[center][h1]Time to Burn Down the Library[/h1]
[img]http://i68.tinypic.com/es3ewn.png[/img] [img]http://i67.tinypic.com/2njvpci.png[/img]
[h3][color=red]Christopher Francis[/color] | [color=ff57ff]Siena Santana[/color][/h3]
September 6th | Library | Some point during the day ahaha
Collab between [@dragonmancer] [@PapiTan][/center]
Chris entered the library door, wearing a winter jacket of dark blue fabric and a hoodie to cast over his face. Having grey black-striped sweat pants, his attire was more appropriate for a cold chilly day despite the mild weather of the day. It didn't seem to be bothering him though, as he looked around the building for different book sections. Some reading would do good to distract his thoughts, but he couldn't decide on what to read. Perhaps a book on biology, or some adventure novel. Without making a decision, he sat at one of the chairs to let out a sigh, deep in thought about what to waste his time reading.

Having been in the library since finishing her morning rituals, Siena had selected a wide number of books to spend her day perusing. Part of it was simply that she didn't know that her current pool would have been sufficient if it came to combat--[i]but what about the ones she couldn't control?[/i]--but most of it was the sheer fact ther body was exhausted after training most of the day before. What muscles that didn't protest when the brunette performed even the simplest actions were still reluctant to do her bidding. With that in mind, the bibliophile decided that it was best to spend her way training in [i]other[/i] ways. That said, she'd also been choosing smaller stacks of books to bring to and from her preferred reading spaces. Best to avoid anything [i]too[/i] heavy.  It was with that in mind that she picked through a shelf with nimble fingers and a keen eye. 

She'd taken to the second floor, having hoped to find additional books for her arsenal, but was both excited and disappointed to find that the second floor had largely been filled with research materials. She'd taken only one book from the shelf, though she had every intention of checking it out rather than poring over the words as she had been doing with...well, every book she'd read that day. 

It was just unfortunate that with that book added to the stack, it took both hands to carry what she wanted to read, really. As she descended the stairway back to the first floor, the brunette overstepped the edge of one step, her heel slipping on what little it had made contact with and sending her sprawling towards the ground. Of course, being a human being (contrary to what media might believe), the girl had flung one arm to reach for the railing, fingers digging in for purchase. It didn't work. At best, it slowed how fast her posterior hit the ground, but it had the rather unfortunate effect of causing the [i]rest[/i] of Siena's selected readings to topple from their neat little stack. 

To quote some old jingle that she was certain came from a show, "it all started with a big bang."

Chris's concentration was broken from the mistake of some poor lass. Investigating, he walked over to find a mess of book and a familiar face. As he recalled, she was the girl he jumped infront of towards the head of that fight, he remember his appearance seemed to give her a scare, unsurprisingly. Without a word he knelt down and offered his hand to his fellow comrade, though he didn't express any sincere emotion in his face. [color=red]"I hope you weren't this clumsy when we were attacked by pasta.'[/color] He tried to muse, though he wasn't good at being positive, his cold expression made that clear enough.

[i][color=ff57ff]'Ow...ow, ow, ow...'[/color][/i] A bruising ache transitioned into sharp pains as muscles screamed in protest at being used vigorously without warning. There were a few stares and snickers, obviously, but it was the presence of someone before her that snagged Siena's attention. "[color=ff57ff]Oh, um...thanks.[/color]" Well, that was bound to be an embarrassing first impression. Gingerly, she took the offered hand, carefully--[i][color=f7976a]'Now, now, Siena. You really need to start acting more like a lady. Dainty on the outside, but you pull yourself up with your own strength.'[/color][/i]--getting herself back to her feet. The boy wasn't familiar--light hair, casual clothing...an expression that could freeze water--yet somehow he knew about the events that transpired only a few nights prior. More importantly, he was evidently part of them. Confusion overtook Siena's features for a moment. She didn't remember [i]seeing[/i] him, but it was clear that he had seen her. "[color=ff57ff]Um...you were there...?[/color]" 

Chris would give a bit of a grin at her response. Something about actually engaging in such a conversation had broken through his depressed spirit just a bit. [color=red]"I was the monster that made you shit nearly shit yourself, based on the face you made, the dragon that got between you and a bunch of noodles."[/color] After she stood up to her feet he would begin to gather her fallen books. [color=red]"What brings you to the library?"[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]That was you?[/color]" The words were out before the realization had fully settled in. Well, that explained why the dragon had gone for the harder target. A spark of excitement flickered to life, the first real thrill since she'd come to the so-called school. "[color=ff57ff]That's...actually really cool.[/color]" Moving to begin picking up her lost reads, Siena paused to consider her answer. "[color=ff57ff]Training, sort of. I need to read a lot for my power to work.[/color]" Remorse. She could have done the reading before their first combat experience--maybe Padma wouldn't have died. "[color=ff57ff]What about you? Research or recreation?[/color]"

Cool? That was a first. Chris never thought turning into a huge disgusting fire-breathing monstrosity would be cool, but he accepted the compliment. [color=red]"You get powers from books?"[/color] He questioned. The concept of it seemed rather bizarre, but he handed her back the books he picked up ontop of the ones she recovered herself. [color=red]"I'm here mostly for studying, maybe I can learn something useful here. I just don't know what book to pick up, or what exactly I should engage in."[/color]

A quick nod to Chris's question--better to keep the explanations simple as possible. Readjusting her grip on the books that she had gathered, Siena seemed to give the boy's statement some additional thought. "[color=ff57ff]Hmm...I'd offer you some of my choices, but they're not very educational...[/color]" And there was probably mention of dragons in at least a few of the high fantasy novels, which would be especially useless for someone that could turn [i]into[/i] a dragon. "[color=ff57ff]But um...if you don't mind company, I can probably help you find whatever topics you wanted to read up on. I've...been here for a while.[/color]" Internal grimace at her definition of "a while." More like since an hour from waking.

Normally Chris wouldn't have any interest in company.  In fact it could be detrimental since she could die, just like his roommate. Hell he barely knew his roommate and he is still shaken up by her untimely demise. Still, it is that unshaken spirit that has sparked his inner longing to be social for once, so he accepted her offer. [color=red]"Sure, I suppose it doesn't have to be educational if it can catch my fancy. A good story can always lighten the mood I suppose."[/color] He didn't mind her obsession with books, in fact it may even serve useful to his trivial plight.

"[color=ff57ff]Hm...a good story...[/color]" Taking a moment to think, Siena peered over her selections. She couldn't say much about most of them, having chosen to forge her path into new grounds, but her comfort in familiarity had led her to pluck a few favorites off the shelves. Moving to set the collection on a nearby table, Siena selected one from the pile. [i]This Savage Song.[/i] It had struck home with her before.

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Isn't that because you're a monster?[/color]'[/i] 

"[color=ff57ff]This one isn't a bad read if you're into urban fantasy.[/color]" Despite her best efforts, Siena couldn't help but feel a swell of anxiety over offering suggestions. It had never been a strong point, really. Giving a half-nervous smile, the brunette pushed herself to keep strong. "[color=ff57ff]Though maybe it just reminds me of arbiters and aberrations.[/color]


Chris pondered for a moment as he took the book and examined the cover. [color=red]"Hmm."[/color] He thought allowed. [color=red]"I think I'll give it a read, thanks....What's your name?"[/color] Chris asked as he took the book to his side. The girl didn't seem to acknowledge her own gifts of picking out good books, her obsession may have gone as far as saved Chris's own morale. 

Acceptance. That sent a swell of relief over Siena, drawing a faint smile. "[color=ff57ff]Oh! I'm Siena. How about you?[/color]" Despite her apparent first experiences with the boy, he seemed like a decent enough person. Perhaps a little rough around the edges, but that was nothing she wasn't used to. 

[color=red]"Chris."[/color] He tried to smile back but you can tell he wasn't good at it. His lips curled up but his mouth didn't open, as if it would hurt him to smile anymore than that. [color=red]"Its good to see not everyone here is unlikable."[/color] He commented as he looked back to the book he gave her briefly. [color=red]"Is there anything I can do for you to return the favor?"[/color]

"[color=ff57ff]Bad experiences?[/color]" Odd, most of the people that Siena had met with were far from unlikable--perhaps she had just been lucky. "[color=ff57ff]But it wasn't much of a favor...don't worry about it. It's nice to meet new people.[/color]" Nice to have more friends than she'd ever had in her life, really. Brushing a few unruly bangs out of her line of vision, the girl decided to take a shot. "[color=ff57ff]Though maybe one day we can meet up for a meal. It'd be nice to hear your opinions on the book.[/color]" 

[color=red]"It was more like talking to dry walls and prissy little..."[/color] He paused, remembering the source of his recent despair. [color=red]"Well..never mind that."[/color] Aside from that, was she asking him on a date? Even if it was a friendly gester Chris didn't know how to deal with something like that. Was it safe toi say yes. After giving it a noticable thought, he didhis attempt of a smile again and said [color=red]"Yeah sure, next weekend I should have enough time to read a good bulk of it, if I don't finish it that is, so that should be a good time to go out."[/color]

Yikes, that did sound like an unfortunate experience. Deciding not to push on Chris's less-than-pleasant first encounters, Siena was thrilled to hear an agreement to a meal with her newfound acquaintance...though the expression on his face made it hard to tell whether it was a welcome invitation. Was...he smiling? It wasn't the first time he'd made the face, but Siena hadn't really been asking much prior...right? Distress tried its best to dig its claws in, but the mage stood her ground against it. "[color=ff57ff]Next weekend sounds great. It's a date, then![/color]" Shoving her own anxieties away, Siena paused for a moment in thought. "[color=ff57ff]Ah, here, let me give you my number in case you need to cancel or anything.[/color]" 

Slipping her hands into the deeper pockets of her coat, Siena withdrew a small notepad complete with pencil on top. Thankfully she'd been taking notes on her reads, outlining events and plot for her own benefit. Scribbling the digits on one of the final pages before writing her own name in pristine print, the girl tore the page and offered it towards the boy. "[color=ff57ff]Feel free to call or text if you need anything too. W-well, as long as it's not too late.[/color]" 

Chris nodded, there was a sort of shyness he started to take, as he was now completely uncertain on what did do. Normally he'd probably wouldn't care about these things but with the emotional rollercoaster this week has given him he was now unsure of his own interests. He took her number, nodding once. [color=red]"Alright then, I guess I'll give you a text sometime later then if anything comes up, thanks."[/color] He said, this time he actually smiled, well to him it was a wide smile but in reality it looked nothing more then a small, casual half-smile. [color=red]"Thanks again, Siena."[/color] He waved before going onto his business, he felt too awkward to deal with this anymore. He checked out his book and left the library. He was eager to shake off these bubbly feelings with brooding in his room alone. A place of mind where he was more familiar with and in comfort.