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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on May 31, 2010 13:59:03 GMT -5
Fourth week of winter, Year two of Sabrina's reign
It didn’t take long before I went through every one of the books I had brought with me and found myself positively anxious without anything new to read. After a morning meeting to discuss an expansion onto the townhome of a Kusheline Lord, I made my way straight to the business sector and to the book store.
Closing the door behind me, I breathed deeply of the scents and felt my nerves begin to ease. A small smile touched my lips and I headed down the closest aisle, determined to purchase enough volumes to get me through several weeks.
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Post by Majia DiNiro on May 31, 2010 14:57:42 GMT -5
The Alban's do not possess magics that we need worry ourselves about dearest she had said. Mama was a very wise woman, and very strong, but she was reluctant to change, and from a people who call themselves teh oldest people to walk the earth, they must have some very old magics, even if they were wrong about that one little fact. I smiled wryly to myself as I entered the bookstore, the cloak I wore billowing out behind me from the force of the air that pushed past me as I pushed past the doorway. I would prove her wrong, and teach her much as I had taught her many other things that were deemed useful time and time again, even if her original assessment was that they were not.
And so with this in mind I stepped into the bookstore, closing my eyes for a brief moment to adjust. It was bright outside, eventhough it was overcast, and the bookstore was dimmer, warmer, more friendly than the frigid cold. Then again, I did not mind the frigid cold, the lonliness adn silence of it.
Focus... I took a deep breath, opened my eyes and walked further into the bookstore. I was not expecting there to be an isle that screamed MAGIC, for I doubt that would be terribly welcome, even in Terre d'Ange, but there must have been something in the philosophical readings section. And so I ventured in that way. The store seemed rather empty, save for a soul I could hear who's steps denoted it was a she. I walked past the isle that she (indeed) was standing in, to the isle opposite her. The first activity which was my utmost favourite was magic, my second was reading, and my third was people watching. This combined all three in one venue and I had to say that I was terribly amused by it. As I searched through the tomes, I peeked through the cracks at the woman in the other isle.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on May 31, 2010 15:06:10 GMT -5
A cold sweep of air around my ankles told me the door had opened to let someone else in, but I was too intent on the section of books in front of me to look up. I'd found the scientific books and was in a state of joy at just how many new ones there were. I'd already started a pile on the empty end of a shelf.
Having decided on a book on minerals over one on winter plants, I made to add it to the pile but misjudged and let the book drop to the floor with a dull thud. I looked around then to see if there was anyone I had disturbed and noticed an unusual woman in the next aisle.
"Pardon me," I said softly and inclined my head in apology as I retrieved the book and added it carefully to my stack.
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Post by Majia DiNiro on May 31, 2010 15:13:29 GMT -5
A book was dropped. I did not jump, for I had seen the whole chain reaction in motion. However, I was not expecting her to set eyes on me. I smiled, either way, cocking my head to the side. "Not to worry," I said with a smile, "these places are often so quiet anyways. Tehy need a burst of sound once in a while, keeps the bookkeeper awake," I said as I winked at her. "You may find it more appropriate to apologize to the book instead," I teased.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on May 31, 2010 15:23:55 GMT -5
My mood buoyed by the wealth of literature around me, I smiled at her jest.
"Indeed, that would seem more appropriate," I said with a chuckle. I patted the book lightly. "I wll make sure it gets a prime table location at home."
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Post by Majia DiNiro on May 31, 2010 16:13:16 GMT -5
"Ah I am sure it would be very pleased with that," I said wtih a smile and a soft chuckle, too. "What sort of book was the victim?" I asked, "if you don't mind me prying." I could have concentrated to figure that out on my own, but I was enjoying this little discussion we had going.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 1, 2010 0:54:30 GMT -5
“A book on minerals,” I answered. “I suppose that would make it more able to withstand being dropped than the plant book I was considering.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 1, 2010 8:36:31 GMT -5
Minerals... now what would such a prettly little thing be doing bothering herself with minerals. needless to say, I was intrigued now, and I smiled. "Oh, most definitely. Rocks and stones and minerals, as it were, withstand far more abuse than flora," I mused. "And perhaps...," I murmured, coming over to her side, via the normal route of walking around teh shelves, "I should take a look at some of these," I thought more outloud to myself. They would be helpful, knowing the properties of things in order to use them. I looked to her after scnaning the shelf briefly, smiling. I curtsied shortly, dipping before standing upright. "My name is Majia, and I think I am far more glad to make your acquaintance than that book," I teased with a lighthearted smile.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 1, 2010 15:04:30 GMT -5
“Books that end up in my possession had best be able to handle a little dropping,” I said with a chuckle. “They all get well read and well traveled, so perhaps it is best that I test them now before I purchase them.” I smiled and curtseyed politely. “I’m Tabitha.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 2, 2010 8:23:56 GMT -5
"Tabitha," I said outloud, "that is a lovely name. And your logic is quite sound. A guarantee of sorts," I smiled. "So why minerals?" I asked, intrigued at what sort of woman she might be.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 2, 2010 23:30:54 GMT -5
“I am an architect by trade,” I answered. “I am always seeking new material that explains the strengths, weaknesses, and possible uses of minerals and the stones they constitute.” I took the book from the pile and opened it to a section I had been looking at before. “See here, this part is all on the veining in marble and just what can be expected with each variation.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 4, 2010 9:13:09 GMT -5
An architect by trade I mused to myself with a smile. "I wonder if the book discusses the uses of the different materials in other cultures," I murmured, glancing at the page she held open for me to see. I wondered if my inquiry was too far into the archaeological, social side of science, "and their scientific properties." I looked on the shelf, glancing over the books before coming back to the one she held.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 4, 2010 19:07:06 GMT -5
“If this one doesn’t, I know there are others that do,” I said, replacing the book on the stack. “I have several that discuss the subject. In certain cultures one must only use certain stone for homes, and another for any building with government functions.” I gave her a smile. “If you are ever interested in those discussions, you are welcome to look through my volumes before investing in one yourself.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 5, 2010 7:48:12 GMT -5
I nodded, smiling. "That sounds rather intriguing and lovely. I may have to hold you to that offer, Tabitha. My interest is mainly in ritual and holy places," I explained. "Although depending on the culture, government might fit into those places as well," I pondered further on it, "seeing as they are one of the most ritualistic groups of people there can be, if you think about it."
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 5, 2010 13:25:19 GMT -5
“Very true,” I agreed with a smile. “And many are more secretive and hard to comprehend than any holy group.”
“Hmm, I think I may have seen something along the line of what you were interested in…” I took a couple steps back down the aisle in the direction I had already scoured. “Ah ha!” I said, plucking a volume from the shelf.
“Here it is.” I offered her the blue leather bound book. “Wood and Rock and Magic. It appeared to be on the very topic.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 5, 2010 19:54:48 GMT -5
I watched as she walked away, an amused smile on my lips when she came back with a blue covered volume, handing it over to me. I raised my brows as I turned it over in my hands, felt its energy. She was right, it was perfect.
"This, will do perfectly, actually," I said as I turned it back over to look at the cover, to feel the warmth of it in my hands. I looked up at Tabitha and wondered, myself, if she might have ever dabbled in the arts. Then again, magic was often rather scientific, and she seemed the scientific sort. "This is exactly what I need," I smiled at her, holding the book in my hand as I let my arm drop to my side. "Thank you for your wisdom! And thank the gods for the blessed memory to remember having seen this," I grinned.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 7, 2010 1:33:56 GMT -5
“I remember everything I see in print,” I told her with a smile. “I am very glad to know that is what you wanted. Were you looking for anything else?”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 7, 2010 5:41:15 GMT -5
I smiled. She was quite the intelligent little lady. Her words sparked my memory, and i had to remind myself to stop dropping my focus. "Yes actually. Something on Alban lore, culture, beliefs, religious practices, ritual and the like," I explained, then chuckled. "I think you might run this bookstore better than the man out front," I said, nodding in his direction. He seemed to be a little off in the clouds, sitting behind the counter.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 7, 2010 20:46:10 GMT -5
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “If I’d had time to peruse all the stacks, I could point you in the direction of the other book you seek,” I told her. “I guess for now the owner is still the best authority of his stock.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 8, 2010 9:33:51 GMT -5
"Perhaps," I said smiling, "but that was where I had headed to when I walked in and witnessed the assault of the book," I grinned. "I suppose you could say I got distracted. But," I said with a smile, letting her know I did not think ill of her for it, "it was well worth the distraction."
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 8, 2010 14:36:39 GMT -5
"I am happy to hear I was not a complete rift in your day," I said with a chuckle.
A thought struck me and I asked, "I was going to have lunch after I was done here, would you care to join me?"
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 8, 2010 16:18:13 GMT -5
Her invite made me smile and I nodded. "Most definitely, I would be more than happy to join you," I said withi a grin. "Where did you have in mind?"
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 9, 2010 15:17:48 GMT -5
“I hadn’t settled on anywhere in particular,” I replied, pleased that she’d accepted. She seemed an interesting person and I looked forward to more conversations with her. “Is there anywhere you can recommend?”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 11, 2010 10:15:16 GMT -5
"Well I had not thought of anywhere in particular, but how about Cachette? It is closeby and their food is rather nice. Plus, I've a bit of a sweet tooth and they have delicious pastries," I added with a grin.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 12, 2010 21:22:52 GMT -5
“That sounds perfect,” I replied. “I have never been there but I’ve heard good things about them.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 12, 2010 22:03:48 GMT -5
"Great," I smiled. "However, I do just want to do one little thing before we go, if that is alright."
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 13, 2010 21:53:35 GMT -5
“Of course,” I said, smiling. “I want to find a couple more books and then pay for these before we go.”
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 14, 2010 10:39:57 GMT -5
"Excellent, I had the same in mind," I said as I nodded. "I will be back," I flashed her a smile and walked to the isle I had been in before. Hoping not to draw attention to myself, and to make quick work of finding this book, I closed my eyes, and pictured my pendent, swinging like a pendulum, in perfectly synched time. It swayed, left to right, then in a full circle as I concentrated on finding the book that I wanted. I knew it was here somewhere. The pendent pointed finally, to the right, behind me. I opened my eyes and went to the direction, finding the book perfectly. I smiled at myself as I flipped quickly through the pages. A book on Alban lore and magics. Perfection.
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Post by Tabitha d'Armel (R) on Jun 15, 2010 1:28:25 GMT -5
While she was gone, I found four more books I wanted and then carried the whole stack up to the counter. While the owner was making the tally, I glanced around to see if she was done.
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Post by Majia DiNiro on Jun 15, 2010 9:38:52 GMT -5
I walked towards the front desk and saw that she was already there, waiting. The woman was very quick! My brows shot up a fraction before settling to their usual resting place. I smiled warmly as I set my book down. "Well you are a quick one," I commented, teasinly, with a smile, while the shopkeep wrote up my bill. I pulled the required coin from my purse and handed it to the man, who counted and deposited it with a smile.
"Alright, let's go!" I said enthusiastically as I walked towards the front door.
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