A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open)

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:18 am

((Allow me to introduce my character...Torashiro Rana))

Torashiro Wandered through the dusty shelves of the library. It was early morning and though the sun shone brightly through windows on the other side of the room, this side was always in shadow. Her handkerchief sklirt swirled around her legs as she sashayed amongst the tomes forgotten through time. She wasn't in the restricted section, but she was in a rarely used section of darker materials.

Her brows were knitted in cioncentration as she perused the shelves, her eyes were closed, she wasn't looking at the books, instead she was communing with them, like she had always done at home. Her finger trailed lightly over the spines and she waited for the book she needed to call out to her. She was close, she could feel the tingle of anticipation as the book waited for her to touch it so it could come alive and be noticed. Books, after all, are alive and desire only to be cherished and read..

Tora tossed her black cherry colored hair over her shoulder as she concentrated harder trying to pinpoint the location of the book she sought. She wasn't in any danger from these old books, even though some of them contained very dark magic; she was more likely to trod on any student or creature who would be in her unsuspecting path...her mind was so deeply in tune with the books she would never notice a human or other iving creature anywhere in the room...

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:46 am

(Hello Miss Torashiro!)

Darien had been waist deep in books for re-shelving when he first felt the tingle of an empath gliding through the library. He straightened, his head tilting in pure curiosity. No student that he knew would be capable of this level of interaction with the books, and so far Darien had yet to find another professor with quite the level of dedication needed to achieve such a connection. Darien left his re-shelving and followed the sensation deep into the library where the books on muddy-grey areas of magic were kept. Most of these books would take a snap at a hand if provoked, but if treated with respect there was little danger. Darien frowned, wondering why anybody would even be down here.

Soon enough Darien reached the corner where one aisle opened into another and discovered a woman, rich red hair curtaining closed eyes, walking with only her fingers against the book spines for direction. Eyebrows rising, Darien peered over the rims of his glasses before taking them off to study the strange woman closer. She appeared entirely unaware of his presence. Shrugging, Darien arranged himself flat against a shelf and waited quietly for the woman to draw close enough that her fingers would be forced to slide over his stomach in order to continue their journey.

Darien might have lost a lot of his lighter, open nature during the war but for all of his polite caution, the librarian still harboured a playful side.

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:28 pm

Tora sensed a change in the books... they relaxed as if by some catalyst. She paused for a second, but it was a mere annoyance in her concentration...like a pesky fly bizzing around your head on a lazy summer afternoon.

She continued to walk down the shelves she could definately feel something pulling her this direction. She quickened her pace slightly in anticipation. Her long thin fingers made contact with a row of books that were thicker than the previous ones on the shelf. Her hand glided around and across a flat plain...there was an instant reaction and change in the atmosphere.

Tora's eyes popped open, they were deep blue in her surprise, and she turned to gaze directly into the face of the anomoly in her books. Library's books...not mine, she mentally corrected.

There was a tallish thin man pressed so closely to the books they seemed to be caressing him. He had a mischievious grin spread over his face and reaching his eyes. Tora's hand still rested lightly on his stomach and thin tendrils of an electric blue were mixing with an earthy green shot through with red and forming turquise and indigo spirals in the air between them.

Hmmm... his aura is green...today anyhow, she thought to herself. He's well grounded and very much in tune with the books. Interesting.

Tora's eyes settled into a deep midnight, and she cocked her head to one side to see this man in a different view, "I'm Torashiro, and you are either right in front of the book that was calling to me, or I was looking for you." she stated in a soft, breathy voice, not yet wanting to really join reality and come out of her commune with the books.

She was studying him closely, yet acting nonchalant...who was this mystery man who called to her like a book?

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:32 am

Darien’s smile faded away in wonder as the woman opened her eyes to reveal deep pools of ocean blue. For a moment when she spoke the words were meaningless, just a jumbled of sounds that could be heard but not understood. He blinked, mentally scrambling to right himself.

“Oh my… um. Good morning, Miss Torashiro.” He glanced down as he realised that Torashiro’s fingers were still splayed against his stomach, separated only by his rumpled grey sweater. A faint flush began creeping up his throat and he hastily pasted a politely suitable smile back on his face as he continued, “I am the librarian here, perhaps I may assist you in locating the book…” What book? His subconscious demanded. There was no book! Darien carefully disengaged from Torashiro and stepped neatly to stand by her side, gesturing at the shelves he had obscured. “Are you still called to this position?”

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:49 am

Torashiro noticed the changes in his emotions, it was so much more interesting to allow herself to watch his aura as it shifted from shade to shade. He was a deeply emotional being, and she felt refreshed to be in his presence. How to not give herself away at his inquiry...

The focus had shifted, but it was not a book it was him that pulled her.

She perused the shelf, there was the book she'd been looking for actually, but it no longer interested her. She touched its stained covor and it shivered under her fingers.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:00 am

Darien bit his lip when Torashiro exchanged her attentions to the book instead of himself, surprised to discover a subtle note of jealously. He rolled his eyes to the ceiling. He was jealous of a book, how silly. Seeing the book shiver at the woman’s touch, Darien gestured with his thumb and called the book from the shelf. It slid calmly into Torashiro’s hand and he repeated his polite smile.

“There we are now, all sorted,” he said brightly. “Did you wish to borrow this one, or would you rather have a seat in the library to read?” Darien paused and the blush moved a little further up to touch the lobes of his ears. “I could… have an elf bring up some tea, perhaps?”

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:09 am

Shiro liked the way his emotions glowed around him. His blush was nothing compared to the purple and red aura swirling around his heart and head. She had to tear her eyes away or fear he'd think she was staring.

"Tea, yes that would be nice, but..." she looked him full in the eyes..."in the library?"

She was curious, he obviously had a deep connection to the books like she did, so she had to give him a hard time about suggesting to have beverages in the library... She was certain it would be alright, they could go to the circulation area where there were no books only reading tables.

She softly stroked the book in her hand. He hadn't even ask why she wanted it... that was refreshing.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:24 am

“Ah, yes, in the library,” Darien gestured over to a shelf of books. “If you would?” He moved over to the shelf and pressed in a carved infinity symbol on one of the brackets. The entire shelving unit swung backwards, revealing a small, sundrenched room complete with low, squashy armchairs and a round table strewn with books. There was a strange screen on one wall, playing images of the rest of the library like a security monitor and another wall was taken up by a giant chalkboard covered in Arithmancy equations.

“This is my reading room,” Darien offered shyly. “You are welcome to make use of it, avoid the bustle of the students and such. Just don’t mind the clutter.” He shrugged and grinned ruefully. The clutter in question involved a scattering of quills and parchments and a convoluted mess of silver wire that might be some sort of magical device, but could have just been a piece of artwork.

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:33 am

Shiro followed him and watched as he revealed the room. "This is nice," she said looking around fondly. The room was comfortable, and she didn't mind the trappings of work.

She stepped in and paused... She settled on one of the cushy chairs and perched lightly on the seat. She was so light she barely made a dent in teh cushion, but it was overstuffed and terrific. She faced him again, her eyes were a soft inquiring grey,"You're the Librarian, so I was told it would you be whom I would ask about a job.

It was fortuitous to meet you today." She smiled and her face lit up at the thought of being around all the books so often. Of course she wouldn't mind to get to know this gentle soul more either. He was calming to her, and she enjoyed his manner, straightforward, but kind.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:46 am

Darien’s eyebrows rose in surprise when Torashiro mentioned asking about a job. It was true that he was swamped by his duties as librarian and now teaching as well, he could use an assistant. However, Darien was a little concerned that this beautiful young woman with her intuitive connection to the books would prove more of a distraction than a help. He considered his response, taking his time to clear the papers from his favourite sofa and sink down into the cushions, one ankle over his knee so that he could lean forward thoughtfully.

“I would indeed be pleased to have somebody here to assist with the books. They can be… high-strung… and I have had three students sent to the hospital wing already this semester due to accidental mishandling.” Darien shook his head in amused tolerance. “What kind of experience do you have with caring for a magical library. It is obvious to me that you are able to connect very closely with the books, but the day to day business can be overwhelming for beginners.”

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:57 am

Torashiro was pleased, he had not said no. But how could she prove her qualifications...

"I have a library in my home that has books like many of these. My father was curator of the Druidic Library in Ireland. I have helped him since I was old enough to chew the leather covors of some of the ...more accepting books he had."

Her eyes shone clear blue, she loved to think about the library, she had literally grown up watching her father work among the books. Empathy she had been born with, but understanding a book, even a non-magical one, as a living thing was only learned.

She looked at Darien and tried to convey to him her understanding and knowledge with her expression and her eyes. She could show him, but that would require touching his face, and she didn't know if she felt entirely comfortable with that. She could reveal her emotional knowledge through releasing her empathy...but it meant a deep connection into her memories, and she was very wary to reveal so much of herself to someone she'd only just met, intriguing as he was.

She composed herself, thinking what demonstration she could perform that would suffice. Unfortunately her mind was blank...too aware of the man who sat comfortably near her on the couch.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:19 am

“Hmm,” Darien tapped his lower lip, considering this. “I have visited the Druidic Library, to have grown up there would have been a truly wondrous experience for one invested in books.” Unaware of the direction the thoughts of his companion had taken, Darien decided to offer an opportunity to Torashiro to prove herself in the only way he knew how, by throwing her headfirst into the water.

“Very well then, a trial. Two weeks as my assistant, assuming you can survive the students,” he grinned apologetically. “And then we shall reconsider you staying on permanently. How does that sound to you, Miss Torashiro?”

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:35 am

Shiro held her breath as she saw his decisiveness take shape in his aura. She really had to stop eavesdropping on people's emotions! His words were a terrific compromise.

"I agree!" she was so excited to get to be in the library with all the books amassed there. It was an avid reader like her's dream come true. "I think I can handle the students, it's pretty hard to get me worked up."

her eyes were a vivid orange she was so excited. If she saw herself she would laugh because they were horribly tangerine...but she had been given a chance when chances weren't altogether forthcoming. She vowed to listen and follow directions to the "T".

Shiro calmed herself and her eyes settled into a shiny black that was her normal color, "I have one more question, weren't we going to have tea?"

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:33 am

“Tea?” Darien was still caught on how Torashiro’s eyes had changed colour from blue to orange to black. “Ah, yes, tea!” He bounced up from his chair and drew his wand from one baggy sleeve. “Right-o!” A moment later there was a shiny silver tea service sitting on the table, complete with a little plate of biscuits and a giant steaming teapot with… Darien sighed… books on it. There were books on his teapot… what would Miss Torashiro think?

“Please, do help yourself,” Darien prompted, falling back into his chair with rather less grace than he had intended, his hair fluffing up only to be shoved back behind his ears. He picked up a tea cup and fished around on the tray for a slice of lemon. “So, Miss Torashiro, what drew you to this part of the world, apart from Hogwarts’ marvellous librarian… oh, I mean library… library,” Darien mentally cursed his tongue and busied himself with a biscuit.

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:01 am

Shiro grinned at the quick manner Darien had recovered himself in. She sat up as he quickly conjured a tea service, it was a nice silver set and she was not surprised to see the imagry on the pot...books were friendly and comforting and to her the essence of home. Now if it had been wedgewood floral she might have laughed.

She helped herself to a steaming cup and wrapped her long fingers around the warmth. She pulled it to her face and allowed the steam to waft past her nose as she closed her eyes to savor the aroma. SHe was a fan of rose tea, and if there were even a hint of rose or rosehips she would be delighted.

She always drank her tea neat, and the first sip was nice...warm and soothing after the dusty library.

She looked up at Darien as he spoke, what had drawn her here...something had pulled her to Hogwarts. She ahd seen some writing of it...in that Daily Prophet paper, joke that it was, probably. SHe knew of the library from her father's work...there were references to volumes in duplicate there and others of interest.

"My home is not far away in Ireland." she began looking at him as he nibbled a biscuit. "This seemed like a place I would enjoy, and I had heard of the library before."

She drew a sip of her tea and continued as if she had never noticed his slight of tongue, "It is nice to...check it out. To have time to get to know it better."

Her lips curled into a coy smile and she settled more comfortably into the soft chair. She felt so comfortable here; surrounded by books, drinking a nice tea, and in the company of an intelligent man who knew about books. It was a rare moment for her.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:40 am

Darien couldn’t help but flush as Torashiro emphasised precisely what it was she had come here to see. Honestly, he didn’t know what was going through his head. Obviously too much time spent around teenage girls young enough to be his children meant that when a beautiful, fully grown woman came by his intelligence level dropped to that off a chocolate frog. “I have been to Ireland, it is beautiful there,” he said. “The forests in particular, libraries, built into the very trees…” he seemed to drift off for a moment. He raised his teacup and took a sip, only coming back to earth when he realised that he had yet to actually put any tea in the cup. Feeling a little silly, Darien filled his cup with the floral scented tea and pointedly squashed his lemon with the back of his spoon.

“I am sure that Hogwarts will be most welcoming,” Darien added, pleased at the warmth that was seeping in from the walls. The library did love her caretaker, and was sentient enough from all the magic within her walls to recognise that Torashiro would be a blessing to both of them. “If you require a place to stay, there are a number of rooms over the transfiguration section, some long forgotten explosion caused quite the rabbit’s warren among the rafters that have since been closed over to create living quarters for staff. Though, at present I am the only one in residence up there.” He grinned. “Just me and Mith.”

_________________

All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been:
it is lying, as in magic preservation, in the pages of books.

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:57 pm

Shiro relaxed further in to the soothing atmosphere of the room. If she didn't watch herself she would fall asleep right here in this chair. She had spent a lot of time camping out and was no stranger to the outdoors, especially lately. But she hadn't been sleeping well...it was hard to relax with no one else to guard your back in the darkness.

The mention of a room to stay in made her happy. She knew she would like it here, and it would be better than the room over the Three Broomsticks she now resided in.

She was instantly awake, revived at the thought of anything she could call "home."

Her eyes sparkled a relaxing blue again...she was content and happy and was not trying to control her eyes which were an instant emotional barometer for her. "That sounds wonderful!, I would love to see it and I know I will be comfortable there,"she enthused..."Ume, but who is Mith?"

She was suddenly unsure. Meeting new people rarely was a challenge to her, she liked people in general and she was so open and honest that when given the chance she usually could make friends very easily; however, there was something in the way he said Mith that let her know this was someone special to him. Her recent history of rejection had her on edge and she felt an unexplained desire to be accepted by someone who obviously was important to Darien.

To cover her unease she sat up and reached for a biscuit, they were delicious, "These are very good!" she said with another grin.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:48 am

((So sorry for not updating sooner. I just got a brand new computer, but it took me a few days to set up.))

“Yes, they are rather,” Darien smiled at the compliment. If there was one thing he could do outside of library-care spells, it was put together a good tea service. “Mith is my labrador,” Darien explained. He glanced around warily. “In fact, I am surpried he isn’t here already, that beast can smell cookies from the other side of the castle.”

True to his words, at that moment a chubby brown labrodor stuck his nose around the edge of the door. A pair of sad brown eyes followed with a pathetic little whine. Mith knew he wasn’t generally allowed in Darien’s study, he tened to break things and slobber on the books Darien spread over the floor to rebind. Darien waved him in anyway.

“Torashiro, this is Mith. Say hello to the nice lady, Mith.”

Mith barked and wagged his tail, approaching in hope of a cookie.

_________________

All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been:
it is lying, as in magic preservation, in the pages of books.

**Torashiro Rana** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 16, 2009 2:37 pm

Shiro laughed at the expression on the dog's face as he poked his head in. It was utterly human and so endearing. She reached her hand out and waited as the dog made his way into the room, he was chagrined as if he wasn't entirely sure he should come in or not.

"Aiya, Mith," she said as he finally approached her hand. She stroked his velvety fur around his ears. He seemed to like it.

Shiro looked at Darien with a huge grin on her face, the relaxed atmosphere was still intact but now it was charged with the dog's energy. She liked him immedicately, and it showed in her face.

"He's wonderful," she stated slipping him one of the excellent cookies, and taking one for herself.

_________________

I can feel what you don't want me to know...
We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

**Darien Daas** · Subject: Re: A Bibliophile's Dream... (Open) Tue Jun 16, 2009 3:23 pm

“I’m glad you think so,” Darien murmured, quietly pleased when Mith behaved himself and took the cookie gently from Torashiro’s hand. The dog munched happily, flopping down to lay on the floor with his front paws draped languidly over Darien’s shoes. “Having a pet brightens one’s day, somebody pleased to see you when you come home,” he appeared distant for a moment before taking a deep breath and smiling. “Do you have a pet, Miss Torashiro?”

_________________

All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been:
it is lying, as in magic preservation, in the pages of books.