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[jarndyceheir]

Richard has had a rough couple of days. After finding out that the woman he loves might have a son, named after him, which may or may not be his, and the debacle that was Valetine's Day, Richard was thoroughly rattled, and perturbed at himself for being so

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[colored_gowns]

Arabella is only exploring, walking along the wall of books and running her finger along the spines. As she turns to inspect the other side of the library, she is surprised-- pleasantly so-- to see someone she has met before. "Mr Carstone! Good day."

[colored_gowns]

"Far from all of them, sir," she replies, lowering her eyes bashfully but smiling still.

[jarndyceheir]

He selects a passable looking translation and straightens. "If you've never read it, The Odyssey might be appropriate, under the circumstances?" He looks hesitant but hopeful.

[colored_gowns]

"And which circumstances are those?" she asks, stepping closer to him to get a better look at the book.

[jarndyceheir]

"Being unable to return home, perhaps separated from those one loves. To face many strange and unusual sorts of magic." He smiles a bit. "Though I am afraid I am no Odysseus, he was always a favorite of mine."

[colored_gowns]

"If it is a book you enjoy, I am sure I shall enjoy it as well. And certainly, with magic and strange places, I shall be able to relate." She smiles in return, reaching out to take the book from him. "Are there any others you would recommend?"

[jarndyceheir]

"Well, if you enjoy The Odyssey, there is also The Iliad, about the events preceding it. The Trojan War, you know." Richard thinks. "Of course, Shakespeare always makes for rather diverting reading, if one can get past the difficulties of the language."

[colored_gowns]

"Do you consider yourself widely read, Mr Carstone?"

[jarndyceheir]

"Hardly," confesses Richard, rather embarrassed. "I am afraid reading is not a pastime I have much indulged in past my school days."

[colored_gowns]

"You do not do yourself credit, sir," Arabella protests. "You are at least well versed enough to prove a very fine guide for me. To speak honestly, though, I would dare to say that few save scholars manage to keep up their reading past their school days, either. It seems that there is never enough time."

[jarndyceheir]

"Indeed, so it would seem. I daresay that I don't know how Mr. Jarndyce manages to maintain his private library, back home, while running his own business affairs."

[colored_gowns]

"I am afraid I am not familiar with Mr Jarndyce."

[jarndyceheir]

"My Mr. Jarndyce is probably a bit after your time. Though the case, Jarndyce v Jarndyce in Chancery, has probably been going on long enough that there is a Jarndyce in your London as well."

[colored_gowns]

"Perhaps so, but I am afraid I have not heard of it. Though I confess that I am not at all informed when it comes to legal dealings. Even on the subject of magic I was hardly able to keep up."

[jarndyceheir]

"Ah. I keep forgetting." Richard shakes his head. "There is no magic in my London... so it cannot be the same, can it?"

Richard, despite himself, is growing a bit homesick.

[colored_gowns]

This thought startles her. "No, I suppose not. But then again, there was no magic in my London for a very long time. Perhaps it has simply gone away again? For how many different Londons could there be?"