Smarter Than the Average D'Imagian

[December 4, 4289; late night]

Library Collections

The sweet faces of innocent stone cherubs look down upon the library collection alcoves from the high vaulted ceiling looming above this elongated room which runs in an easternly direction. Each wall here, save for the eastern wall, is lined with alcoves, tall mahogany bookcases standing proudly within each. Decorating the wall to the east are four lecterns fashioned from mahogany wood offering a quiet place for private study. Affixed to each alcove are silver sconces, magical flames dancing within. Thick blue carpet covers the stone floor, muffling the sounds of your footsteps as you wander through the collections offered here.

Julius comes in from the library.
Julius has arrived.

[Julius:

Standing at six feet tall, he has the wirey frame of an elf, but he's human. High cheekbones and a pale face dignify him, toned muscles showing his litheness and agility. Waist length raven black hair flows loose in the breeze, straight, but the bangs frame his pale face beautifuly with a light curve. Small lips form into a slight pout sometimes, but normally smile. Something that might get your attention, is away from his handsome pale but dark looks, he has bright jaded eyes that almost seem to be a molten pool of gems around the black pupil, with long dark lashes shading them. They don't glow, they're just bright in color, but very pale in cold weather.

His lithe body dons tight black pants that hug his long legs fittingly, black leather boots up to the knees. Tucking into the pants is a crimson silk shirt that buttons up the front regally, coming loosely from the shoulders to his wrists coming together underneath two black doublets. Black leather gloves hug his hands. A black leather belt hugs his waist with a elvish fashioned rapier on his left hip, a matching blade of design resting against his back... a dagger in an easy-access sheath.

For concealment and warmth, he usually has a black leather cloak, silk in-lined. He doesn't use weapons normally, but with the way he moves, his grace and elegance, it might be a good guess to venture that he is a dancer or swordsman of sorts. He looks fragile, but those muscles were trained, not a gift.]

Julius lips into the library collections quietly, his steps silent and graceful.

Antha looks up startled at the arrival of Julius. She gives you a friendly smile.

Julius smiles warmly at you, and offers a polite bow, before glancing between the different shelving sections to try and decide where to go.

"What are you interested in?" she asks, gesturing to the stacks.

Julius smiles a bit at her, turning to face her. "Myths, danger, adventure and legends... Take your pick, but most anything interests me."

Antha offers you a contemplative nod and an approving grin. "You might try the Myths and Folklore section." She resumes her looking over the title of books, seemingly not finding what she is looking for. "You would think they would have /one/ book on my homeland." She shrugs.

Julius nods softly. "Perhaps so, my lady." He watches her for a moment, then her hands to see what books she brushes by, a brow arching at the exclaimation. "I'm sure they have one somewhere, although it might be in the much older sections..." He gestures upwards to the collections on the second floor.

Antha gives a heavy sigh accompanied by a rueful grin. "While the massiveness of this library *is* impressive, it can be so overwhelming."

Julius hmms softly. "Well, what lands are you looking for?"

"Oomura. And the Islands" she replies, her voice accented with Oomuran heritage. "I was simply curious as to what D'Image has documented about it."

Julius ahs. "Documents you want, those are upstairs." He gestures lightly. "Come with me?" His voice almost sounds pleading.

Antha gives you a quick, evaluating look before nodding, deciding you aren't homicidal. "After you."

Julius wouldn't hurt a fly unless the fly was trying to kill him. He turns to lead back into the main room.

Julius goes out into the lobby.
Julius has left.

[Library Lobby

Footsteps are muffled by the thick, dark blue carpeting of the library. Refurnished with rich hardwood furniture, the room's refined atmosphere lends itself well to either a leisurely read or a serious study. Several large mahogany tables and chairs invite you to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The library's ancient ebonized bookcases rise to the ceiling, holding tomes, both old and new. Ornate silver oil lamps twinkle atop each table and matching silver sconces line the walls at regular intervals. Together they provide a soft glow to the room. Rather curiously, the dainty flames dancing within the light fixtures release no heat or smoke. A tapestry woven in vibrant silks hangs over the wall where the portal to the academy once resided.
Mahogany doors to the south lead out to the main foyer, blocking out any sound from that direction. To the East an archway leads into the Library Collections. A circular staircase leads up to the second level of the library.]

Antha says, "Lead the way"

Julius moves to the stairs and ascends them gracefully, heading towards the more dusty regions of the library.

Julius walks up the spiral staircase into the upper level of the library.
Julius has left.
You walk up the spiral stairs into the upper level of the library.

Upper Level

This is the second floor of the library that stretches out in all directions as far as you can see between the neatly lined rows of tall bookshelves. It is musty up here, and quiet, with little to no moving air, as if the weight of centuries hangs upon them. You can go down the stairs to the main floor of the library, South onto the balcony of the Foyer, or North into the older section of the library.

Julius makes his way slowly through the towering shelves and disappears into the northern area of the library.

Julius has left.
You make your way slowly through the towering shelves and back into the less-frequented northern area of the library.

Far Reaches of the Library

The far reaches of the library are quiet and empty, and the smell of old books permeates the still air. Despite its apparent desolation, it is well-dusted and the blue carpet beneath your feet, which swallows your footsteps, is perfectly clean. A few windows open in the wall. In the distance, you catch a glimpse of something gold and gleaming... a desert, perhaps? You can retrace your steps to the main area of the library, or there is a spiral staircase in the corner leading both up and down.

Julius glances around and moves to the much older books. "Here we are..."

Antha lets a soft chuckles. "How long do you think it's been since anyone has been all the way back here?"

Julius hmms a bit, fingering through some books lightly. "Really can't say... There are offices back here for the Investigative Prosecutors and the Magistrate." He hmms faintly, pulling an old dusty book from the shelves. "Here is a book about your lands. By the title, it seems to be the history and legends."

Antha gives the book a slow look, then blows on the cover, spreading a cloud of dust into the air.

Julius sidesteps the cloud the best he can.

Antha giggles. "Sorry." She pauses. "Take this the right way, but you seem more intelligent than most the men I've met in D'Image."

Julius chuckles softly. "Thank you for the compliment, My lady. Although I'm not exactly Native D'Imagian."

Antha shrugs with an amiable grin. "That explains it!" she jests. "So, have you decided what you're interested in tonight?" she asks with a coy smirk.

Julius smiles a little. "Most likely going to try for a good Adventure, suspense story."

Antha nods appreciatively. "Suspense is good, though as a mystery/thriller it's a little more to my tastes."

Julius watches her a moment. "Did you actually come for documentations on your lands? You seem more in need of a good book other then historical documents." He chuckles lightly. "Mysteries keep you guessing, I love those."

Antha nods. "I love a good mystery...too much. I waste valuable time reading page after page if I'm reading something I'm interested in. However, my second-in-command suggested I survey D'Image's library contents, going on and on about how wonderful and educational it is."

Julius smiles a bit. "I must admit that I find real life experiences more knowledgable then a huge library."

"More of a hands-on learner, eh?" Antha draws her words out like a finely honed blade.

Julius nods softly. "Aye, very much so."

Antha smiles languidly. "So what have you learned in D'Image so far?"

Julius laughs faintly. "What have I learned? How to become smarter then the average D'Imagian, and how not to hit on women constantly."

A smile plays on her lips as she gazes at you. "The latter isn't difficult. As for the second, why do you try not to grace women with charm?"

Julius smiles a bit. "I try not to 'charm' ladies into my arms. I will let them come to me if they're interested."

Antha takes a step closer to you. "How do you know when they are interested?" she asks with silken cordiality.

Julius keeps his grounds, watching you with a passive gaze, not letting anything seep into his emerald eyes. "Its hard to tell most of the time."

Antha tilts her head, her dark hair spilling over her shoulder. "Hmm. But if you never seek anyone out, don't you get..." She pauses as she tries to think of the word in D'Image tongue. "...frustrated?"

Julius chuckles faintly, calmly. "Frustrated? I deal with it in my own ways..." He arches a brow at her faintly. "If you try to tease me, you might not like the results." He warns.

Antha mock pouts. "Spoil my fun." She smirks placatingly.

Julius grins charmingly without thought. "Sorry, My lady."

Antha chuckles softly, then changes the subject: "So, what do you do here in D'Image?"

Julius chuckles faintly. "I teach the blade, dance, and am Baron Julius DeGraphinnreed, of DeCanter."

Antha nods, impressed. "How skilled are you with your blade?"

Julius smiles a bit. "Very. It is my life, my protection, and my best friend. Why do you ask?"

Antha shrugs. "I've thought about learning. I'm very good at hand-to-hand, but give me a blade and I'm lost."

Julius nods softly. "I'd be more then happy to teach you."

Antha mimics your nod. "I'd like that." She extends her hand. "I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. Antha Avanti."

Julius takes the hand and offers a faint bow, brushing a kiss across the knuckles. Ever the gentleman. "Pleasure to meet you, My lady."

Antha steadies her gaze on you. "And I you."

Julius lets go of her hand once the kiss is bestowed, straightening to his full height.

Antha remarks, "And you dance as well, Julius?"

Julius nods softly. "I am the current dancing instructor around here."

"Any particular kind of dancing?" she inquires.

Julius says, "All kinds of dancing. I do Tango, ball-room waltz...latin."

Antha nods. "You have quite...the spice of life. Where did you learn all this?"

Julius smiles softly. "Parents can teach you a lot."
Julius says, "Plus my own personal experiences help..."

Antha raises her brows. "Your parents taught you to dance /and/ swordsmanship?"

Julius nods faintly. "Mother was a Gypsy, father was a pirate."

Antha chuckles. "Makes sense."

Julius smiles a bit. "Why so curious about me?"

Antha pushes back stray strands of raven hair in an easy gesture. "You're an interesting person" she states. "Besides, I've always been the 'ask questions' type of person."

Julius ahs faintly and gestures to the book. "That what you need?"

Antha nods. "It's a start."

Julius nods softly. "There are a few more books here that should include some about it in them..." He points out about four. "Well, I shouldn't keep you from your studies any longer."

Antha pouts. "Oh, but you've been such a nice distraction."

Julius laughs softly. "A nice distraction... Hmm... I feel loved." He teases.

Antha laughs as well. "You should."

Julius chuckles faintly. "Why's that?"

Antha smirks. "You're a unique person in a sea of turbulent clones."

Julius laughs out a bit at that. "So I'm not crazy that everyone around here seems to be the same... Quite utterly boring."

Antha nods, then frowns. "Well, I really should start reading but..ah..if I see you in the stacks maybe I could help you study female anatomy." She smirks wickedly.

Julius blinks slightly, with a faint chuckle. Ah sure... "I will see you again, lady Antha."

Antha turns in the direction of a mahogany reading table, casting a final flirtacious glance over her shoulder at you.

Julius slowly makes his way through the towering shelves to the more frequented areas of the upper level of the library.