Rutger sipped his tea, letting the steam tickle his nose with its herbal scent before he returned the cup to the table, never taking his eyes off the book in his other hand. Even all this time after leaving his snowy home, it just didn't feel right if he didn't start the morning off with something hot. Gingerly he took the edge of a page between thumb and forefinger and--

"KOOOOOOOOOORIIIII!"

The fire mage cringed as Master Talon's shout rang out, accidentally tearing a small piece of the page out of the book. He looked from the book to the piece with an expression of pain...but at least it hadn't taken any of the text with it. He sighed and placed the piece of parchment into a pocket of his jacket, then turned his head towards the counter. Kori was already back from whatever the Master wanted of her, and speaking to Darren. Whatever it was, it seemed like it would be the S-Class's problem. Rutger went back to his book, adjusting himself on the bench that spanned the length of one of the guild's tables. Soon he was engrossed in the tome again, his eyes wandering back and forth over each page. The book's multi-colored cover displayed the title in flowing black script that had a distinctly oriental feel to it: [i]The Basics of Rainbow Fire, by Professor Totomaru.[/i]

Vaguely he registered a sing-song voice of greeting, followed by a familiar bark, both from outside. From what little he could catch of the voices, it was probably Jayce and his animal companion, and the other one was...Celia? Probably. It took the creak of the oaken double doors to get Rutger to raise his head once more, as he smelled something warm and fresh coming from the basket the newcomer was carrying. It was Sevrin, who carried his own smell, this one of the flowers he always seemed to have on hand. The mage delivered the basket full of goodness to Kori, and Rutger gulped back his desire. Best to let the Master, at least, have the first pick out of politeness. However, he saw no problem with waiting to grab the next one available. 

The fire mage carefully folded the corner of the page he was on and flipped the book shut, slipping it under one arm. Then he hooked a finger through the handle of his tea cup, taking another sip before he rose from his seat and made his way over to the counter.

"Good morning, Kori, Darren." he said, gesturing with the cup and giving them both a warm smile. Darren couldn't see it, but Rutger figured it was the thought that counted. "Sevrin's landlady send over some goodies again?"