[D4 LA] The Book Lovers

[Chantelle Rossette]

With Biblios open again, and a promise to keep to a certain young woman, Chantelle had brought Tiffani to the hall of the autumn King, or, his bookshop anyway. About to step up onto the porch, she gave the young woman a reassuring smile, “ready?”



(( The Book Lovers - Broadcast ))

[Tiffani]

Tiffani looked this way and that, her eyes drinking in everything she was able to see, her mind taking note of every detail. Except ... there was one thing wrong or, at least, one thing she perceived to be wrong.

"Yes, I'm ready ... but ... it's a bookstore ...?" She gives Chantelle a questioning look. "A king hangs out in an old bookstore?"

[Chantelle Rossette]

Amused, “I tol’ you ‘e was an odd one. De Summa king, ‘e’s a barba, if I recall.” Chantelle offered Tiffani her hand, and led her inside.

[Tiffani]

Tiffani follows along, but trails just slightly as she continues looking at everything. She was filled with so much curiosity that she felt she would drown in it. Certainly, it was a bookstore. She had been to many of those and so that much wasn't particularly interesting. What was interesting was the fact that a king resided here. Well, a king of sorts, she supposed.

Granted, there were no castles and armored knights on horseback. No trumpeters announcing their arrival with fanfare, no pompous and annoying butlers that always managed to sound as if they're talking down their noses at you. No giggling ladies-in-waiting ... she always wondered what ladies-in-waiting were waiting for exactly ...

... and Tiffani's mind began to wander as it often did, a myriad of subjects and questions flitting through her brain faster than she could answer them. It didn't take long before she almost forgot where she was. Right, the king ... do I look okay? She doubted that. She probably looked like some kind of street urchin. Eventually she needed new clothes, but truly she detested most of the fashions in this time period - but she would find somewhere ... the king, dammit. She scolded herself for losing focus yet again.

Instead, she concentrated only on Chantelle's hand over hers gently pulling her along.

[Jason Whitt]

The Autumn King smiled as he read from a book of poetry to gathered people during the grand opening. The poetry was dark and subtly erotic, original works that hint at the infinite and the existential questions and terrors that lie within our hearts, unsettling with a hint of the forbidden and arousing.

He bowed as he finished and was given light applause for his readings.

[Chantelle Rossette]

Chantelle’s wing feather rustled as she applauded politely. When the was an opening, she approached the King, offering a graceful little curtesy, suddenly realising she had no idea what honorific went his crown. “Mr. Whitt, your majesty,” she added in a lower voice, “my name Chantelle, an’ dis is Tiffani, she needs some ‘elp.”

[Tiffani]

Tiffani, really having no idea what sort of etiquette should be used in this situation, simply imitates Chantelle's curtsey by offering one of her own. She wanted to tell the king that he didn't need to go out of his way to help her, that she could manage, that she was truly beneath the notice of a king.

But all she said was, "Your majesty" as a polite acknowledgement.

[Jason Whitt]

"Ask and I shall see if I can help," he replied to the Lost.

[Chantelle Rossette]

Smiling, she nudged Tiffani, urging her to explain her situation to the King.

[Tiffani]

Tiffani doesn't say anything at first but rather tries to gather the king's emotional state - she certainly didn't wish to annoy him with the pesterings of a young girl. But when she felt it was safe to proceed, she takes a quick look around herself to make sure there were no evesdroppers nearby, then begins.

"Well, you see, your Highness, I've been gone from this world for three and a half decades ... like, I was taken in 1985 at the very end of the year. Anyway, to make matters worse, uh ... I'm from England." Her accent would have told you that much straight away. "Even if my parents are still alive somewhere, I can't very well show up at their door as I am now when I should be 50 years old. I mean, they wouldn't believe me anyway, and it would be unfair to throw their lives into turmoil now. I am certain they have already ... laid me to rest."

She gives a look toward Chantelle, hoping she isn't mucking this up. But her attention quickly returns to the king.

"No matter. I guess the bottom line is that I have nowhere to go and I'm stuck in America - not that I really want to return to England given the circumstances. Except ... I don't know how I'm going to survive as a person who is probably officially dead in a country I'm living in illegally and to top it all off I'm not all that old so I doubt anyone would hire me. I mean, they might, but probably not."

She swallows - hard enough for it to be noticeable. She all but oozes apprehension.

"And ... I'm interested in joining your court." This last came out in a rush, the words jammed together as if she couldn't say them fast enough. "If you'll have me."