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 Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:45 pm
█║ WHO: Noah (~Lady Kanna~), Zavier & Era (Chrystali)
█║ WHAT: At the marketplace, Zave and Noah spot a book the both want.
█║ WHEN: Late morning.
█║ WHERE: Palisade east-side marketplace.
█║ WEATHER: Really freaking cold.
It wasn't just a book, but rarely did anyone else see it that way but him.
Zave was constantly on the look for the discarded books of those who didn't know what treasure they held. He was an avid collector; even the more racy stuff didn't make him shy away (even if he did have a shelf at home he didn't touch that housed those types). With all the latent fear of the rumors swirling and the frigid grip of winter, it was easy for people to get lost in a panic, especially the highwaymen who preyed on insecurities and the common thieves who prowled those who weren't double-checking their doors and windows. While the scholar felt that maybe he should have been more guilty, perhaps, in the thought that those things his eyes swept over weren't with their proper owner, he wasn't one to turn down the opportunity to gather more goods for his collection.
It was why, with the icy snow on the ground, that he and his doe were scouring the marketplace, the earthen female complacent at his side with the man's hand on her withers, Zavier himself perusing the more rustic wares for equally ancient goods, if he was so lucky. And to his fortune, he spotted one tome on a table, piled atop old fabrics and jewelry boxes, leatherbound and partially water-damaged but it was a book and one Zave wanted all the same. Approaching it, he noted the writing was in silver scrawl, legible in a foreign language, which excited him even more, wondering if it was one he knew to translate.
As Era hung back to nose an apple rind offered by a shy young girl and her weary mother, Zave extended a gloved hand for the book, eager to barter for its sale.
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:15 pm
Books were not just a business for him, but life. Noah found himself time and time again being sold out of certain subjects. Fairytales were a popular one these days, as well as books in different languages. Perhaps those who took stock in the rumors emerging this quiet winter were trying to accomplish something. The woman who was constantly in and out of his shop had taken a good number of his stock, leaving him with empty spaces. If there was one thing Noah did not like, it was that. He usually kept a good back stock in hand, but with the weather shutting down various markets one by one, he hadn't been able to restock even that. At the very least, he wasn't short on coin, since the same woman refused to accept discounts. Damn girl.... But nevertheless, he ventured out early into the cold, breath freezing in the air even before he exhaled, it seemed. Damned cold, good weather for staying home, which is why he closed shop. It had been a long while he had been there, slowly refilling his stock, until he came to a particularly interesting table. The old fabrics didn't interest him, neither did the jewelry boxes. He would have bought one if he had a dame he was courting, but Noah didn't like to bother with those sorts of things. But that one book.... It looked expensive. Old and aged, just the type she liked to buy. He knew this one wasn't going in the regular stock for a while, and reached for it, only to have his hand meet with another. He immediately withdrew it, flustered, not sure what to say. He didn't like talking...But he had to apologies, didn't he. "Sorry..." That was enough, wasn't it? He continued to eye it though, curious what it contained. "Go ahead."
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Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 10:22 pm
The theologist actually jumped a little with surprise, wide blue eyes turning sharply to the one he'd not even noticed was there. Zavier quietly admonished himself inwardly for being so unaware; it was hard to be otherwise, when he was so focused on the task at hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't --"
And then he stopped, giving the man a long look. It was almost as though one could see the gears clicking behind his considering gaze. "You are -- familiar. Perhaps I've seen you at one of the stores, or the library?" Zavier was uncertain. He didn't usually forget a face he'd met, but it was possible this man was one he'd seen before, just had never actually introduced himself too. Given the fact that Zavier frequented the bookstores in the area, his familiarity was not unfounded.
"I, ah -- " He did want the book, but he rarely put his own desires ahead of others. "Not a worry, friend. Please, take it. I'm not sure I even know the language its written in." Smiling in a manner that dimpled his cheeks, Zave bowed his head politely. "Apologies, sir -- I'm Zavier Hutchinson. Forgive me for my blinders."
Behind him, Era approached and snorted softly into his dilute hair as though to say the apology was hardly enough for her Chosen's antics. Then again, she was probably used to his awkward behavior and how he acted in social situations.~Lady Kanna~ Sorry for my slow response!
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Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:02 pm
"It's fine, don't worry about it." He mumbled again, briefly glancing at whom his hand had met with. Ah well....There were likely to be other books, or at least another rare looking one would show up in a few months or so. He was naturally quiet, it wasn't Zavier's fault that he hadn't noticed him. However, a small expression of rare surprise crossed his face at Zavier recognizing him. Really? Someone actually knew him? That hadn't happened before. "Ah...I run a small bookstore on the other side of town. Perhaps you've been there before." He replied, frowning slightly. "I'm afraid I'm bad with faces though. Names, however...." "Noah Ainsley. Pleasure." He returned the bowing of the head, then took another look at the book. "Are you sure? It does seem to be one of a kind..." He picked it up, tenderly flipping through its pages. "To be honest I'm not sure what language this is either....Though I probably have a customer of mine who would know." His gaze changed to see that of the doe behind Zavier, "Oh. Another one of those." He murmured, looking at Era carefully. "She's rather lovely. I've seen a few bucks from time to time, though none as vivid as this young lady."
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:30 pm
The surprise on the man's features made Zave feel a little embarrassed. Had he said the wrong thing? But as the man explained his profession, the blond's own expression brightened, the familiarity finally clicking into place. "Ah, yes! That must be it! I've been told I see more of the bookstores than I do my own home." The young man laughed, having enough sense to continue looking mildly embarrassed by his confession. This was the exact reason he preferred the musty tomes of old to actual human contact. He was good at reading books, not other people!
"It's a great pleasure to meet you formally, Sir Ainsley. And please -- I insist! It's your business, which is my pleasure, and I'd be far happier to know the book might go to one who understands it." Zave couldn't say if he did or didn't know the language, clasping his hands in front of his vested stomach and smiling brightly all the same. He knew old languages, dead languages; most people didn't want to hear that, though. It came hand in hand with his beliefs, as it were...
And then he was being nosed in the shoulder, making him start a little. "Another? Oh, goodness! I've only met one other -- buck as well, yes." Turning to the side so the doe could be more clearly seen, he smiled at the female with immense tenderness, putting a hand on the dark fur of her neck. "This is Era, and I must say, she rather likes you for such a kind compliment." And he chuckled, not sure how to convey that the colors and images she was sending him were all of pride and no small measure of joy.
Indeed, Era seemed content to take a languid step forward, letting the man admire her as he pleased. It was nice to have attention on her, for a change, and not her Chosen; not that she was vain, but often the attention on her Chosen meant he'd done something wrong or blundered somewhere he shouldn't have.
Chasing away the very thoughts Era was thinking, Zave gave the doe's withers a gentle pat. "She's none too fond of people, but she seems to have received you well. Great minds think alike, I suppose!" Though whether he meant himself and Noah or Era and Noah, he didn't indicate, retaining his almost child-like smile.
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:22 pm
Noah's face softened the slightest bit at hearing the man's adoration of books. That was the type of person he liked, and this would be the second one he had met. Giving a slight nod at Zave's explanation, and even a hint of a smile at his laughter, he spoke again. "It is good to meet people who think alike. What time of books do you like? I'll have to keep an eye out for something that interests you." Only his best customers got that reward, though he was already in this man's dept, especially as Zave insists that he take the book. He's a bit taken aback by the formality of the man, though doesn't show it too outwardly. The slightest twitch of a toe in his boot, perhaps, but nothing so outward that could be noticed. "I'm not sure if she would understand it either. She enjoys collecting the oddities in my stock, perhaps you'll run in to her one day. Redhead. Also has one of the bucks I previously mentioned. And a smith by trade. Shouldn't be too hard to find one of those." Noah murmurs, eyeing over Era as he speaks. She's lovely indeed, darker in color than the buck he's accustomed to seeing. "I've seen two outside my shop, thought the one I mentioned earlier is there far more often." He gives a slight bow to the doe at her introduction, trying to give a slight smile as well, though it fades. He's a man of few emotions, and the ones that do come across, only linger for a while after all. "I've never had the pleasure of seeing one so closely. How does she talk, if I might ask?" At his mention of the doe not being too fond of people, he seemed to soften again, though it lingered for much longer. "Ah, so they do." He offered his hand out to her to sniff, unsure if she would take kindly to being stroked atop her head.
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Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:26 am
The expression Zavier wore was both of surprise and intense humility. Bowing his head, he practically curved his spine with a similar bow, gratitude in his tone. "You are -- very generous, to offer such consideration!" Straightening his posture, there was no way for him to hide the small touch of pink that highlighted his pale cheeks. "I -- I research old stories and documentation of a time before ours," he said at length, careful with his choice of words. Not everyone received word of the Old Ways in a positive light. "If you've any tomes of such a fashion, I would pay to even read them in your store if you'd rather not sell." He visibly winced at his own words, and the way Era turned her graceful head to regard him told him that he was beginning to stick his foot in his mouth. "Ah, you see, I work at a library for an esteemed gentleman, it's not -- so odd -- "
And apparently, not so odd as the man's topic of discussion. Surprise again donned, Zave couldn't help but grin a little in his bewildered manner. "She? A female smith that reads? How fantastic!" He almost gushed. "It does my heart well to hear -- I would look forward to such a meeting!" And in truth, he'd not be adverse to keeping mind of a red-head outside the man's shop. Any who were a friend of knowledge, were a potential friend of his indeed.
Pale blue eyes turned back to Era as she was inquired after, and it was here he hesitated. It was a little odd to explain, especially if someone wasn't involved with a Guardian. It made them seem a little...mad between the ears. "She speaks as though she were my thoughts," Zave finally answered with honesty, watching Era's careful approach to the extended hand. "It's a bond that's akin only to what I can say is like...an extension of one's very self. When she was born, it was very chaotic -- but she learned what I responded to and I, her." Licking his lips, he added, "She gives me images, emotions -- colors, sometimes, if she doesn't know how else to express. Right now, she's giving me dour browns and a lining of orange, telling me to calm down and not be such an excitable oaf." He smiled, then, a little embarrassed but pleased that Era knew him so well. "But when she looks at you, she -- sends me images of books she's seen at my workplace, gilt in gold. You remind her of the library, and she thinks well of you thus far. I-if that makes sense."
Indeed, the doe expressed some hesitation, but eventually pressed her pale nose against his palm, the gesture delicate as a greeting. Her dark ears flickered in consideration before she lifted her head, fanning her tail and taking a few mindful steps to the side. In a way, she was acknowledging that he was 'okay' and he could stroke her fur if he so desired. She'd permit it.
Zave merely chuckled at her sly manner of feigned disinterest. Sometimes, she was more an overgrown cat than anything else, so he felt.
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Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:32 am
Noah shook his head the slightest, trying to assure the man it was not a problem at all. "I really don't mind. It's not the slightest bit of trouble." Picking up on the careful choice of words, he couldn't help but bow his head the slightest, a little bit warmer of an expression appearing on his face. "The Old Ways, hmm?" It's a curious note, really, considering he himself practices them. Well, on occasion. "I have no qualms with selling them, it only gives me more room for new stock." He eyes Zavier a little more at the mention of a library, slowly becoming more and more pleased he's bumped into him. Book lovers are an odd crowd, though he certainly enjoys their company. There's the slightest bit of surprise in his face as the man gushes in joy about his customer, Noah raising an eyebrow. "Yes, she's in quite often. If you do happen to stop by, you'll be likely to see her. She's certainly not hard to miss." He remembers one occasion where she all but dropped her coin purse on his desk and asked how many she could buy with it. "She's a unique one." In a good way. Noah focuses more intently on Era as he's finally given an explanation, and vaguely wonders if it's different for different people. He's never had the pleasure of receiving such a bond, not yet in his life anyway, and he's beginning to doubt that it may happen. "Incredible." He notes, not thinking him odd in the slightest way. "How long have the two of you been together?" It seemed like time might have something to do with the connection as well, though he doesn't note it aloud, simply making notes in the back of his mind. If he's going to be seeing more of these deer about, he might as well know more about them. There's another hint at a smile when he's greeted by Era, such a delicate young lady. He takes his time before he finally glides his hand over the top of her hair, also reminded of a cat. Such a wonderful young lady. "Does she take interest in your work as well?"
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