[ He has been lurking in the shadows of the Academy for minutes, watching people pass by without noticing him, observing them walk in and out of the building. She said she would not keep him waiting and Tod believes her. ]
[ The third building was located near the Academy, a little more at South whereas the grand library was situated at North. Youko had to jog only for a few minutes and arrived, fifteen sharp, just as she had said. She briefly questioned her sanity in trying to teach him stuff from the living to Death himself. A different Death.
However, she was stubborn and had convinced herself that it would be the best for him and the people of his world.
Life without death lack a meaning, but so did death without life.
When she arrived, she kept a formal serious tone, but managed a smile. ]
I thought an academy outgoing would be a fun start. Reading then coffee or tea in Cafe Juliet.
[ As she approached, he stepped out of the shadows, raising his chin and fixing his eyes on her. Right on time. He had expected it. Youko was the type who both irritated and intrigued him - so insistent on life, yet... here she was. In front of him.
Nodding his head once in greeting and as a silent acceptance of her plans, he then looked up at the building in front of them. ]
They search for answers in the books here? How curious~.
[ She returned his look, gaze unafraid. She has nearly died more than just one in the past and have seemed enough death by her hand or others to wince at his presence. Youko also was immortal, as long Tentei thought she did a good job, as long she didn't renounce her throne.
She shook her head, amused by his presumptions. ]
Just sometimes. And sometimes we only want to spend a quiet time, reading a book because is good entertainment. That's what we're going to do. After you.
[ Good entertainment. He had never understood why Elisabeth had been so keen on life - what it was that she felt she had to hold on to. Entertainment? It was not necessary in his world - the world of the dead, then why should it be necessary here? ]
Surely, entertainment is for the one who is afraid of the bleakness of life~.
[ Because these mortals knew no better, of course. However, he had promised not to take on his duty today. Therefore he followed Youko inside, curiously running his gaze over the things and people they passed by. ]
What is the use of drowning oneself in lies, simply because reality is too harsh?
Some people do that to cope. Others because they are bored and this amuse them. My best friend, for instance, he loves books. This is Heaven to him.
[ Youko did her best to bite her sharp tongue and not start an argument with him. No, that wouldn't ruin their outgoing. She led into the supposedly classic section of the library, but it was matter of time before the cursed place decided to misplace any exemplar. ]
[ He ran his fingers across the spines of the books on the shelves. They were dusty and so wholly earthly against his fingertips. He had observed Elisabeth on several occasions, with her face downcast, eyes running across words like these.
What had she seen in them that he could not see now? For pleasure, for kicks... He did not see the point. They were simply denying the realities of the world they insisted on not forsaking. Yet...
Pursing his lips, he picked a random book in the line, balancing it elegantly between two fingers and holding it out for Youko to take. ]
You know, you can read books, even if they aren't necessary. If we didn't have something to stimulate our imagination, then life would be very boring, Tod. Death too, because we have written plenty of both.
[ She explained, scanning the titles on the spines, trying to look for a neutral topic, something that wasn't a tragedy but wasn't too cheerful that would bore him.
Youko took the book and read the title. "Peter and Wendy" by J. M. Barrie, huh? She smiled. Perfect.]
[ With a flourish he bowed to her, allowing her to take the book and lead the way over to the nearest table, sitting down next to her and waiting for her initiative. He watched her every movement with slightly narrowed eyes, as if he - simply by observing - would be able to see beneath the surface, to her thoughts and feelings. The drive that make her do this - what made her open the book and read from it.
But he saw nothing. By now, he was used to it, to not being able to read the people around him like he had been able to in his own world, but on her face, he did see something... the smile. A smile of... victory?
He knew that smile. It was his. His alone. Frowning, he snatched the book from her and read the first line aloud. ]
Mmhm. Peter Pan or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow up. Those are alternative titles.
[ She explained as he began. She had watched him fetch the book from her hands in a very childish way, but her amusement held no malice, only curiosity. He seemed so human when he did that.
Youko simply stood and looked for another copy, before sitting next to him, opening the first chapter to continue reading. ]
'They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried,
[ She paused, for dramatic, and to recite in character. ]
"Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!" This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.'
[ Tod followed the words in his own copy, from time to time letting his gaze stray to Youko's face as she read aloud. She seemed... amused... by the words, as if she took genuine pleasure in sharing this with him. Or having it to herself. He couldn't tell, but the difference was insignificant anyway.
Smiling with edge a the mention of the beginning of the end, he let his fingers run across the sentence, leaning back in his chair. ]
So not all mortals are blind to the course of life~.
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And I will be there, waiting.
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However, she was stubborn and had convinced herself that it would be the best for him and the people of his world.
Life without death lack a meaning, but so did death without life.
When she arrived, she kept a formal serious tone, but managed a smile. ]
I thought an academy outgoing would be a fun start. Reading then coffee or tea in Cafe Juliet.
Reply
Nodding his head once in greeting and as a silent acceptance of her plans, he then looked up at the building in front of them. ]
They search for answers in the books here? How curious~.
Reply
She shook her head, amused by his presumptions. ]
Just sometimes. And sometimes we only want to spend a quiet time, reading a book because is good entertainment. That's what we're going to do. After you.
Reply
Surely, entertainment is for the one who is afraid of the bleakness of life~.
[ Because these mortals knew no better, of course. However, he had promised not to take on his duty today. Therefore he followed Youko inside, curiously running his gaze over the things and people they passed by. ]
What is the use of drowning oneself in lies, simply because reality is too harsh?
Reply
[ Youko did her best to bite her sharp tongue and not start an argument with him. No, that wouldn't ruin their outgoing. She led into the supposedly classic section of the library, but it was matter of time before the cursed place decided to misplace any exemplar. ]
Have you never read a book just for kicks?
Reply
[ He ran his fingers across the spines of the books on the shelves. They were dusty and so wholly earthly against his fingertips. He had observed Elisabeth on several occasions, with her face downcast, eyes running across words like these.
What had she seen in them that he could not see now? For pleasure, for kicks... He did not see the point. They were simply denying the realities of the world they insisted on not forsaking. Yet...
Pursing his lips, he picked a random book in the line, balancing it elegantly between two fingers and holding it out for Youko to take. ]
This one perhaps? Is it of interest, I wonder...
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[ She explained, scanning the titles on the spines, trying to look for a neutral topic, something that wasn't a tragedy but wasn't too cheerful that would bore him.
Youko took the book and read the title. "Peter and Wendy" by J. M. Barrie, huh? She smiled. Perfect.]
I think this one will do. Let's find a table.
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But he saw nothing. By now, he was used to it, to not being able to read the people around him like he had been able to in his own world, but on her face, he did see something... the smile. A smile of... victory?
He knew that smile. It was his. His alone. Frowning, he snatched the book from her and read the first line aloud. ]
All children, except one, grow up.
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[ She explained as he began. She had watched him fetch the book from her hands in a very childish way, but her amusement held no malice, only curiosity. He seemed so human when he did that.
Youko simply stood and looked for another copy, before sitting next to him, opening the first chapter to continue reading. ]
'They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried,
[ She paused, for dramatic, and to recite in character. ]
"Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!" This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.'
Reply
Smiling with edge a the mention of the beginning of the end, he let his fingers run across the sentence, leaning back in his chair. ]
So not all mortals are blind to the course of life~.
Reply
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