Uncanny Quiet [open]

[Jazz]

Lysander remembered when fifteen year old stood at the Library entrance. A commoner boy, Lysander Alevi had never seen a library before, much less one of this size and grandeus. Lysander was not one of those people who were never without a book in hand, and was never much the reading type. However, he did respect books to a great extent, and valued them. Living with Cam had taught him that much. At first it had been quick errand for the commander in chief. Then, as he had progressed among the ranks, he had started to revel in the peace that it offered.

The reason he didn't read often was simply that he didn't have any time, so never finished any books he started. He did like reading, but duties were no joke - and reports were to be read before books. He stood still for a moment, admiring the grandeur of the library, before walking a few steps forward. Pirates from the Copper Isles, Scanran raiders, Carthaki rebels... Lysander was dead tired, and hardly ever got any peace. He didn't have much time to spend before a meeting with the rest of the high-ranking Riders. And there was no good news.

Sander wanted some books. He hardly ever finished any he took out, but he liked reading, anyway. He walked along the shelves, running his fingers over the various spines. Coming across a table, she sifted through the piles of books spread on it. Some were new, in bold colours with titles, others were old, colours faded, some titles unreadable. The bookshelves were quite welcoming. Every now and then, he'd take out a book, open it at random, read a couple of pages, then slide it into it's original place. It was almost methodical, the way he executed this task. He took utmost care of the books, making sure not to damage any pages, taking and replacing it with accuracy. He'd been raised to respect books. The youing man continued along, picking up books that seemed interesting as he progressed. There weren't many people about, save for a few scribbling away reading, or browsing like himself.

He stopped at a table, and placed the books gently on the smooth top. Someone was sitting there, but he payed them no heed. He carefully sorted through her choice, selectde three books that would keep her entertained. It was surprising, his expert handling of the books, but after being yelled at by a younger sister for years, things like that became habit. The sun was up today, and he intended to spend her time in the quiet, on the lawns, as he contemplated things. Things needed conetmplation, or he'd frustrate himself to no end. And they couldn't afford that.

[Sapphire]

((Hi! K, well... I am gonna post. Delete if you wish, this is a 'I am bored, exams suck' type of post. Ok, I am going to post it after the whole Islands thing...... If thats cool?))

Sapphire of Beliseare had always been a reader. Books were one of her favourite things. As a child she had poured over the books in her parents library and then moved on to bigger, better things. This came in the form of the Palace Library in the Islands. She had always felt at home in a library. It was filled with new worlds waiting to be explored. She had gotten many sources for debates from that library. When she had moved to Tortall the library had been her comfort on many home-sick nights. The library was provided peace when the world screaming in her ear. When everything else was going at a million miles per hour the library seemed to stop time. Whenever she needed to get her mind together she seemed to end up here.

Which is probably why she found herself automatically walking towards the Library. She wasn't thinking about it, she just ended up there. She paused to take a look at it. Same old library. The rows and rows of books looked grand and untouchable. She walked in and smiled at the familiarity of the library. She was home. Her life was being ripped apart, but somehow this library made it all alright. After going to the Islands, having the Emperor killed, her best friend snubbing her, being supposedly kidnapped, leg broken, healed, being told that her friends had betrayed her, believing it, doubting it, having Claw go missing and her friends return, her life had taken a bit of a tumble. She looked through the rows of books, content, she loved this Library.

She was in search of something in particular. It was a book that someone had recommended before the trip. She hadn't taken it out, but now she needed something to read and it seemed perfect. She found it and picked it up. She found three more books and walked towards the row of tables. She new this library so well by now she didn't even have to look where she was going. She was looking at her books and trying to decide which ones would be best to take out. She came to the table and yanked out a chair. Sitting down, she arranged the books and looked up to push some hair out of her eyes.

She gaped in surprise at who she was looking at. Lysander Alevi. He seemed pretty content in the books that he was looking at. She contemplated saying something, but she didn't want to interrupt him. She tilted her head and looked at him for a second. Rocking abck in her seat she reluctantly picked up her book. She scanned over the first page and sighed. She fiddled with a strand of her hair and stared out of the window. It was a warm, sunny day. She had planned to curl up in a corner and devour her books, but looking at the sun her plans changed.

She looked back at Lysander one more time and twisted a strand of hair hair around her finger. The last time she had seen him (And the first time she had met him) was before the trip. She rocked back further into her chair and let her hair fall down her back. She tipped her chair a little further and..... Yes, thats right, in classic Sapphire style, she fell backwards. She let out a small shriek and cursed her stupidity as she crashed into the floor. Great, could her day get any worse? "Ow..."
((Arg! Sorry its so..... bad!))

[Jazz]

Lysander had reached a calm that he didn't often reach. This was probably because trouble just seemed to follow him everywhere. He had the wonderful gift of being permanently in the wrong place at the wrong time. Disasters seemed to spring up wherever he went, and he always seemed to be the figure of highest authority, and of course had to do something about it. Crisises were his speciality. Unfortunately. But now there was nothing but wonderful peace and silence. he revelled in it.

He hadn't paid any attention at all to the figure in the chair in front of them. He was preoccupied. He always was. But at least he wasn't completely strung out, for a precious moment in his life. Of course, when the figure when crash, shriek, and "Ow," he immediately set down the volume in his hands and leant down to help he figure to her feet. "Oh my, are you alright?" And then of course, our wonderfully absent-minded commander found out, there was the small matter upon who it actually was.

His eyes widened in pleased surprise as he brought her to her feet. "Lady Sapphire! Fancy seeing you here," he said warmly, offering his hand for her to shake. Indeed, the first time they met they had parted on good terms, and he was happy to see her again. They had met under unusual circumstances, but had had a lot of fun together. He smiled warmly, thinking over what to say. Hopefully they wouldn't have to result to small talk.

"I hadn't seen you there. Forgive my ignorance," he said politely, slipping his hands into his pockets. "May I invite you to sit with me?" he straightened her chair and gestured to it. "Please, do sit."

[[It's crappy... meh]]

[Sapphire]

Sapphire of Beliseare was one of the most calm and dignified debators that the embassy had ever seen. She was a wizard with words and a master of the craft of debate. Yes, Sapphire was the type of delegate that many countries wanted. So then why, oh why did she have the amazing ability to embarras herself when she really didn't want to?

From her place on the floor she had a lovely view of the ENTIRE library staring at her. Life was brilliant alright, absolutly brilliant. She sighed and willed the floor to open and swallow her. No such luck. Someone helped her up. She turned to thank them and immediatly felt her cheeks grow hot. Lysander. "Oh my, are you alright?" She closed her eyes and nodded. The one person she really didn't need to embarrass herslef in front of? That was probably Lysander Alevi. "I am brilliant thanks."she said sarcastically.

"Lady Sapphire! Fancy seeing you here," she shook his hand and smiled. "And fancy seeing you here. Thanks for helping me up." she grinned and tucked her curls behind her ears. She had liked Lysander the last time they had met. He was really fun, and it was something she needed in that stressful time before the trip. The trip, that is what she called it now. It had been somewhat traumatic for her. She shuddered just thinking about it. She bent down and picked up the book that had come down with her. She shook her head, she was to clumsy for her own good. She tilted her head and smiled up at Lysander. She hoped they wouldn't have to resort to small talk. They had had a lot of fun the last time they had met.

"I hadn't seen you there. Forgive my ignorance," she smiled, "Don't worry, you were in the zone. I think a hurrok could have attacked and you wouldn't have noticed." She looked over at his books and frowned, "What were you reading that was so enthralling anyway?" Lysander didn;t seem like the reading type. He surely was far to busy. The Riders was something Fhire could never ever do. There was tro much stuff to do and they fought with swords. Her weopons were words.

"May I invite you to sit with me? Please, do sit." She skooped her skirts and sat on the chair, "Thanks" she said, twirling a loose curld around her finger.

[Jazz]

Sapphire of Beliseare.

If you asked Sander about this particular young woman, he could tell you a lot, simply having have yearned it from one chance meeting in the menagerie. Lysander was a good judge of character, as any of his Riders would tell you, and the conevrsation had been pretty strange by all accounts. In any case, any noblewoman that responded to being splashed with cheerful glee was worth your time, and Lady Sapphire was certainly an interesting woman to come across.

"And fancy seeing you here. Thanks for helping me up," she said with a grin. Despite hardly knowing her, Sander had a bit of a soft spot for Fhire. She was a wonderful conversationalist, and they'd hit it off very well when they'd met. She was also completely adorable, and perhaps a bit too much so. "No problem," he said, returning her smile with one of his own. She was polite and well mannered, but she wasn't stiff, and was a pleasure to talk to. Except when she did the hair-twirling thing. It disconcerted him.

"Don't worry, you were in the zone. I think a hurrok could have attacked and you wouldn't have noticed." Lysander laughed, and shook his hair. He didn't get the chance to daydream very often, and he didn't notice when he did. How wonderful. "Pssh," he dismissed the idea, "I can command in my sleep. I wouldn't have to notice it." He smiled. He knew he was being full of himself, but it wasn't sincere and Sapphire knew it was all jokes. "What were you reading that was so enthralling anyway?"

Lysander picked up a book from the table. "I don't know," he admitted. "I was just picking up some books that seemed interesting. Half my group is recovering from spidren injuries, so it'll be at least a week 'till were up and running. I figured I'd do a bit of reading." He sat down as she did, making a face when she fiddled with her hair. "That is too distracting for words, milady," he teased, mock scowling.