Is this book taken? (Demetrio, Kat)

[Demetrio Fortuna]

This situation was so very odd to him. Usually, when he wanted to read a book, Demetrio went to the library to check out a book, he actually preferred it that way. They slightly reminded him of his old home in Lisbon. The first deep breath, inhaling the slightly musty smell of books was familiar, comforting. Unknown to many, he loved reading, though he really didn’t have any specific genre he liked above all else, so sometimes getting books was hard.

Though this book series, this was different. He had read all the previous works at the library, but this new release had a waiting list. But perhaps that was one way to tell that he had come to enjoy a really good book series. It was ridiculous how many people wanted this book. That was the reason why he was out on a dreary day like this; fighting through the throng of people for a chance to get the book and loose himself in the story of that character, forget his own responsibilities for a time.

A certain light appeared in his eyes as he spotted the last copy of the book tucked away between two other ones. Careful not to hurt anyone, he actually smiled when he was in reaching distance. Demetrio could smell the sweet new book smell already and he longed to bury his nose in between the pages and let himself be transported to another world. It was odd at how ink on paper could bring a simple pleasure to one’s life, but it was one Demetrio was glad to indulge in.

Carefully, his hand reached for the book, fingers ready to curl around the edges, he only needed a few more seconds before the book was his.... he could only hope fate was on his side.

[Katyusha Chernenko]

велике спасибі Normally, Katyusha did not put much thought into literary trends. Normally, anything thicker than a biweekly magazine would lay forgotten under a pile of newspapers and letters. Normally, she spared so little time to read, being busy with both jobs. But these books... these books. People were talking about them. Her coworkers in the hospital, parents at the daycare, her patients... everyone. It was a series of adventures, following a bunch of kids since their early childhood into --currently, on the newest installment-- their teenage years. From what the nurse has heard, the series was remarkable with its portrayal about family, friendship and life in general. Now that piqued Katyusha's interest. What kind of story that made so many people liked it, braving to finish books thicker than their own pillow? The nationwide trend finally convinced Katyusha that purchasing the newest book would be worth it. She had listened enough conversations to know what happened in the earlier books. Too bad this decision did not come sooner, it manifested in a spur of a moment, and Katyusha regretted it. Today was the book's launching day and every bookstore around the city was as packed as can sardines. Maybe she should have ordered it online. But no. The Ukrainian woman wanted the book now, so by the end of her shift later she could go through one or two pages. She had to have it now. Katyusha pushed herself into the crowds gathered at the entrance, squeezing her way in. Which was not easy considering she's not thin enough to slip in unnoticed. Yet somehow she managed to do so, then quickly looking around for the book. The shop's staff directed the nurse to the shelves in the back of the store where she might find a copy. And indeed, among other books, she spotted one last copy seemingly hidden between two others. Katyusha dashed, placed her palm on the book's binding, only to find someone else's fingers touching hers. "I see it first, sir," she said after getting over her surprise.

MADE BY MINNIE OF BACK TO NEVERLAND

[Demetrio Fortuna]

”I see it first, sir.”

This woman was pretty, though he didn’t usually consider himself the type of male that fell for a pretty face. Through his life and his work, he had learned that even the prettiest faces could hide a heart as black as ravens feathers. He had seen many cases while in training of beautiful women who turned out to be assassins, leaving their unsuspecting pray dead through multiple ways, from poison to the fatal shot through the head. He wouldn’t give in because of a pretty face, but l niceness often begets niceness... or at least potential sympathy.

Pulling his hand back, he adjusted some hair behind his ear before nodding at her. He wanted the book, but there was no way he was going to fight for it. He couldn’t afford anything on his record with the position that he was in… it would have been possible if he had been put in the gangs or something of the sort… but a dancer at the casino? It would be best to only draw the sort of attention he needed, and this situation wasn’t on his needed list. Smiling at her, he motioned toward the book and then had to move out of the way as another serve of people pushed through. Pulling some odd movements out of his bag of tricks to avoid being trampled, Demetrio could only hope he could also avoid being recognized for a dancer here… though that necessarily wouldn’t be a bad thing, just inconvenient… he didn’t need people fawning over him right now, or preaching that his chosen profession would lead him to worse actions that had long reaching consequences.

"I'll let you have this copy then, if you're going to lay claims, I'm sure I can dig up another copy around here somewhere."

[Katyusha Chernenko]

велике спасибі Katyusha kept her fingers firm on the book, their tips paled as she put more pressure to keep it in place. Judging by the man's attire - which was no different than any commoners in London - the nurse deemed him not as one of the die hard fans. They camped in front of the bookstore since yesterday night and dressed like they were going to a Halloween party, both kids and adults alike. Considering that he came pretty late, like her, he would be fine waiting for the second printing. And he did, because he quickly admitted his defeat by saying he was going to look for another copy instead. "Thank you, kind sir," Katyusha beamed, taking the book and cradled it in her arm. "You could find another book soon, I hope. A store this big should have stocked more than what we've seen around us." Without waiting for a reply, she motioned for a staff (dressed in that weird attire, she noticed) to come closer. This was the least she could do for him. He did not seem to be a bad person, just someone who liked book and a tad unfortunate today. "Do you still have another copy of this book?" Much to her surprise, the staff checked the shelves where Katyusha just took the book from. "I guess that's all we have today, ma'am. It is the last one." She could feel her heart sank, and as if responding to her emotion, children crowding at the cash register across them were whining. Their guardians ushered them out with a promise to look for the book in other stores, thankfully, so Katyusha's gentle heart did not sink even further. "Not... not even one?" The staff shook her head. After thanking her for the help, the Ukrainian woman turned to the man, sheepish smile began to form on her expression. "So, um, are you going to search in another bookstore?"

MADE BY MINNIE OF BACK TO NEVERLAND

[Demetrio Fortuna]

"Do you still have another copy of this book?"

Demetrio knew he was a softy, one that he only let show when he was not out on a mission or while he was pretending to be a normal human. He wasn’t an undercover agent at this moment, he was just a normal civilian looking for a book. In reality, he was a normal citizen and would only revert back to his undercover work until he was called upon to ‘wake up’ so to speak. So for now, he could afford to be soft and smile at people and let them get what they wanted since it was so harmless. And the book was as harmless as one could get. Sure he wanted to read it, but he wasn’t going to lose sleep or miss something for a mission if he didn’t get it. At least this way, he would make another’s day brighter and hopefully she would use her good fortune to help someone else along the way. He could appreciate the woman asking if there was another copy of this book, but he already knew the answer. They would be out, and he would have to wait for another shipment to come in or to wait until the library got it back in stock.

Not a surprise when the clerk shook his head, he just shrugged, though he was appreciative of how nice this woman seemed to be, to inquire about another book for himself. Really, he shouldn’t care for the book, but there were only a few things what were actually his and this book was to be one of them. Well, he knew he would own it, it would just have to come later on in the week or after.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s not like I have time currently to read it. Too busy with work you know. You just enjoy that book and think of the kind stranger who let you have it.” Looking around with this, he just shrugged and moved to scratch the back of his head. “If you really want to make it up to me though, I’ll settle for a cup of coffee, otherwise don’t worry about the book, I’m sure I’ll get it sometime soon, just not meant to happen today.”

He smiled slightly at her, trying to make it one of his nicer ones, he had been told he looked a bit of an ass when he smiled after some comments, so he hoped this was one where it was nice and sincere and left a good impression.