it to university." He shrugged. It wasn't for everyone, but he couldn't help but think it was a waste of potential.
"Ah, do you? You might do well to find someone to mentor you, then. A business is a big responsibility... though I am sure you know that." He nodded, tail flicking side-to-side.
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:35 pm
Evan made a small sound, slightly offended. "You can still have drive to meet a goal," the Imp offered, a hand going to her hip. She flapped her elbow a bit, looking the other way. "I would much rather start my career today than four years from now," she stated matter-of-fact, fluffing up her bangs with the back of her free hand. Her eyes were still fierce when she looked back to Amal, but she had seemed to simmer a little bit.
"I am not afraid of it," she confirmed, elbow still swaying slightly. Evan really wasn't, but first she had to get to that point where she could show off her talents. Pursing her lips slightly, she picked up her books again, looking over the covers with lowered golden eyes. "I am assuming you took the more traditional route to get your job?" she asked more with a curiosity. She didn't find his trust in a good education surprising, for it was his career, but she did want to know. The weird first-name-basis suddenly made her feel more comfortable with prying slightly.
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Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:53 pm
He blinked, then nodded, "of course, it was not my intention to imply that you couldn't complete it without a university education first." He shrugged, he wasn't so immature as to not apologize when accidental offense was given. He seemed amused by the reaction, though. So easily bothered, perhaps she hadn't grown up as much as she liked to present. He couldn't really blame her for that, though.
"Yes, you have to have a degree to teach, after all." He nodded again, eyes dropping down to examine the books she'd picked up. "It opens certain doors... and temporarily closes others... I can understand why you would prefer to start now rather that "wait"." For that, he did actually make air quotes. He'd known plenty of people who had started their own businesses while still in school.
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Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:39 pm
Well, she had just been curious. On one hand she could count the number of teachers she seriously doubted came from a good education. Some were more out there than others. "Opportunity costs," Evan offered with a hum. She was fully aware of what she was by passing. Lugging her books around again, she could only watch with slight amusement as Amal pulled out the air quotes. "Literature classes alone can take quite a few hours alone to prepare for," she could not help but tease, stating it plainly without missing a beat. "So we are in agreement," Evan offered, a small smile coming to her lips.
"I do not work here, but the owner lets me get cozy. Can I help you find that book after all?" Evan asked, more than happy to try and flaunt what little she did know about the hobby. If anything, the Imp was familiar with a good book. She did enjoy reading, especially when there wasn't a class or assignment attached to it. It sounded like he had been just looking for more a read prior, but there was plenty of good shelf-additions with pretty gold-leafed spines and a air of rarity around the place.
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Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:00 am
"Yes, that is true, time management is everything." He nodded, considering her logic there. He supposed she was right, technically, but business majors did not typically take literature classes. Anything she would have taken in university would have gone towards her future career, she would be learning those concepts one way or another... not necessarily without actually performing, should she have chosen to try and break into the field while still in school. But, he wasn't going to press it. The topic was already boring.
"Oh, I wasn't looking for anything in particular, actually." He shrugged, "just something I haven't read yet. Though I suppose I have taken an interest in fifteenth century cuisine... The cooking techniques are quite.. different." Amal shrugged, he hadn't really expected to find anything on that subject in this store, but it was worth a stop in to see what else they had. "Have you found anything particularly interesting?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 5:30 pm
Her ear flicked back at the mention of cooking, already running titles and authors through her head. Evan bounced around many stores trying to gather up her knowledge of things but she wasn't sure she had really ever come across that topic. Weird cooking devices, yes, but not documentation on the methods. The Imp titled her head slightly. "I did not know you were a cook," Evan offered as she turned in order to acknowledge his request, looking up and down the shelves. Some just had clutter, but it was mostly books back here.
Marching down to the end of the aisle, strides long and on her toes, she reached up to pull down a volume. It creaked as she opened the cover, and she thought to herself briefly before announcing what she had grabbed. Evan couldn't say she knew much at all about Amal in order to make a good assumption about what would be interesting to him. He had never been very revealing - which, for the record, was something she admired. Some people blabbed way too much and sometimes Evan even found it reek of desperation. "Would health care and medicines interest you? They had a lot of very unique methods that did not carry over to the present, though many had influence on the devices and remedies we use today." She closed the cover, tracing the teal edges. "Science and discovery sure managed to change a lot in every field."
Cradling the book into her fluff, she walked back down to Amal. Evan had found a few of their devices in her investigations, and even had one in her apartment as part of her antiqued clutter. It was certainly something she found interesting. Beyond them she could hear the shuffling of the clerk, clearly listening in, but he did not intervene. Obviously any sale he didn't have to exert the energy on was welcome.
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 9:53 pm
He shrugged, he hadn't exactly shared much about himself and he wasn't particularly about to start. Evan could know small details, like what he was looking for or the fact that he did things outside of school settings, but that was it. Unless she asked, he supposed, but then he might not deign to answer anyway. "Just a hobby." He nodded, then watched her go move further down the aisle, but made no move to follow her. She seemed to have something in mind, anyway.
At the question he quirked a brow, considering it for a moment before nodding. "Yes, actually. I've read a fair amount on the subject already but I suppose that it is interesting enough to acquire another book." He held a hand out to take it from her once she moved closer. "Have you memorized this place so well that you know precisely what books they have?" A small hint of amusement managed to enter his tone this time.
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Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:04 am
Evan handed it over, letting her arms come back to her sides loosely. Her golden eyes were still bright. "I am not forcing a purchase upon you," she couldn't help but tease a little. It was just a topic she had enjoyed. Her tail waved behind her as she turned, going back down the row of shelves. "I know where the titles of interest are," the Imp girl countered, lifting her chin the slightest as she read through the names. Contrary to Amal's belief, the items did sometimes move on her, or get sold. She paused again, ears shifting the slightest behind her blond hair. "I may, or may not, have spent much time here my Senior year," Evan offered in order to finish her justification of knowing the store. "And may, or may not, have missed curfew to do so."
She pulled down another pair of books, boots clicking as she returned. "With my merchant aspirations aside, I do rather enjoy these subjects too. Some of my personal collection includes similar titles, but I haven't gotten these yet," Evan explained before drifting off, holding it out by top. "Parenting?" she offered, a small smile to her dark lips. It didn't scream him at all, but neither did cooking or medicine. "Old fashioned parenting and how to raise the perfect family. If I remember right, the book tries to go through all the races but some are rather... xenophobic? Maybe that's not the right word, but they are rather wrong perceptions." She gripped the other volume in her arms, claw lazily tracing the binding.
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 12:02 am
He took it, then tucked it under his arm, one brow raised as she spoke. She did seem to get a kick out of teasing... He decided not to entertain it and simply adjusted some loose hair that had fallen out of place. "I see. You must, provided those things were true, care about this place a fair deal, then." He nodded, eyes once more browsing the area around them... Antique shops generally held a great deal of interesting things, but also seemed to be a bit... cluttered. This one at least seemed fairly organized.
"I suppose that would make sense." He nodded, watching her move about the aisle. Though the next topic she suggested earned a shake of the head, "I do not care for the topic of parenting, current or past." That was all he was going to say on the matter. He wasn't exactly a fan of children, they were really only tolerable in a teaching setting.
"The past is wrought with xenophobia, yes. Though to say that it doesn't still exist now would be foolish... Either way, the topic is not interesting but thank you for the suggestion." He nodded again, then glanced at a nearby clock... was it right? If it was he should probably start heading home... he had dinner to fix, after all.
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2015 6:02 pm
Evan held a steady face. She was sort of attached to this place, but she hardly did more than treat it with interest and gentle hands. The arm chair in the rear had a great impression of her shape, having molded the cushion to her form after evening after evening of use. She tried not to get too desperate or chummy with the shop keeper - nothing reeked of young desperation than being clingy, but they exchanged words often enough they weren't suspicious of her ever growing presence. Her head tilted the slightest, drawing the book back into her arms and Amal seemed almost outright revolted.
"Noted," the Imp girl stated a bit curtly, not having expected that sort of reaction. Maybe she was a bit more offended because it was a topic that interested her, but a lot of things related to starting a family captured her attention. Amal had at least accepted the tome on medicine and that pleased her, turning on the heel of her boots to put the parenting guide back in place. Who could hate children? she questioned, nose curling out of sight before she turned back to her former-teacher. She had to keep it together, not willing to start a debate she was most likely going to lose by offending.
"Well, if you trust my judgement that should be a good read," Even stated softly, looking to the book in the demon's hands. She straightened her back, fixing her posture. "Display it, the craftsmanship is too beautiful to just hide away after you finish going through it." Her words were more encouraging than demanding, her golden eyes drifting back to the leafing on the cover. Amal did seem like the type of man to hate clutter though. Reaching up to fix her bangs with stubby claws, she held a straight fact again, composed. "Unfortunately I'm not on payroll as we established," Evan sighed the slightest, exhaling sharply. "So my work is done."
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 3:28 pm
Oh, had he hit a nerve? Suddenly she seemed very interested in ending this conversation. Honestly, people always seemed to get so defensive when he mentioned that he had no interest in children. He didn't really understand it. To each their own, right? Though, perhaps he had been a little forceful about it... Years of the topic being brought up over and over again had made him quick to n** it in the bud before it could go very far. Ah well, he wasn't about to apologize for it.
He nodded, eyes darting down to the book once more before he looked back to her face. She seemed to have recovered. Good. She'd have to learn to hide her reactions better if she wanted to succeed with all sorts of people in the future. Customers were bound to be offensive. "Oh, no doubt." He nodded, there was rarely a book that left his house once he'd brought it home. Books were not clutter, after all.
"Yes, of course. Thank you for your assistance, it's most kind." He nodded, then glanced at the clock again... yes, it was about time to go home. "I must leave, actually. It was good to see you, Evan." One more nod, then he adjusted his new book, "perhaps we'll run into each other again. Take care." With that, he turned to go find the cashier...
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