Alice Keller
The local news droned on the tv in the background, as Alice lounged on the couch reading an old book. Since vampires could not sleep, one had to find new ways to occupy their time. For Alice it was reading, learning new languages, playing violin, dabbling at painting, and composing music no one would ever hear. Though lately she had taken to swimming laps in the lake. Boredom was a problem, but she liked her routine.
It was 6:00 am, and the news anchor man on the tv looked worn out in HD, as he babbled on about the local Mayoral elections, the closing of the factory in the next town over, where to get flu shots, and that the local police caught the suspects who cherry-bombed all the mailboxes on Magnolia Street. The weather girl was looking way to chipper for six in the morning, as she explained today would be mild temperatures, 30% chance of rain, that autumn was in full swing, and she was looking forward to this weeks sun filled days.
It was September 4th, and only a week into the new semester at Gringore. Alice was a librarian at Gringore, and a part time student. She had one class in the late afternoon, but the rest of her day was basically free. She dogeared the page she was on and closed her book. She smelled like the lake, after swimming laps in it for three hours last night, she really needed a long shower. Getting off the couch she placed her book down on the coffee table. She gathered the two empty wine glasses and a teacup, and put them in the sink in the kitchen. She sighed looking at the mess of dishes in her sink, and added the cups to the ever growing pile. She rarely ate anything at home but, tea, and wine glasses were in abundance around here.
Her house was located on a quite street, full of retired people, and couples over 60. She had lived at, 382 Rosewood Ave, for five years now. The three bedroom, two bath, old yellow colonial was her haven from the chaos of Tellmore, and the unsuspecting Montaville. Her house was clean, but on the cluttered side, with books piled on tables and the floors, painted canvases leaning on walls, and potted plants galore. For lack of a better description it resembled a Anthropologie store, with extra eclectic clutter, and a more lived in feel.
In the bathroom she turned the shower on. Undressing as she waited for the water to become hot. Looking in the mirror, a tall plain Jane was what Alice saw. She had always liked her hazel eyes, and the shape them, but she thought her chin was to big, and her lips to puffy. The mirror began to fog from the steam of the shower. Stepping into the shower she attempted to plan out her day.
45 Minutes later she stepped out of the shower, smelling of lavender soap, and shampoo. Wrapped in a soft ivory towel she walked into her closet. Alice's wardrobe consisted of lots of vintage items, and high-end basics. She changed into her outfit for the day, dawning her black trousers, light pink tank, and cable knit sweater. She hung her wet towel on the door handle, and walked over to her vanity, putting on her watch, and spritzing on some vanilla lavender perfume. With a few bobby-pins she quickly pinned her hair up.
It was almost 8:00 am bye the time she finished her cup of cinnamon tea. Alice tossed her cell, ipod, and wallet into her purse. It was chilly out this morning, and smelled like the beginnings of autumn, the trees had yet to change color. She grabbed her grey coat and shrugged it on. She slipped on some shoes, and a scarf, then started her walk down main street, making her way to Gringore.
Alice walked into Gringore, and then made her way to the library. It was located on the third floor, and was huge, with six stories of wall to wall books, the deeper you went the more like a maze it becomes. It was home to the second biggest incantus book collection in all of north america. There was a section for everything, and it was easy to get lost. Alice made her way through the isles of books, stopping in the music history section. She scanned the titles, not really looking for anything in particular, her shift at the check out desk didn't start for another hour.