Cıтч øf Bяøκeи Søυłš {ᶳᵉᵐᶤ⁻ᵃᵈᵛᵃᶰᶜᵉᵈ ʳᵒˡᵉᵖˡᵃʸ} discussion

In the Bellmyn, bookstores are usually on an upper floor -- the middle floor specifically. The book store is two levels of the skyscraper separated by a spiral staircase and an elevator access to the second floor found in the center of the room. The whole two floors of the bookstore have wooden walls and an overall whimsical feel to the place, which as a result smells strongly of new books and wood. Along with the wood, the walls are lined with bookshelves. Aisles of bookshelves cover as well covering the bottom floor of the bookstore with occasional stools to sit on. The second floor is mainly seating, for relaxing. It also includes the child books and area. The architecture is mainly used of arches, a common theme in Bellmyn’s, used in both the bookstore and the restaurants.

On the two bottom floors is the main restaurant. The restaurant is decorated in a classy style, filled with golds, browns and burgundy. The mood is sensual and fancy -- lighting isn’t too bright, but fireplaces are spread around the area. The main section of the bottom floor is the kitchen and a back room for staff. The upper floor is reserved for seating and even contains private rooms and balcony seating.

Finally, above both restaurant and bookstore, off limit to guests, are the offices that deal with business and the organizing of the company. These, too, only take up two floors. Most are normal cubicles, but some actual offices, which are all white and modern.

Aysha had woken up in her daddy's bed since last night had been a bad storm. They'd stayed up late so it didn't surprise her that he was still sleeping even though it was close to midday. She'd gotten him up and spent lunch with him, laughing and helping him cook pancakes. After lunch though he was called away suddenly since there was a problem at the diner. He'd apologized for having to leave but Aysha was fine with him needed to go, she knew he'd make it up to her, he always did.

Currently, Aysha had grabbed a snack for herself and then a small something for Gaia and Nighlock before she headed downstairs to the bookstore. She loves spending time in there and when Uncle Tas couldn't look after her then going down there was something Daddy would rather since his employees knew about her coming down to read so they'd keep an eye on her for him. So with her two lizards, she had curled up on one of the chairs upstairs with a book reading while Nightlock slept on her stomach and Gaia laid on her shoulder. Aysha soon closed the book, finishing the last sentence of the story and sighed. Another story done, it was a good ending but it still ended which made it all so sad. She put the book down, lifted Nightlock up to put on top of her head before she got up off the chair and soon was downstairs in the fantasy section, looking at book spines for something that interested her. Nightlock had woken up by this time and ventured down to her shoulder, laying beside Gaia when Aysha found something that caught her attention but it was on the top shelf, far out of her reach. Aysha bit her lip, pondering how she should approach this task. She then reached up towards it up on her tip toes, trying to see how much distance there was between her hand and the book.

Pandora wasn't in the best mood. Not exactly in a bad one, but not in a good one either; last night's storm had kept her awake all night, and she was unable to sleep because of all the noise. Right now, she was dressed in a lavender colored summer dress and cared little for her appearance but still managed to look decent enough. In fact, she wasn't caring for anything right now; she was just going about aimlessly. And she hated not having a particular task to do.

She wandered through the bookstore, just getting the feel of it and seeing which title might interest her. She liked reading - it made everything better and successfully distracted her. Her mood lightened when she spotted a little girl, right in the fantasy section. She smiled a little to herself; she always had a soft spot for children. Not wanting to startle her, she approached her slowly. "Hey there. Can I help?" She asked softly, brushing her hair from her eyes.

Aysha faintly heard footsteps approaching her so she lowered herself back to rest on her feet so she wouldn't get distracted and fall, something she couldn't risk since she could get cut and if she got cut then she'd bleed and if she bled than it wouldn't stop. Aysha turned her overly curious but cautious green gaze to the woman now standing beside her. Aysha didn't say anything at first, only nibbled on her lower lip as she though about this, it also didn't help she tended to be shy. She could ask this woman to help her, therefore eliminating the need to hunt down a chair and bring it back to use. This pretty woman could easily get the book if she went on her tippy toes and she looked like she did want to help. So, with that decided, Aysha gave the woman a small shy smile and nodded, "could you get InkHeart off the shelf for me?" she asked softly, then quickly added a, "please." Her daddy always told her to be polite, even if you hated the person, keeping yourself mannered was key to success.

"Of course I can." She chuckled a bit. She was so delicate, so little - so cute! Smiling a bit, she reached to get the book. She didn't have to try too hard, she was tall anyways and the book wasn't that far away, only at the front. "I'm Pandora." She said softly as she handed the book to her. It was heavy, so she was reluctant to give her the whole of it. What if she fell? What if she got hurt? Pandora hated seeing children get hurt. She kept half of the weight on her hand. "Do you want me to hold the book for you? Maybe read it out?"

Aysha beamed a toothy grin at her happily. "Thank you so much!" Aysha chirped, glad someone had helped her. Plus she was talking to someone other than Uncle Tas and Daddy, human interaction was always a mystery to her so this was good practice, daddy would be proud, to an extent, she was still talking to a stranger but she was so nice. Aysha felt like she could trust her, though one of Aysha's flaws was seeing the good in everyone. "My name is Aysha," she replied, "I like your name, it reminds me of Pandora's box," she stated softly. Aysha smiled as she held the book Pandora handed her before looking at her and shook her head, "I'm okay, promise," she said with a reassuring smile. She's held large textbooks before, she knew how to carry heavier books. Aysha then gently took the book from her and adjusted it in her grasp to make sure to balance it as well have a firm grip. As soon as she held it against her chest, Nightlock crawled down from her shoulder and onto the book.

"Aysha." She said it outloud, just to get the feel of it. It suited her so perfectly. "That's a wonderful name, Aysha. Your parents have great choice. You know, I was named after it. The box, I mean. Do you know the story of it?" She asked curiously. The little girl was very smart; few knew of a mythology so back-dated. Either that, or she read a lot. Either way, she liked her anyways. She hesitantly gave her the box, lingering around to make sure she alright. She noticed the lizard and chuckled. "Is that your pet? Can I see it?" She bent down a little to reach her little height. She loved pets too, all kind. Anything that won't make her feel lonely.

Aysha's cheeks turned to a light hue of pink when she said that and then she nodded, smiling, "I think so too," she said. She adored her name and she knew her mother loved it as well, it made her feel closer to her mother. Aysha nodded, "faintly, it's been awhile, my mother sometimes read it to me..." she drifted off, the smile slipping off her lips and her expression grew sad as she hugged the book tighter to her, looking at the ground. Aysha's sorrow basically vanished when Pandora mentioned Nightlock which brought her spirits right back up. "One of them," she chirped excitedly. She nodded and picked Nightlock off the book and gently held the lizard in her hand. "This is Nightlock, my Uncle gave her to me, she isn't hostile," she added. She shifted her grip on the book so she could lay Nightlock on her palm. "Gaia is on my shoulder," she added. Aysha's relationship with her lizards were an unusual one, mainly due to the fact they coexisted almost perfectly. In addition they seemed to never bother running away or trying to escape which allowed Aysha to have them with her almost twenty four seven.

Pandora lowered her eyes when she mentioned her mother. She wore that grieving look herself in her teeangehood. Nobody should go through them. "Well, maybe I can read it to you one time." She offered softly, before looking down at the lizards. "Can I hold Nightlock? I really love pets. They're so nice, don't you think?" She added. She liked friendly children, allowed her to be free with them, and Aysha was already so open. It was refreshing for once, not to have your guards surrounded, to let them down, just for a little while.

Aysha gave her a bright smile despite the sorrow in her green eyes. "I'd like that," she said softly, she hadn't heard it since her mother died so it sat in her room collecting dust. Asyah beamed at her and nodded, "yup," she said lightly placing Nightlock in Pandora's hand once she outstretched it. Nightlock laid still for a bit before she lowered her head and licked Pandora's palm and moved a bit before she sat still once more, looking around. "I love them too!" Aysha chirped excitedly, "and I do, I especially love lizards but any type of pet is amazing," she said excitedly.

She raised an eyebrow. A little girl who likes reading...and lizards. Pandora warmed up to her instantly and giggled a bit when the lizard stirred on her palm. She was sensitive and overly ticklish. "It tickles." She chuckled. "I think pets are great friends. There's books too. Books are the true friends." She added, recalling the saying her mother used to tell her. "My mother said that a lot."

Aysha ended up giggling in response to Pandora's giggling, though her's was more directed at Nightlock being silly as usual. Nightlock had decided that Pandora's hand wasn't interesting enough so she ventured her way up her arm up to her shoulder and ended up licking her neck. Aysha grinned when she said that and nodded, "they are, Gaia and Nightlock are my best friends besides my daddy and Uncle," she stated. Aysha gasped and then giggled, "I think my daddy has the same mentality, he doesn't have too many friends besides books," she said, thinking about how he didn't tend to bring people over or go out with anyone besides Uncle Tas. "Mom's are really smart, aren't they.."

"They are very smart." She winced a bit when Nightlock crawled up to her neck. She liked pets, but not intimate ones. She gently pried the lizard off and put it back on Aysha's hand. "You know, I was going to read this childhood story of mine. I used to be obsessed with it in my age, and not many people read such an old story. Can I read it out to you?" She offered, brushing back her hair out of her eyes.

Aysha nodded in agreement, they really were. Aysha made sure to balance her head when Nightlock was placed back on her. Nighlock soon ventured back down to her shoulder beside Gaia and Aysha tilted her head a bit, thinking about it. Thinking about it before she nodded, "okay," she chirped, "if you haven't gotten it yet, can I meet you upstairs?" she asked, since it was really the only place to situate yourself to stay and read for a while.

"Upstairs?" She was surprised. She only stayed on this floor. She ventured the thought for a bit, before nodding. "Sure, why not? As long as you think it won't do any harm." She didn't want to intrude or pry; she just didn't feel like being alone at the moment, and children, especially this one, were always so...joyful. Very innocent, and it felt nice to be trusted for once in a change.

Aysha nodded and gestured to the spiral staircase that lead to the second floor of the bookstore. She beamed at Pandora, "okay!" she chirped and nodded, "the floor is meant for sitting and reading, along with the children's section," she added with a smile. She didn't mind the company, her dad was busy and she wasn't sure what her Uncle was doing so it would be nice to interact with someone besides them. "I'll meet you up there!" Aysha chirped with a grin before she began to make her way back, clutching Inkheart tightly to her chest as she made her way up and to the chair she'd been sitting at that was in clear view from the stairs. Once there she put the book down on the small table beside it and climbed onto the chair, curling up to wait for Pandora.

Pandora felt almost happy as she chose the book. It was her childhood favorite, one that was really old, and said to be existed before the wall even came up. Maybe that's why it was so precious; to hold something so vintage, so old. She kept it in her palms gently as she went upstairs, a bit curious. She never really wondered what it was upstairs but now she couldn't help herself. She mentally added a note to herself that it was only a child, no one harmful, but her guards were still up when she finally reached the landing.

Aysha was curled up on the chair waiting for Pandora, playing with Nightlock who was currently in a very active and playful mood. Gaia on the other hand had taken refuge on Inkheart, curled up and sleeping. Aysha giggled as Nightlock scurried across her lap but glanced up to see Pandora coming upstairs. She smiled and waved towards the older woman.

Pandora was a bit slow, but she managed to make it anyways. She was a bit hesitant on the doorstep before coming in. She smiled a bit at Aysha, before reluctantly inching closer and then noticed Inkheart. "Oh do you want to read that? If you want, I can read both of them for you." Honestly, she wasn't used to such open welcome, so she was a bit alien to the situation.

{What doorstep?}

Aysha gave Pandora an encouraging smile as she gestured her over and once she saw that she was heading over, Aysha moved Nightlock over and down beside Gaia. Aysha looked at the book her lizards were laying on before at Pandora and shook her head, "not that's okay, I'm planning to read it on my own," she assured with a sweet smile.

((Well...she has to enter right? Like, the doorstep?))

"Got it." She came closer and decided to sit near her. She opened the book, flipping the introduction pages until it opened to the very first one. She gestured for Aysha to come closer. "This one is really close to my heart. Its old so its rare to find but I think its a very pretty story." She smiled.

{{Most stores that have an upper level have it as an open concept so there wouldn't be a door, there would be the top step of the stairs}}

Aysha nodded and shifted on the chair to lean closer to Pandora, leaning on the arm rest as she peered at the book in Pandora's hands. She looked up at Pandora when she spoke about the book and beamed at her, "thank you for sharing the story with me then," she said softly.

((Ah noted. I didn't know :3))


She smiled at her. Aysha was so innocent, so trusting; for some reason that made Pandora feel very...happy. She settled back a bit, crossing her legs. "Okay, so the original name of the story was Heidi, but not many know the actual name but they think its after the girl in this story because the tale is about her events in her childhood. She's used to growing up in such a free place that city life was dull but she didn't let it stop her. Its very inspiring." She admitted.

{{that's okay}}

Aysha looked excited when she began to explain the story listening intently as she spoke about it. "It sounds like it," she whispered, as if speaking any louder would make Pandora disappear or something. She perched closer, leaning her head down on her shoulder to listen to her read the story. It had been a while since she had been read too, mainly because she enjoyed reading to herself so much. Her daddy was usually just fine with listening to her read to him, helping out with more challenging words and explained their meanings to her.

It took a bit of while for her to finish reading the first chapter given that she kept pausing when her old memories returned. The story hit a nerve. She could almost imagine being a child, a bit older than Aysha today, and her mother reading it to her every night. She dismissed the thought and finally managed to finish the first chapter, on the note that the protagonist had finally started to adapt to the free, country life. She looked inquiringly at Aysha to see if she was bored or not.

Aysha had changed her position so she was curled up, laying on the to chair she was in with her head resting on the arm rest. She contently listened to Pandora read the book, her expression reacting to certain events and situations, feelings that she knew the character must have felt. After a while she decided to close her eyes to picture everything more clearer and once Pandora wrapped it up she opened her eyes and tilted her head to look at her with a smile. "Thank you for reading that to me, I liked it," she murmured softly.

She smiled back. Such a sweet girl, and for some reason, Pandora had already developed a soft spot for her. "You're welcome. Do you want me to continue or tuck you in? You look so sleepy." She noted. It wasn't that late but she herself felt a bit drowsy. Which was strange because Pandora rarely fell asleep, and when she did, it was a restless one.

Aysha smiled somehow even brighter seeing Pandora smile at her. Aysha liked it when the people around her were happy, it made her feel good and happy as well. She shook her head though, "no.. I can't sleep here, daddy won't be too happy to know I slept in the bookstore again," she said with a giggle. Daddy always got so worried when she did that, heard him once say be was terrified of someone taking her away. "He said that if I'm that tired to head up stairs to bed, but I don't really want to leave yet."

"Your daddy seems to take good care of you a lot." She observed. After her mother's death she had almost no one like that and the one exception was Ezra, and thinking about him hurt, not to mention awakened her anger, and right now, she didn't really want that. "When he's at work, you're always alone?" That was worrying. Such an innocent child -- left alone? No, she couldn't let that be. "And you're lonely then aren't you?"

Aysha nodded quickly, "Yup! He takes very good care of me, he's the best daddy I could ever want," she chirped happily. She was definitely a daddy's girl, has been since she was very young. Aysha shook her head, "not all the time, sometimes he takes me with him, other times my Uncle Tas looks after me," she informed Pandora, "but there are days when Uncle Tas is busy and I'd rather come here to read, my daddy has the staff checking up on me just to make sure I'm alright." Asyha looked at her curiously and then smiled, "nope, not all the time, especially not now," she said brightly.

"Being lonely is the worst feeling in the world." She softened the words with a smile, trying not to harden the little girl in any way. She didn't want Aysha to ever feel the pain of being alone, but it doesn't seem like she ever would. She was lucky enough to get such a concerned father. She never had that. "So I'm going to make sure you never feel that, and maybe you'll do the same for me. Is that a deal?"

Aysha tilted her head at Pandora, smart enough to figure out that she must get lonely a lot. It was something that made Aysha uncomfortable, especially since Pandora was so nice and pretty, she shouldn't be lonely. "I've read a book about depression once," she said softly, "I read it cause I was worried my daddy was becoming depressed. When I confronted him though he told me that he was sad, but he'd rather know and feel that sadness then be ignorant to it," she mused softly and gave her a smile.
Aysha thought about it, tapping her chin, "I can't agree," she said, "without my daddy's consent... but I want to make that deal."

She smiled a bit, a rueful one. "Well, sadness and depression are two very different things." She tapped her nose playfully. "And you shouldn't worry much, nothing but yourself. And you're a very, very smart girl." And she was true about that. Unlike many children she was nice enough to not say yes instantly without telling it to her dad. Pandora brushed her own golden hair away. "But if your dad is sad, do something to make him happy. Read to him or be with him. Everyone likes company."

Aysha shrugged, "not very," she retorted, "sadness is a synonym for depression. Many become depressed because they are sad about something," she murmured softly. She then wiggled her nose in reaction to her tapping it, giggling a bit with a smile. She shook her head though, "if my daddy worries about me then I will worry about him," she stated, "we're both in this together." Aysha nodded though and smiled as she moved InkHeart and her lizards lying upon it to her lap. "I do, but that doesn't always keep away the sadness.. he'd gotten better though, he doesn't like to show me that he's sad but it's normal to feel sad when you lose people..."

"You smart, smart girl." She laughed softly. "How do you know so much?" She felt sympathy for her, and her father. She knew what it was like, and she could relate. "Well, you and your father are very close aren't you? That's really good." She checked her watch. "Well, I'm sorry, dear, but its getting late and I should go." For some reason her mood dimmed. She wanted to stick around but she knew she should get going.

Aysha beamed at her happily. She always felt proud when someone told her that. "My daddy," she stated, "and I learn a lot by reading," she added. She'd been reading at a young age, something that her Uncle Tas told her that her daddy had been doing too which was why he was so smart, much more intelligent then her. Aysha nodded, "yup, he's teaching me how to cook! I'm not as good as he is though," she giggled, "I'm close to my Uncle too, he's helped a lot." She nodded and looked around to see if she could spot a clock to check the time. Aysha tried to hide her disappointment though, offering her a smile. "I'll see you again right?" she asked softly.

"Sure, you'll see me again." She said it for Aysha's benefit but she doubted it a lot. Seeing people twice in this city was rare, and sometimes bad luck. That didn't mean she didn't want to though. "And then we can cook something together maybe. Or read InkHeart." She would definitely like that, and it would definitely beat being alone. "And maybe next time I can warm up to your lizards." She doubted that too. She liked pets well enough, but she wasn't used to having any of them around, and unless it was children, she wasn't one to warm up easily.

Aysha raised a brow as she tilted her head, "the sure you began with is leading me to believe the opposite.." she whispered. "If you ever come here again just ask an employee to contact Mr. Bran, okay?" she asked. She then gave her a soft small smile, "I'll like that though," she chirped softly. Her lizards meanwhile climbed up and laid down on her head.
"Bell," a masculine voice called by the stairs. Aysha looked over just in time to see her daddy coming up the last step. "Daddy!" she squealed, putting the book down and her lizards onto it quickly before she flew off towards her father and leaped into his awaiting arms.
Kelso caught his daughter easily in his arms, shifting her to rest on his hip. Holding her he smiled at her, "I suspected I'd find you here," he teased her lightly, receiving a grinning smile. "How was the diner?"
"Everyone's good, solved the problem, don't I always?" he jokes. Aysha giggled and rolled her eyes causing him to poke her side which she immediately began to squeal about. Kelso chuckled, tightening his grip so his squirming child didn't fall. Once Aysha settled she noticed the flour on his cheek and giggled, brushing it off. "I made a new friend," she excitedly informed him and looked over at Pandora.

Pandora instantly got on alert, casually tapping the back of her boot where her hand stave was placed. She stood up, plastering a charming but fake smile. She hated being suprised especially if it were strangers. Children were okay; they were innocent. But these days they're the only saints around here.

"And she's named Pandora Kean." She effectively introduced herself all the while finishing Aysha's sentence. "I read a story to your wonderful daughter and she thinks I'm her godmother or something. She can prove to be very good company when you're really lonely. Smarter than me." She laughed a bit, a tinkling childish chuckle.

Kelso raised a brow when she told him that, instantly becoming cautious. He knew that he had developed the similar trait he has, seeing good in everyone. He followed Aysha's gaze and his blue gaze landed on Pandora. He knew instantly the smile on her lips was forced, completely fake which made him uneasy.
His grip unconsciously tightened around Aysha and nodded in greeting, "Daemyn Bran," he responded, not giving her his actual first name. He'd learned the hard way of trusting strangers. Despite his caution he offered her a small smile, "thank you for keeping her entertained," he said. Aysha beamed at them, ignorant to the almost tense atmosphere. "I'm not that smart," she murmured, blushing. Kelso looked at his daughter and chuckled, "are you saying I'm not a good teacher?" he asked, a warning in his tone but he looked amused. Aysha's eyes widened but smile grew larger. "Noooo..."
Kelso put her down on her feet, "that's what I thought," he teased tickling her sides a bit. Aysha squealed with laughter and darted over to Pandora to get away but also to grab her stuff. She picked up her book and put her lizards into her head when she paused, looking at her dad before at Pandora.
Kelso looked away from Aysha and at Pandora, this whole interaction frankly reminded him of the fact that Aysha lacked a 'motherly' figure in her life.

She cringed at the atmosphere that was intensifying as each second passed. He was protective and she got that. She liked it better too, actually, because it just proved he was able to protect her daughter, and Pandora really wanted this little innocent girl to be protected as much as possible.

"I'll leave you two people alone for now." She effectively foreshadowed her leave, starting for the door. "Its really nice to meet you guys. Especially you." She waved at Aysha.

Aysha nodded and waved in return, "bye Pandora, I'll see you when I see you!" she chirped moving to stand beside her dad who has moved away from the stairs to allow Pandora to pass.
Kelso kept his eye on her for a bit before she was gone from view and looked at Aysha, smiling. "Ready to head upstairs and cook dinner Little Bell?" he asked her. Aysha nodded eagerly in response.
"Yup!" she chirped.

Pandora lingered around the very bottom, listening to the faded noise of their happy conversation. She smiled a bit too herself, listening to their exchange. How sweet, how...normal. Why couldn't she ever have a family like that? Or a family at all? Sparing one last look at the top, and telling herself that she would have to accept her fate, she finally got out, not even remembering that she forgot her book there.

Exit Pandora

Kelso chuckled at his daughter and after grabbing her book from her to carry he motioned for her to begin heading downstairs. Soon the duo were waiting for the elevator and then were heading upstairs to their flat.

End

((Should we roleplay them somewhere else or smthing?))

((Idk. If it's somewhere else, the only other place Aysha heads to is the Diner))

((Well, Pandora would probably head to the Garden. Its her type of place. confused haha))

((I don't think either Kelso or Aysha would end up at the gardens. A park maybe))

((Okay, let's just go to the diner anyways, if you want to?))

((Okay, I can do that. Who'll post first and hOw long is this meeting from this point in time, like how Many days had it been since their meeting in this bookstore))