Taley
The day's sunlight seemed to be fading, and along with it went the flocks of people running down the high street to catch what bargains they could. Taley trailed after them, hands deep in her coat pockets. One fuzzy ear twitched every so often, grey eyes glancing from one shop to the other. Her tail flicked behind her, suddenly stopping in her tracks altogether.
"Manuscript, oh come on, there's got to be somewhere." She exasperated, hopping from one white paw to the other, the white furry girl's eyes darting frantically along the array of stores. Nope, no manuscript sellers there. With a deep breath, she headed down the nearest side street. She couldn't recall ever passing, but something pulled her in that direction. With a strong gust of wind trailing down the line of busy shoppers, Taley hugged her coat closer to her chest, plodding down the back street.
Only then did she come face to face with the little stationary store. One eyebrow cocked up. Well, she didn't have much choice. Pushing the door open with one arm, the girl tapped her paws off on the mat.
"Hello?" She called out, straightening the rather long scarf around her neck.
"Manuscript, oh come on, there's got to be somewhere." She exasperated, hopping from one white paw to the other, the white furry girl's eyes darting frantically along the array of stores. Nope, no manuscript sellers there. With a deep breath, she headed down the nearest side street. She couldn't recall ever passing, but something pulled her in that direction. With a strong gust of wind trailing down the line of busy shoppers, Taley hugged her coat closer to her chest, plodding down the back street.
Only then did she come face to face with the little stationary store. One eyebrow cocked up. Well, she didn't have much choice. Pushing the door open with one arm, the girl tapped her paws off on the mat.
"Hello?" She called out, straightening the rather long scarf around her neck.
Huni Pi
Ning looked up from her dusting and walked over to Taley. Though she only came up to the girl's hips, there was something about the Fandangle that radiated authority.
"Yes? May I help you?" she asked, tucking the feather duster in the crook of her limbs, careful not to snap it in two.
"Yes? May I help you?" she asked, tucking the feather duster in the crook of her limbs, careful not to snap it in two.
Taley
Grey orbs darted down to the voice, ears flicking right back to her skull. She shouldn't have really been surprised, Gaia was so diverse. She'd just never seen a fandangle before. Finding the need to bend down to the fandangle's level, the fur covered girl ducked down, resting her arms on top of her knees.
"Ah hello, I'm after some Manuscript paper. Preferably the ones with the slightly thicker lines." Stuttering through her request, Taley smiled nervously. Secretly inside she prayed they'd have some, any, even if it wasn't with the thicker lines. Tail pinning between her legs, she nervously fiddled with the edge of her scarf that dragged over her knees.
"Ah hello, I'm after some Manuscript paper. Preferably the ones with the slightly thicker lines." Stuttering through her request, Taley smiled nervously. Secretly inside she prayed they'd have some, any, even if it wasn't with the thicker lines. Tail pinning between her legs, she nervously fiddled with the edge of her scarf that dragged over her knees.
Huni Pi
"Manuscript paper? Hmmm, according to my memory bank, we should have some in supply. But they're stored in the stock room due to minimal requests. Feel free to look around, something might catch your eye. In the meantime, excuse me while I go look for them." Ning nodded, her mechanical legs bringing her to the back.
The moment the Fandangle had gone, the Study door creaked open ever so slight.
The moment the Fandangle had gone, the Study door creaked open ever so slight.
Taley
"Thank you," Watching the Fandangle off, Taley slowly dragged herself up onto two paws. Stretching her arms out in front of her, she pawed her way into the centre of the room. The very moment the fandangle left out of sight, her shoulders sagged. Why didn't she get this sorted out earlier?
The sound may have only just creaked, but one auditory ear picked it up. Flicking her ears towards the noise, Taley turned ninety degrees on the spot. Curiousness can be a killer, yet it still tugged at the girl's scarf. Tugged at her tail to go have a look, just go and find out what was in there. After all, the little mechanical Ning had said she could look around, right?
One paw before the other, and she soon stood at the door to the study. Her hand extended, wrapping around the handle. Now or never. Choosing the first of the options, the furry pushed the door open. Creaking terribly as the door had just a moment ago when opening slightly, her large ears seemed to pin back to her hairline - getting as close as at all possible.
"Just a look," She muttered to herself, glancing behind her; half expecting the little metal creature to be standing right behind her. Curiously, she crept into the room, silently closing the Study door behind her.
The sound may have only just creaked, but one auditory ear picked it up. Flicking her ears towards the noise, Taley turned ninety degrees on the spot. Curiousness can be a killer, yet it still tugged at the girl's scarf. Tugged at her tail to go have a look, just go and find out what was in there. After all, the little mechanical Ning had said she could look around, right?
One paw before the other, and she soon stood at the door to the study. Her hand extended, wrapping around the handle. Now or never. Choosing the first of the options, the furry pushed the door open. Creaking terribly as the door had just a moment ago when opening slightly, her large ears seemed to pin back to her hairline - getting as close as at all possible.
"Just a look," She muttered to herself, glancing behind her; half expecting the little metal creature to be standing right behind her. Curiously, she crept into the room, silently closing the Study door behind her.
Huni Pi
The door opened with ease, creating little to no sound as the Taley widened the opening. With the same silence, the door shut with an audible click of the lock. Effectively sealing Taley within the Study.
The room was a sharp contrast to the shop, it was dark, and dusty, the solitary bulb hanging from the ceiling the only source of light. And yet, the old Tome atop the writing desk in the far end of the room managed to draw attention, despite its ordinary appearance.
The room was a sharp contrast to the shop, it was dark, and dusty, the solitary bulb hanging from the ceiling the only source of light. And yet, the old Tome atop the writing desk in the far end of the room managed to draw attention, despite its ordinary appearance.
Taley
She'd only taken her first step into the Study before the click penetrated those sensitive ears. With a start, she turned right round, grey orbs glowering at the lock. Was this some sort of joke? One step found her back where she'd just come from, trying out the door. It was locked, well and truly locked.
What did you do when you wanted to unlock something? Find a key. Wrapping the edge of her furry tail against her knee, Taley took a few steps back into the dark and dusty Study. Her fingers found their way to her scarf, twirling the braided end around finger and thumb.
"Key, key," She spoke softly, treading carefully across the room. Squinting into the darkness, she made her way unknowingly towards the tome. It was only until she looked forwards that she noticed it. The old tome on the writing desk.
"Maybe it's over there." Her search wasn't to be fruitful, but it was questionable her reasons for searching on the table in any case. Fumbling her way over without (surprisingly) tripping up like she usually did, she stood in front of the writing table. It was just a Tome, just a normal average tome. Un-fumbleing one hand from her scarf, Taley reached out, soft furry fingers gently grazing along the Tome's spine.
"I wonder who put this here," Not quite in such an urgency to find a key, the furry retracted her fingers. Yet, she lingered near the table for a moment, studying the Tome as if it would give her the answers she was looking for; as if it would spit out a key any minute.
What did you do when you wanted to unlock something? Find a key. Wrapping the edge of her furry tail against her knee, Taley took a few steps back into the dark and dusty Study. Her fingers found their way to her scarf, twirling the braided end around finger and thumb.
"Key, key," She spoke softly, treading carefully across the room. Squinting into the darkness, she made her way unknowingly towards the tome. It was only until she looked forwards that she noticed it. The old tome on the writing desk.
"Maybe it's over there." Her search wasn't to be fruitful, but it was questionable her reasons for searching on the table in any case. Fumbling her way over without (surprisingly) tripping up like she usually did, she stood in front of the writing table. It was just a Tome, just a normal average tome. Un-fumbleing one hand from her scarf, Taley reached out, soft furry fingers gently grazing along the Tome's spine.
"I wonder who put this here," Not quite in such an urgency to find a key, the furry retracted her fingers. Yet, she lingered near the table for a moment, studying the Tome as if it would give her the answers she was looking for; as if it would spit out a key any minute.
Huni Pi
The Tome certain spat something out, but not quite a key. It was a long, slender object with a pointed tip. A fountain pen rolled out from the book, noislly clattering to the floor to stop at Taley's foot.
Taley
Spitting books? Taley was really out of her forte here. Taking an abrupt step back as the pen clattered to the floor, Taley glanced from the book, to the pen, and then back to the book. Books weren't supposed to spit out anything. Book's weren't supposed to act like they were alive.
Needless to fault, she ducked down. One finger touched the edge of the pen, pulling back a split second later as if it would melt her fur at a single touch. It didn't. Bravely plucking the pen up, she slid it back onto the writing table - towards the book that had just handed her the same pen.
"I think that's yours." She spoke softly in a hushed voice, as if the Tome itself were an adult about to scold her. Leaving the pen on the edge of the table, Taley leant forwards, grey orbs awaiting the Tome's reaction to the referral of the pen.
Needless to fault, she ducked down. One finger touched the edge of the pen, pulling back a split second later as if it would melt her fur at a single touch. It didn't. Bravely plucking the pen up, she slid it back onto the writing table - towards the book that had just handed her the same pen.
"I think that's yours." She spoke softly in a hushed voice, as if the Tome itself were an adult about to scold her. Leaving the pen on the edge of the table, Taley leant forwards, grey orbs awaiting the Tome's reaction to the referral of the pen.
Huni Pi
There came a soft trembling from the Tome, and the pages splayed open, the yellowed paper flipping back and forth until they stopped. Written in ink were the words:
"What is the sound of silence?"
Taley
Apparently the tome wasn't so happy with the offering. The yellow pages flickered through for what seemed like an eternity, before finally the page came to rest. From her leant over position, Taley could read the question loud and clear. Somehow, it seemed familiar.
"Silence?....It's not got a sound," She began. A buzz seemed to bug her from within, penetrating her ears as they flipped back from her hair. She took a moment, the silence dripping off the walls of Study. Her tail swished, silence didn't have a sound. Silence was silence. Kibbling on the edge of her lip, she plucked up the pen.
"See, silence is soundless," The thought that writing in this book might anger the owners of the shop didn't even occur, but an answer did. Leaning over, she scribed the answer onto the page; the ink flowing right out from the pen and onto the page to form her answer.
Swirling her letter over, she resentfully placed the pen back onto the side of the Tome.
"Happy now?" She questioned, grip returning to her long knitted scarf.
"Silence?....It's not got a sound," She began. A buzz seemed to bug her from within, penetrating her ears as they flipped back from her hair. She took a moment, the silence dripping off the walls of Study. Her tail swished, silence didn't have a sound. Silence was silence. Kibbling on the edge of her lip, she plucked up the pen.
"See, silence is soundless," The thought that writing in this book might anger the owners of the shop didn't even occur, but an answer did. Leaning over, she scribed the answer onto the page; the ink flowing right out from the pen and onto the page to form her answer.
"The sound of when I play."
Swirling her letter over, she resentfully placed the pen back onto the side of the Tome.
"Happy now?" She questioned, grip returning to her long knitted scarf.
Huni Pi
The Tome was quite satisfied with the answer, for it instantly slammed shut, clattering on the table loudly. The Study, however, didn't seem to share the sentiment. A loud boom reverberated throughout the room, its vibrations shaking most of the things out of their respective places.
The echoes of the sound repeated, resembling the peals of great bells, albeit bells that were two inches away from you. The ringing grew louder, stronger, almost to the point it was difficult to even breathe, much less concentrate.
Finally there was silence. And a small figure seated on the table, clutching a small, dark blue tome in his arms.
The echoes of the sound repeated, resembling the peals of great bells, albeit bells that were two inches away from you. The ringing grew louder, stronger, almost to the point it was difficult to even breathe, much less concentrate.
Finally there was silence. And a small figure seated on the table, clutching a small, dark blue tome in his arms.
Taley
The echoes bounced from one wall to the other, falling on large ears. White ears pinpricked right back to her head, what had she done now? Dropping the pen, Taley took a step back, bringing her arms up to cover her ears. Almost falling over, she clapped her hands over her ears. Yet, the sound of bells rang closer and closer - taking the air with each ring.
She opened her mouth to say something, eyes closing tightly. A long shaky breath exhaled her lungs, tightening her grip on her ears. They rang through her head, penetrating her skull from one ear to the next. Curling over full foetal position standing up, she shut her eyes tightly. The bells were less than three inches now, each peal shaking the furry to her very core.
Finally, it stopped.
Gradually, two eyes opened. She took in a short breath, shakily curled over on two paws. Her mouth opened to gasp as she noticed the lad on the table, he hadn't been there before - had he?
Standing up, she wobbled on her feet, paws finding their grip through the ringing buzzing right through her entire skull. It took a moment, tail pinned between her legs, but soon grey orbs fell onto soft hazelnut.
The small boy, barely older than two and a half, watched her. Hazelnut eyes blinked blindly, clutching the book tightly to his chest. Fai copied his 'guardian', opening his mouth like a fish - before rapidly closing it once more just a moment later.
"Hello?..." She whispered. Staggering forwards like she was drunk, she took a moment to shake her ears free of the ringing. Bending down before the little one, she offered her arms out. Wait, could he walk? Deciding he couldn't do it so well, she prised the little boy from his perch.
"Now, let's find your Mum, hm?" She spoke gently, careful to avoid the spines running all the way up one arm as she headed towards the study door.
Fai, however, barely said a word. His bottom lip quavered for a moment, releasing the book in favour for clinging to Taley's coat. Balling his tiny fists up in her coat, he did his best to press up close.
She opened her mouth to say something, eyes closing tightly. A long shaky breath exhaled her lungs, tightening her grip on her ears. They rang through her head, penetrating her skull from one ear to the next. Curling over full foetal position standing up, she shut her eyes tightly. The bells were less than three inches now, each peal shaking the furry to her very core.
Finally, it stopped.
Gradually, two eyes opened. She took in a short breath, shakily curled over on two paws. Her mouth opened to gasp as she noticed the lad on the table, he hadn't been there before - had he?
Standing up, she wobbled on her feet, paws finding their grip through the ringing buzzing right through her entire skull. It took a moment, tail pinned between her legs, but soon grey orbs fell onto soft hazelnut.
The small boy, barely older than two and a half, watched her. Hazelnut eyes blinked blindly, clutching the book tightly to his chest. Fai copied his 'guardian', opening his mouth like a fish - before rapidly closing it once more just a moment later.
"Hello?..." She whispered. Staggering forwards like she was drunk, she took a moment to shake her ears free of the ringing. Bending down before the little one, she offered her arms out. Wait, could he walk? Deciding he couldn't do it so well, she prised the little boy from his perch.
"Now, let's find your Mum, hm?" She spoke gently, careful to avoid the spines running all the way up one arm as she headed towards the study door.
Fai, however, barely said a word. His bottom lip quavered for a moment, releasing the book in favour for clinging to Taley's coat. Balling his tiny fists up in her coat, he did his best to press up close.
_Tall_Tales_
Ning re-entered the shop front, completely oblivious to what had happened within the Study. She had learned when Rhea arrived that the Study and the Tome had a mind of their own and were capable of making their own decisions.
"I have them, miss?"
"I have them, miss?"
Taley
She'd forgotten her Manuscript paper in all the hassle. One ear swivelled, Taley glancing down at Ning. Maybe she'd know? Grey eyes glanced at the little boy held within her grasp, who on earth would leave a child this young alone. In that study of all places!
"Thank you, how much do I owe you?" She started, deciding that holding the child against her chest wasn't going to work. Bouncing the little one against one shoulder, she slid an arm around his back, visibly wincing as the thorns on his right arm scraped over her white fur. That, would have to be sorted out later.
"I found this little one in the study. I assume he belongs to the owner of the shop?" She questioned, little did she know Fai was now all hers. Well, one of them know.
Fai's deep chocolate orbs widened as she lifted him up. Tightening his already tight grip on her coat, his large feathered head wings twitched - dislodging his flight goggles. They fell around his nose, the boy wriggling in Taley's arms to free the goggles.
If Taley had a soft spot for anything, it was for cute things, and Fai (to her at least) had just gained the definition of the epitome of cute. With careful precision, she prised the goggles from his nose, letting them fall back around his neck. Gently poking his nose, a soft smile found her face as he beamed up towards her.
"Thank you, how much do I owe you?" She started, deciding that holding the child against her chest wasn't going to work. Bouncing the little one against one shoulder, she slid an arm around his back, visibly wincing as the thorns on his right arm scraped over her white fur. That, would have to be sorted out later.
"I found this little one in the study. I assume he belongs to the owner of the shop?" She questioned, little did she know Fai was now all hers. Well, one of them know.
Fai's deep chocolate orbs widened as she lifted him up. Tightening his already tight grip on her coat, his large feathered head wings twitched - dislodging his flight goggles. They fell around his nose, the boy wriggling in Taley's arms to free the goggles.
If Taley had a soft spot for anything, it was for cute things, and Fai (to her at least) had just gained the definition of the epitome of cute. With careful precision, she prised the goggles from his nose, letting them fall back around his neck. Gently poking his nose, a soft smile found her face as he beamed up towards her.
Huni Pi
Ning would quirk a brow if she had one, instead she canted her head to the side at the furry girl. "Well, for the manuscript, here's the receipt." she said, handing her a slip of paper. "As for the child, he is not under Huni nor Linneas nor Sir Syrie's care. He has been entrusted to you by the Study and the Tome." she explained.
Taley
Taking the receipt, Taley stopped in her steps for a moment. Holding a child wasn't easy. Pulling out her purse from her pocket, she glanced at the receipt, offering a handful of the correct change. That was one thing sorted out, she could finally do her work now.
The next aspect caught her by surprise. He was hers? Both Tale and Author gazed at each other, how bad could it be? Mentally wishing she'd taken a child care course instead of English at school, Taley pressed a smile to the little lad.
Eyes wide, Fai kept his beam. Clutching tightly to his tome, he just leant into the shoulder offered, tilting his head to one side. He watched as she gazed so intently on him, his fingernails pressing into the hard backed tome within his grasp.
"There," The furry exhaled a long breath. She found herself wishing she'd not been as curious, but what was done was done. He was rather sweet after all.
"The study? So this has happened before?" She questioned, one last question before they went home. Taley found herself at a loss for words, a thousand and one questions buzzing around her head; but none of them connecting.
The next aspect caught her by surprise. He was hers? Both Tale and Author gazed at each other, how bad could it be? Mentally wishing she'd taken a child care course instead of English at school, Taley pressed a smile to the little lad.
Eyes wide, Fai kept his beam. Clutching tightly to his tome, he just leant into the shoulder offered, tilting his head to one side. He watched as she gazed so intently on him, his fingernails pressing into the hard backed tome within his grasp.
"There," The furry exhaled a long breath. She found herself wishing she'd not been as curious, but what was done was done. He was rather sweet after all.
"The study? So this has happened before?" She questioned, one last question before they went home. Taley found herself at a loss for words, a thousand and one questions buzzing around her head; but none of them connecting.
Huni Pi
After receiving the correct amount and storing it in one of her compartments, Ning handed the paper to Taley. "Yes, it has happened on more than one occasion." she replied nonchalantly, as if this no longer surprised or worried her.
Taley
"Mind holding onto this for me?" Offering the Tale the paper, Fai quickly took up the plastic wrapped packet of Manuscript. Holding it to his chest as intently as he'd held his Tome, he wrapped both blocks of paper within one arm, the other still snagged in Taley's coat.
"There's more than just you, eah? So, for..." She stopped, she didn't even know his name. Tilting her head, she glanced at the open tome within his grasp, at his name written in her hand writing. Gulping, she decided to press on for the moment.
"Fai to meet the others I just need to bring him back here?" Last question, she promised herself. Shifting from one white paw to the other, she looked over the lad. Over his thorny cross, and his arm covered in spikes. It was surprising he wasn't bleeding, but the spikes didn't even seem to scratch him.
"There's more than just you, eah? So, for..." She stopped, she didn't even know his name. Tilting her head, she glanced at the open tome within his grasp, at his name written in her hand writing. Gulping, she decided to press on for the moment.
"Fai to meet the others I just need to bring him back here?" Last question, she promised herself. Shifting from one white paw to the other, she looked over the lad. Over his thorny cross, and his arm covered in spikes. It was surprising he wasn't bleeding, but the spikes didn't even seem to scratch him.
Huni Pi
Ning nodded, "Yes, although there have been instances where Tales encounter each other outside of the store. I am uncertain of the details, but there is always that chance."
Taley
"Thank you. I'm sure I'll be back then, good day." With that, Taley turned to leave. Tail pinning between her legs, she gazed at the shop name hanging over the door. Memorizing it for future reference, soon both Fai and Taley were heading off down the streets of Gaia. A new life awaited both, but for now they just headed home; the smaller one held up close to his author.
