[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1]
[i][color=gray]Wingram, Library[/color][/i]
[@Nanaya]

[hr]

It was like being greeted by an old friend, despite only knowing Michael for a little over a day. Ciara stepped up to the desk, setting her borrowed blade to rest against the counter as she allowed her gaze to soften. 

As the book, ‘Scented Pawns’, hit the front desk, Ciara found herself picking it up, and flipping open to a random page. She hadn't been aware of umbralism actually having its place and depiction in literature - not that [i]she[/i] had anything to do with umbralism. 

[i]“Your lies sound less and less convincing, dear Hunger.” [/i]One of the Voices crooned in her head.

Ciara's face flattened into a scowl, and she snapped the book shut. [i]“Shut up.”[/i]

One thing stuck out to her as Michael spoke. For whatever reason, upon the mentioning of werewolves getting killed off, a shiver trickled its way down Ciara's spine. She tried to shrug it off; it certainly didn't pertain to her.

[quote=Michael]“Just browsin' and want me to shut up and leave ya be, or is there somethin' you're itchin' for?”[/quote]

At that, Ciara allowed herself a soft smile, placing the book back on the desk. [b]“Actually, I’m looking for practical applications of Primal magic. I, uh,”[/b] Her gaze dropped self-consciously.[b] “I don't have any kind of formal education on it.”[/b]

She withheld the reason [i]why[/i] she wanted a book on this. Any advantage she could get over Iraleth later that night, well, it could mean the difference between life and… whatever fate awaited her if she lost.

Her eyes strayed to the side, noticing Gulliver. The disgust that crossed her face was impulsive, and her eyes narrowed. She'd deal with [i]that[/i] later. For now, her attention returned to Michael, earnestness in her eyes.