2015.08.12 - Friends Old and New

*Some catching up at the local library*

8/11/2015

Beacon Hills Public Library

It's that post-work rush again, with everyone coming to turn in their late books, or hop on fresh returns. The library isn't exactly hoppin', but there's a fair number of people milling about. That said, there's still plenty of quiet areas for quiet conversations and scholastic pursuits. LJ himself, as a part-timer, is currently reshelving a stack of those aforementioned fresh returns, somewhere in the science history section of the stacks. He's neatly and well-dressed, of course, with a dark blazer and a light undershirt, slacks, and polished suede shoes.

"A'scuse, sir," interrupts LJ's reshelving, having come from the ratty looking Nadya who has apparently walked up on him amidst the hubbub. But instead of asking if the bathrooms are open or anything one might suspect for someone of her appearance, she just asks "Could you point me at a guide for local flora? Bit of a hobby." There's the faintest hint of an accent, but placing it might be tricky...

It is indeed a rush of traffic at the front of the library, but Keith has found his way through the crowd to the less crowded area near LJ. He can be seeing scanning a nearby bookshelf dressed in khaki shorts and a plain white t-shirt. His feet adorn blue flip-flops most likely purchased from the latest trendy preppy store online. He doesn't appear to be much older than a college student, but why is he milling around the advanced topics in Social Sciences section of the library?!

It's only when the lady speaks to LJ that Keith's attention is shifted and an eyebrow his lifted in a curious gesture. He soon is tilting his head, but clearly too occupied assessing the woman to say anything quite yet.

LJ pauses right amidst streeetching to get that one obnoxious book place right at the highest shelf. The man's relatively tall, but it's still a pain in the ass. Naturally, the question comes right as he's all weirdly positioned. But, decorum. "Yes, of course," he says, a little strained, and then... gentle push! And the book is shelved. Phew. Splat. Feet fully back on floor. "It's but a few aisles over. Come--I'll show you." Gesturing for her to follow, though with a raised brow, like he *swears* he knows her from somewhere, the Scotsman turns and passes by Keith, to whom he nods. "Good evening, sir. Do you require any assistance?"

"Careful," is the so-very-helpful caution from Nadya as LJ stretches for that shelf. The probing look just earns a cheerful grin as the much shorter woman tucks her hands into the pockets of her jeans and nods, "Lead on." She doesn't seem at all put out when he pauses to check in on Keith, either, apparently in no hurry.

Keith quickly snaps out his trance as LJ speaks directly to him. "Oh... uh..." He pauses looking around suddenly trying to compose himself from the unexpected attention he's otherwise drawn to himself. "I was just looking for some suggested resources for my Sociology students this fall... So probably not right now, thanks." He then looks back to the woman scanning her seeming to try to place if he's seen her before. Though it doesn't appear so with the expression the man is giving off.

"We actually have a section of donated lesson plans," LJ explains helpfully, turning to nod apologetically to Nadya for a moment. His voice is even and professional. "The print versions are over by the newspapers, and you can access the digital versions on the computer. I use them occasionally when I need to cover for teachers at the high school. If you need any help, just let me know." Then, beckoning Nadya, "This way, Miss," he continues on to the aforementioned section on local flora, which isn't far. Sliding his fingers along the smooth metal edges of the stacks, like one might caress a beloved piece of furniture, LJ eventually stops, his finger landing on a particular shelf. "Here we are. Flora native to his area of California. There's quite a few books, so feel free to take your time."

Nadya makes an offhanded 'no trouble' gesture as LJ apologizes for doing his job, her smile quirking up to one side as though amused. Someone is just far too cheerful about something. As he goes back to leading her along, the woman remarks "You're a teacher? Thankless job, that. Good on you." Ah, but here we are. "Otlichno. You've been very helpful." That was definitely Russian, probably recognizable even if one doesn't speak the language.

Keith smiles at LJ and nods gratefully. "Thanks, sir. That will be most certainly helpful. Being the first semester teacher, I can use all the help I can get wrangling teenagers." He pausing looking over at Nadya with a nod. "Yes, you're not kidding. I hear most people dismiss most of us as glorified babysitters." He randomly picks up a nearby book looking like he's suddenly interested flipping to a random page and briefly looking down before slowly peering up to keep an eye on the other two. It's strange, but the man has a very suspicious look on his face when looking at the otherwise innocent woman in front of him.

LJ occasionally has cheer, but is rarely full of it. But he does try to be helpful! "Beacon Hills is an interesting place," he says to Keith. "The High School continues in that fine tradition. The more prep you can muster, the better off you'll be. Or so I've heard, at least." After that, he's helping Nadya, to whom he nods politely when he's done. "Of course, Miss. Let me know if you require any further assistance. Also, pardon the imposition, but have you ever been to Scotland? I feel as if we've met, but I can't place the memory."

Nadya is all set to tug a promising book off the shelf when she's caught by that question, glancing back to LJ with a raised brow. "Scotland? Hmm..." Up and to the right go her eyes as she visibly rummages memory, chin jutting forward a little. "Once or twice, though not recently." Then the urchin's grin breaks back out and she tugs at the shoulder of her shirt, "Plane ticket's pricey. These days I'm West Coast, though all up and down. Got the itch in my feet."

Keith smiles at the thought that maybe this teaching job won't be as lonely as he previously imagined. "Thanks for the pep talk. I really do need it. I'm so nervous that they'll eat me alive when they see me walk into the room." He chuckles slightly before looking down at his attire. Clearly not having decided to really dress professionally. He then pauses glancing between the other two as they speak of Scotland. He hasn't been, though it's clear by the look in his eyes that he very much would like to go. It's only when the woman speaks of 'itchy feet' that he chimes in, "That's a weird way of putting that you have a traveling bug. I swear I've hear an old family friend say just that thing when I was younger though."

LJ isn't ignoring Keith, so responds to his concerns with a sympathetic smile. Well, what LJ passes as smiles. It's a thin, quiet affair, but it's there. "They're high schoolers. There's a learning curve, but don't fret too much. Just be firm, but relatable, and you'll do well." That said, he turns to Nadya and scratches his beard, like something about her is just niggling at him. "Have you ever met a 'Lady Grey', perchance?"

"I've known some scary highschoolers," Nadya snickers at LJ's attempts to be reassuring. But the questions from two sides have her eyebrows going up with a decidedly amused expression, "My my, this is a surprise. New friends already." Teeth glint in a trickster's grin, eyes narrowed and nose wrinkled, and then Nadya waggles the book she snagged in a gesture that isn't exactly a wave, "I've met a Grey Lady in my time, certainly. And I've made friends with many families. Give me your name and I might give you mine, da?"

Keith nods at LJ as though he makes a good point. "I guess..." It's only when Nadya voices her previously experience with scary high schoolers that he gestures to her in validation. "See, so I'm not exactly completely crazy... at least not on this fact." It's only when the topic of 'Lady Grey' comes up in conversation that a tentative look crosses over Keith's face. It's clear he's caught with a curious air. Those that might be trained in training such things might feel Keith's gentle mental caress like he's beginning to try to use telepathy, but then thinks twice about such an act. "Oh how rude of me! I'm Keith Tidesworth." He then offers a hand between the other two as he moves closer to them from his original location.

The sidelong look LJ slides towards Keith could be recognition of that aborted magic, or it could just be his resting bitch face. Or simply curiosity at the sudden serendipity! Whatever the case, allows the discussion of high schoolers to stand, since Nadya's not wrong, but agreeing with her is unlikely to Keith feel better. "The Lady Grey was a teacher of mine. She's something of a cloistered duchess out of Edinburgh, but if you're not familiar with her, then no worries." Then, to both of them, he says, "The name's Lawrence Jasper Knight, but LJ will do. A pleasure to meet the both of you."

Nadya accepts Keith's offered handshake, though in a somewhat non-standard manner: she reaches past his hand to grasp his forearm lightly, "Good to meet you both. I'm Nadya, the Witch Durant." Wait, she just said that didn't she? Releasing Keith's arm, that impish grin turns up to LJ, "And so *you're* Lawrence. My my~" A pause, not quite long enough to be a break in conversation, then she asks "Are you both here on Business?" You can hear the capital letter, somehow.

It might be the audience or that nagging feeling one gets in the back of your head when you know you're doing something unethical, but Keith briefly cringes at the sidelong look LJ gives him. But he attempts to throw off the scent soon after by giving a smirk like didn't just try to violate the two with such ability. "Oh, she sounds pretty cool. At least for a shut-in type... almost sounds like the town figure all the strange happens are blamed on from fiction." He tries to briefly chuckle like the thought that she's the town witch is ironic or something.

It's only at Nadya's more traditional greeting that the alarms finally make sense in his head. She might not be the most powerful witch in the land, but he has heard the tales of her abilities through the grapevine. He returns the traditional handshake without much of a problem at all. "Nice to meet you Nadya." It's when the lady asks what they're doing in town that he starts clearing his throat not entirely certain how much he wants to give away. "Um... you could say I'm actually avoiding business actually. Quite more of the pleasure..."

Getting the distinct impression he's being sized up like prime beef, LJ folds his arms against his chest, and while he doesn't look embarrassed, there's definitely a weight to his brows that suggests this is news he was Not Thrilled To Hear. "You're Her," he says, with a sudden chill to his tone. "Sending an 'improved pheromones' potion to a growing teen was a cruel joke. I had to hide my face for Weeks." That's about all LJ's going to say about it too, since he suddenly doesn't seem Thrilled to be helping the Witch Durant anymore. "The Lady Grey does not brook shenanigans," he says, coolly. "That. Was. Shenanigans." He leaves it to their imaginations what eldritch punishments the Cloistered Lady put upon him, and then slowly inhales to recompose himself. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Keith. If you'll excuse me, I need to continue sorting." At least the Scotsman is now Thoroughly Distracted, and not making faces at Keith anymore! With that, he calmly walks away, ice (not really) trailing in his wake, and disappears into a storage room.

Nadya stays composed until LJ's moved off a bit (or at least as composed as one can be with a certified Shit Eating Grin), but promptly starts to giggle once he's clear. Yes, giggle. Evil woman. Soon enough, though, she coughs and clears her throat before turning a somewhat apologetic smile back to Keith, "Don't mind Lawrence, he's just saddled with being Proper. So, you're on vacation, hm?" Tilting her head a little to one side, the woman openly studies Keith a moment, "Any reason in particular?"

Keith looks a bit shocked at LJ's responses, but stays quiet as he seemingly scolds the other witch for his proposed potion from ages ago. Though the thought of a pheromones potion being used by a young teen does crack a wicked grin on the man's face. It's only when the other man storms off that a pained look crosses Keith's face. "Oh, poor LJ. He must not have had good results that he would otherwise have expected..." He then perks up when the witch addresses him directly again. "Oh, why yes. I'm take a bit of a... well lets say I needed to get away from a certain group if I ever want to return to benefit them later in life." He then begins to grow red as the reason for his 'vacation' is actually requested. "Well I'm sure someone with your past might relate." He looks around quickly leaning in and saying, "Many people seem to rely on our abilities."

It sucks for LJ making his retreat so quickly. He was just seconds away from having a relief come in in the form of Brock, who drifts into the library in his golden glory. The dude is kinda large by many standards, towering over a lot of people around this place, and not to mention that supernatural sort of glow that he possesses, that Majesty aura that serves to make him a shining specimen of who he is. He lumbers in, carrying with him a book about the area, returning it to the slot as an indication of being through with the object. The person behind the desk looks up, up and way up to find his eyes and look surprised at the veritable giant. Brock smirks, nods and shuffles away from the desk onto greater things.

Nadya chuckles softly at the explanation from Keith, a more relaxed sound to go with the easy smile her face just seems to settle into of its own accord, "Ah, a bit of distance to help the heart grow fond, hm?" The hand not holding her book lifts to pat the younger witch on the arm, "It can get heavy, da. No shame in decompressing a bit. Stand up, take a breath, remember how the sun feels on your back. You'll be better for it." Then she waggles her book again to call attention to it, "Me, I'm just passing through, lazy like. See if something catches my eye, or if I'm needed elsewhere. You know how it goes."

Keith nods at Nadya, "Yeah, that's a more polite way of putting it." It's clear by Keith's tone that for some reason he was fed up with where he came from. Might it be just too much for him or maybe there's actually a deeper portion of the story he's holding onto for now. He sighs in a sort of relief at the pat he gets and the witch's encouragement. "Most certainly, I miss the ritu..." He's listening, but his attention is clearly drawn to the large figure that has just entered the library. Clearly Keith's seen Brock around the school a few times gathering his things for this fall's classes. Though that doesn't change the fact the man is huge. "Damn..." It's not clear by his inflection if it's fear or a slight admiration for the other man's presence.

Nadya quirks a brow as Keith gets distracted before turning to glance herself. "...Hm!" It's an impressed sound, but that largely seems to be the sum of it as far as Nadya's concerned. "I'll be in town for a few days, if you want to join me," she turns her smile back to Keith before cocking a thumb towards the main door of the library. "Got a camper, you'll know it if you see it. You can try my last batch of tonic, tell if it's worth selling as anything other than varnish remover." It's hard to tell if she's serious around that grin, but then she's moving off towards the checkout desk with a wave over one shoulder, "Do tekh por~"

Bring large, Australian and outwardly extroverted is Brock's thing! Intimidation on several levels with this one, cause a lot of people shy away from that sorta behavior, but it doesn't bring Brock any nevermind. He just chugs right along! His ocean colored eyes peer to the two that are having their discussion, while the large lion nods to Keith politely, lumbering past their area. The part that he intends to get to is right nearby, which makes the man wrinkle his nose because of space problems. He's gonna have to put himself over there to get to the section. Ah well... it isn't so bad when Nadya leaves, because that makes more room, "Ah, right then. Ah dun spose ya could scuse me a sec?" his thick accent cutting in, and he nods his head toward the books, "Kinna need ta get in there."

Keith averts his attention back to Nadya before agreeing with her offer. "I'd be honored to pay you a visit. We can talk a bit of shop if you don't mind an questioning man at your door." It's said with a clear sense of honor in his voice. "I'd even offer my little services if you wanted to have an informal commune circle. Anything to help a fellow traveler on their spiritual path." He winks at the other witch. He then waves as the woman leaves.

It's only when Brock actually proceeds in Keith's direction that he tries to quickly move out of the way. "Oh, excuse me. I'm just standing in everyone's way it seems..."