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 Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:41 pm
Lily shuffled through the busy cafe looking for a place to sit, which seemed nearly impossible. No, the cafe was not full, but it was the lunchtime hour, on a saturday, which meant the crowd was varied. That meant she couldn't and would't take a seat anywhere. She could not help, but to frown at the lack of seating as she scanned the cafe for a few moments.
Finally, she spotted a table with just one person at it. She quickly makes her way over trying her best not to drop anything, iced tea in one hand; book, notepad, ipod and scone held against her with the other.
Reaching the table she gave a polite greeting with a smile before asking, "Do you mind if I sit here?" She stood waiting for an answer and hoping she would not be turned away. She really would feel like an intruder to the gaggle of gossiping girls, the soccer jocks, the senior couple, or the scattered mother's with children.
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:09 am
After his little fiasco with Sailor Ares, Johnny was understandably reluctant to leave his dorm room. He'd taken the weekend to do as much recovering as possible – most of that time he spent lying in bed with bags of peas resting on various sore bits of his anatomy – but even with his faster-that-average healing he still looked like he'd been mugged. That, of course, had been his excuse when he'd made to explain to his roommate why he had a black eye, busted rips, and a variety of other Ares-inflicted injuries. A terrorist had targeted him outside of the Halloween festival and he'd been forced to head home early. It wasn’t the whole truth but it was a partial one and the green-haired teen could live with that. Unfortunately, it didn't make going out any easier.
He'd done his best to ignore the strange looks the server had given him when he ordered his usual – triple chocolate cake with a bottle of water. Perhaps she'd been thinking that someone had beat up the rather skinny and haggard looking teen, or perhaps she was just wondering who in their right mind would pick a cake with so much chocolate it was practically toxic. A dog would only have to sniff it to fall down dead. Regardless of what she was thinking, Johnny had hurriedly paid for his food and scuffled over to the table in the corner. Here, he was certain he wouldn't be bothered. At this time, people tended to want to sit at empty tables, not across from some potentially nerdy boy with glasses.
As the tables began to fill up, one by one, Johnny removed one of his Hercule Poirot books and propped it up on the table, hoping to further discourage interruption. It did its job, but not for as long as the teen would have hoped for. As he twirled his fork around in his fingers, a voice made him look up, spotting a girl standing near his table holding far too many objects. His brain instantly catalogued them even as his eyes moved up to her face. A girl wanted to sit with him. A girl who wasn't Jada, who wasn't even one of the few senshi he could claim he knew. What he should have said was no. What he did say was, "Be my guest. Just don't play your music too loud."
Johnny stuck his fork into his cake and took off another piece, wincing when his tongue hit his swollen lip be accident.
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:18 pm
Lily smiled and placed her items on the table, slipping her ipod into her purse after he said she could sit. "Thank you," she said taking a seat beside the boy, "I did not intend on playing my music. I just did not have a chance to put it away, no no need to worry."
She put down her book AP book on English Language and Composition, pulling a pen out of her notepad, turning to the page she left out of and getting to work. There were no introduction and much silence while she read and took notes, but it was short lived as she became curious about the book her 'neighbor' was reading.
It was one that she had not heard of and she found herself wondering what is was about in between taking notes and reading, so much so that for about ten minutes she kept looking up and reading the back cover of the book. She glanced up at the boy every so often and wondered just what had happened to make his look as though he had been in a fight and sadly the first thought that came to her mind was that he might be a senshi, but she pushed the thought quickly to the back of her head. There were more than just senshi out during the night and he could have simply been in a fight.
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:26 am
No music? Excellent. Johnny gave what might have been an approving nod as he returned his attention to his cake and his book. The girl seemed to understand the nature of their current situation. She didn’t bother introducing herself, nor did she try and engage the green-haired teen in any kind of polite small talk. She simply got herself settled and started working, no muss, no fuss. Johnny liked her already.
The silence did not last forever, sadly, and before long he became aware that someone was watching him. In a café as full as this one it was a rather stupid feeling to have and so Johnny did his best to ignore it. The feeling went away after a moment and he risked a quick glance around the café to try and locate the perpetrator. His first suspect was the server, but she was taking someone’s order (and looking very excited about it too). Nobody else seemed to be even glancing in his direction and thus the teen passed it off as nothing. However, as he turned another page, he felt it again. He sat perfectly still, waiting, and then he noticed that the girl in front of him had changed her position. Was the looking at him? Whatever for?
He continued to “read” as he watched Lily in his peripheral vision, trying to figure out what she was after. It became apparent that she was reading the back of his novel, or at the very least trying to look at what he was reading. Did she like murder mysteries? Well, there was only one way to find out. “It’s a detective series,” Johnny supplied finally, having watched her look between his book and her own no less than five times now. “Hercule Poirot. He’s a Belgian detective who solves murder mysteries. They made it into a very nice television series as well.”
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:37 pm
Lily blushed fiercely at be caught when the boy started to speak.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, "I was curious. I had never heard of the author before. A detective series, huh? I wish I had more time to read. I have not read to many mysteries, not since I was young."
She blushed again, "I use to love The Boxcar Children when I was younger."
She picked her drink and quitely sipped it. She knew she should go back to her studies, but meeting someone new was usually such a nice experience. She looked to the boy and gave him a soft smile, "I'm Liliana."
Lily looked back her book and proceeded to try reading once more despite being distracted. She stopped after a moment and wrote Hercule Poirot at the top of her paper, before turning back to her book pencil poised to take notes. She intended to check they library for the series later. Lily grinned betting Tony would know if it was there.
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:55 pm
… why did every girl blush when he caught them looking at him?
Johnny tried not to squirm in his seat, reminding himself that he was a mature adult that could take a little embarrassment on behalf of his female counterparts. Clearing his throat, the green-haired teen pushed his glasses further up his nose and pretended to be studying her book as she spoke. She considered the Boxcar Children mysteries? Sigh. Though he couldn't deny that's what they were technically classified as mysteries, they hardly held a candle to the kind of book he was reading.
"Hercule Poirot novels are renowned for being virtually impossible to solve. That's the beauty of Agatha Christie." He ran a finger down the well-worn spine, remembering a similar conversation with Dylan. Introductions spared him from those thoughts, and he raised his gaze briefly to meet hers. "Johnny. Pleasure." Johnny's eyes darted down to her notes, watching as she wrote the detective's name on the top. He gave it a few minutes before he added, "They have a bunch at the library. I think. I don't believe they've been destroyed." Youma in the library for the lose.
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:12 pm
Maia grinned at the word impossible, being a senshi made her believe the was really no such thing as impossible. It made her very eager to read the book, wandering if she could solve the mysteries.
She nodded at him name, then after she'd gone back to her book it seemed like their conversation was over, but Johnny spoke again and Lily looked up.
"Thank you, the books sound very interesting and I will definitely be checking them out. If I like them, then I will have to add them to my library."
Lily took another sip of her tea, but her eyes were on Johnny. After a few moments she spkoe against. "You like mysteries," she stated more than asked. She figured being sufficiently distracted she might as well make conversation.
"Are there any other series you would recommend?"
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Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 6:30 am
She was quite astute, or at the very least observant enough to notice the wear and tear on the book he was holding. Repeated spinal damage was the hallmark of a well-loved book, after all, and since Johnny usually picked his up from the second hand bookstore his were usually extremely “well loved” by the time he got them. But books were books and he wasn’t going to complain about a few stains or tears as long as the story was there. That was why he bought the books in the first place, not to learn more than he was interested in about their previous owners. (This one, for example, had definitely been owned by a heavy coffee drinker. He always got a whiff of the stuff when he flipped through the pages).
“I do,” Johnny agreed easily with her statement, a little pleased she hadn’t bothered to ask. Everyone knew what assuming did to me and you, but in this case the green-haired teen didn’t mind. Liking mystery novels was something associated with intelligence and he would hardly be against someone equating the two with him. “Well, it depends on what you like. Each mystery writer has their own style, each detective their own unique quirks that that help them solve their cases. Hercule Poirot, for example, is very particular with the way he does things and always makes reference to his ‘little grey cells’. The character is eccentric, like most detectives, but the mysteries are perhaps the hardest to solve. Agatha Christie has another detective too, and old lady. She’s not as interesting but if you like female detectives she’d be a good place to start.”
He paused to take a forkful of his cake, considering his other choices as he chewed. “Like I said, it kind of depends on what you like in a book. What sorts of things would you be looking for?”
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Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:03 am
Lily sat listening intently while she sipped her tea and it became apparent to her that Johnny did not like mysteries, he seemed to love them. No he did not seem too, he did. It was nice to have a conversation with someone who spoke so well and so fondly on a topic. Lily was quite enjoying herself.
While he spoke, she listened, but also thought on what type of mystery she would like to read. The book he spoke on seemed very interesting and Lily knew already she wished to read Hercule Piovot, and maybe the other to her, gender did not really matter.
When asked, she had an answer ready for him. Giving a small grin she said, "Something of a good difficultly, but not overly so. I do not think I would enjoy a mystery where the culprit was glaring obvious to me throughout the entirety of the story, but I do not think I would like to be totally stumped. Not for starters anyway. I have no real preference on detective gender. I think I might like a mystery that is close to real life, nothing to supernatural."
Lily took another sip of her drink before adding on a last though, "Not to short either I think. I would like it to be a little more involved."
Lily looked to Johnny and smile waiting to see if he might know a few good mysteries for her to sink her teeth into.
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Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 6:42 pm
"I don't think anybody likes a mystery that's too easy to solve," Johnny replied, unable to help but be quietly amused. The whole point of mysteries was that they were challenging to solve. Even the so-called "beginner" mysteries like Clue were no walk in the park if the reader wasn't used to holding large amounts of information in their heads. Television tended to make mysteries slightly easier to solve, in the green-haired teen's humble opinion, simply because they had to focus on things to draw the viewer's attention, but even still you had to know what you were looking for.
Ticking supernatural mysteries off in his head, he flipped through his mental library, using the opportunity to eat more of his cake. Long novel, nothing too hard, but nothing too easy either. "Well… you have a couple of sort of infamous options available to you. Hercule Poirot, which I've already ticked off," he pulled down a finger, "And what I think you might like is Nero Wolfe. He's another eccentric detective, but the book is narrated form the perspective of his rather glib assistant, who basically does his dirty work for him. If you like wit he is the man for you."
With a final nod he went back to neatly eating his cake, seemingly quite pleased with himself. Letting his gaze wander over her books, he couldn't help but comment. "AP English? An admirable choice."
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Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:10 am
Lily was happy to hear there was another series she might enjoy and quickly wrote down Nero Wolfe. It was really intriguing that the story was from the assissants point of view and she thought she might really enjoy it.
Lily took another sip of her drink before looking to Johnny again. "Thank you for the suggestions. I think I shall enjoy them very much. They sound wonderful."
Lily looked back to her own book, only to look up a second later at Johnny's words.
She smiled, "Yes. I'm in my senior year at Meadowview. It is a lot of work, literally tons of reading and essays, but I want to be a step ahead. It isn't too hard though. It is the exam, at the end, you have to worry about."
Lily was a bit surprised at having found such pleasant conversation completely by chance, but it was nice and most certainly not unwelcome.
"My sister thinks I'm crazy. She doesn't see the point in AP classes especially with my college applications all turned in, but I know it is wise. It most certainly will not hurt as long as I keep my work in order."
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Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:07 am
The green-haired teen inclined his head at the thanks, his way of saying ‘you’re welcome.’ Suggesting murder mystery novels was hardly something he got to do every day and he was quietly pleased that he’d met someone he could share his interests with. Provided, of course, that she actually enjoyed them. He’d have to withhold his full opinion of Lily until then. There was no telling what she might say about his favourite detectives.
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a step ahead,” Johnny agreed, dragging his fork through the remains of his cake. Crazy to take AP? Pshaw. It was crazy not to take AP subjects if you wanted to prove yourself to the greater world. Lily was smart to have ignored her sister’s criticism. “Were you thinking of heading straight to college or attending Sovereign Heights first?”
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 11:30 am
Lily smiled at Johnny comment about wanting to be ahead. She most certainly did not want to be behind and her future was important. She took another sip of her tea while he asked her another question and swallowed quickly to answer.
College was such an exciting subject for her right now. She was on edge for December to roll around. "I am going straight to college. I have applied for a few out of state and in state options, but I am hoping to attend Destiny City University. Only a few more week, before acceptance letters will be sent out. I truly hope that there will be an acceptance letter from Destiny City University."
She took another sip of her drink before speaking again. "What about you? Are you a senior as well, or are you already in college?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:23 pm
Straight to college huh? Johnny nodded along as Lily spoke, filing the information away for later. "I'm waiting on the same thing as you," the green-haired teen admitted, unable to resisting wrinkling his nose a little in irritation. "I had hoped to get an early acceptance letter but it appears they are sending them all out at once this year. It is rather unfortunate and a little annoying. I spent the last year at Sovereign Heights." He added the last bit on as an answer to Lily's question. "I was hoping to improve my grades to make certain that my admission would not be overlooked."
That, and he had been researching his options. Now, more than ever, it seemed like a good time to apply to university. He'd already proven to himself that he would handle being independent and balance life with school, and recently school and cavalier-dom. Now seemed like the ideal opportunity to spread his wings, so to speak. "What program are you applying for? If you don't mind me asking…"
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 1:06 pm
Lily nodded listening as he spoke, she didn't make note of anything or file it away. It mattered not, she just seemed to have a knack for remembering details even small ones without trying. Well, for meeting people and partaking in event. It was a wonderful little talent, she enjoyed even when the person she talked to for just a minute did not remember.
"That is a wise decision. My grades have been steady throughout high school and I thought that I would not have to many issues being excepts. I hope I am not incorrect in the is assumption."
Lily sipped down the last of her drink and smiled softly at the question. "A double major unfortunately. My parents are worried about the choice, but I want cover my bases. This first will be to attain a bachelors in music, specializing in voice and piano. The second will be to attain a bachelors in veterinary sciences."
Lily knew it it was a lot, but if she did not make it as a singer than she would have a degree to fall back on and she could always go back to attain a master or doctorate in either or both.
"What about you? What programs do you intend to apply to, or have you started one in Sovereign Heights?"
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