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Post by Curran Aiden Pettelli on Dec 1, 2010 19:32:16 GMT -5
 you heard that i was trouble ,
BUT YOU COULDN'T RESISTJ U S T T A K E A B I T E L E T M E S H A K E U P Y O U R W O R L D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Curran Pettelli stared at the clock that hung on the shops wall, bored. The wallpaper around it was what his mother would call pretty – but all Curran could see was where it was peeling off the corner. He would have to fix that, he decided, crossing his feet on the polished counter top and leaning back in his chair. Sighing, he glanced towards the door of the shop, and rocked back and forth on the chairs two back legs, fiddling with the leather bands of material he wore on his wrist, as if somehow this might coax a new customer inside – as if it might make a familiar face walk through to reduce the monotony of this particular working day. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he stared, it didn’t happen. Instead he saw the last dregs of people simply walk past, on their way home or to the pool or whatever they had to do with their lives today.
Perhaps it was his ADHD, or maybe something else, but he soon grew bored of door staring and people watching, and his eyes turned back to the clock. Half 4. Just another, slow, day at the office here. As much as he enjoyed working in his mothers shop, when he was the only one in, he had to admit, that it is was boring. With a pang, he thought pack to the previous year, when his sister had still been around. If there was nothing to do they would have wreaked havoc with the display cases, rearranged all the books... Anything. He fell back to the floor with a soft thud and stood up, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his trousers. Not now. He didn’t feel so much like mucking around anymore.
With his moment of sadness, regret, Currans eyes darkened. They normally bright eyes of the young man depend to the stormy grey of ocean water as he opened the cash register and started counting the takings for the day. It was nearing closing time anyway, and he really doubted if anyone was truly going to mind if he shut shop half an hour early in a Sunday afternoon. The takings for the day were meagre at best – he could count the customers on his hands and those who actually bought anything on one. Still, another week tomorrow, another day to start again.
Leaving the cash momentarily on the counter, his hand resting securely on top, he ducked beneath the counter to look for one of the envelopes the put the money in before it went into the shops safe, rotting around in the back of the darkened space. His fingers grasped the familiar paper texture and he grinned, a toothy, wolfen smile.
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Post by Simone Winchester on Dec 1, 2010 21:32:35 GMT -5
 There was just something about the holiday season that made Simi feel as if the world were a bright, cheerful place filled with magic and overflowing with potential. With a slight skip to her step, the pretty little blond wandered down the street and peered here and there into storefront windows as she went. Every once in awhile,she'd spy something she couldn't resist taking a closer look at so it was far later than what she intended when she finally reached the little book store.
Afraid they might already be closed, she dashed the last few steps and peeked in the door to spy a dark haired young man just leaning down behind the register. Blowing out a sigh in relief, she quickly tested the door and then grinned as it pushed inward and allowed her entrance. Practically dancing into the store, the slender witch brushed her windswept hair back from her face and pressed her gloves to rosie cheeks as she headed for the counter.
“HELLO!” she called out cheerfully as she peeked over the mahogany desk. “Please tell me you work here and aren't some sort of bizarre robber who likes to kind behind counters.. Cause if so.. I really must ask you to cease and desist!” she teased with an impish light dancing in her azure eyes.
Leaning on the wood, Simi James pulled off her gloves and scarf as she waited for him to stand up. Realizing he couldn't be much older than her if at all, she tilted her head and gave him a beaming smile.
“I'm sorry.... I forgot myself at times. My name is Simone James... I ordered a few teachers planner books? I was suppose to pick them up a week ago but I got...unexpectedly busy....” |
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Post by Curran Aiden Pettelli on Dec 1, 2010 21:47:35 GMT -5
you heard that i was trouble ,
BUT YOU COULDN'T RESISTJ U S T T A K E A B I T E L E T M E S H A K E U P Y O U R W O R L D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Curran ignored the bell tinkle that signalled the entrance of someone into the shop and instead concentrated on trying to remove the envelope from beneath the counter with one hand, whilst simultaneously trying to keep the books it was wedged behind, and apparently, within, from falling onto the floor. If he didn’t have a hand on a couple of hundred dollars, this would be a much easier task, but alas, his hand did lay on the crumpled dollar bills, the beads on his leather bands pressing into his wrist.
Needless, he was not expecting a voice to suddenly appear above the counter, causing Curran to bang his head as he jumped and spill the books all over the floor anyway. Straightening, he winced and rubbed the top of his head, ruffling the dark strands of hair. “Ow!” he growled, his mind registering that , at least he had the envelope. Dropping his hand from his head, he smiled back at that pretty blonde in front of him (of course he was going to notice that, he was male) and stuffed the money into the envelope, opening the cash register once again and placing it inside. ”No, Not a thief. My family owns the store” He replied as his hands worked.
“ Teachers planners books?” It was a rhetorical question as he glanced at the floor. Sure enough, they were littering the hardwood floor right now. He was supposed to have take them into the back a few days ago, but had not got round to it. “Oh! Yes, they’re here... 2 secs” The dark haired boy dropped to his haunches, quickly arranging the books into a pile and lifting them back up to the desk – luckily they hadn’t been damaged in their tumble. “Here you go. Teachers planners... things”
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Post by Simone Winchester on Dec 3, 2010 10:05:12 GMT -5
As the young man's head hit the counter with a resounding "THUD", Simi gave a little wince. Wow, that had to have hurt. She really had to quit this bad habit of startling people. Her luck, one of these days she was going to give someone a concussion!
"Oh.. I'm soooooooooo Sorry!! Didn't mean to give you a fright!" she exclaimed, cheeks turning a bit red as she bit her bottom lip and shrugged helplessly even as she tried not to giggle. "And yes, those are the books I was looking for. Thank you so much...."
Reaching into her purse to pull out her credit card, the little blond offered it to him and then paused when something about him seemed to shimmer and then disappear. Frowning a bit, she pondered the puzzle as she waited for him to ring up her purchases. Her magical sense spanned out to poke at the aura around him and she realized that there was something a bit.. Different about it.
However, since it didn't scream "DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! DANGER" at her, she smiled again and took the opportunity to study him. Tall, rangy and with a mop of unruly chocolate colored hair, he was cute with a bit of a devilish air about him. She suspected that he was probably as prone to mischief as she was herself but it was really hard to say.
"I haven't seen you in here before. You say your mother owns the store? I didn't realize she had any kids... Its really nice to meet you. Your mom has been a doll... I'm trying to get some lesson plans made out for my classes next term and she's been a real help getting things I need for me."
Realizing she was rambling, Simi closed her mouth and then worried on her bottom lip again. Poor guy, he probably thought she was some sort of ninny but she couldn't help it. She was just a naturally friendly person and curiosity about the people around her had always been her downfall.
"Not that you probably wanted to know all that but.... "
Tilting her head sideways, she sent him a winning grin before continuing.
"I come in here a lot so I should probably warn you that most people don't have many secrets by the time I get done with them... Bookstores are suppose to be quiet I know but... I'm afraid I never really caught on to that lesson... Your mom and I have had tons of discussions on various authors and such....I'll probably drag you into a few too if you aren't careful!" |
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Post by Curran Aiden Pettelli on Dec 3, 2010 11:18:37 GMT -5
you heard that i was trouble ,
BUT YOU COULDN'T RESISTJ U S T T A K E A B I T E L E T M E S H A K E U P Y O U R W O R L D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
”Don’t worry about it” Curran smiled, putting the books into a bag and taking the credit card from her. His head hurt sure, and it might leave a bump for an hour or two, but it was nothing to worry about, to get worked up over. He could be such a klutz sometimes anyway, the only time he really worried was if he did something stupid with silver as a dare. Now those – those where the time to be truly worried. Not over silly little head bumps – not that he said any of this allowed. He just smiled and processed the car, every bit the perfect little shop keeper his mother wanted him to be. ”No really, my own fault for being too lazy to walk to the back of the shop for an envelope, and instead try and get the award one at the back” He laughed – this type of small talk, as his mother had always taught, was appropriate.
Curran waited for the card to process, absent mindedly scratching the side of his face for a second, a sudden itch having appeared on his jaw. If his sister was here she’d make a comment about fleas, and that maybe he should shower more – but as it was it was just the two of them in the little shop, surrounded by hundreds of dusty old books, all waiting for the perfect owner. His mothers shop specialised in the kinds of books that people didn’t always think they needed, but really kinda wanted once they walked in. Most of them were first editions and beautifully crafted – it was rare that they had an order for anything as main stream as teachers planners.
”Ye” he smiled, looking up from the cash machine. The internet was being slow today, and the card was taking forever to process. Eventually it dinger at him, and he passed the machine over so she could tap in her pin. ” She doesn’t talk about us often I don’t think – and I don’t often work in the store front. My sister’s the one in here being sociable, I’m usually in the back stocking and filling out orders.” he winked conspirationally at her ”You know, basically skiving off – don’t tell mom. A teacher huh? I love kids – the skinny ones can be a little chewy at times though...” he teased, plucking the receipt from the till and plonking it into the plastic bag. The shops name, Pattelli’s, was written in cursive writing on the front in a horrid garish colour. His mothers idea.
Again, he laughed and returned her grin, removing the card and handing it, and her bag, over the counter. ”I shouldn’t worry so much Simone – the shops been kinda quiet today, and it’s nice to have a little bit of human conversation rather than staring at a cash register and playing with cd changer. I’m Curran by the way.”
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Post by Simone Winchester on Dec 7, 2010 9:33:09 GMT -5
Thank goodness the young man had a sense of humor and the same spark of mischief that lit her own eyes. Simi knew her own mouth often ran ahead of her brain and people didn't always know how to take her brand of teasing. These days, most civilians took themselves entirely to seriously.. Come to think of it... the supernatural world did too. Hmmm She'd definitely have to ponder that later. For now though, she was content to let her curiosity roam over this young man.
"Oh, pleaseeeeeeeeee.... Call me Simi. All my friends and family do. SImone sounds like some sort of stuck up french drama diva and I prefer to avoid that sort of thing like the plague. Simone... What kind of name is that? My parents idea of a twisted joke since I was conceived on a trip to Paris...." she chirped, rolling her eyes at the end to show her utter mortification at idea. Her eyes laughed however and invited him to share the joke. "I guess it could have been worse though.. I could have been named Penelope or Gretchen or something even worse... "
Leaning on the counter, she took her card back and tucked it away.
"And I should probably warn you... Inviting me to talk is like opening a flood gate.... According to my brother, I never shut up when I have a captive audience!"
Giving him a look, the little blond let her bright blue eyes take in his aura again and the faintest trace of magic that lingered about him. It wasn't light and fluffy like some of the creatures that inhabited their world but it wasn't dark and malevolent either. In fact, it didn't seem real human at all. Was he some kind of shifter?
Common courtesy forbid her from asking though so she settled for glancing around. She'd have to wait until he got to know her better before giving him the first degree of questioning. Curiosity killed the cat and all.
"I don't suppose you have any coffee or hot chocolate to you?? I'm freezing. I noticed a coffee shop down the way... If you were closing up.. Mayhap you'd like to join me? Your mom can vouch for me.. I'm harmless... Mostly anyways...." |
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Post by Curran Aiden Pettelli on Dec 8, 2010 17:49:16 GMT -5
you heard that i was trouble ,
BUT YOU COULDN'T RESISTJ U S T T A K E A B I T E L E T M E S H A K E U P Y O U R W O R L D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Curran had to stop himself from laughing. She didn’t like Simone, but he had to admit, if only to himself whilst he tried very hard not to laugh ( though it really didn’t work since his eyes had a tendency to give everything away)that he preferred to the Gretchen or any of the other names her parents might have chose. Curran was certainly an interesting name – he had never met anyone else, who shared it with him, but he liked it, and he liked that it meant dagger (made him feel all dangerous) so he was pretty happy with it. Besides, if all else failed, he could just tell people his name was Dave, as his trainer tended call him, and save all confusion. Lots of people were called Dave – hell he knew three himself.
Instead, Curran busied himself with finishing up with the cash register, slipping his copy of her receipt into the envelope and shutting down the machine. Whilst she leant on the counter, he simply grinned and tucked the envelope safely away under the wooden top, slipping it into the side behind the stacks of books and other junk his mother kept there. There was only a hundred or so dollars takings today, and nobody would find it there, for he had wedged it actually in the shelf itself (he had once kept his porn there when he was younger, having carved the little panel. Now it held the shops money when he couldn’t be arsed to put it in the safe upstairs till later) and besides, he’d simply grab it on the way past when he went upstairs to bed. He did, after all, live in the apartment above the shop most of the time, though he still had a room at his mother’s house. He kept his hunting gear and other such stuffs here though, out of his mother’s way and inquisitiveness.
“Well, sometimes its nice to have a bit of human conversation. And i know i can talk the mouth of a horse, if so prompted.” he told her, straightening up once more. He glanced around, and shrugged. “Why not? I can murder a coffee, this place is dead, and i have a free afternoon.” Curran grabbed his keys and hopped over the counter, landing neatly on the other side. He was pretty graceful when he wanted to be – but his grace was somewhat supernatural in tendency, and there where very few humans who could match it. “And I’m pretty sure i can look after myself” he smirked, heading to the door, he opened it. “After you, Simi”
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Post by Simone Winchester on Dec 10, 2010 10:50:05 GMT -5
Grinning as the young man agreed to coffee, Simi waited quietly for him to finish closing up and then followed him outside to the almost empty sidewalk. Christmas music could be heard floating on the air and a crisp wind pinkened her cheeks as they started down the cement pathway. Curling her jacket closer, she shot her new companion a grin and practically skipped along as they moved.
"So.... What do you do for fun besides babysit the book store? I'm guessing your about my age or so....... Any special reason you work at the bookstore? I find them wonderful places but most people would think they were boring.... My family has a HUGE library at home and I grew up among all the dusty tombs.... Quite literally in fact....."
Pausing for a moment to let a car pass before crossing the street, she tucked a lock of blond hair behind an ear. Her blue eyes danced with interest and curiosity as she watched Curran.
"I've always found that books spark the imagination and so much can be learned from the stories and parables that are there. I plan on using books in my classroom a lot. Not only are they good entertainment but it encourages kids to do something besides play in front of the computer or play video games. I think its important to have things that spark though processes and make you really think... A good story is perfect for that.... Don't you think?"
Then, realizing she was just rambling again, Simi grinned.
"Gah... Listen to me. My head's been so filled with excitement over getting my post at the Academy that its all I can think about at times. Thats why I ordered those student planners... Trying to get a jump on things for the winter term.... Its my first teaching position so I just am anxious to do things right, ya know?"
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Post by Curran Aiden Pettelli on Dec 13, 2010 10:28:41 GMT -5
you heard that i was trouble ,
BUT YOU COULDN'T RESISTJ U S T T A K E A B I T E L E T M E S H A K E U P Y O U R W O R L D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It took Curran only a minute to flip over the open sign to closed, switch off the lights and close up the shop. This done, he span on his heel and zipped up his jacket - it wasn’t great for this kind of crisp winter weather as the material was thin, but he didn’t get cold easily and tended to run at a higher temperature than most people, so he wasn’t too bothered. He shoved his hands, and the keys, deep into his pockets, and returned Simi’s grin, half listening to the Christmas music that floated through the air towards them, and half trying to avoid the cracks in the pavement. Currans ADHD meant he was distracted easily, and spent a lot of time doing things simply to amuse himself. it wasn’t as bad now as it had been when he was younger – now he could keep a conversation at least... he could just multi task well enough to make any woman proud.
He answered her questions as they crossed the street, kicking up some slush as he walked across the tarmacked road. ”Fun? Well, i play a lot of sports – like I surf in the summer, I jog a lot, and my trainer is trying to get me to join the Archery team right now. As for the bookstore... i guess i just do. Like... my dad’s out of town at the moment and my sister is travelling” It half surprised him how easily that lie slipped from his lips these days. He sister had been missing just over a year... yet... well. He could still see her stood over -”I finished University last year, so I just help her out” He shrugged, and grinned. Again, he listened, whilst dodging cracks in the pavement –bad luck you know- and nodded in a greement. ”I don’t read often, but I know what you mean. When i do find a good book, i can’t put it down.”
As they neared the coffee shop, Curran could smell the coffee beans on the air. It made his mouth water – he was a bugger for coffee, he really was. ”Don’t worry about it,” He laughed, pushing open the door to the coffee shop and letting her pass by him, shutting it behind them and joining the end of the queue. ”I can ramble too when i get started, it’s refreshing to hear someone else voice.” he stopped to order their coffee, paid, and headed over to a table, setting hers down in front of her. ”So why teaching? Like, what level?”
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Post by Simone Winchester on Dec 14, 2010 12:03:10 GMT -5
Her family had always teased her about not knowing a stranger and they were right. Simi just wasn't the sort of person who didn't take the time to stop and say hello to someone if she got the opportunity and she truly didn't have a snotty bone in her body when it came to making new friends. She firmly believed that everyone had some good in them and she'd been known to go out of her way to try and bring it out.
It was just her nature and also the reason she'd long ago decided that hunting the baddies wasn't for her. With her luck, she'd have met up with a rogue and asked it to coffee quicker than she would have shot it so it just made sense for her to stay out of that loup. Not that she couldn't be fierce if the need called for it... It just broke her heart to have to hurt anything.
Which was all actually good because it allowed her to meet new people like this young man and take time to get to know them.
As they entered the coffee shop, the pretty blond smiled at him and then took off her gloves in order to stuff them in her bag. Brushing her long windblown locks from her face, she peeked at the counter like a kid at christmas and practically bounced in place.
"Oh... well, I'm actually teaching kindergarten this term. I have a degree in early childhood education so I'm actually pretty excited. Kids are so innocent that its a blessing to be able to spend time with them and teach them things that they will need to know as they grown up. A lot of hte kids at the Academy are borders while their parents work so it will be part of my job to take shifts watching over them and making sure they are as happy as possible. I've already got a shelf full of books for them and am looking forward to it."
As the line gradually moved forward, Simi inhaled the scents and smelled her favorite. PEPPERMINT.
"OHHHHHHHH I HOPE THEY HAVE A DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT MOCHA!!!" she chirped, sending her companion a bright grin. "I'm a chocoholic... I warn you.... " |
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