In Pursuit of a New Story

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I nodded as I scanned the shelves, my lower lip catching between my teeth as I thought on various volumes. "Are there any particular subjects that you enjoy reading on?" I asked as I looked, taking a few steps away. A maroon binding caught my eye and I plucked it immediately from the shelf it rested on, recognizing it.

"This one is wonderful," I said as I moved back to him, standing before him and offering the book to look over. "It's not fantasy so much as facts laid bare, but it's also coupled with illustrations of various tracks and items that had been found; hair, locations, stories." I gave him a rueful smile. "I'm afraid we'll have to move to another part of the store to find anything other than fantastical works."

[Landis de Verreuil]

Smiling, I gently took the book. "It sounds both fantastical and educated, which it interesting," I assured her, then winked. "Besides, I've made quite a few academic purchases already- a few fantasies may be nice." Another flirtatious tease, but there had been no harm in it thus far, and I was truly interested- Azabel was casual, intelligent and playful. There were worse things to show enthusiasm for.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I blushed lightly for his reference to fantasies; I might not have caught the casual flirting if it hadn't been for his wink, but with it it were obvious. "You seem to be doing well in achieving them thus far," I said, giving him a teasing smile as I did. His style appealed to me; laid back, though with a blunt honesty that was refreshing more than frustrating. "I'm glad you like it," I added pleasantly, referring to the book.

[Landis de Verreuil]

It seems we'd come to an unspoken understanding, mutual flirting but with nothing terribly serious or offensive. It was a pleasant arrangement, all told, and not one I was going to scorn in the slightest. "Oh, but fantasies can be such fickle things," I teased in return. "Hiding nearly everywhere. It takes an open mind to even try going after them on occasion."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"You're not trying to insinuate that you don't enjoy them, are you?" I asked as if taken aback, though an itch of a grin still haunted my lips. He was easy to joke with, and I found myself very glad that he'd stopped by and spoke; the fact that he was pleasant to look at simply went to enhance the experience.

[Landis de Verreuil]

"But of course," I replied innocently, then grinned again, eyes flashing to show the jesting lie in my words. "Do you only enjoy fantasies of odd, mythical creatures?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"I enjoy many types of fantasies," I replied smoothly, my lips gaining my smile back once again. His grin was infectious, my good humor solidly kept from the joy in his own face and words. "But I do admit that I rather enjoy real stories to that of made-up ones."

[Landis de Verreuil]

"If something is real it can still be a fantasy," I said after a moment of thought. "Though I suppose not knowing it's real can help in that respect. For all we know, unicorns could be invisibly walking the streets- but since we can't see them, they're fantasies."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I grinned a little wider, then shrugged lightly. "That might be," I said, though I was speaking of different fantasies altogether. Bold! I blushed even as I thought it, and turned instead to draw my attention away from it. "It's nice to have stories to tell though, even if they're fictional. If you could meet or see anyone or thing from something you've read, what would it be?"

He was thoughtful and intriguing, and I found myself unwilling to wander off, enjoying his company.

[Landis de Verreuil]

"That's a difficult question," I replied thoughtfully, running through the characters I knew from such stories even as I smiled wider at the faint hint of a blush I'd noticed on her cheeks. "I think it would have to be Prometheus, from the Hellene myths, who gave man fire and was tortured every day of eternity for it. What about you?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"A pegasus," I replied, giving him a bright smile to go along with my laugh. "What girl wouldn't want to fly around on a mythical horse, after all?"

I settled and paused, considering his choice. "That's an interesting pick of yours, though. The conversations that could arise... Fascinating."

[Landis de Verreuil]

"Pegasus is a good choice as well," I remarked interestedly. "I certainly wouldn't sneer at the chance to play Perseus for a little while. The stories of Prometheus, though- yes, I think the conversations would be fascinating. Once, he was a Titan, brother to the gods- but then he gave it all up to gift people with fire so they could live independent of the gods. It's very noble."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"Very noble, indeed," I agreed with an affirmative nod. The day was aging as we stood and talked, maturing from afternoon and towards evening, the setting suns rays casting a warm glow through the bookstore. Landis's hair caught a stray beam and lit up, shining with a warm bolt of red for a moment. My fingers longed to touch it and I barely kept them from indulging; instead I brushed along the front of my skirts, turning my thoughts again to our conversation.

"If only more people in power were as noble," I said. "There's a share of them, but at times it seems as if the numbers are fewer than they should be." I gave a rueful smile, then shrugged. "Ah, well. All one can do most times is keep themselves true, and watch for opportunities to improve elsewhere."

[Landis de Verreuil]

"I hope it doesn't sound terribly blasphemous, but I think nobility is a character trait that comes at birth, though not precisely with the station of one's birth," I replied thoughtfully, giving her a wink. The change of sunlight caused her eyes to flash with color and I smiled a bit more widely as I again reminded myself to behave. "Though I will also concede there are different kinds of nobility."

A realization as to the time struck me and I smiled again. "I've kept you talking for quite some time, it seems," I admitted almost apologetically, though my flashing gaze indicated that I wasn't sorry in the slightest, and had enjoyed my time with her a great deal. "I should take you out to dinner to apologize at some point."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I smiled, shaking my head a little at him and sending my hair tumbling from over my back to in front of my shoulders. "I didn't mean that only the powerful and wealthy were worthy of a noble title, only that those who have the ability to change things on a wider scale were as thoughtful and selfless."

His apology that wasn't an apology led smoothly into an invitation to dinner, and I laughed softly for it, applauding him with my voice for the smoothness of the transition. "Far be it from me to turn down such a heart-felt apology," I said, smiling amusedly at him. The sun was illuminating his hair still and I found it ever intriguing, though I knew it was getting near the time that our conversation here would end. "I hear that apologies are best acted on sooner than later," I said innocently, my eyes twinkling.

[Landis de Verreuil]

"Oh, I agree, but I know how schedules can be at times," I teased lightly. "How soon is convenient for you? I'm a simple person, I'm always free." I was simply glad she'd accepted in some form or other, and that she still seemed good-natured rather than resigned to such an arrangement.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

He seemed pleased with the idea of dining together, to which I was utterly glad for. Some would offer merely because of station and protocol; those I accepted or declined based off of political gain or decorum. With Landis, though, it was nice to know he wanted to simply for my company. If he were after aught else, he played a slow and methodical game, for I'd seen no sign of anything else from him other than stark friendliness.

"Well," I said, smiling at him, "I've unfortunately agreed to have dinner with friends tonight, but I'm free tomorrow night if it pleases you."

[Landis de Verreuil]

"That sounds fantastic," I agreed readily. "What time should I pick you up?"

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I glanced out the window behind him, then looked back with a small smile. "Sunset," I responded simply. "Would that work?"

[Landis de Verreuil]

"it's perfect," I replied, smiling more widely and, taking her hand lightly, lay a gentle kiss on the back. "It's been a pleasure to meet and speak with you, and I'm already waiting for tomorrow with bated breath."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

"The feeling is mutual," I replied warmly. Inwardly I enjoyed the feel of his lips on my skin, though I kept decorum on my face, leaving only my flashing eyes to betray how I truly felt.

"Until then," I said, giving his fingers a soft squeeze with mine. I left him with the same warm smile and headed towards the front where I paid for my books, then took them back, electing to simply carry them. I glanced back and took his frame in again, happy for having met him and looking forward to seeing him again. With a small wave I left, heading towards my carriage and to meet my friends for dinner.

[Landis de Verreuil]

She walked away and I watched her, smiling and waving in return before paying for my own books and heading home.