[D4 LA] The Book Lovers

[Tiffani]

Tiffani barely stifled a giggle - perhaps it was the absurdity of what she was seeing. It has only been less than a day and she had already seen so much that was odd to her scientific mind.

"Mr. Nibbles?" And she giggled again as she placed a hand over her mouth to try to choke them back. But ... they just came, and she couldn't help it. Amusement rolled off her in powerful waves.

"Sorry ... I'm terribly sorry, your majesty, but the name - it sounds like someone's pet hamster." She says this as she walks into the king's special room, her eyes all but bulging at the luxurious furnishings and, especially, the books.

"This place is absolutely amazing ..." She takes a spin around, taking in the entire room. "Oh, my tea. Right. Um ... just sugar, thanks."

[Jason Whitt]

Mr. Nibbles responded, “I assure you madame, we are not pets nor are we hamsters whatever such things are.”

He departed to see to their tea and the rest of the Hollow.

Jason took a seat and said, “Thank you for the kind words, it is a labor of love. So tell me a little more about yourselves, I regret I do not often get to socialize with other members of the Freehold my business and duties often keep me busy.”

“Sometimes, too busy.”

[Tiffani]

Tiffani settled into one of the large chairs and wriggled around a bit before she leaned her head back against the plush apholstery. A feeling of relaxation permeated the air around her as she settled in, feeling almost a bit soporific. It was a struggle to keep her eyes open. Usually so full of youthful energy that she can barely sit still, she now fell into a state of calm relaxation.

"Mmmmm," she purred. "Is there anything specific you'd like to know, your majesty? I cannot say my life has been overly exciting. Even my time in Arcadia was better than what most experienced - at least from what I've heard so far."

She shrugged a bit and said, "I'm from Bedfordshire, UK, but you might have figured that out already. I ... don't mean to sound conceited but I graduated high school at sixteen and was supposed to start at MIT in the spring, but, well, I never made it there. I used to study particle physics and quantum mechanics. In fact, it was that knowledge that allowed me to understand that ... I wasn't in England anymore."

Then she pauses, allowing the king to ask whatever question he wishes - should he have any. She never quite knew how to approach the topic of her own self. She never felt like anyone would be truly interested, so she allowed the king to take the conversation in his own direction - or for Chantelle to speak to her own life.

[Chantelle Rossette]

Chantelle would remain respectfully quiet, having come to support Tiffani, and not wanting to distract from the young woman’s needs. To better accommodate her strangely shaped legs, the egret tucked them up beside her in the plush chair, neatly arranging her skirt so not a claw or a flash of skin could be seen.

[Jason Whitt]

“MIT is a rather prestigious institution, I went to a small college outside in upstate New York, Fair Weather Liberal College, an all boys college back when such a thing was in vogue. You must be a rather brilliant person, Tiffani, and will be an asset to any Court,” he said kindly.

“And what of the kindly songbird?” he said to Chantelle, “I find the courtiers of Spring to be fascinating.”

[Chantelle Rossette]

A little shy, “I wen’ to college where I grew up, in Lake Charles. It was my parents’ idea, I don’ tink it ‘elped any It was jus’ goo’ timing dat Gabriel—uh, my boss—was lookin’ fo’ a singa righ’ abou’ when I graduate’.”

[Jason Whitt]

A little shy, “I wen’ to college where I grew up, in Lake Charles. It was my parents’ idea, I don’ tink it ‘elped any It was jus’ goo’ timing dat Gabriel—uh, my boss—was lookin’ fo’ a singa righ’ abou’ when I graduate’.”

"So what brought you to Minuit then?" he asked.

[Chantelle Rossette]

The egret shrank a little, becoming more nervous, “dat was Gabriel. ‘E need a singa fo’ ‘is club, Lounge, an’ mais, I came dow’ an’ audition fo’ ‘im, an’ de res’, as dey day, is ‘istory?” She have an uncertain little shrug of one shoulder, “dat was before, of course.”

[Jason Whitt]

"I am sure you are a lovely songstress," he said as he sipped his tea.

"If you wish to explore the library you may, or I could entertain with some poetry if that is preferable. I find the written word to be a loyal and constant companion in this chaotic and ever changing world."

[Tiffani]

Tiffani almost winced when Chantelle emphasized the word before. She was beginning to understand that they all had a before. Even the king. She figured that, perhaps, that is why the Changelings she has met so far have all been so kind - we were all kindred spirits.

She sat quietly in her chair for the time being, listening to Chantelle answer the king's questions. Tiffani was always interested in hearing the stories of other people - their lives, their pasts, how they came to be where they are in that exact moment in time. It always fascinated Tiffani from a probabalistic standpoint. The sheer number of tiny, seemingly insignificant choices we make throughout our lives that, collectively, shape our entire future. If someone leaves just ten seconds later than they planned, it could mean avoiding a fatal car accident - or miss meeting their future spouse by mere seconds. Or, it could be the reverse and the delay got the person killed ... or married.

Normally she wouldn't ask about a person's past. Especially another Changeling. No matter how badly she wished to. Yet she knew that too many secrets would keep a stranger nothing more than a stranger forever. She idly wondered how much Chantelle, Marcus, and Jack knew about each other - or was there just the pretense of friendship without the bonding and camaraderie?

Well, apparently the king wasn't all that curious about her - not that she really expected him to be - since he didn't ask her anything. Therefore, she closed her eyes and listened intently to the conversation.