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[mrs_octopus]

It seemed as though the most difficult part of preparing for the Bookclub's meeting, had in fact been securing the books themselves. Rosie had heard tell that the bookshelf had an infamous history for being quite fickle and uncooperative, but she hadn't belived it until she'd been attempting to get a dozen copies of The Secret Garden. It'd been

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[pambeesley]

It seemed to her, that she was the first to arrive and, as much as she wanted to, she couldn't just hang back in the hallway, walking back and forth, so she went inside towards the half-circle the chairs formed.

[mrs_octopus]

Rosie looked up and beamed at the woman who entered the room, trying not to appear as relieved as she felt. "Hello," she greeted kindly, standing up to meet the arrival as she held out her hand.

"I'm Rosie, and I'm so happy you came! I hope you'll enjoy yourself, this is the first time I've hosted an actual club."

[pambeesley]

Pam returned her grin and took the woman's hand. "I'm Pam plus one," she said, gesturing down at her stomach. "Well, soon enough it'll really be plus one."

She shook Rosie's hand, then gestured to the set up. "It looks good. I've never been in a club, to be honest."

[mrs_octopus]

"Well Pam plus one, I'm delighted to have you here." She said smiling, a smile that broadend with the compliment and she adjusted her shawl to occupy her hands.

"I've been a member of a few over the years, back when I wasn't consumed with work and taking care of my home and husband. It just seemed unsettling to have so little to do here, and it seemed as though so many people read anyway, so a bit more structured and socialized reading seemed like a realistic idea." She looked over the area with interest, hoping it would fill up soon. "I admit, I was rather nervous that no one would show."

[jamesmadrox]

Madrox, you've really gone domestic. Making pie, joining bookclubs... what's next? Putting on an episode of Jamie's Favourite Things and giving everyone cars?

Shut up, brain. I like books.

Jamie walked into the rec room with an impish sort of smile and offered a small wave at whoever might already be there. He made his way to one of the chairs and picked up a rather sad looking copy of The Secret Garden before he took his seat.

So far, so good.

[mrs_octopus]

"Just like a bad penny," Rosie said fondly, walking up to where Jamie sat and handing him a mug of coffee. "I'm sorry about the shape of some of the books, I suppose the bookshelf finally decided it was time to give me a hard time. I decided as long as they weren't missing any pages that I wouldn't fight with it."

[jamesmadrox]

"An older penny, now," said Jamie with a grin before he took the mug of coffee with a "Thanks."

He held up the book in one hand. "I like a book that's a little worn. Has more...history to it, I guess."

[mrs_octopus]

"Oh, I agree heartily. In fact, I rarely if ever bought my books new, I always preferred going to little privately owned used bookstored. You know, the ones where everything smells like dry parchment and wood dust." She smiled and eased herself into a seat near him, picking up the book and thumbing a ragged corner.

"I can't help but wonder who wore out all these books, though."

[helenhooverb]

Helen Hoover Boyle stood at the refreshment table, picking and choosing her eats. The small pastries were delicious, she had decided but the salad of severed fruits could use some work.

Sticking a strawberry into her mouth using her thumb and first finger, Helen turned and smiled.

"Hello..." She said to the woman, obviously in charge. "I am ecstatic that you've chosen to have this." She motioned to the books. "Helen Hoover Boyle."

[mrs_octopus]

Rosie beamed, momentarily startled by the peculiar shade of the woman's hair, but recovered almost instantly and fiddled with the paperback she had clasped in her hands.

"Rosie Octavius," she responded, holding her hand out politely. "I'm so glad that you wanted to join in, I was so worried that perhaps the idea would be unpopular."

[helenhooverb]

Helen finished the rest of her fruit and smiled back to Rosie.

"Unpopular?" Letting out a bit of a chuckle, Helen lowered her voice. "What else do people have going on here, right?" Helen winked and made her way to the circle of chairs.

Sitting down with a loud exhale, Helen held her hands tightly in her lap.

[mrs_octopus]

Rosie smiled, having had that thought several times to try and still her fears, but there was still always going to be a slight lingering doubt, and that just couldn't be helped at times.

"Oh I know, I just get anxious at times. I just supposed that the stereotype for a Bookclub is a bunch of women who're getting up there sitting around clucking like hens, and that might daunt some from coming." She shuffled over and discreetly pointed towards Jamie Madrox, feigning it as pushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Luckily, it seems this stereotype has been blissfully proven wrong."

[headline_maker]

Sacharissa had never taken part in such a thing before, but now seemed as good a time as any to start. Smoothing her skirt beneath her as she sat, she picked up her copy of the book, looking it over. It was nice to see they would be starting with something she had never read.