HOME | DD

Description

After the initial tense moment, Rai found the bookstore to be quite relaxingly neutral. To put it into one word, the place gave off the feeling of contentment. In the half hour that Rai browsed through the store while she waited for any update from Miu and Asuga, other customers would trickle in to peruse through the multitude of books that the store had to offer. They meandered about, as she did, through volumes of books. There was no haste in their movements but neither was there lethargy. They simply moved by at their own pace.

With a small sigh, Rai placed back another book that she had skimmed through. While she’d gone to the History section of the store to see if she could glean some knowledge in regards to New Luxerion, she had run into a little bit of setback. The problem was not the lack of information per say, quite the opposite as there were so many books that Rai was unsure of where to start.

It was in her moment of pandering that the bookseller from earlier, Cain, found her.

“Everything okay here?” Cain inquired, wearing the same disarming smile he had presented before. He was carrying a couple of books which he carefully placed into a nearby bookshelf.

Rai nodded and gestured to the row of books she was browsing, “Everything’s alright. I was simply looking through some of these.”

“Ah, History. One of my personal favorites. If you don’t mind me asking, is there anything specific you’re looking for? Maybe I can be of help with some recommendations.”

Rai thought about it for a moment before she spoke. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from the front desk,” she replied, remembering that Cain was working alone.

Cain waved off a hand, “Ah no worries at all. It’s my job and pleasure to help customers. Plus, one of my coworkers clocked in so she’s manning the front desk right now.”

Rai inclined her head at the offer, “Well, if you’re sure. To be honest, I’m fairly new to New Luxerion so I thought of doing a little reading on its history.”

Rai turned to Cain to see his face beaming radiantly.

“Oh New Luxerion is definitely chock full of interesting information. In fact, it was first called Lumenstadt and started off as a small fishing town. However, because of its geographical features it began to thrive as a central area for trade and from that came opportunities for business, economic, and technological growth. Lumendstadt was renamed New Luxerion during the latter part of the 18th century during the First Industrial Revolution. That’s where things really kicked off and-”

Rai could simply watch as Cain continued to pour forth historic details, his hands gesturing around as he spoke animatedly. There was excitement in his eyes akin to a scholar who had just made an unprecedented breakthrough in their field of study. A small smile tugged at the edges of Rai’s face as she watched the raw passion emanating from the bookseller.

It took perhaps another minute or so before Cain noticed the small smile that Rai wore before he immediately stopped talking and let out a nervous chuckle. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to blabber so much and all, I tend to lose myself when it comes to little trivias like this,” Cain scratched at what Rai figured was a slanted scar near Cain’s left brow.

“Nonsense.” Rai replied, causing Cain to meet her eyes. “There’s no shame in being passionate about something, especially one regarding knowledge, Cain”

“I… Thank you, miss Edelweiss,”

“Please, call me Rai. No need to be so formal.”

At Cain’s nod, Rai spoke again, “Would you happen to know more about more modern or recent information regarding New Luxerion as well? I would like to familiarize myself with those as well and could use some help or recommendations.”
Another smile and Cain nodded, “It will be my honor to help, Rai.”

—

    Another half hour of pleasant conversation passed by in a comfortable blur as Cain and Rai, the latter content to listen closely as Cain answered Rai’s inquiries. True to his word, Cain proved to be just as knowledgeable with New Luxerion’s more modern aspects, ranging from topics such as the different business sectors of the city to popular landmarks. Rai would occasionally shoot some questions to which Cain did his best to answer.

    A fleeting thought passed through Rai’s mind, how with the resources at her disposal, she could have easily commissioned information gathering in Regards to New Luxerion. However, Rai couldn’t help but prefer the way that Cain discussed topics than simply reading through piles of reports.

    Cain would suggest books, occasionally pulling out some and pointing to certain questions that had to do with Rai’s questions. By the end of their conversation. Rai found herself holding a number of books that Cain personally recommended as they walked through the front desk.

    It was as the books were being checked out that a notification pinged from Rai’s phone. Fishing it out of her pocket, she glanced at the screen to see a message from Miu and Asuga as well as a nearby meeting spot. The girl at the counter, Elvira if Rai remembered correctly, smiled as she finished placing the books in paper bags and handing them to Rai.

    Nodding her thanks to Elvira, Rai turned to Cain and said, “Thank you again for everything. I really appreciate the books and the help for earlier”

    Cain smiled and waved a hand, “Always happy to help someone, especially with book recommendations,” He pursed his lips a moment before adding, “Will you be alright?”

    “My friends are nearby to pick me up so I should be quite alright.” Rai thought for a moment before she offered a hand to Cain, “It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cain”

    Cain blinked before he reached out and shook Rai’s extended hand, “You as well, Rai. If you ever need any more book recommendations, our doors are always open.”

With a nod and one last smile, Rai turned and walked out the doors.

—

Meeting up with Miu and Asuga didn’t take too long. Rai entered into a waiting Lincoln Navigator, passing one of the bags she carried to Asuga who took it carefully. After she’d seated herself, the car started to drive off and Rai noticed a slight cut on Asuga’s clothing.
“What happened?”

It was Miu who answered, seated at the front beside the driver.

“We did as you asked and picked up the trail of those who stalked you. Definitely not human. We didn’t even realize they were on to us following them until they turned and fought us after we followed them to an empty alleyway.”

Rai raised an eyebrow at that. Miu and Asuga were nigh undetectable when they wanted to be under the radar. “And how did the fight go?” Rai asked

Asuga replied this time, “It was mostly the taller one that did the most of the fighting. He was fast and managed to swipe at me. As for what he is, I’d recognize the stench of a Hihi anywhere.”

That would explain the tall frame and deep and unnatural voice then, Rai thought to herself. “And how did the fight go?”

“The Hihi definitely wanted to fight some more, but the moment Asuga and I started to focus on the weaker of the two, the smaller of the two thought it better to retreat. I couldn’t see exactly what he did, but he brought something out and crushed it in his hand. One moment they’re there, the next they’re gone.”

A magical artifact or bauble perhaps. Rai could feel the paper charm under her jacket and guessed it as something similar to that.

“Sorry we couldn’t glean more from them, boss,” Miu said.

Rai waved away Miu’s apologies. “You both did what you could, and I’d rather they escape than you two being harmed. If anything I should apologize for dragging you both out of your day off shopping.”

Asuga shrugged, “It’s fine. If anything, the fight was more exciting than having to put up with Miu going through twenty attires and not being able to pick”. Miu squawked at that and the twins descended into sibling squabble.

Rai could simply chuckle at the two and decided against pointing out that Asuga herself was much like her twin when it came to clothes shopping. The day off might not have gone as Rai expected it to, and while they did not have much information on who had been stalking her, the day was not at all unproductive. Her mind drifted back to the bookstore and she fished out one of the books she purchased.

Opening the book, she tuned out the twin’s bickering as she began to acquaint herself more with New Luxerion’s history.

Description

After the initial tense moment, Rai found the bookstore to be quite relaxingly neutral. To put it into one word, the place gave off the feeling of contentment. In the half hour that Rai browsed through the store while she waited for any update from Miu and Asuga, other customers would trickle in to peruse through the multitude of books that the store had to offer. They meandered about, as she did, through volumes of books. There was no haste in their movements but neither was there lethargy. They simply moved by at their own pace.

With a small sigh, Rai placed back another book that she had skimmed through. While she’d gone to the History section of the store to see if she could glean some knowledge in regards to New Luxerion, she had run into a little bit of setback. The problem was not the lack of information per say, quite the opposite as there were so many books that Rai was unsure of where to start.

It was in her moment of pandering that the bookseller from earlier, Cain, found her.

“Everything okay here?” Cain inquired, wearing the same disarming smile he had presented before. He was carrying a couple of books which he carefully placed into a nearby bookshelf.

Rai nodded and gestured to the row of books she was browsing, “Everything’s alright. I was simply looking through some of these.”

“Ah, History. One of my personal favorites. If you don’t mind me asking, is there anything specific you’re looking for? Maybe I can be of help with some recommendations.”

Rai thought about it for a moment before she spoke. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from the front desk,” she replied, remembering that Cain was working alone.

Cain waved off a hand, “Ah no worries at all. It’s my job and pleasure to help customers. Plus, one of my coworkers clocked in so she’s manning the front desk right now.”

Rai inclined her head at the offer, “Well, if you’re sure. To be honest, I’m fairly new to New Luxerion so I thought of doing a little reading on its history.”

Rai turned to Cain to see his face beaming radiantly.

“Oh New Luxerion is definitely chock full of interesting information. In fact, it was first called Lumenstadt and started off as a small fishing town. However, because of its geographical features it began to thrive as a central area for trade and from that came opportunities for business, economic, and technological growth. Lumendstadt was renamed New Luxerion during the latter part of the 18th century during the First Industrial Revolution. That’s where things really kicked off and-”

Rai could simply watch as Cain continued to pour forth historic details, his hands gesturing around as he spoke animatedly. There was excitement in his eyes akin to a scholar who had just made an unprecedented breakthrough in their field of study. A small smile tugged at the edges of Rai’s face as she watched the raw passion emanating from the bookseller.

It took perhaps another minute or so before Cain noticed the small smile that Rai wore before he immediately stopped talking and let out a nervous chuckle. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to blabber so much and all, I tend to lose myself when it comes to little trivias like this,” Cain scratched at what Rai figured was a slanted scar near Cain’s left brow.

“Nonsense.” Rai replied, causing Cain to meet her eyes. “There’s no shame in being passionate about something, especially one regarding knowledge, Cain”

“I… Thank you, miss Edelweiss,”

“Please, call me Rai. No need to be so formal.”

At Cain’s nod, Rai spoke again, “Would you happen to know more about more modern or recent information regarding New Luxerion as well? I would like to familiarize myself with those as well and could use some help or recommendations.”
Another smile and Cain nodded, “It will be my honor to help, Rai.”

—

    Another half hour of pleasant conversation passed by in a comfortable blur as Cain and Rai, the latter content to listen closely as Cain answered Rai’s inquiries. True to his word, Cain proved to be just as knowledgeable with New Luxerion’s more modern aspects, ranging from topics such as the different business sectors of the city to popular landmarks. Rai would occasionally shoot some questions to which Cain did his best to answer.

    A fleeting thought passed through Rai’s mind, how with the resources at her disposal, she could have easily commissioned information gathering in Regards to New Luxerion. However, Rai couldn’t help but prefer the way that Cain discussed topics than simply reading through piles of reports.

    Cain would suggest books, occasionally pulling out some and pointing to certain questions that had to do with Rai’s questions. By the end of their conversation. Rai found herself holding a number of books that Cain personally recommended as they walked through the front desk.

    It was as the books were being checked out that a notification pinged from Rai’s phone. Fishing it out of her pocket, she glanced at the screen to see a message from Miu and Asuga as well as a nearby meeting spot. The girl at the counter, Elvira if Rai remembered correctly, smiled as she finished placing the books in paper bags and handing them to Rai.

    Nodding her thanks to Elvira, Rai turned to Cain and said, “Thank you again for everything. I really appreciate the books and the help for earlier”

    Cain smiled and waved a hand, “Always happy to help someone, especially with book recommendations,” He pursed his lips a moment before adding, “Will you be alright?”

    “My friends are nearby to pick me up so I should be quite alright.” Rai thought for a moment before she offered a hand to Cain, “It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cain”

    Cain blinked before he reached out and shook Rai’s extended hand, “You as well, Rai. If you ever need any more book recommendations, our doors are always open.”

With a nod and one last smile, Rai turned and walked out the doors.

—

Meeting up with Miu and Asuga didn’t take too long. Rai entered into a waiting Lincoln Navigator, passing one of the bags she carried to Asuga who took it carefully. After she’d seated herself, the car started to drive off and Rai noticed a slight cut on Asuga’s clothing.
“What happened?”

It was Miu who answered, seated at the front beside the driver.

“We did as you asked and picked up the trail of those who stalked you. Definitely not human. We didn’t even realize they were on to us following them until they turned and fought us after we followed them to an empty alleyway.”

Rai raised an eyebrow at that. Miu and Asuga were nigh undetectable when they wanted to be under the radar. “And how did the fight go?” Rai asked

Asuga replied this time, “It was mostly the taller one that did the most of the fighting. He was fast and managed to swipe at me. As for what he is, I’d recognize the stench of a Hihi anywhere.”

That would explain the tall frame and deep and unnatural voice then, Rai thought to herself. “And how did the fight go?”

“The Hihi definitely wanted to fight some more, but the moment Asuga and I started to focus on the weaker of the two, the smaller of the two thought it better to retreat. I couldn’t see exactly what he did, but he brought something out and crushed it in his hand. One moment they’re there, the next they’re gone.”

A magical artifact or bauble perhaps. Rai could feel the paper charm under her jacket and guessed it as something similar to that.

“Sorry we couldn’t glean more from them, boss,” Miu said.

Rai waved away Miu’s apologies. “You both did what you could, and I’d rather they escape than you two being harmed. If anything I should apologize for dragging you both out of your day off shopping.”

Asuga shrugged, “It’s fine. If anything, the fight was more exciting than having to put up with Miu going through twenty attires and not being able to pick”. Miu squawked at that and the twins descended into sibling squabble.

Rai could simply chuckle at the two and decided against pointing out that Asuga herself was much like her twin when it came to clothes shopping. The day off might not have gone as Rai expected it to, and while they did not have much information on who had been stalking her, the day was not at all unproductive. Her mind drifted back to the bookstore and she fished out one of the books she purchased.

Opening the book, she tuned out the twin’s bickering as she began to acquaint herself more with New Luxerion’s history.