Post by Cy Otauna on Jun 3, 2006 14:16:38 GMT -5
I
I came around a corner of the stacks and there he stood. I instantly worked switchwise and put my back against the Forgotten Realms series, all tense from the proximity of both Plots and people. For that first look he was just a striking-looking teenage boy. Thoughts of appearance and ego imprinted themselves on my consciousness like flashes. He stepped around the shelf and I realized he was my charge.
“Oh, hi.” Step away from the shelf... “Welcome to our world.”
He wore all gentle black, held himself with a sure assurance, and was considerably taller than me with similar build. I had practiced pinning my gaze to his face. It looked familiar in a way, blonde hair long to the nape of the neck, blue eyes with the words almost visible beneath them, neat close beard barely noticeable but scruffily accenting his strong lines.
My preordained words stuck between us; I could manage no more until I looked an inch over his shoulder. “Sorry.”
His voice too was somewhat familiar, nuanced with a cant of the head like a kind nod. “I understand. It must be hard for you, knowing so many.”
“It is. Trouble within close Plots...hurts us. Ah, come with me. We’ll go for the tour.”
He nodded with deference. I nervously took his hand and led him out of the sci-fi section, reassured by his grip.
