Aereopagitica, Tuesday

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

The door has been propped open.

The sign on the door seems to have a post it stuck to it. Right under "Open," the little yellow slip of paper says, "...but watch your step!"

The inside of the store smells of lemon and beeswax. Giles seems to be spring cleaning! If you look around, you'll find him mopping.

Comments

[heterodine.livejournal.com]

The tiny andever so useful dingbot walked into the store. In it's clawed hand was a note. it said in large friendly letters - Hi. He has cash. can you trade his cash for a book for me to read? Anything you care to recomend.. It is signed Agatha.

The little bot searches to locate the person in charge.

[ascended-being.livejournal.com]

Orlin comes in.

He's finished his book, needs a break from work, thus the shopping bit.

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

The little bot found Giles on his hands and knees hunting dustbunnies behind bookcases.

Giles read the message and thought for a moment. Then he went to the classics case and took down Discipline by Mary Brunton. He wrote on the back of the note.

Brunton was a writer Jane Austen admired very much. I hope you enjoy it. -Giles

He put the book and change in the little dingbot's claw. Now he was at something of a loss.

"How do I send you back to your mistress?" he asked it.

[heterodine.livejournal.com]

The bot clamped the note and the book tightly, and peered at the change. It then made a pleasant *ding* noise.

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

Giles was on top of a ladder waxing the moulding. There was a safety line clipped to his belt.

"Yes, Orlin? Is there anything I can help you with today?"

[ascended-being.livejournal.com]

Orlin smiled, "I was looking for a book on philosophy"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker came in around 5th period, with two video tapes. "Hey, Mr. Giles. Mission accomplished, and thanks for the loan!"

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"Er, you're welcome."

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"That's quite a broad topic. Was there a particular area of philosophy you were interested in? Ethics, metaphysics, moral philosophy?"

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

Giles eyebrows went up.

"Really? Tell me all about it." He smiled in anticipation.

[heterodine.livejournal.com]

The bot waved the claw in the air and waddled out of the shop.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

She gave him the tape of Oedipus Rex, then put down the one of Xander's reaction. "Mostly just face-palming, and a little embarassment. Also, 'oh my god, my hair was bad.'" She grinned, then shrugged. "He was a pretty good sport about it. Although there was mention of what Willow would do to him if she found out."

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"Before or after she commanded the earth to swallow her up?" Giles paused for a moment, remembering that the Willow from his time and continuity could actually do so and expect a certain measure of success.

He abruptly returned to the conversation. "And don't tell me about bad hair. I lived through the seventies." Giles shuddered. One of the first magics he'd attempted during his rehabilitation after the Eye of Eyghon debacle was a scry-and-destroy spell.

Everything involving me, polyesther, and hair past my ears, poof!

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker snickered. "Anyway, that tape was damn funny, and some of our friends got to see it and now have teasing material too, so thanks. Also? Jarod promised he'd give up on the Titania thing-- for now-- so while I know he's going to keep doing research, he's not looking to do anything at the moment. So you can relax about that a little bit."

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"Ah, good. Good." Although Giles had a feeling he couldn't relax for long.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Hopefully I can keep him distracted with other things-- like camping and taking me to Prom-- until the end of the semester. After that, well. If I'm here I'll do my damnedest to keep him occupied." Parker sighed. "I won't know about that for a while, though. If I weren't so completely opposed to messing with *anyone's* head, I could wish that Jarod would forget that I was possesssed, so he'd get over this. "

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

Giles blew out his breath.

"Take it from someone who knows. He'll never forget it." Roses flashed through his head for the umpteenth time. "But...work with him. Let him help you, and it will make things better."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker cocked her head, studying Mr. Giles for a moment and wondering, then slowly nodded. "All right... Anyway. Happier things; I really liked that Pushkin. Do you have any other Russian authors who aren't grim in stock? I think I need to write a paper to get full credit for this semester's work with Professor Dream."

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"Ah! I know just the thing!"

Giles went over to the foreign language section.

"How about some Siberian (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/5880540030/qid=1144947996/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-4297725-2323058?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) fairy folk tales?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker grinned. "That sounds fine. Anything but depressing contemplations on the state of government and the Czars. Also, weirdly appropriate. How much?"

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"Thirteen dollars."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker gave him a twenty, then picked up the book and put her shades back on. "Thanks again, Mr. Giles. For the videos and the assistance."

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"You are most welcome, Miss Parker.

"Er, regarding my own research into your situation, shall I just hold on to that for the time being?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker turned the book over in her hands, thinking. "Yes-- if that's okay? If Jarod decides the time has come to go after Titania, I'd like some back-up information ready."

[rup-giles.livejournal.com]

"Certainly. I shall take extra pains to secure it." The simple manila folder was headed for Giles's magical Fort Knox armoire in his flat.

He paused, clearly uncomfortable.

"Er, additionally, Miss Parker, I would advise against saying the Summer Queen's name aloud. She can hear it, if she chooses. And could use it to locate you. Or anyone else."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Oh, crap." Parker grimaced. "I really wish you'd told me that three weeks ago. Damnit, damnit... Okay. So noted. Her Royal Titaniumness will not be referred to specifically by name from here on. She will just be the Queen of Airheads and Darkness."