Chapter Four Hundred and Six - Bookmouse
Chapter Four Hundred and Six - Bookmouse
I cant believe that just... worked, Amaryllis said.
Really? I asked. Did you think wed have trouble?
We were walking along the sidewalk. It was actually a bit past mid-day, and I suspected that a number of the people on the road were off from work already. Hopefully the bookstore wouldnt be closed when we got to it.
Broccoli, we almost always get into some sort of trouble, Amaryllis said.
Not... uh... hmm, I said. Okay, maybe, but we never faced any trouble that we couldnt handle.
Because of luck, Amaryllis said.
No, because of the magic of friendship, I replied.
She rolled her eyes. I think wed had this exact debate once, and Amaryllis was adamant that there was no such thing, and that if there was, then, someone from a magicless world like me would certainly not be able to prove it.
I think that was refreshing, Awen said. Um, not having to fight, or run away, or sneak out, or blow up a wall or something to escape.
Did nya ever have to blow up a wall to get outta something? Calamity asked.
Not yet, I said.
Yet? Caprica repeated.
I considered it for a while, then looked at Awen. Could you? I asked her.
Awen blinked back, caught a bit flat-footed by the question. Blow up a wall? Um ... hm. I'm a Mechanic, not a Demolitionist. I mean... maybe I could? I made explosive arrowheads for my bolts, I guess, but thats not the same thing.
I turned back to Caprica. Its basically inevitable, I said.
You know, my intentions when leaving home were to see more of the world and to accelerate my advancement. Not so much to do crime in literally every place we visit.
We didnt do any crime in Codswood, Calamity said.
Oh... so we didnt. I stand duly corrected, Caprica said magnanimously.
We chatted about this and that and not much at all as we continued down the road. I noticed a lot of eyes glancing our way, but we werent even the only group from Mitytea Academy, so we didnt stand out that much. Besides, of all the places Id visited, Inkwren was one of the ones with the greatest variation in species present. All the big ones were around in decent numbers, harpy and sylph and grenoil and cervid and of course lots of humans, seeing as we were so close to the western side of the continent.
But there were dwarves and elves and more mousefolk, and some ostri people too. Not to mention catfolk and buns and even some drolls and some people whose race Id never seen before, but I didnt have time to stop and gawk.
We did have to stop and ask for directions, and I chose to ask a very nice walking flowerpot. The bonsai-like tree above it pointed to an intersection a bit further down with a branch and I thanked it kindly before heading that way with my friends.
I had a certain image in mind for what Pecorinas bookstore would look like. It would be something like the homes around us, all brick and mortar, maybe in the basement of an apartment building. Something tight and cozy and warm, with lots of books and an owner that loved to read.
Instead, Pecorinas was its own building. It was jammed in between a butchers shop and a small store that seemed to sell candies and pastries, but the bookshop was so large that it looked ready to burst, like it was only the brick and stone that made up the building keeping it from exploding out onto the street.
No, I mean that literally. Hes, uh, about thirty paces long. Not counting his tail. Big wings. Claws. I dont know if he can breathe fire?
Pecorina blinked a few times. And this Booksie friend of yours is... about your own size, give or take?
Yeah, about, I agreed. Why?
Pecorina shook her head. No, nevermind, she said. Lets just find something suitable for your friend. Pecorinas book continued floating into the maze-like stacks at the back of the store.
Pecorinas selection of books was as vast as it was eclectic, with ancient, dusty tomes slotted in next to shiny new books. All the paper and leather around us did a great job of muffling the noise, though the floor did creak, but it was less a dangerous creaking and more the comfortable sound of an old home settling in place.
Your friend sounds a little difficult to shop for, but I think I have an idea of something she might enjoy. Its a book that Ive never quite been able to find a buyer for. The Art of Being Majestic. By Shemikholun Khlozing Paren Thesys.
Thats a mouthful of a name, I said.
Pecorina nodded. Theyre a rather famous anthropologist. A dragon one, of all things. They travelled the world, took notes about various cultures and peoples, then ate them. The... latter part is a little distasteful, admittedly.
Calamity snorted. Distasteful, heh.
Amaryllis swatted him with a wing. Thats interesting. A book written by a dragon, of all things.
There are a few copies floating around, but what I have is the original. His actual, unedited notebook which he kept with him on his travels and which he eventually gave to one of the Academies of Inkwren in order for them to turn it into a book.
That must be fantastically rare, Caprica said.
Its certainly unique. The contents of the book are interesting, though no more than the edited, more popular version. Its the books pedigree that makes it worthwhile.
I could almost hear the coins clinking together as the cost added up.
After a few twists and turns, Pecorina stopped in front of a locked glass cabinet. She rummaged in her pocket and withdrew a large (for her), antique key which she used to unlock the cabinet. Inside, carefully cradled on a plush pillow, lay a thick, leather-bound notebook.
It was the size of a bed.
Um, I said. The book was as wide as my armspan, and half a foot thick, though the pages looked particularly thick already. Thats a big book, I said.
Do you have any idea how much space this takes up? Pecorina said with a huff. Ive been trying to sell it for some time. Its too valuable to let go for nothing, but too cumbersome for most collectors.
Sounds expensive, Amaryllis said, sounding a bit guarded.
Pecorina smiled. I have cheaper options of course. But the price of this ones reasonable. Its--
Just as she was about to reveal the price, and as Amaryllis prepared to bargain, a loud crash echoed through the bookstore. We all turned towards the noise to see that a whole stack of books was spilling to the floor with a wash of old dust.
I almost covered my mouth against the dust before remembering my Cleaning magic and whisking it away.
Oh, not again, Pecorina grumbled. She waved, and a few books came flying up and around her. I had time to read one of their titles as it zipped by. A guide to Proactive Self-Defence. Then she paused and eyed us. How would you like a small discount? she asked. In exchange for a bit of easy ghost hunting?
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