Welcome to Gaia! ::

A pale doe silently made her way down the snowy lane. She would have blended into the snow had it not been for the grey pelt fastened 'round her neck and the vibrant blue of her eyes - though one was dimmer than the other, a result, perhaps, of the startling scar bisecting it.

Her rider, meanwhile, was a study in contrasts - pale skin warred with hair so black it refused to reflect any light; sharp features were softened only by the fur lining his coat; brilliant green eyes seemed both alight with intelligence and as frigid as the weather. His casual perusal of his surroundings made it impossible to tell if he had come deliberately to this place or merely happened upon it.

Regardless, the pair stopped in front of the little library. Though its proprietress may wonder why. Even had he been clad in rags, the way he held himself all but screamed noble lineage. As it was, the make of his clothing was fine, indeed. If he wanted a book to read, he could surely purchase an entire library for himself! As for his Guardian, she held herself proudly and exuded a great deal of confidence. Quite the opposite of the librarian's playful thing.

The man's wandering gaze first took in the other doe, then landed on the woman. He did not seem terribly impressed by what he saw. "You are the proprietress, I presume?"

Thomas pursed his lips and considered correcting the woman with the correct title. However, she had done nothing yet to garner his particular enmity and he would rather have her able to function in his presence. Knowing that he was the son of a Duke was not liable to improve her mental faculties - indeed, she seemed nervous enough as it was. Instead, he swung easily from Sigyn's back and wordlessly preceded Tessa through the door.

He removed his fine, leather gloves and pocketed them, then handed his hat to the woman who had doubtless followed him in before unbuttoning his coat and handing that to her, too.

His countenance, when he surveyed the room, reflected hunger and purpose rather than disdain for its small size - a testament, perhaps, to his appreciation of the written word. "I am searching for very specific volumes, Miss Malthodar," he informed her. "And have been told that I might find at least two or three of them here."

Sigyn politely greeted the other doe, but seemed otherwise uninterested in making friends. She did, however, step inside once she found that there was room enough for her to move comfortably. Showing only a slight curiosity, she sniffed at the books. The mustiness caused her to snort and move to a visual perusal. She was familiar with these things. Thomas had many of them.

The bird, however, was something new. She was familiar with Gertrude, of course, but the kingshawk was much larger. She had never seen anything that tiny and fluffy before. Not up close, at least. With more interest than she had thus far shown, Sigyn sniffed at the little thing.

Thomas's eyes were already scanning the shelves as he shot off a list over his shoulder. "The Warden's Way, by Gabriel Halfast; Francis Smith's Winter Howl, preferably the second edition; A Warden's Guide, by Alviticus Hall; Beasts of the Wood, by Severus Swingling; and Frederick Knott's Spirits of Sunderland." He paused a moment, reading a title and then dismissing it, before adding, "The first edition of The Bloody War by Nathanial Kincaid would not be amiss, either."

This fluffy little thing seemed much more amiable than Gertrude, to be sure. Still, it seemed for the most part uninterested in Sigyn beyond a brief inspection, so the doe lowered her nose and turned her attention to the rest of the shop. She eyed the wooden floorboards and tables, the many shelves and crackling fireplace like a general surveying the land. It seemed to pass muster, for soon enough she settled into a somewhat bored waiting stance.

Thomas's quick eyes drifted over row after row of books, flickering from one title to the next. Many he had read, or even owned; others he was uninterested in. Though he appreciated the volumes displayed here, his expression was not particularly warm or welcoming. In fact, as the woman placed the first stack on the little table, it might even be considered disquieting. He did not appear convinced that the books were, indeed, what he was looking for. At least, not until he picked them up and inspected them for himself. Then, his look turned sharp and hungry.

Without bothering to glance up at her, he said. "I suppose it would be too much to expect you to have Beasts of the Wood, as well. But even these volumes have already exceeded my expectations for this...establishment." He opened the topmost book and began scanning through it.

He frowned at the woman, clearly displeased at this news, but not looking like it had surprised him overly much. He turned his gaze to the two additions to the pile.

"Tea," he said absently as he sat at the little table and flipped open one of the books. His eyes scanned quickly through the tome as though he was searching for something in particular. Now and again, he paused to study something more carefully. Abruptly, he snatched another of the books and laid it out beside the first, flipping through it in much the same manner before stopping at a particular point. Then, he glanced between the to books, comparing particular points.

It appeared that Thomas was content to remain in that chair for the foreseeable future, researching whatever arcane thing had been plaguing his mind until he found what he was looking for.

Sigyn moved closer to the fireplace, presumably to make herself more comfortable while she waited for her chosen.

She may have been displeased, but Thomas was not looking, nor was he especially liable to care. He was far too engrossed in his research. The books would be coming with him, of course, be he needed to make certain that they were what he was looking for, and there were a few things he did not wish to wait on. If only he had access to Beasts, as well.

By the time Tessa had returned, each of the books was open on the table, and he appeared to have slowed somewhat, taking his time with them. Of course, he also appeared to be reading several at once, so who could really say?

He scarcely acknowledged the tea service, though he did pick up the cup and bring it to his lips. Its scent made him pause before he drank it. Pumpkin spice. Tori's favorite.

Sigyn's ears perked as she looked at her chosen. She offered him warmth and calm - a little equilibrium before any emotions could take hold of him. Thomas blinked and drank the tea.

What was her question? Was there anything else he needed? Oh, he could think of several things. But he very much doubted that there were any she could provide. Well, perhaps there was one thing. "Can you acquire the last book?" There were other places he could go looking for it, of course. He was hardly a man without means. But it would be convenient if this librarian could manage.

He frowned at the passage he was reading. He really must have that book. "As soon as you can manage," he said. "You will be compensated, of course."

After long enough for him to forget she was there, the woman spoke up again. His expression, when he looked up at her, suggested that he, too, doubted she could be of much use. But that was more habit than anything. As a librarian, she may have come across texts that even he had not had the opportunity to peruse - unlikely, as he had access to much larger and older stores of knowledge than this, but possible nonetheless. Rare books did have a habit of cropping up in the strangest of places.

For a long moment, he did his best to pin her to the wall with an unwavering gaze. Would she be useful? Perhaps. Was his business any of hers? No, but it would not take so great a leap of intellect to add together the books he sought and arrive at the correct conclusion. Besides, what he wanted was no great secret.

"I am searching for a weakness in the Wolves," he replied at last. Something to exploit. Something that they were vulnerable to. Some tactic that was effective against them. Knowledge on their movements, their thought process, their patterns. Anything that could give him an advantage when next he confronted one of the beasts, for next time, he would be the victor.