He'd kept just enough money to rent a room for the night though when he went to lie down , sleep would not come to him as easily as he'd imagined that it would. He told himself he'd enjoy the freedom and the lack of responsibility. He could do as he pleased without having to worry about offending a girl who seemed so damn fragile. But he lie there awake , staring at the ceiling and thinking about her, filled with worry. She'd been so dependent on him and he'd pushed her away. He rolled over on his side and glared at the wall, guilt and worry consuming his thoughts. What if the old man said something or did something that scared the girl? What if she ran off? What If she got lost or hurt? She couldn't take care of herself. Hell, she could hardly hold a normal conversation! Someone out there was going to pick up on that and they'd take advantage...
But he'd be back before that happened. He'd figure out a way to dupe the Adders. They weren't incredibly dim, but they weren't incredibly bright either. He'd just have to figure out how to give them what they wanted without really giving it to them and hope that they were thick enough to take his offer genuinely. He'd also have to hope that pleasing them would also ensure his ability to walk free without much trouble...
Eventually, all of the internal worrying and scheming lulled him to sleep. A few hours before the light peeked in through the cracks of musty old window curtains. A nightmare concerning his aunt scolding him over leaving Eve alone caused him to wake with a start. He sat up in bed, looking about almost frantically and half expecting his aunt to be there. Fortunately, she was not though he wished that she were. She understood these things better than he did. Doing the "right" thing and all. Sighing, Zav stretched and dressed.
He had a quick breakfast at the tavern and washed it down with a nice big healthy helping of booze before leaving to hit the town market. There wasn't much to look at. There was a LOT of fish and produce. Not so much of what he was looking for. So he waited around, watching more merchants arrive and setting up their stalls. One brightly colored stall in particular caught his interest. He wandered over to it, trying not to appear as if he were in a hurry or all that interested. "Welcome , friend. What may old Gregory interest you in..."
"Uh...you sell books, right?" Zav began stupidly, staring at the man's display. Need he even ask the question? There were certainly plenty of books for sale at this stall!
"Oh how delightful! I haven't met too many individuals here particularly interested in eductation!" The book vendor laughed and clapped his hands together jovially. "Tell me, young man. Are you new to this enlightening venture?"
Zav stared at the man as though he might have lost a few marbles, "Whaddyah talkin' 'bout? "
"Come now, don't be shy!" Gregory chuckled, " Judging by your diction, I'd say that you were a novice in literary pursuits. " Gregory, the enthusiastic book vendor puffed out his chest with great pride and adjusted his oval spectacles that crested his long, pointy nose, "But , never you fear my good sir! For it is my duty as a fellow literary enthusiast to assist you in your quest for knowledge!"
Zavimaat scowled ,"But I'm not-"
"Hush!" The vendor interrupted him, "Now let me see here. What would be prefect for you..." The bookseller proceeded to turn his back on his potential customer and rummage through his stall, books being pushed aside and stacked neatly on his worktable.
"Look, I just wanna know," Zavimaat growled softly, starting to grow frustrated with the pushy book vendor's antics.
"Aha!" Gregory announced triumphantly and produced a thin book with a weathered old leather cover. "This here is a rather old but very respectable manual that will help you learn the language of our country. "
Zavimaat stared at the man. He was not impressed.
"Oh..I-I'm sorry. I assumed that you were a foreigner...you look...well, I've never seen someone with your complexion..."
"Really, I know what I-"
"I'll find something else!" Gregory exclaimed, determined to find something that would satisfy his customer.
"That's really not necessary..."
The bookseller slammed down another book on his counter, " This might please you, sir. This book here is about the language of love. Have a little lady you're trying to impress? Well this book here," he held it up before Zav's eyes, "is chalk full of romantic poetry that will have your heart's desire swooning over you in no time!"
Zav shook his head, " I doubt that , but whatever I'm not-"
"Not interested in love? Hm. You're a tough customer!" Gregory snapped his fingers,"But you won't stump me! No sir! I think I've figured you out!" Before Zav could protest, the man was back to rummaging for yet another book.
Annoyed, Zav was ready to leave when the man gave him another book, "You're a tough guy. How about the art of war? This book here was written by an ancient hero of legend. It contains advice and information of various sword tech-"
That was the last straw. Zavimaat slammed his hands down on the counter top and snarled nearly at the top of his lungs, "SHUT UP, DAMN IT! "
Gregory dropped the book and stared at the young man, looking so stunned as if he might have been slapped.
Red-faced and ticked off, Zav took a few moments to regain his composure and he now spoke in a slightly calmer manner, "I appreciate yer help , but I'm lookin' for somethin' kinda specific and I don't got a lot of time. Okay? "
Nodding, the bookseller began putting his books back in their appropriate places, " Sorry. I get so excited. I shouldn't have- but nevermind ! You said you're looking for something specific. I'm not sure if I would have it , but perhaps if you tell me the name of the book and the author's name I might know where you could get it."
Zav shook his head, " I dunno either of those things."
"Okay, can you tell me what it's about? "
Again, Zav shrugged, " I dunno that either. It has trees in it and uh weird symbols I've never seen before. And uh...naked chicks."
Gregory blinked. Was this man serious? "Trees, weird symbols and....nude women? You're talking about a pagan book?"
"Er.. I dunno what that is. But they were pictures and the writing was...foreign. " He grew irritated and threw his hands up in the air, "Fuck it. Look, I just need a big old leather book that looks like it's centuries old, okay? "
"Ohhhh.. Well, why didn't you just say so in the first place?" The book vendor laughed.
If looks could have killed , then Gregory would have been six feet under the ground then.
ooc: Never say I don't write posts that are kinda long. x3
