Welcome to Gaia! ::

Taking the hint, Verdi shook her head. "Nope, I'm all set. Ready to get a school uniform when you are." This was going to be interesting. Giving someone a heads up about the spirits she saw? Maybe to give him time to run? No, he wouldn't run. Traveling with him, it was impossible to entertain that idea.

Out of habbit, her eyes scanned the store, but registered no ghosts. The spirit-seer was free for the time being. The two students might even have a regular shopping experience from this point out if all went well now. "Ready?" Gerald now had the full attention of the other student he was traveling with. It was clear with the clarity of her eyes now resting on him.

((Good night! I'll get a post up in the clothing shop 3nodding ..probably in the morning))

As Annabelle Souris opened the door of the shop, she took a deep breath. This was her absolute favorite place in all of Moline, besides the fish pond. In this place, she would find delicious baked goods, divine candies (the description, at times, being quite literal), and most importantly of all, books.

"Is that Annabelle?" called out a cheerful voice from behind a shelf. Soon enough the woman revealed herself, arms spread out wide to welcome her friend. Martha and Anna had known eachother for a few months before Anna had come to the Grove as a permanent teacher.

"Martha!" she said with just as much enthusiasm as she went towards her for a hug. The two women embraced tightly, laughing and chatting as if they had known the other for years.

"So! Who is that man I've seen you with?" Martha whispered in her friend's pointed ear. Instantly Anna's cheeks flared up.

"Shhh!" she said. "I'm not sure how Kaien will look upon it, but I've... well, even if you think it's a bit rash, I've found my soulmate. Oh, Martha..." Even if Anna was indeed much, much older than her friend, Martha was married and already spending time with a man whom she called her husband. "It's all so frightening and wonderful, but I'm convinced. The bond is there."

With an understanding, knowing smile, Martha led Anna into the maze of shelves for some privacy. "It's alright, dear. You know that you know, so I know. You know?" Small giggles could be heard between boxes of crackers and cereal. "But I'm so happy for you." And with a mischievous look, added, "Is he a good kisser?"

"Yes!" The conversation continued as such as the two women walked around the store. Anna picked up cookies and other food items for her personal kitchen as Martha informed her of her life. Finally when they made it over to where the candy was held, Anna had a chance to truly spoil herself. Hogen himself helped her pick out a bag of raspberry candies, bullseyes, chocolate-covered raisins, and after dinner mints. Anna loved those. For the students (as Anna was not inclined to share her candy) she picked out some of the same things, though threw in more peppermints and other hard candies.

"What a selection! Where does it all go?" he joked, earning a small reprimanding tap from his wife. Hogan gave the price, happily discounting a bit since she was such a good friend.

"Here's to a wonderful place," Anna said as she handed over the payment. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I'll have a look-see at that book section. With a dramatic, soft cry, Martha took the arm of her husband.

"Goodness, we'll never see her again!" Hogan played along, rubbing her hand.

"I know dear, but let her go. It's what she wants."

Anna laughed at the joke. It was little secret how much she loved her stories, and she had grown used to the teasing after so many years. As she lifted her bags off the counter, she secretly wished she had Pyralis with her so that he could learn of her favorite sweets and meet her wonderful friends. Martha has clearly already wanted to meet him, but there was work to be done.

Well, for Pyralis. Not for Anna, at least. Everything so far had revolved around students, and since admissions had been slowing down, she trusted that she had enough time to go out towards the end of office hours. Honestly, when did she become so rebellious of her duties? Kaien had every right to fire her and it had only been a few days. That was the part that worried her the most, and yet like a procrastinating teenager, she just couldn't help it.

"Alright then..." she said. She had taken a seat right at the bottom shelf of the book wall, as that was the place few people looked first. Eye-level was the customary place to put the flashy, newer books, which while they could provide a good read, Anna didn't gravitate to. She wanted to pick out a dusty book and breathe life into it. Truly, to make it feel loved more than anything else.

A good half-hour passed before Anna returned once more to the front desk with at least five books under her arm. Surprisingly, most of them were young-adult reads, even though Anna could handle the greatest, and some of the most complicated works man had ever written.

"I want to know where these all go, too," Hogan said, scanning the barcodes. "You've bought a library since you first came here, miss."

"They all get locked away in my heart," Anna said with genuine kindness. "Thank you so much, both of you. Have a wonderful day!" The bag went inside her giant tote she had brought along, which nearly didn't fit out the door as Anna waved good-bye to her dear friends.

Her next destination would be to visit the fish.