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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 4, 2012 16:15:26 GMT -5
Lorelai sat on the steps outside of the Central City Library, flipping through a well worn, much loved book on the basics of alchemy. She'd read this particular book many many times, in fact, aside from the fairy tail books of childhood, this was the first book she'd ever read. There wasn't really any reason she was reading it again, except that she simply wanted to. Reading this particular book was like visiting her best friend. It was the only thing she'd kept with her since leaving home ten years ago.
The State Alchemy exam was coming up soon, and then she'd have access to the books inside of this library, and life would become, if not easier, at least she'd have direction. Everything had become so muddled since she'd left home. She entertained thoughts of going to Xing, to learn about their alchemy, but she had no idea how she'd manage to get there. That was an unsafe journey if she'd ever heard of one. Maybe she'd get the chance through serving the state. Maybe she'd even find her mother there.
She let out a long sigh as a random passer-by walked past and shook her head. She wasn't a bad alchemist, but there was certainly no reason the state would see fit to send her to another country. She settled back, leaning against the stairs and wondering where she was going to bed down that night.
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 16, 2012 18:27:06 GMT -5
Willis still wasn’t entirely sure if he wanted to take the State Alchemist Exam that was coming up. It wasn’t exactly his thing, to be called a Dog of the Military. Well, it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on the basics of Alchemy in the library. I can give it more thought later on. The blond haired boy turned on the street, and stared at the giant building. The building was made out of what appeared to be white stone, with the word “Library” written across it.
Inside, there were books everywhere. On the shelves that lined the wall, on the floor, on the tables. Someone hadn’t been taking care of the place at all. It looked like a giant mess. So much for research, this place needs cleaned up… The first book to catch Willis’ eye was a bright red book, that seemed to be brand new. Book after book, the floor was slowly becoming visible again.
After fighting to get all of the books straitened up, Willis had forgotten what he'd even went to the library for. Well I guess it wasn't to important if I can't remember it.... Turning on his heel, he began to walk back out of the building, once he closed the door he noticed red-orange headed girl with large orange eyes was sitting in the midst of everything, reading a weathered book. ”Miss? he said, trying to make the girl aware him, .
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 16, 2012 19:27:17 GMT -5
Lorelai's thoughts were interrupted, finally, by a young man, still a teenager, by the looks of him. She put on a cheery smile as she closed her book and looked up to him. "Well, hello there. Have a good visit to the library?" For some reason, she hadn't actually bothered to go in, yet. She'd just felt like reading outside in the sun, and it hadn't crossed her mind to go inside and find a book she hadn't read a thousand times, before.
She wondered about this stranger. He was the first person who'd approached her since she'd arrived in Central. There was a reason she'd always avoided big cities. She'd heard people weren't as friendly, and everything she'd seen since arriving had confirmed those rumors. Maybe they had their reasons, but it certainly hadn't done her any good.
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 16, 2012 23:09:39 GMT -5
” Well, hello there. Have a good visit to the library?" the words rang in his ears. ”Well actually all I did was clean it up. That place a mess on the inside, someone or some people, don’t know how to take care of a book once they’re done with it.” the words casually flowed from his mouth. It wasn’t that he really cared for the fact that they had destroyed it, except for the fact that he had needed to brush up on his Alchemy and with the Library in the state that it was in, there was no way he would have ever found the books that he needed.
”So why’re you sitting outside of the library reading, instead of being inside?” curiosity was heavy in his voice. ”There are plenty of books within the building, also. So you could read nearly anything that you want to, except the parts that are restricted. But if you can become a State Alchemist then you can see most of it…” His voice trailed off in thought.
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 16, 2012 23:23:11 GMT -5
A look of disgust spread across Lorelai's face at the thought of leaving a library in such state. "That's just sad. How could anyone disrespect books that way? They're the best source of information we have... minds can forget, pages, not so much." She sighed and shook her head, shaking off the thoughts of disgust so she wouldn't scare off this young man, though she couldn't quite manage to bring her smile back. "I'm sorry, had I known it was a mess I'd have been in there helping you clean up."
She blinked curiously at the young man as he asked why she was reading outside the library instead of inside. "Oh, well, I wasn't much in the mood for anything in there, at least nothing I have access to, yet, and it's such a beautiful day, anyway. I didn't want to waste it inside." She nodded, "Yes, that's the plan. Which likely means I should be studying rather than poking lazily through a book I've read a million times." She looked towards the building and shrugged. "Though, to me, meeting a new friend trumps studying any day. I'm Lorelai Nott."
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 18, 2012 23:47:41 GMT -5
"Though, to me, meeting a new friend trumps studying any day. I'm Lorelai Nott." [/b] The name didn’t sound even remotely familiar. ”Well, Miss Lorelai Nott, I don’t believe we have met before. My name is Willis Ryder. And I’m going to become a State Alchemist!” confidence rang in his voice. There wasn’t a whole lot to do on days like this, even though the Exam was getting so close. Maybe I should go practice my Alchemy? The thought crossed his mind. ”Hey Lorelai, do you know who’s conducting the State Alchemy Exams this year? I head that the Furhr was out of Central.” It would have to be someone in Central, obviously. But who all where the choices so far? And who all were going to take the Exams this year? Who would make it? There were so many questions to be answered, and the suspense was killing him.[/blockquote][/color] |
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 19, 2012 0:00:14 GMT -5
Lorelai gave Willis a big smile as he introduced himself, entertained by his enthusiasm. "I don't believe so, either. Pleased to meet you!" She offered him her hand to shake. "Guess we'll be seeing each other at least once more in the near future, then. I assume that means you're planning to take the upcoming exam." She wouldn't let that thought discourage her, despite the fact that it meant they'd be going against each other for a title that was usually only given to one or two applicants each time.
Lorelai blinked. It just so happened that she'd found out who was conducting the exam when she signed up for it. She smiled and nodded, trying not to blush at the thought of the Flame Alchemist. Good lord, was he ever handsome. "It's going to be conducted by Colonel Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist. I met him when I turned in my paperwork, and he told me himself." She hoped she didn't seem like she was gushing too much, but she found it hard to look at herself objectively when she thought of her crush.
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 19, 2012 21:44:54 GMT -5
”Huh. So Colonel Roy Mustang is doing it this year? That should be interesting.” excitement rang in his voice. The Colonel would be in store for a few surprises. ”Well Lorelai, if you don’t mind me asking, what kind of Alchemy do you specialize in? You don’t have to tell me if you want.” Getting to know that competition was never a bad thing to do. I wonder who all my competition is….after all, only one or two of us are going to make it. It wasn’t a pleasant thought, knowing that he might not make it. But then again, with his extensive research, he just about had a guaranteed spot as a State Alchemist. |
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 19, 2012 21:57:35 GMT -5
Lorelai nodded as Ryder spoke of Mustang heading up the exam this year. She was personally excited about that prospect, mostly because she was simply excited to be in his presence, again. Of course, that was likely to mean that she'd be at least a bit distracted during the exam, but, well, how could she begrudge an opportunity to see the Flame Alchemist? She wondered if the exam would involve him showing off at all.
"Specialize? Well, I've earned my living through repair work, using alchemy to speed things along, and sometimes amplify certain things, but I suppose my defensive alchemy is generally more... I don't know, impressive." She smiled, then shrugged. She wouldn't get more specific than that, as she was aware that Ryder was her competition.
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 22, 2012 14:12:00 GMT -5
"Repair Alchemy huh? Well I'm sure you have a few tricks up your sleeves. I know that I sure do." a huge grin spread across his face as he thought about his alchemy. It felt like it had taken him ages to learn, and he still hadn't mastered it, but he was getting there. He only needed to be able to research in the restricted areas, along with having funds to conduct experiments.
"Well, Lorelai, would you like to get something to drink? I'm dying of thirst." It was always a good thing to get to know the competition. It would prove useful later on, plus she was kinda cute. |
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 22, 2012 15:34:20 GMT -5
Lorelai gave a little shrug and a smile. She never thought much of her alchemy skills, except that she knew she could earn her keep with it, and, for the most part, keep herself safe, but she'd been told that her skills were impressive by a few people, and she figured she wouldn't be any worse off if she failed. And she'd gotten the chance to meet Mustang. Though failing would mean failing in front of Mustang. That was not a pleasant thought. She resolved to study more. "A few tricks, yea."
At Willis's question, Lorelai bit her lip. "Um, sure." She barely had enough money to pay for food for the remainder of the week, but she was enjoying the conversation. Honestly, being in the city had made her feel lonely, and more homesick than she'd ever really felt, and she was enjoying this conversation too much to loose it, already.
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 23, 2012 13:16:22 GMT -5
"And, since I offered, it'll be my treat." the words just fell out of his mouth. Did I really just offer to buy someone coffee? Soon, money wouldn't even matter, he'd actually have a stable job within the military and he would be set. "Well, where would you like to go?" He wasn't entirely sure of all the places in Central yet to be able to decide on the spot, actually he wasn't really sure of any place that wasn't a bar.
"I hope you don't mind me asking....but how old are you? I know that you aren't supposed to ask a woman her age, but I can't help but asking." as soon as he felt the words leave his mouth, his face instantly started burning. Red embarrassed swept across his face, before he finally looked away. Did I really just ask her that? Hoe stupid am I? |
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 23, 2012 14:01:59 GMT -5
Lorelai blinked, then smiled, quite pleased by the offer. It had been some time since someone had bought her anything without promise of something. "Alright, thank you." Her head turned left and right, down the streets of Central, trying to think if she'd notice a place to get some drinks. Finally she shrugged. "I haven't been here in town that long, myself. Only a few days. I've no idea where to go."
At Willis's next question, Lorelai let out a laugh. "I don't mind, though it's not often you'll find a woman who doesn't, from what I've seen. I'm twenty-seven." She found the boy's blush rather cute, but she did her best to curb her chuckles, not wanting to make him more uncomfortable than he already was. "What about you?" She gave him a gentle smile.
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Post by Willis Ryder on Sept 23, 2012 19:45:51 GMT -5
"How old am I? Well I'm just about to be Eighteen. In a few days, actually." Willis grinned a large, cheesey smile at the thought. Of course, it would be like any other birthday he had. He'd celebrate by himself with cake, before returning to his Alchemy training. "Well, if we plan on getting drinks, we should probably get going, before all of the places close for the night."
Really, Willis had no idea where they were going to go. There had to be a non alcoholic place within Central, since children were living within the walls. "We can just see what Central has to offer as we go." the words escaped his mouth.
Words: 135
Notes: Sorry that It's so short>.<
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Post by Lorelai Nott on Sept 23, 2012 21:04:08 GMT -5
Lorelai nodded. 'Turning eighteen, huh? That's a big birthday. Do you have any plans?" She giggled softly at his cheesey grin, as her thought turned back to her own eighteenth birthday. She hadn't even known it was that day, she'd been on the road, on her way to a small town she'd never seen, before, on her way to a dead end in a lead about her mother's disappearance. It wasn't exactly her best birthday. Though none of them had been all that great since her mother had disappeared.
"Hm?" She looked up to see the position of the sun, realizing how late it was getting. "Oh, yea, probably. Didn't realize how late it was. I wonder what kind of places there are around here." She had no idea what type of restaurants they'd be able to find. She didn't often try anywhere.
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