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Post by teo on Apr 6, 2008 17:09:04 GMT -5
I’d had a bit of luck with my inquiries as to reaching the roof of the Great Hall, but had come to a point where I had to wait for word from one more person to meet and talk to him. Thus, my letter to Mercedes was delayed yet another day.
Likely because of my conversations with Mercedes, I found myself in the mood to read and finding nothing of interest at the house I made my way to a bookstore. I smiled softly and nodded to the shopgirl as I entered, then began to wander the stacks, looking for something to catch my eye.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 8, 2008 14:06:56 GMT -5
I'd read through every book and manuscript I had at least a dozen times, though it was safe to say I didn't have many; nearly all of my money went towards my marque. Earlier in the morning I'd finished reading my favorite novel for what seemed the hundredth time when I decided I needed something new.. refreshing, that was my own.
Very carefully, I looked through what money I had and picked out a little of it, then made my way out of Camellia and towards Mont Nuit. I'd heard Armands was one of the finest shoppes around, and decided to go as I'd never frequented it before.
A short while later, and having to ask for directions twice, I made my way into the store and looked around from just inside the entry, letting my eyes adjust.
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Post by teo on Apr 8, 2008 21:32:56 GMT -5
After a bit of browsing, I decided the items on the one side of the store were not what I was looking for. They were all more instructional volumes and I was looking for something entertaining.
Finding myself back near the front of the store, I halted my progress for a woman of striking beauty who was standing just inside.
“Pardon me,” I said with a polite smile.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 9, 2008 10:39:15 GMT -5
My vision had cleared and I was looking about, wondering where to begin when a handsome man approached from my side. "Oh, excuse me," I responded with a smile, stepping forward more and out of his way. "I was wondering where to begin browsing and wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been."
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Post by teo on Apr 9, 2008 12:13:44 GMT -5
“I was in the same position just a little bit ago,” I replied with a chuckle. “Unfortunately I choose the wrong side of the store to start with.” I motioned back in the direction I’d come from. “Those are mostly instructional manuals of every sort, not what I was looking for but if that’s your goal then I would suggest starting there.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 11, 2008 9:42:56 GMT -5
"Oh," I said, glancing in the direction he gestured in before looking back at him with a smile. "No, I don't think I'm very interested in reading such as that," I added with a chuckle. "Not now, anyhow."
He was very pleasant, and I smiled a little more as I gave a short curtsy. "I'm Aurianne no Camellia, by the way."
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Post by teo on Apr 11, 2008 10:16:42 GMT -5
“A pleasure to meet you Aurianne,” I replied, bowing a bit. “I’m Théodule Chambers, but please call me Teo, everyone does.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 11, 2008 19:36:37 GMT -5
"The pleasure is mine, Teo," I said, tasting his name on my tongue. "I've not been here before, though if the books are as pleasant as the company, I should think I would come back," I said, smiling.
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Post by teo on Apr 11, 2008 20:53:20 GMT -5
Her words made me smile wider. “This is my first time here as well, and I too am enjoying the company,” I replied. “Shall we see if the books are as satisfying?” I motioned for her to proceed me towards the side of the store I’d not been in yet.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 12, 2008 15:28:32 GMT -5
"Of course," I responded, smiling as I slided past him and towards the other side of the store. My eyes took in the shelves and for a moment I was close to overwhelmed, not knowing where to start. "Were you looking for anything in particular?" I asked pleasantly, looking back at him.
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Post by teo on Apr 12, 2008 18:16:17 GMT -5
“Not exactly. Something engaging hopefully and entertaining,” I replied as I scanned the various volumes. “What about yourself?”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 12, 2008 19:07:51 GMT -5
"Fairly much the same," I responded, barely catching myself from adding a, 'my lord' onto the end of the sentence. He'd told me to call him Teo, I reminded myself.
My eyes browsed up over a selection of books and I breathed in, loving the scent. "It always smells so wonderful in places like this," I commented as I reached out, fingering a blue-backed novel. "Like you can almost taste the knowledge in the air."
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Post by teo on Apr 12, 2008 19:10:33 GMT -5
Chuckling, I selected a thin novel bound in brown cow’s hide. Opening it, I looked at the paper, then brought it towards my nose and inhaled.
“This is what I always smell in places like this,” I said. “And not always so literally. My family makes paper so my nose always picks out the different types first.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 12, 2008 19:36:00 GMT -5
"Really," I said, looking at him with interest. "I've naught met anyone who knew the different types of paper by smell. I didn't even know they did smell different."
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Post by teo on Apr 12, 2008 19:37:54 GMT -5
“They do,” I assured her. “Here, close your eyes and inhale.” I held the little brown book up for her to smell. “This is hemp paper.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 13, 2008 9:59:58 GMT -5
I did as he bid, lifting my chin slightly as I inhaled. It had a very natural scent, reminding me of being outdoors in the sun. "Alright," I said, opening my eyes back up with a smile.
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Post by teo on Apr 13, 2008 11:33:01 GMT -5
I set the book down and selected another one, I could tell by just the edges of the pages what they were made of.
“Now do the same with this one,” I said, smiling as I held open the new book for her. “This paper is made from linen.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 14, 2008 10:36:57 GMT -5
I smelled that one too before smiling again, understanding a little more. "Very lovely, I can see the difference of them. Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me, Teo."
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Post by teo on Apr 14, 2008 13:34:32 GMT -5
“You’re quite welcome, Aurianne,” I said with a smile, returning the second book to its place. “Not everything about paper-making smells so good, so it’s nice to revel in the things that do.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 15, 2008 6:28:10 GMT -5
"I don't blame you," I responded with a smile, looking from the book he had just replaced and back to him. "I'm of a mind that you should always partake in lifes pleasures when the chance comes." I looked back at the books again, then selected one and opened it, looking at the paper rather than the words.
"Is this hemp?" I asked as I showed him the book, lifting it a little so he wasn't forced to bend.
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Post by teo on Apr 15, 2008 12:01:51 GMT -5
“It is,” I said, smiling wide. “You’re a very quick study.”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 15, 2008 23:33:54 GMT -5
I blushed a little at his praise, though I flashed him a smile even through it. "Thank you, Teo," I said, placing the book back on the shelf even as I glanced up at him.
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Post by teo on Apr 15, 2008 23:39:58 GMT -5
“You are very welcome, Aurianne,” I said, still smiling.
A book caught my eye and I reached around her, to reach the mottled blue cover.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 16, 2008 8:46:06 GMT -5
As he maneuvered to get a book, I took a half step to the side to make it easier, even though I'd silently liked the closer stance it had brought. Turning just a little made it easier for me to browse the books, and left me open still to him and conversation. "Do you have a favorite author, Teo?" I asked, smiling as I glanced up from browsing the books.
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Post by teo on Apr 16, 2008 9:29:33 GMT -5
I was a bit disappointed she’d moved, her closeness had felt nice.
“No,” I said, shaking my head slightly as I looked at the book in my hand. “I don’t read enough to have developed one. What about you?”
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 16, 2008 13:25:16 GMT -5
"I don't have one either," I replied, glancing at him as I selected a small, thin book. I thought mayhap that one wouldn't cost as much; I wanted to add to my collection, but I didn't have much to spend on it, and knew too that books were expensive. "I've managed to exhaust the few novels I have at Camellia, and came to look for more."
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Post by teo on Apr 16, 2008 18:38:54 GMT -5
Chuckling, I glanced around us at the stacks of books.
"I think we've both come to the right place if we are looking for books," I said. I put the blue book back, it seemed like aromance from what I'd scanned. "Where you looking for a certain type of story?"
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 16, 2008 21:41:00 GMT -5
I looked at him, flashing a grin before looking to the books again. "No type in particular, really... just something I wouldn't get bored with after reading it two dozen times."
One caught my eye and I leaned towards him a little as I stretched to get it.
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Post by teo on Apr 16, 2008 21:44:02 GMT -5
A bit reluctantly, I moved out of her way as she had mine. She likely preferred her space.
“Two dozen times is a lot of reading for one book,” I commented with a smile.
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Post by Aurianne nó Hughes on Apr 16, 2008 22:07:26 GMT -5
My fingers slipped over the binding of the book as he stepped back, echoing what I'd done a moment before. I wasn't sure if he was returning the courtesy, but I silently wished he'd stayed closer. "It is; I've only managed to hit that number with one of my books," I agreed as I took the book, looking up at him with a smile that held the barest hint of flirtatiousness in it. "My mother gave it to me when I left Alyssum to become an adept of Camellia."
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