Bibliophiles Unite!

[Zero]

Keiran followed after her as they moved through the shelves to the back door. When she opened it for him he gave her a rueful smile. A gentleman would usually hold the door for a lady, but he supposed there was no help for it.

Ducking outside quickly, it took no time at all before he had to stop in his tracks, looking down around his feet to make sure he wasn't stepping on any little furry critters.

"Oh my." He murmured, a little shocked at the sudden mobbing from the city's unfortunates. Of course his expression softened at the look Lyssa threw him as she began pulling out scraps for the hungry animals. "Unfailingly generous, I should have expected no less. Do you feed them often?"

[DragonSong]

Her blush deepened and she nodded. "I, um, think that's why they...congregate here. They sort of expect me now."

She gave another awkward little laugh and disentangled herself from the strays with a few pats and scratches. "Alright. It's just this way." She nodded down the side street that would lead to her lodging house and started walking.

[Zero]

"You are probably one of the few people they can depend on, it is no wonder they flock to you." Strays were hardly welcome to beg from most people. He had no doubt they were far more often shooed away than actually shown kindness and compassion.

Keiran stepped around the animals, again wishing his arms weren't so preoccupied. He'd have stooped to pet the friendly critters himself before they left. As it was, he followed Lyssa, examining their surroundings as they walked. "So tell me about this lodging house, Miss Lyssa. You rent a room there?" He honestly wasn't sure how it worked, having only ever lived in his family's home or the dormitories.

[DragonSong]

"Yes." She nodded and flashed him a small smile. "It's rather like a dormitory at a boarding school, I suppose- each tenant has their own room, and there are a few common spaces, like the kitchen. My landlord lives in the house beside us."

Her brow furrowed a bit and she trailed off- she was actually a bit behind on her rent, but hopefully her landlord wouldn't choose tonight to harass her about it.

[Zero]

"Oh, I see." Keiran frowned slightly. "Do you like living there? After father has agreed to pay your tuition you will be able to move into the women's dormitory at the school." All students were provided a room if they wanted one. "If you wish to, of course. It is not required to attend."

He had not thought about whether or not she would live at the college before then. Keiran had really just assumed she would. While he supposed it didn't matter much either way he hoped that she would be living in the dorms.

[DragonSong]

Lyssa shook herself, focusing on the present, and smiled softly. "I like it well enough. The people are nice, and the rent is reasonable." She flushed, then admitted, "I certainly wouldn't say no to living in the dormitories though, if I was given the opportunity."

Her house was in view now and she pointed it out to him. "It's that one just up ahead, with the yellow flowers in the window boxes, see?"

[Zero]

Keiran smiled when Lyssa seemed very open to living at the college. While he was sure this lodging house was fine, he thought the dormitories would be better. Or perhaps subconsciously he just wanted her to live so close to him. "You can move in very soon. Maybe even as soon as the day after tomorrow, Miss Lyssa."

He looked to the house that she pointed out, and his eyebrows lifted in surprise. It wasn't the grandest home, but it had a quaint charm to it. "I like the flowers, but wait until you see the gardens at campus tomorrow."

[DragonSong]

She giggled a bit at that and smiled up at him. "I'm sure it doesn't even compare," she noted wryly. The lodging house was hardly a hovel, but it certainly wasn't nearly as well upkept as what she had seen of the college campuses.

As they neared the door she found herself slowing down unconsciously, a little reluctant to part. With a soft sigh she turned and murmured, "Well...here we are. I suppose you must be on your way, hm?" She smiled a little wistfully, sort of wishing she had an excuse to keep him- but that was just silly, and selfish. He must have plenty of his own tasks to attend to.

[Zero]

"Well the gardens of campus are quite lovely, but they pale in comparison to the wonder that is Hall of the Wild Rose." Keiran was vastly proud of his family's estate. It was one of the most gorgeous places he had ever seen, but of course his opinion might be slightly bias towards his family's ancestral home. "Perhaps I will have the pleasure of showing you my home one day."

If she signed a contract with his father she would undoubtedly be living there for a short period in repayment for her tuition. Hopefully he would be able to be there to show it to her for the first time.

They had come to a stop in front of her house and he shifted on his feet, feeling slightly awkward. She was right, he should be on his way. There really was no reason for him not to go now that she was safely home. "Ah, yes...I suppose I must."

Keiran smiled at her softly, but didn't move to go immediately, giving another look up at the house. He was just procrastinating, dragging his feet from some unfounded reluctance to leave.

[DragonSong]

Lyssa smiled brightly, watching the way his eyes lit up when he spoke of his home. It was some of the most genuine emotion she'd ever seen on his face, and somehow sparked an answering happiness in her chest.

"I would like that very much," she said softly, twisting a lock of hair around her finger absently.

Noticing the way he seemed to be hovering, she offered slowly, hesitantly, "Would you...like to come inside? I- I could make a cup of tea, or- of course I understand you're busy, it just doesn't seem right not to offer, what with everything you're offering to do for me-"

She was babbling. Realizing this, she flushed and snapped her mouth shut.

[Zero]

"Tea?" Keiran always enjoyed a nice cup of tea, but it was the invitation itself that caused curious tingling within him. It was so strange, almost like a giddy happiness akin to when he was a child and got away with swiping an extra pastry before dinner.

Either way it was an excuse not to leave, which he really didn't want to do. Why he was so unhappy with the idea of leaving was the truly perplexing thing. "Tea sounds lovely, but I am not sure if I should. I know you feel as if you owe me something, but you have already allowed me to escort you home and I would hate to feel as if I am intruding in your personal space."

There were other reasons not to accept the invitation no matter how appealing it was. "I am also concerned how inviting a man into your home at this hour might...appear." Keiran blinked, realizing what he said. "To outside observers, of course! I would never accuse you of inviting strange men...I mean to say that I know you are a lady of high moral f-fortitude!"

He actually stammered and clicked his mouth shut with a blush.

[DragonSong]

Lyssa slumped a bit- she knew he was making good points, and she hadn't really expected him to stay, but she had hoped, a little.

A frown stole over her face and she opened her mouth to correct herself, to say it wasn't because she felt that she owed him necessarily but because she wanted to do something nice, something to say thank you for how kind he'd been to her.

Whatever words she'd been trying to say died in a choked squeak and her eyes went wide. "O-oh, um, I d-didn't think about that," she stuttered out, cheeks positively emerald with her blush. "I- I suppose it is getting late, I've lost track of time, I didn't mean to impose or- or put you in an awkward situation..."

Great, now she couldn't even look at him, eyes fixed on her feet as she stammered out apologies.

[Zero]

"No, no!" Keiran said quickly. "It is not an imposition. I simply do not want to be the reason for unfounded and unpleasant rumors. It would make me feel terrible to be the cause of ill talk. I do enjoy your company very much and wish that I could come in for tea without it being troublesome."

He felt as if he was floundering here, it was very uncharacteristic for him to walk into social blunders like this. "I...should go. I fear I have made a bit of a mess of everything this evening. Please, your company was a delight, as it always has proven to be in our short acquaintance. I am still very much looking forward to our plans for tomorrow."

Keiran bowed to her, a slightly awkward affair with the heavy load of books. "Good night, Miss Lyssa."

[DragonSong]

"I- um, a-alright. You haven't made a mess of things, really," she tried to assure him, hands fluttering helplessly as her instinct was to pat his shoulder or something, but she was feeling far too awkward to do so.

She bobbed into a little half curtsy and nodded quickly. "Thank you, Keiran. For...walking me home. And everything else." She smiled a bit, hoping the expression was reassuring.

[Zero]

It was kind of her to try to reassure him that he hadn't made a mess, but Keiran still felt as if he had horribly blundered somehow. How else could you explain his uncharacteristic flustering?

"It was my pleasure, really. I am sorry about...tea." He wanted to smack himself in the face. He decided the best option was a very hasty retreat before he said anymore stupid things. Especially since he was supposed to be the smart brother. Ugh! "Tomorrow then!"

Keiran didn't flee. It was perfectly normal to walk this fast.

[DragonSong]

"No, don't be sorry." She offered a shaky smile- why did she feel so gods damned awkward? With a small wave she murmured, "Tomorrow."

She hardly noticed that Keiran seemed to be walking a little faster than normal, quickly turning and hurrying into her lodging house. She leaned back against the door and closed her eyes, shoulders slumping as she let out a long breath.

"Long day, Lyssa?"

She snapped her eyes opened and straightened up, smiling at Merik, a fellow tenant. "Um, yeah. You could say that." She hurried back to her room.

[Zero]

When Keiran returned to campus he went straight to his room and began writing a letter to his father asking for Lyssa's sponsorship. He probably spent an hour or more on it, trying to ensure that each word was perfectly scripted and his handwriting was meticulous. The last thing he needed was to have his father write back scolding him for poor penmanship or a poorly worded request.

Once satisfied Keiran had the letter sent out. Even with how late it was he attempted to begin reading one of the books Lyssa had found for him, but he still couldn't focus. Finally giving up he went to bed.

Despite sleeping poorly because of being filled with nervous energy, Keiran was up early and went through his lengthy morning routine of getting ready to be presentable. By the time he went to wait at the main entrance for Lyssa he was perfectly composed once again, having regained his air of serenity. Which convinced him that the previous evening had truly been a simple case of having an "off" night.

Probably the fault of those bothersome young ladies that had been so very rude at the library.

[DragonSong]

Lyssa took a good deal of time preparing herself the next morning, trying to figure out what she could wear that would be "presentable"- she settled for a sleeveless bodice that laced up the front and actually almost touched the longer, fluttering skirt she paired it with- and messing about with her hair for what felt like hours before she finally gave up and let it just curl down her back as she normally did, holding it back from her face with a simple band.

Gods, why was she so nervous? Sure, she'd never really been on one of the college campuses before, but that shouldn't make her so damned jittery. She gave a brisk shake of her head, told herself she was being silly, and set off toward Kia's Garden.

Her purposeful steps slowed to shy shuffling the closer she got to her destination, but she persevered until finally the main entrance was in sight. She spotted a figure waiting- Keiran. Her heart jumped up into her throat and her steps stuttered.

Oh dear... Shoving that ridiculous reaction from her mind, she hurried forward. "Um, hello." She smiled as she got closer.

[Zero]

Lyssa was hard to miss as she came into view. Even in Serendipity, where many of the residents were quite colorful, the sweet young librarian stood out. Not everyone had an intriguing hue to their skin, after all.

Keiran had somehow managed not to pace or fidget while waiting, but he felt his breath catch slightly at the sight of her. Part of him had worried if she would really come. Especially after he'd embarrassed himself so thoroughly the night before. It took a real effort to push that memory and those thoughts from his mind. She had come, that was all that mattered.

"Good morning, Miss Lyssa. I am so glad you are joining me today." He smiled brightly, offering his arm to her. "Tea is almost ready."

[DragonSong]

"Morning." Some of her nervous energy faded her when he greeted her so warmly and she smiled. For a moment she didn't quite understand the gesture of him offering his arm, then it clicked and she flushed as she took it.

She tried to keep her touch light, like she was handling one of the ancient scrolls at the library, and glanced up at him. "S-so, where are we headed, exactly." She winced internally at her stutter.