The Page Turner

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The day had been beautiful, with clear blue skies and the lightest, lavdenar scented breeze, one that mingled with the fresh scent of manicured lawn and shrubbery. Though despite this perfection, where the young woman now sat upon the ground in the dancing shadows of a widemaple tree, she found herself wishing she could have stayed inside. No one else had been in the dusty, unlit library and she had been enjoying a refreshingly sweet glass of wine and a few interesting history books she had plucked from the taller shelves of Ovanmeyer manor.

Lady Greshwindell Ovanmeyer liked to keep her ancestors books tidy, if a little unused, so she knew when she spotted the books, they wouldn't be missed. And it wasn't like she was going to steal them, simply borrow them to read for the duration of the ball.

Infact, she had found herself quite lucky to have gotten to the library without a fuss or, to be captured again by Lady Greshwindell herself. It seemed the fact Phonecia was now of age was most agreeable to the older lady of the house, who boasted the availability of her nephews- all of which were barely older than her cousin Gabin- which was more than a turn off for the young girl. That would be late courting a younger brother- yuck. So as politely as she could, she was able to get out of that' conversation unscathed and realized luck was on her side when she stumbled upon on old dusty book on ancient mysteries and magics of their nation.

She was nose deep in the book when the library suddenly took on more guests, who, most scandalously were not there to do any reading.  Phone left as quietly and quickly as she could, face beat read over the sounds and actions the young couple had made. Really.. in a library?

The idea left her a little rattled and not wanting to return to the ball, Phonecia allowed herself to get lost into the garden until she felt comfortable enough to return to her read. It was only when she was a few pages in did she regret leaving behind her wine but that was soon remedied as her nose began to sink further into the book.

[Kris]

Gatherings like this weren't exactly Ezka's forte, but he'd heard enough discussions of Lady Ovanmeyer's book collections that it'd been worth the trouble of asking whatever Aunt's cousin's brother's fiance to garner an invite even if it meant he'd spent the past hour walking about the parlor on eggshells in an attempt to not offend anyone before he could figure out who their host actually was and ask about her library.

After striking out yet again in an attempt to ingratiate himself in a conversation with a rather portly looking gentleman and a spry woman Ezka was sure could throw him clear over her conversation partner's head if he didn't take the hint, he'd retreated out into the gardens. Better that than risk potentially being asked to dance by some of the more friendly guests. Vivid flashbacks of a ball as a youth where he'd accidentally lead one of the young ladies too close to a candelabra and set her dress on fire. At least he hadn't needed to worry about any more invitations for a few seasons after that.

The grounds were pleasant at least, though Ezka's attention was drawn far more often to the windows as he passed, unable to risk trying to peer inside on the off chance he could catch a glimpse of the library. Or even just a singular book at this point. Maybe a particularly interesting letter. Older estates like this always managed to collect a number of nooks and curios that he was dying to peruse.

Ezka the sight of a figure in a reflection in the glass, ready to throw himself into a particularly uncomfortable looking shrubbery nearby until he realized the figure seemed engrossed in something far more interesting.

"You have a book. I didn't know we were allowed to bring books to these sorts of things," He said, turning quickly and trying to match stride with the woman, barely restraining from peering over her shoulder to check what exactly she was reading. How many years of awkward social events could he have been spared if he could have just escaped off into a good book.

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Phonecia hadn't expected anyone to be around, let alone speak to her so the second she heard the voice she threw up her arms, book letting loose as she screamed bloody murder.