Amy + Raoul Library Meeting

On the study table tucked between shelves of books a pile of tomes had steadily been growing. When the young Apprentice Kirin Tor Investigator had arrived she’d looked over the shelves, her tan colored coat and purple scarf trailed behind her as she wandered them till she located the book she desired. Another was quickly spotted and then yet another. This process was repeated several times and she had to dash back to the table twice to rest her findings there. Her arcane familiar ghosted along behind her and held a thick binder of papers that were laid out on the table when she finally pulled up the wooden chair to it. She stared hard at them now, one elbow on the table and her hand folded into a fist and tucked under her chin. Occasionally the quill in her other hand penned a few quick notes in her personal tome as something on the forms caught her eye. In the soft reading lights of the library her badge wasn’t as bright and the eye didn’t flash with as much sparkle against the khaki color of her long coat. Golden threads in her scarf smoldered under the light and her familiar stared in a bored fashion. These small details escaped her notice entirely; all of Amavia’s attention rested on the papers in front of her and were Khadgar himself to appear at her elbow she wouldn’t notice till spoken to.

He saw her as he was passing through the shelves, bright blue eyes wandering over her in faint recognition. He'd only met her once, so she was still difficult to spot in a crowd. The badge and the familiar were memorable though, and he smiled in her direction. Turning mid-pace, he nonchalantly moved down the aisle with a confident swagger as if he'd intended to go that way all along. A clean hand gently tapped her shoulder as he leaned in. "Hawkins," he greeted her, if it could be called that. It sounded more like he was acknowledging she was there. Still smiling, he straightened back up. One hand was in his pocket, books and manila folders tucked under his arm, and the other gave her a salute as soon as she was looking his way. Even if she never looked up however, he took a seat on the opposite side of the table from her and set down his papers. His clothing wasn't much different than when she saw him last. Another vest, another shirt- sleeves were all the way down this time and the vest was a darker brown but it was all very familiar. On his hand, the <3 ring shimmered even without a bright light. It seemed to desire its own attention, not unlike a pair of enchanted ruby shades.

Were it not for the tap she may not have even heard the quiet greeting of her name. With a movement so slight it was almost unnoticeable, she jerked away from his finger. Just a tiny lean in the opposite direction as she looked up at him. His voice wasn’t yet familiar to her but at the sight of chestnut colored hair and friendly smile the annoyed expression faded from her features. “Hello Raoul.” Gloved fingers - did she ever let her hands see the light of day?- came up and returned the salute. Neat stacks of books were rearranged and a quick eye could see that she’d ordered them alphabetically by title in their piles that were almost even in height. Space was made for his own things and she flashed him another smile and adjusted her scarf after everything was put how she liked it. “I left George a note in regards to the blood samples. Have you heard from him?” Though it was straight to business she looked in a good enough mood and was dressed much more for this sort of work today. Her coat fell to the tops of her knees but remained unbuttoned despite being belted around her waist. A cream colored shirt peeked from between the opening and though it was modestly cut it still showed an expanse of her tan skin that had been otherwise covered before. Were it not for the scarf, a light violet with patterned golden Eyes, the scars on her neck and collarbone would be visible. Thankfully the remained hidden as did the one on her thigh under the charcoal colored pants and mid calf leather boots she wore. She hardly looked a mage today and a part of her was giddy to be back to pants. Light, she had missed pants.

"He said our request would be processed at the lab and the samples would be delivered to us by the end of the week. Or we could go pick them up in a few days ourselves." He shrugged and tossed a manila envelope her way. It slid a short way on the table before bumping into her books and likely nudging it ever so slightly out of place. The manila paper was thick and durable, with a "Official Documents" stamped in bold letters of glittering gold ink. The twine through the reinforced loops on the flap was tied neatly. "I brought the student records, as well. Have any luck getting yours?"

“We should go in a few days then. I would like to see the lab myself.” The folder was set atop her papers from the binder her familiar had carried in for her. Books were quickly righted and she nodded. “It took some work but I was able to convince, con, and coerce the records I wanted. All but the ones for the inn under control of the Sunreavers. Not a very pleasant bunch.” She had spoken briefly to one of the guards for their sanctuary and were it not for her badge she was quiet certain the snooty sin’dorei would have given her a toss away from the entrance to their quarter. “I worked through the Ledgermain records already and noted anything that stood out to me.” The binder was closed and she carefully guided it across the table so as not to disturb anything else.

“Don't worry, they have even less patience for people like me." His smile turned from friendly to reassuring as they traded records, and he opened the binder with mild curiosity showing. "So we'll make a date for the lab in a few days, and..." Raoul glanced over the page a few times, trying to find what she had made notes with. He searched for highlights, underlines, stars, the like. "Most of the victims were of Alliance races, if not individual allegiance that we know of, so I'm inclined to believe whispers: that the perp is the same. Contact and approaching the victims would just be easier that way, you know? However, they had to have been someone that could at least get into the Sunreaver Sanctuary with clearance, unless their security is -just that lax-, which could explain why they don't want to share their records." He glanced back up to meet her pretty amber eyes.

Her eyes hadn’t left his face as he browsed the records for her neat little stars next to names of guests that stood out to her. Notations had been made in the margins and for the most part she had marked anyone that had checked in our out a few times over the course of time she had records for or was a mage. Any off the wall strange things would have been marked - any visitors of curious races noted. “If their security is that lax I have an idea. But I’m not sure you’ll care much for it.” A sparkle of mischief made her eyes more golden than amber and she glanced around for any eavesdroppers nearby. Finding no one within whispering range she leaned slightly over the table and spoke with a smile. “You know of the devices that can be used to create illusions to disguise your person to appear as another race? I was working on one for...personal uses but I’d cheerfully loan it to you as I’d make the worst sin’dorei. I can’t even speak a lick of thalassian.”

"It's not that difficult to learn." Raoul leaned forward, his elbows against the binder. "What are you scheming, Hawkins?"

“Maybe you can teach me sometime?” It’s a hopeful little question and she smiled at him to sweeten it. “But I was thinking one of us could use the disguise and try and acquire the records from the inn. I don’t think I have the kinks worked out to keep the illusion up terribly long but if we requested them and told them we’d be back shortly - or our partner would be - we could have enough time.”

"Sounds questionable-" He looked away and then back again, smirking devilishly. "Actually it sounds straight out illegal, but I think it's worth a shot. We'll need George's blessings, of course, just in case things go terribly wrong." A pause tried to sink in between them, but he refused to let it fill with silence. "Those thalassian lessons are starting to sound particularly favorable if that's what we're going with. Maybe we could discuss some over coffee once we get a divination tome?" It was his own turn to look hopeful. He hated libraries. Their wealth of knowledge could not make up for constantly being told to be silent. Studious he may have been, but he also enjoyed a good song or conversation to keep him sane, and that just wasn't feasible in a place like this.

“I think George may grin and make a witty quip about the beauties of Silvermoon. I think that man would be able to find a leper comely in at least one way.” Amavia giggled and winked, her hand pressed to her lips to stifle the sound and not incur the wrath of any librarians. “And yes please. I’ve never had a cup of coffee to be quite honest but I’d be willing to try it. Especially if it leads to a lesson in something so exciting.” His smirk and willingness to try her somewhat cracked idea had the girl grinning herself and she gave a little wave at the stacks of books she’d pulled out. “This pile-” She motioned to the one closest to him. “Looked the most promising to me. But I removed the others just in case. Did you find something you preferred? I noticed you had a book too.”

"The book is ah..." He shuffled the book quickly into his lap with a slightly-embarrassed smile. "The book is something for later. The folder here," he gestured quickly to the manila envelope, "is the real treat. I subpoenad a record of all expulsions and dishonorable dismissals from the Order over the last decade like you wanted. I'm afraid the requisition for dropouts is going to take a -wee- bit longer. Apparently there's enough names on THAT roster to fill this entire library. The clerks are getting it done though." He nodded, seeming just a little prouder of himself that he was not, and would never, be on that particular list.

Amy canted her head to the side but dropped the subject of the book. For now. Work was far more important than whatever made his lips quick into such a nervous expression for the moment. Her light purple gloves trailed over the manila folder and she smiled widely at him. “Raoul, I’m so delighted! This will be so exciting to peruse! I’m afraid I might get overly loud in my pleasure at it so let’s hurry and select a tome.” Eager hands wandered to the pile near him and she took the middle book out. ‘Seeing What’s Beyond You: Advanced Divination’ was the title and a scrying crystal was emblazoned in red gilt on the cover. “I liked this one best of all. I understand and can utilize basic divination skills but I think for this sort of magic we may need something more complicated than a bowl or water or a crystal ball. Or do you think we should check out several just in case?”

"I believe the library has a limit on how many books can be checked out. We'll split the responsibility if they do. Do you know which ones you want already?" He looked down to her pile of books and then to the one in her hands.

The one in her hands was stacked with three more from other various piles and she made a neat little group in front of her. “Do you want to carry the folder and the binder? I can get the books.” As she spoke she slid from the chair and pushed it back in beneath the table as she did. Her selected volumes would be too large of a burden for her satchel -which wasn’t even with her today, curious- but she could put the smaller two in the pockets of her coat at the least.

"Haha, how about the other way around?" He stood as well, brushing back his hair before extending the binder towards in her in an offer to trade. "I have my own book to carry anyway, after all." The mystery tome was tucked under his arm again, hiding the cover from her effectively.

Amber eyes narrowed curiously and she just stared at him a moment before she took the binder in hand. The folder followed it and she held them both to her chest as her arcane familiar swirled to get out of the way. “Ah, thanks. That’s really nice of you.” She peeked at her feet to hide the confused expression that flitted across her features and hugged the folders to her chest a little tighter.

"Just good old fashioned decency, I'm afraid." He smiled and took the burden from her without letting it falter. "Do you remember where the checkout desk is in this place? I swear there are damn near 100 stories in this place on my bad days."

“Follow me.” Good old fashioned decency? Maybe he was just a kind man and saw the best in others even when there was little of it. If his connection to Valerie was any indication of that she could be on to something. Her coat floated out from her thighs as she walked down one of the main aisles and took a sharp turn between two shelves. A checkout desk was at the end of the row and the clerk behind it wasn’t aiding anyone else. She only glanced once over her shoulder at him and smiled faintly as she continued in that direction.

He followed behind, keeping both pace and a respectful distance. His eyes wandered in a bored way, scanning the titles on the spines of books. It was clear he was resisting the urge to hum or whistle.

The librarian was a weathered old man who stared at them with watery blue eyes as they reached his desk. Various pens and quills were in a holder and he glanced at Amavia’s badge before motioning for the books. “Apprentices may take out two tomes at a time. Will you each be taking two or shall I put some on the cart for the guardians to shelve?” His tone dripped with annoyance at the idea these two impertinent youths would cause him to have to do such a thing and he was already sighing heavily at the idea. Such a burden. The girl peered at Raoul quickly and flashed a smile. “Still wish to split it?”

"-Indeed-." Raoul said the word in a curious, approving way as he set the books on the counter. "Oh, Hawkins- you didn't forget the card at the table, did you?" He arched a brow at her as he looked at the manila folder and binder in her hands.

“Card? I didn’t notice one! I’ll go check for it, I’m sorry!” What card? Her brow furrowed and she turned on heel and began to walk at a quick pace in the direction they came from. Her familiar stayed at the edge of the counter and reached up to rest his hands atop it. Glowing eyes barely made it over the edge and he openly stared at the wizened librarian who seemed to not even notice the creature.

He pretended to roll his eyes 'knowingly', as if she often did such things. However it was all in jest, as he knew there was no card. Instead he handed over the mystery tome first, then his one of the divination tomes. Once they were checked out and cleared in his name, he turned around and leaned his back against the desk. Arms were folded and he occasionally looked over the librarian with a short nod and a smile. "She'll be back in just a moment."

There was certainly no card! Amavia knelt on the floor and peeked beneath the table in her hunt for it. A rush of a memory filled her mind and she gave a quiet gasp as her hands braced themselves against the floor. The lab table and the sheet spilling off her. Bloodied sheet and blood on her body and pain flaring in the wounds as she’d slipped off the table and crouched just like this. Trying to find something another boy had misplaced. The color drained from her cheeks and she shook her head. Raoul must have the card. Better not to think on these things. He probably found it in his pocket as soon as she walked off. He hadn't meant it to hurt her so bad. Her pace back to the desk was slower than her initial brisk walk, hands shoved into the deep pockets of her coat. “I didn’t find the card. I’m sorry.” Eyes stayed on the wooden floor and she wet her lips nervously. Hopefully they could still check out what they needed without this mystery card.

"Oh right, it's in the manila folder." He patted her shoulder without really knowing why and tried to brighten the room with his own smile since hers seemed to have vanished. "I could have -sworn- you opened the envelope. Oh well. Here, I'm all done." He stepped out of the way then, allowing her to move forward and check out the other divination tomes.

Amavia blinked and did what was required of her to take the books out in her name. It made her smile to think that she could withdraw almost any of these volumes. There were so many she didn’t know if a person could read that much in a lifetime. Even a person as long lived as a night elf or a draenei! Once finished she added the two tomes to her pile of binder and manila foler and smiled slightly at Raoul. “Where to now?”

"There's a little coffee shop George took me to once, down by the Legerdemain. The building's a bit crowded, but it has a lovely terrace overlooking the Runeweaver Square. Sound good?" Without asking, he attempted to take the two tomes from her possession. He'd offered to carry the books, after all.

There was no effort to resist and she smiled and held the files close to her chest again. “You won’t be embarrassed that I don’t know what to order? Jeffrey takes his coffee hot and black or cold and black and neither ever looked any good to me.” She wrinkled her nose, an expression of playful distate on her face as she headed towards the exit of the library. “And I’d prefer to be outdoors. We’re having such nice weather that being cooped up makes me antsy.”

"Hot and black or cold and black. This Jeffrey guy's not much for variety, is he?" It was a playful jab and as far as he was willing to go on the matter right now. He had a lot to say after reading the dossier, but there was a time and place for such conversations- and a coffee house terrace on a beautiful day like today was not one of them. So distracted by the runaway train of thoughts, he almost walked right into the door. At the last moment he managed a charming save by turning and opening it for her. Unless someone had been watching the distant look in his eyes, they might have assumed that was his intention from the beginning.

“Well he does get rather set in his ways.” Her shoulders shrugged and fingertips dug into the edge of the folder. That distant look was reflected in her own eyes and she took a nervous swallow to banish whatever other words were forming on her tongue. She bumped against him as he turned, not a very hard movement and truly just her folded arms brushing against him quickly as she tried to recover her own grace and step inside. “Sorry! I was just thinking a moment about something. I can get rather wrapped up in my thoughts.” She glanced around the shop and gave him a nervous smile. “You will tell me what is delicious, won’t you?”

He smiled at her, but it wavered. "Of course, Hawkins. I can't be seen with someone drinking subpar coffee. You'd ruin my cred with the baristas."

“What’s a barista?” She tried out this new word, so foreign on her tongue, and smiled up at him. “Is that thalassian?” It sounded almost elvish.

He laughed despite himself, then cleared his throat and tried to give her a serious look. It didn't last very long though and he sighed, almost laughing again. "Oh boy. We've got a long way to go with you, Hawkins."