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 Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 10:40 pm
Bookshop One of three main shop fixtures in an apprentice's life, the bookshop will be a constant destination for errands. While ritual texts will be studied at the library, all council members wish to purchase books on occasion.
The shop has little floor space, but rises three stories above the surrounding market. Each floor is crowded with bookshelves. The bookshelves are not crammed, however - papyrus and paper are not as cheap as in the outside world, and binding is a meticulous processes. Many books cost quite a fortune. An apprentice probably will only own one or two books of his or her own, and these will probably be gifts from their mentor. Owner :: Marseth
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Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 5:45 pm
Kanesakht's first stop was the bookstore. He led his young apprentice in through the front doors, then stopped, looked around, and shrugged. "She must be upstairs," he muttered, then began ascending the shallow, high steps to the next floor.
"Marseth? Marseth, I have somebody to introduce you to!" he called out, hopping up onto the floor. He glanced back down at Sekhmet, motioning for her to follow.
A voice muttered something in return.
"If you don't get your nose out of that book and get over here this instant..." he threatened.
There was a sigh and a scuffling noise, and then a female Dumyr, dressed in heavy - but comfortable looking - robes clambered down from a ladder, clutching a book to her chest. On her nose rested a small pair of spectacles, half-skewed. "Fine, fine. Who is it? Lord only knows who would hang around you, Kanesakht..."
"I'd like to introduce my new apprentice, Sekhmet," he said, curtly, glaring.
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Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 6:08 pm
Sekhmet looked up at the lady and nodded her head. She thought the glasses made her look silly, but she didn't laugh. Laughing didn't come as easily to her like it did to others. besides, laughing at others was rude.
"Hello," she said.
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Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:16 pm
"Apprentice!?" Marseth practically shrieked. Then her shoulders twitched... then she began to shake... and finally, she began to laugh, unable to hold it in any more. She sat down on the bottom rung of the ladder, dropping the book to the ground and grabbing her sides, doubling over.
"You!? Having an apprentice? That's just too good!" she gasped out between laughs. "Betcha she runs away within the week!"
Kanesakht rolled his eyes. "Sekhmet, this is Marseth. Marseth is the insufferable fool who runs this book store. Since she has a... thing against me, I'll be sending you here alone from now on when I have need of books. Now. We leave. Come." He turned back to the steps.
"Wait! Wait, wait... I finally found that book I mentioned to you. The one on ceremonial masks and their ancient meanings. Give me a second to find it," Marseth broke in, regaining control over herself. "You still want it, don't you?"
"... Fine. Make it quick."
Marseth was off, dashing up the second flight of stairs to the top of the store.
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Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:18 pm
Sekhmet narrowed her eyes. She guessed she wouldn't like her much. She looked funny and she was rude.
"Won't run away. Running's for cowards," she muttered and perked up at the mention of masks. She wondered if the mask she found in the hall was in there. She looked up at Kanesakht.
"I don't like her much," she stated nonchalantly.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:39 am
"Neither do I," he replied without batting a lash.
A few moments later, and Marseth was clambering back down the steps to them. Halfway down, she just jumped, coasting down on her wings. Her clothing kept her from true flight, but she could still glide, for what it was worth. Landing in front of them, she held out a large, old-looking, hand-bound book. "Here it is."
Kanesakht took it, raising an eyebrow, and opened it, carefully. Flipping through it revealed detailed illustrations and long, long explanations.
"Hm. This is actually rather nice. What do you want for it?"
"A thousand."
Kanesakht sighed. "Eight hundred. The binding's coming apart here and here - I'll have to repair it myself. Eight hundred, no higher."
"Nine hundred, then. It's a rare book! I doubt the library has a copy outside of their restricted section."
"Eight-fifty. Or I leave."
Marseth squirmed. Kanesakht reached into a small purse at his hip and pulled out the amount he'd decided on. Marseth eyed it for a minute, chewing on her lip and straightening her glasses again and again, before snatching it out of Kanesakht's hand. "Deal," she muttered, and stalked off down the steps, past them, to where she kept the money box.
Kanesakht quirked a brow at Sekhmet. "Now we leave," he said, smiling wryly, and heading down the stairs and to the door.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:34 pm
Sekhmet watched the shopkeeper glide down and her small wings twitched. She knew they wouldn't carry her just yet, but she promised herself never to wear such cumbersome robes that inhibited proper flight unless she had to. She watched as they bartered and actually felt slightly happy that Marseth didn't get her asked price.
She blinked when her mentor addressed her. She hadn't seen Kanesakht smile. She figured that he was like her and didn't smile much, even if it was in sarcasm, so she was a little surprised. But she quickly followed, more than happy to be out of the store and the presence of its keeper. Glancing at the book her mentor carried a couple of times, she kept close behind him.
"Are there any rules about your books?" she asked, curious about the meaning behind the mask in the hall and wondering if it was in that book.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 3:45 am
"My books? Mm. Well, once I've taught you how to read, I suppose you may look at them in your off time. But you will need to be very careful. If I ever find so much as a page bent..." He glanced at her, warningly. "Books are very expensive here. Above ground, according to Miss Aubrianna, they are much cheaper. But here, they are a limited resource, so you must treat them as such.
"Come. Now we go to the Apothecary."
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:50 pm
Sekhmet nodded quickly.
"O' course," was all she said.
She was a little preturbed that he would think she would not take care of his things, but she didn't want to argue with him right now, not when there were things to get done. She might bring it up later, but for now she'd just tuck the annoyance away into a corner of her mind.
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 3:20 pm
Marseth couldn't believe she'd actually agreed to it. Mentoring an Uluen? What about her books!? The little devil would probably knock things over all day long, and snore in his sleep.
Bah.
Well, there was no going back now. Somebody would be by shortly with the kid.
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 3:46 pm
Jahi's eyes were wide. No sooner had he arrived in the outside world, Kalena decided that he needed to return to Baarikmet for proper training. After the long journey back, he was tired and borderlining on exhausted. Following the city guard, the young kitten made his way toward Marseth's Book shop. Jahi pondered about his 'new path' he was 'blazing' as Kalena put it.
The guard entered the shop first as Jahi sat and waited for him to do so as he was taught by Kalena. Upon enterting the shop, he marveled at the shop's extensive collection of books. Everywhere. Jahi found it comforting as he pawed his way slowly into the shop. It reminded him of Kalena's study, but much more vast and brimming over with stuff.
"Um, e-excuse me." Jahi's timid, little voice cracked. "Is the Mistress of the Bookshop in? M-m-y name's Jahi. I came to apprentice here."
The guard took pity upon the frightened little boy and patted him on the head. Not seeing Marseth around and certain that she wouldn't hear Jahi's squeaking, he called her with a firm and polite voice.
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 4:35 pm
Marseth's head popped up from behind a low desk. "Oh, there you are. Brought the kid with you? Good, good... I guess..." She set her books down and hopped over the desk, wings fluttering for balance. "I can take things from here."
She walked over to Jahi, crouching. How was she supposed to talk with it? It was so small and... and... fuzzy. And small. She reached out a hand, tentatively, to pet it on the head.
"Hey, I'm Marseth. You'll be living with me from now on, I guess. That about right?"
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Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 9:50 pm
Jahi shyly leaned on his hind legs, rising up to stick his head into Marseth's hand. He kept his front paws close to him, but timidly extended one in salutation to her. He nodded gently, feeling comforted by her touch.
"Y-y-yes, nice to meet you, Mistress Marseth," Jahi said in a soft voice. "Th-thank you for taking me in."
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 4:34 am
"Didn't have much choice," she confided in a bouncy tone as the guard slipped out unnoticed. "Hanukhemetu talked me in circles until I agreed.
"Well, I suppose we should lay down some house rules before we get any farther, yeah? Don't touch the books in her unless I give you express permission. I don't know what it's like above ground, but down here, each book amounts to almost a national treasure. They're rare and expensive, and I'm the only place outside of the library that is licensed to keep them in large amounts for the public. And I'm the only place that can sell 'em. So don't. Touch them. Ever." She gave the kitten a withering glare before continuing.
"The house part of the shop is up on the third floor. I have no idea if you can go up ladders. So... try." She picked him up abruptly and unceremoniously, and tossed him gently towards the first ladder. Apparently, this Marseth could care less that he was scared. She just wanted to get the first night over with so she could... maybe put him to work? Who knew. She wasn't very considerate, at least.
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Posted: Sun May 07, 2006 5:06 am
Jahi looked crestfallen as Marseth told him exactly where he stood: below the bottom rung of the food chain. Her cold glare made him shrink back in fear, and he was genuinely hurt that she wasn't keen on the idea of him being there.
"No touching the books. U-u-understood, Miss Marseth," Jahi said, keeping his eyes to the floor. His eyes widened at her explanation of the store. The third floor? Jahi wished he was grown up, so it wouldn't be such a daunting task. He froze when she picked him up an dumped him at the base of the stairs. Making it abundantly clear that she was not only in charge, but not keen on having him around either.
"I-I-I'll try my best," Jahi gulped in a shaky voice. He wasn't strong to say the least, but after he struggled with the first half of the flight, he scurried up the second half. Sprawling on the landing, Jahi panted heavily. He was terrified of heights, but the last thing he wanted was Marseth kicking him out into the street.
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