Places to Be, Nowhere and Here [Finished]

[Kari Muffin]

Harold reread the scroll that was in front of him. No, that didn't have an answer to any problem that he had. Problems. It was a laundry list of life smacking him in the face and then beating him over the head with a baseball bat. Not only had he been stuck in a painting, now that he was out the woman he had fallen in love with was stuck in his head.

He let out a long pained sigh. There had to be something out there--someone who could fix at least a little of the problem. The problem was there was no one that he could turn to. No one he could really trust. If anyone found out his secret then he would be doomed. He glanced at the pile of books besides him. It couldn't hurt for him to check the others. He had all the time in the world, didn't he?

It really couldn't get worse than this...

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary trotted into the library. Now, she could look up those "How to" books or she could bother an Esterberry. Bothering an Esterberry seemed like a better idea. She happily hummed a tune as she walked through the aisle.

There were quite a few stuffy people in the library. A lot of them had reading glasses and looked like they were too absorbed in the books to notice the world go by. Mostly bipeds and animals... then she caught sight of a bright purple mane.

Oh? A human who was hunched over reading material. She sneaked up quietly behind him. She slipped into the chair besides him. He simply turned the page. Well now. He had a pretty looking face and was completely unaware that she existed. That wouldn't do at all.

She glanced at the book stack. It was a variety of magic books, things that had to do with age, legends, something that had to do with blending things through magic.

"Soooo... what's up?" Rosemary said as she carefully poked him in the shoulder.

[Kari Muffin]

Harold nearly fell off his chair. His monocle slipped off his face, and his stack of books fell on the floor with a loud thud. "What?!" yelped as he prevented himself from falling flat backwards. He glanced at books on the floor. Damnit. And now people were staring at him.

"Excuse me, who are you?" He asked as he fixed his monocle and readjusted his vest. Unfortunately he didn't notice that his mark was still showing. He didn't automatically think to rebutton his vest again.

Without another word he went to pick up his books. He could feel all the eyes watching him. Who was this girl and why did she feel the need to pester him of all people. He shifted uncomfortably before setting all the books back on the table. Maybe he could grab a few scrolls while she was silent.

"Are you lost little girl?" He asked as he flipped open the book he had been reading before he was rudely interrupted.

[Kari Muffin]

He set himself up for that one.

"Lost? Me? I always know where I'm going no matter where I am. I just felt like pestering you is all." She grinned as she picked up one of the books in her mouth. Setting it on the table she smiled. She gave him a rather cute look.

"Oh yeah. The name's Rosemary. I decided to come to the library to find books on famous story tellers and all that. You seem to be interested in stories about youth... and all that. Looking to preserve your good looks?" She grinned. She could totally appreciate pretty older man. So what if she was still too young, she was close enough to being legal she could get away with hitting on someone.

"Sorry about scaring you. Didn't think you'd jump like that." She blushed a bit. She could feel herself digging a hole.

[Kari Muffin]

Harold wasn't quite sure what to do with the girl. He was surprised by her region too. Weren't Tulgey supposed to be rare? Also why would someone have so many piercings at such a young age. Well, four wasn't "so many" but it was more than most people in Esterberry would ever get. It just seemed unusual that someone like her would be around a place like this...

He shook his head. He shouldn't be paranoid about a little kid. "You can call me Harold," he said with a small sigh. "Rosemary is a very pretty name... and if you're looking for books on famous story tellers they're right over there."

He pointed to a row not too far away.

"It's all right. Just don't sneak up on people if you plan on making conversation with them. It's not exactly the best first impression." He smiled and flipped open one of the books. He had every intention of going back to what he was reading. The girl had what she needed to know after all.

[Kari Muffin]

She caught sight of something strange. The marking on Harold's chest. Her eyes widened briefly as she soaked up the image. "You don't seem the time to get tattoos. What's up with your marking? I bet other Hearts aren't too fond of you."

Rosemary could be blunt when she wanted to. This wasn't the time for poetic words are good acting. This man seemed strange, and terribly twitchy for an Esterberry. Was he hiding something? He had to be.

That or he got the tattoo when he was rebelling against his parents back in the day. That just didn't seem to fit. Of course she didn't know the guy so she could be completely wrong on all accounts. Reading people who weren't from the Wood or part of her family was ten times more difficult.

Rosemary simply tilted her head and waited for a response.

[Kari Muffin]

Harold froze. Of course she had to pick up on the one thing he wasn't used to. The one thing that bothered him the most to boot. He bit his lip and took a rather deep breath. He had practiced the excuse over and over in his head. He just had to deliver it properly.

"I just went through a phase when I was younger. And no... Hearts aren't particularly fond of me." He shrugged. "What is a Tulgey like you doing in a place like this? You can find books on writers anywhere, you don't need to come all the way to Esterberry."

Just go away. All he wanted to do was read. How difficult of a concept was it? Couldn't she just bother someone else. He readjusted his monocle and turned back to the book. He would just ignore the girl for the time being. Maybe she would take the hint.

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary decided to take a completely different approach. With a rather cheery smirk she stood up hopped on top of the book that Harold was about to read, and sat on it. She was a little big, that was a given, but she was still sat on top of them.

"I don't believe you. And until I get the truth out of you I'm not moving. And if you want to walk away, I'm going to scream. I'd like to see what would happen in a library if someone yelled at the top of their lungs. You don't seem to want that much attention."

The wolf squirrel enjoyed being a brat sometimes. Especially when pretty boys were involved. They made such silly faces when the were pouting. There was no way this plan could fail. And if that didn't work she could try to throw around the fact that she was a King.

[Kari Muffin]

Harold took a deep breath. It was true he didn't want attention to be drawn to him, but he wasn't going to be a little girl's doormat. He had had enough with this fifteen minute meeting with an obnoxious child from Tulgey. Why was she in Esterberry anyway? And where were her parents? They certainly hadn't taught her manners.

The Esterberry cleared his throat. "Look, young Lady, I'm not going to play games with you. Get off my book this instant."

That was it. That was all he was going to say. If she said no he was just going to walk away. He didn't want to deal with this stress and downright stupidity. Argh! Everything was just so frustrating! All he wanted was some answers and all he got was absolutely nothing in return. This wasn't how it was supposed to be... he refrained from sighing in frustration. He didn't want to deal with it.

[Kari Muffin]

Rosemary didn't like this. Her plan was failing. Oh hell no. She wanted to see a pretty boy pout! She gave a soft growl and remained on the books. "I'm not moving until you tell me the TRUTH!" She suddenly shouted the word "truth" without much thought. There was a series of hissing sounds from all the people around the pair.

That didn't stop Rosemary. If she had to throw a tantrum, she would. She would yell as loud as physically possible if he walked away. It was her way or no way as far as she was concerned.

Wow, she was being really spoiled. There was something wrong there. Mentally shook herself off. Whatever. She would still get her way!

... Maybe this was how her siblings thought of Sage. That was a horrible thought. Maybe she was just over thinking everything? Maybe she should just walk away from this guy.