Posted June 16, 2021, 1:36 p.m. by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner - Parchment and Quill Bookstore) (James Sinclair)
Posted by Civilian Sinayda Nyx (Governor’s Aid) in Parchment and Quill Bookstore - Opening the Doors… And Who Knows What Else
Posted by Civilian Luana Iolani Kaili (Director of Mental Health - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Parchment and Quill Bookstore - Opening the Doors… And Who Knows What Else
Posted by Civilian Karilan Massat (Owner - Parchment and Quill Bookstore) in Parchment and Quill Bookstore - Opening the Doors… And Who Knows What Else
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
The Deltan visibly blushed looked away and at one of the displays and said “Well… um… yes… I… of course… I certainly would, will… uh… let you know.. that is.”
Massat
Placing the tips of her fingers ever so lightly on their gloved hand, Kaili said gently, “I’m sorry Karilan. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You don’t have to do anything, of course. It was merely an idea. No hard feelings if you’d rather not take me up on it. Okay?”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
Karilan smiled slightly, but it was more self-deprecating than anything. “No no… it’s… it’s not you, Doctor, that made me uncomfortable. It is… me.” and he took a breath but moved his hand slightly away from her touch. He looked at her and said “I… I am just not very good with other people. I apologize. You have been nothing but polite, I assure you.” and he gave her a half-smile and then looked back at the display they were in front of. “This, by the way, is the journal of Hrg’Terl, former High Chancellor of the Klingon Empire some two hundred years ago. My Aunt won it in a poker game.” and he chuckled slightly.
Karilan
Pulling her hand away, Kaili chuckled softly. “That sounds like quite an interesting story.” Then her expression became gentler as she continued, “Don’t apologise and don’t beat yourself up over it. Okay? I’m getting the impression that you haven’t much experience being around people, am I correct?” There was no judgement or the like in her voice, expression and body language. She simply wanted to understand where Karilan was coming from and what there was that she might be able to do to help them.
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
“Oh no, I am around people quite a bit. But it is almost always work related… reviewing engineering proposals, research, design, fabrication, project meetings and the like… so I am, or at least I was, around people daily. And I do enjoy that interaction. I just don’t do many non-work related… engagements.” and he looked at her for a moment. With a slight smile he said “And while I do know you said that you never really stop working, I have no wish to become a patient while standing in the only bookstore in the sector.” and he laughed a bit.
Massat
“And it wasn’t my intention to make you my patient. My apologies when it came across like that,” Kaili replied with a warm smile. Turning around she looked down at the crowed below them and asked, “Have you ever watched people and imagined what they are talking about, who they are, what they do work-wise?”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
Karilan moved to the rail and looked down. His eyes scanned the room quickly and then he said softly. “Male Bolian in gray suit. He’s a bodyguard for the woman across the store looking at the books in the romance section, but has been told to keep his distance. She is a widow, but some time ago. Her favorite color is green.” he looked to the right and said “The couple by the coffee bar. Married, not to each other. He is going to ask her to run away with him, she will say no. The Ferengi by the register. He is waiting for the opening of this floor, but knows that he will not be able to buy what he is looking for. The Antican woman by the fire exit is waiting for her mate and he should be coming in… now.” and the door opened. An Antican male walked in looked around, spied the woman by the exit and grinned and moved towards her, embracing her when they met.
Karilan
As Karilan spoke Kaili’s gaze wandered to each person they pointed out. She nodded here and there and a look of surprise played across her face as the Atican male walked in. “And the Bajoran with the long chestnut curls is an aspiring write who just hasn’t found the courage yet to even approach a publisher. So they came here to dream of what it would be like to have their novels standing on shelves like these. Hoping to find the courage they need. And that young human woman in that old fashioned dress? She isn’t merely interested in fashion from centuries ago. She is actually a time traveller from the future, who fell in love with late 19th century fashion in the western hemisphere on Earth and is currently on an assignment here.”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
Karilan looked at her confusedly for a moment and then said “Wait… did you mean actually imagine? As in make it up?” and they looked back at the crowd and said “I’m not sure I can do that.”
Karilan
Turning her head, Kaili blinked a few times with her inner eyelids and looked equally confused, before she started to chuckle goodnaturedly. “Yes, I meant imagine as in making things up,” she replied and then suggested gently, “You could give it a try? It’s just the two of us, so nothing can happen.”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
Karilan scowled slightly and looked at the crowd. For a moment, they said nothing. Finally they shook their head and said “I do apologize. All I can seem to think of is what I see. I’ve never been very good at imagination games. I focus too much on the reality to try and create alterations to it.”
Karilan
“You don’t have to apologise. So what if imagination games aren’t your forte? You have a very good eye for what is going on around you and for details. That is a very precious gift and something you can be proud of,” Kaili replied gently. Her instinct was to comfort Karilan with a touch, but that had seemed to make them slightly uncomfortable a moment ago. So she refrained from it.
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
Karilan smiled slightly but didn’t look away from the crowd. “And you, Doctor, genuinely want people to be happy… even strangers met in a bookstore.” and he turned and looked at her, still smiling. “But take it from someone who knows… sometimes try and turn off work. No matter how much you enjoy it, you don’t want to find yourself starting a bookstore because you don’t know how to have a hobby.” andKarilan laughed softly.
Karilan Massat, Proprietor
“I do,” Kaili replied thoughtfully and then chuckled softly. “I can turn off work. Though it’s easier when I’m on my own or am doing something where one can’t talk,” she grinned and then turned around so that only her hip was resting against the banister. For a moment or two she looked at Karilan in silence and then asked, “After you have closed up tonight, how do you feel about going out for dinner or drinks or to a show or play or something like that?”
~Dr. Luana Iolani Kaili
While the two were talking, a dark figure made her way up the stairs. Sin was in the market for something particular. She’d watched the owner and the Doctor ascend the stairs to a roped off area. Everyone else stayed downstairs where the grand opening was taking place.
As one booted foot stepped up onto the landing, Nyx cleared her throat. “Excuse me?” She waited until they both looked in her direction. “I have the definite feeling I’m not supposed to be up here, but I thought I’d take a chance. Before you open the entire stock to everyone, I wanted to ask if you had something in Japanese? I work for the Governor and would love to present him with a special book—a printed one.”
—Nyx
She spoke as Karilan was looking at Kaili dumbfounded, and they were happy for an excuse to stop staring. The Deltan turned and smiled and said “Um… yes. Your feeling is correct, this floor is closed to the public until tomorrow, then by appointment only. However…” and they looked at Kaili and said “Doctor, would you please accompany us? I would very much like to continue our… talk… once we see to the Governor’s gift.” They looked back at Nyx and said “Karilan Massat, owner. This is Doctor Luana Iolani Kaili of the Sacred Heart Hospital. And you are?”
After introductions, Karilan said “Please… follow me.” and they began to lead the two women further into the displays. “Now Ms. Nyx… what kind of book are you looking for? I have several from the linguistic group Japanese, but a variety of topics and rarities. Do you have a specific title in mind? Or do you need a selection to choose from?”
Karilan Massat, Proprietor
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