pursuiter of knowledge

Milo James Thatch | Thirty-Five | Magick History Professor at Pride U | Independent RP Blog for Swynlake-rp

[adventuringthatch1]

MILO JAMES THATCH

“hey, don't write yourself off yet / it's only in your head, you feel left out (feel left out) / or looked down on / just do your best (just do your best) / do everything you can (do everything you can) / and don't you worry what their bitter hearts (bitter hearts) / are gonna say”

Nicknames: N/A Magic status: N/A Nationality: American Ethnicity: White Accent: American Height: 6’0 Build: Slim Complexion: Pale but can be tanned from time to time Eye color: Hazel Hair color/length/style: Medium brown / typical man’s length and will grow it out sometimes / wavy Tattoos/piercings/daily jewelry: No tattoos atm / no piercings atm / not atm Occupation: Magick History Professor at Pride University What would you find if you Googled them?: Articles he has written about his travels and ones he has written during his university years. What natives would know about them: Magick History Professor at Pride U and will not stop talking about Atlantis. Other: He likes to disappear from time to time in search of Atlantis and has been away for a few weeks this time.

biography | character sheet | instagram | inspiration

[adventuringthatch1]

boointhenight​:

Wake Me Up || Match

.

She clocked the ‘Mary’ and figured that that tracked. He seemed like the kind of nice normal guy that would be comfortable around Mary. 

“Ok Milo. Since I doubt I’ll be one of your students anytime soon, figure it’d be best to go with that one. I mean, we’re already late night study buddies, so that means we’re practically friends.”

Of course that wasn’t how it worked even a little bit. But hey, he was hot and she was beginning to wake up a little more. But more importantly, since they were something like colleagues she might as well act like it.

“What do you teach in that case? And what are you looking to study?”

Milo figured she could call him by his first name rather than Professor Thatch because she wouldn't be one of his students, and if that changed, he'd insist on the latter.

"If that's the case, then we're practically friends." He wasn't sure if that was how it worked, but with the number of people who thought he was insane, he could use all the friends he could get. Plus, even he could admit she was attractive; anyone would be insane not to think so, even in her post-sleep state.

"I teach Magick History. I guess I just want to study anything other than that."

[adventuringthatch1]

kenneth-carson​:

Never Too Old To Learn || Kilo

Ken felt like that was a welcome enough invitation to step on through the door into the office.

Despite his bright and otherwise confident demeanor, places like this were probably the ones that Ken disliked the most. It was weird, because he did like to learn. Didn’t everyone? It was cool! There was so much stuff in the world and so much information that could be useful!

But people always seemed so picky with who got that information. When he had been in college no one ever seemed to give him the time of day, too impatient for his pace, which was, admittedly, a lot slower than the average person. Plus, when he didn’t know something, there was always someone there to judge him for not knowing it for some reason? He never got that because, like, who was supposed to know everything in the world at that age? What was he, Google? No! He was Ken and Ken was human, like everyone else.

So, yeah, he was a little nervous this guy was going to laugh in his face. It wasn’t going to stop him from trying though.

Alright! Go time.

“So, here’s the the thing, I am in need of some major TLDR’s on Swynlake history,” he said. “I work as a concierge at the Inn and I don’t want to give false information or, like, no information at all when a guest comes up and asks about the town. I know I’m not paying tuition or anything, but I’m more than willing to give you money or whatever you need if you would be able to help catch me up on all there is to know about Swynlake’s history.”

Milo sat back in his seat, waiting for the other man to speak, then nodding as he did. So, he wanted some TLDRs about Swynlake history? What did TLDR stand for again? He'd overheard some students discussing it one day; it meant too long, didn't read. Ah, this man needed a shorter version of Swynlake's history for his job. Milo couldn't say no to that, but he couldn't accept the man's money. That was unethical.

"I understand your predicament, and it turns out I can help you," he smiled. "However, because I teach classes every week, it would have to be whenever I'm available."

He placed his fingers through his hair before speaking again, "Another thing is that I cannot accept your money. I simply couldn't, but there is another way for you to compensate me for my time. Free coffee at the Inn for the duration of our "lessons."

That way, he wouldn't have to worry about the ethical implications, and free coffee was always a plus, especially in his line of work.

[adventuringthatch1]

evangelinee​:

How to Find a Lost City * [Evangilo]

Oh, right. Mr. Davies had told her that it was bad to ask people about their wishes straight out, because people weren’t used to people who could hear wishes and they might be mad. Though, that really confused Evangeline, because how could they be mad at someone trying to help them fulfill whatever their wish was?! It didn’t make any sense, but she listened to Mr. Davies because he was wise and knew about people.

Now, she had to think on her feet.

Quickly, she pointed to the book he was reading. “Your book! I’ve, uh, read that one too. It’s not very good. At least, I don’t think it is helpful at all. Atlantis wasn’t fake, which that book tries to say. That’s just so silly. It was real.”

Milo wouldn't be surprised if she was a Magick with the ability to read minds; he'd seen a lot in his time in Swynlake and was ready for anything, but there could be another reason.

He was trying to think of the many possibilities it could be when she pointed at the book he was saying. Of course, that would be why she was asking, and she wasn't a Magick. That didn't bother him, but it made more logical sense than her being a mind reader.

“Oh, really? I was trying to figure out whether it was useless or not, so you’ve just made that easy for me.” He smiled at her, “I have plenty of research on Atlantis, but I just wanted different sources to back up what I already have, you know?”

He was relieved to meet someone else who believed that Atlantis was a real place and not just a silly story, because it wasn't. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who knows it is real.”

[adventuringthatch1]

rowsandrows-of-roses​:

Top Shelf –@ [Isamilo]

“Edgar Allan Poe?” Isabela said with a tilt of her head.

She thought that name might’ve sounded familiar but again…Isabela did not read very often. That was something that she had long ago become alright with. The fact that she was not smart. Dolores was smart. Mirabel was smart. Isabela was not. Once, she had been embarrassed by this fact, but now–she simply figured it was what it was. Most people didn’t expect pretty girls like her to be smart anyway.

“What kind of stuff does he write?”

"He was a well-known American author, poet, editor, and literary critic." Milo said, with no judgement in his tone because maybe she didn't know who that was, which was fine; few people knew who he was unless they read him or saw his work second-hand.

"He was best known for his poetry and short stories, especially those filled with mystery and the macabre. If you're interested, they might have a copy of his collected works here." Even if she wasn't interested, he'd look for a copy because he couldn't get enough of Edgar Allan Poe.

[adventuringthatch1]

boointhenight​:

Wake Me Up || Match

.

Ok. Not going to answer the question. Maybe British schools were weirder about people sleeping in the library. In undergrad, sleeping in the library was so common people straight up brought pillows and blankets with them during finals week and just assumed they would be crashing there. You only got woken up if you had to move to the 24 hour study room because the actual library closed. Which she had a key card so it wouldn’t matter. 

Or maybe he was one of those ‘saw people sleeping in public places and felt compelled to check if they were dead’ type people. She’d been woken up by that kind of person relatively often over the years. 

But she could talk about her research. That was always easy even if it usually freaked people out. So she pushed herself back to her feet (ignoring the bruise on her side) and leaned against the table. 

“I’m a demonology grad student. Specifically I’m looking into cases of demon resettlement. Handy when my own research applies to a town issue so I figured now is a good time to get some more in. I’m Mary or Boo, I go by either.”

Milo came to the realisation that perhaps he was being too concerned over her well-being; normally, he wouldn't have woken her, but just wanted to make sure she was sleeping and hadn’t passed out.

It could happen.

Maybe, he should have just left her alone, but alas it was too late for that now.

Oh, her area of study was fascinating, and it helped Milo forget that he still believed she had hurt herself—partly because he had awakened her. He nodded in agreement as she continued, not knowing much about it but always interested in learning more should the need arise.

"That sounds fascinating. I'm trying to learn more about things other than what I teach, and that sounds like something I should look into next."

He ran his fingers through his hair, more out of nervousness than anything else, and said, "Nice to meet you, Mary, I'm Milo or Professor Thatch. I answer to both, so feel free to call me either one."

[swynlake-rp]

“But, hey, you know, that’s what this is all about, right? I mean, discovery, teamwork, adventure.”

FULL NAME: Milo Thatch BASED ON: Milo (Atlantis) FACE CLAIM: Matthew Gray Gubler PRONOUNS: He/Him BIRTHDAY: 4th August 1987 CURRENT STATUS: Open

Character Information || cw: death ||

Milo James Thatch was born to Augustus Avery and Lucille Rose Thatch, who tragically died in a train accident when Milo was three, so he was raised by his grandfather after that. Milo Thatch had a deep love for exploring the world around him from a young age, and having a wealthy family allowed him to indulge in this passion. While most people his age would be stuck in a classroom, Milo learned on the go, doing lessons on aeroplanes or ships as he explored the world with his grandfather. From the North Pole, to the South Pole, there weren’t many places that he hadn’t had the chance to visit. Each trip would be documented in his journal, and by the time he hit high school, he was able to write very vivid and colourful essays.

Because of travelling, however, socialising was never really Milo Thatch’s strong suit. He missed out on high school dances and homecoming games, parties, and Senior Ditch Day. The young man didn’t mind though. He kept his studies up with the help of a private tutor and soon Milo found himself accepted to NYU. There, the professors were so astounded by his findings and his work in the field of geography and history that he managed to graduate a year earlier than planned.

Swynlake was the only place he wanted to go after university. He’d heard a lot about the town and was eager to go see it for himself. He had applied for a job at the local university and had been successful in becoming the Magick History professor, which came as no surprise to him given his extensive life experience. He also thought it would be the only university that might give him the funding he wants so badly in order to search for Atlantis.

Milo was determined to make the most of this new adventure and explore Swynlake. Perhaps he would meet like-minded people, or perhaps he would finally find the answers he sought in his quest to find Atlantis. Only time would tell, and he hoped that if not all, then at least some of the questions he had would be answered.

✓  Intelligent, passionate, trusting

✖  Stubborn, socially inept, self-absorbed

Character Suggestions

None

Current Relationships

None

Possible Relationships

click here!

Magical Abilities

None

[kenneth-carson]

Never Too Old To Learn || Kilo

@adventuringthatch

Ken was in a bit of a pickle! See, lots of people were starting to ask him about the history of Swynlake. And not just the recent history, like the stuff that he would know off the top of his head. At least, the stuff that he was paying attention to. They were asking about other stuff. Like actual historical stuff. That you needed to find in a book, written by someone who had been around when it had happened. 

He sort of got away with the stuff he could remember being taught in school, like with what the Lyons had done here and then the other guy with the sword and the other other guy with the big beard. Or so they said…

Anyway! Point was, he totally needed to brush up on his history. Sad part was that this place didn’t really have video essays or podcasts for him to listen to while at work. He had to go out and find that information himself. 

This is what led him to the university! Surely someone there with their books and brains and…stuff could tell him about the stuff he was looking for! Ken had wandered around for a while until he found someone to ask. They pointed him in the direction of an office of one Milo Thatch. 

“Hey there!” he said, poking his head around where the door was slightly ajar. “Do you take walk in’s?” 

[adventuringthatch1]

Milo was looking forward to the start of classes; it would put a halt to his Atlantis research, but perhaps that was for the best. He hadn't gotten far with it, so perhaps this would give him the motivation to improve what he already had and make it more appealing to the 'important' people from whom he was seeking funding. Unfortunately, that would have to wait until later because he would be too busy lecturing, assigning essays, and marking those essays. He'd have a lot to keep him busy, and he didn't want to think about his failure to secure funding for an expedition to find Atlantis right now.

Focus.

He was looking for his last year's course schedule, which included the textbooks he used, but he couldn't find it no matter how many times he turned his office over. He managed to return the office to its pre-search state, but then he noticed something in the corner of his eye, a piece of paper with his scrawled writing - was that the list? He sighed in relief as he picked up the piece of paper; it was his course schedule from last year.

Thank goodness.

He placed the piece of paper in his top desk drawer, where it would be safe and visible. All that looking had tired him out, and if he was going to get any more work done for the new academic year, he'd need coffee. He was about to leave to get some coffee when he heard a voice followed by someone walking into his office, so he sat down at his desk and said, "Hello!" Coffee would have to wait because he was curious as to what the stranger expected from him. "How can I help you?"

[evangelinee]

How to Find a Lost City * [Evangilo]

@adventuringthatch​

Evangeline was hanging around the bookshoppe. Even though she didn’t have any money, really, so she tried not to spend what she did have, she loved going to the bookstore. Since learning to read, she wanted to read everything. And the people who worked there were nice enough to let her sit and read!

Which was what she was doing until she heard someone’s wish. It was a very loud wish. She couldn’t focus on what she was doing. Her head had been so quite the last month or so, but now everything was back in full force. She had missed it. Getting up from her seat, Evangeline trotted to the table that the man was sitting at and she stood at the other side, staring at him for a few moments.

“Hi, are you trying to find Atlantis?”

[outfit]

[adventuringthatch1]

Milo had been focusing on the magical drain for the last month, but now that it appeared to be resolved, he had returned to researching Atlantis when he wasn't sourcing textbooks for his classes. He'd found quite a few textbooks that mentioned Atlantis, so he was trying to figure out which ones were useful to him and which were complete nonsense.

He was in the middle of reading the textbooks he had chosen when he could feel someone watching him, no that couldn't be right, so he went back to reading until he was interrupted by a voice. He looked up from the book he was reading to find a young woman at the other side of the table, and she was asking him if he was trying to find Atlantis.

Strange.

“How did you know?”

[outfit]

[adventuringthatch1]

So this was not how Milo had planned to spend his day. He intended to read a few books on his to-read list while inhaling numerous cups of coffee, either from Hatter's or from the university, as well as take a quick cat nap in his office before doing some research and figuring out how to use Tinder.

But Shere had other plans for him, which included dragging Milo away from his plans and assisting Shere, which Milo was happy to do. Those things he could do any other day of the week. Milo was happy to help his friend, even if there was an 85 percent chance he would sustain some kind of injury in the process, because it involved weighing gryphons.

He'd never done anything like this before, so it'd be a great learning experience for him, and he could possibly ask Shere questions as well. He was eager to learn everything he could about gryphons and other magical creatures. But that would come, and he needed to concentrate in order to help Shere.

Milo looked at Shere when he spoke to him, “Oh, right. I’ll just grab them.” He went looking for the straps and found them, so maybe this was going to be fun. He approached with the straps, carefully listening to Shere's instructions before nodding. He carefully placed the straps on the gryphon's wing, one over the other, then checked to see if he had done it correctly. "Is that right?" he asked Shere, unsure whether he had done it correctly.

[adventuringthatch1]

professor-lungri​:

@adventuringthatch

There was more like a 90% rate of injury, but Milo didn’t need to know that. Usually, it was minor. Usually, it was actually just being slapped in the face by an errant wing, but sometimes it was a claw to the face. They didn’t mean anything by it. They were young and they wiggled like any excitable child-aged creature.

Which was why Shere tightly to the little gryphon’s midsection, chin tucking his mouth close to her ear tufts so he could speak soothingly to her.

The Vaagh smiles slightly st his scatter-brained companion and nods a little, fingertips curling into soft down feathers on the gryphon’s belly. Milo came back with the straps and listened while he was told how to attach them, and Shere was hopeful.

Until the little one got excited and started flapping her wings. The straps were on, thankfully, so they didn’t get very far, but Shere still placed an arm up in case Milo got smacked in the face, the Vaagh turning his own away just in case.

Face scrunched up, Shere unfuls from his hunch and glances over with a laugh. “I’d say they’re fine, yeah. Didn’t get hit did you?” It was a reaction, really. Shere would have felt it on his forearm, but he still needed to check. “Thank you, again, for helping. It’s going to go much smoother right now with two of us.” Not that he’d been given much choice, but, again, not something Shere would bring up.

Well, that was a relief. Milo was thankful that the first time he had done something like this that it hadn’t blown up in his face, resulting in him getting injured, or so he thought? He had stepped back after placing the straps when the gryphon in question started flailing around, almost hitting him and Shere. Usually he didn’t have quick reflexes but today, he had managed to duck to the side and avoid getting hit.

“No, I’m fine. That was quite something.” He was beginning to remember to think fast on his feet, especially if every gryphon was going to act like this then he would have to in order to avoid an injury.

“It’s not a problem,” Milo was actually beginning to enjoy himself even with the threat of injury and there was also the fact he had been dragged here, but that was neither here nor there now. “I’m happy to help and I’m actually enjoying myself.”

[adventuringthatch1]

rowsandrows-of-roses​:

Top Shelf –@ [Isamilo]

–@

Isabela laughed lightly, the sound pretty and lilting. The perfect pitch of a laugh for a quiet bookstore.

Well, at least he wasn’t a snob. That was good. Isabela couldn’t stand snobs. (One might think she was a bit of a snob herself. Those people would probably be right, but she did try not  to act like one.)

“It really is for my aunt. I am more of a–self-help book person. Or, poetry, I suppose, than anything.”

Honestly, Isabela didn’t read that much. She wasn’t what one would call…an intellectual. After all, she hadn’t even graduated university. But! She was surrounded by plenty of intelligent people and she kept up with them well enough. Mostly. Her dad had always said she was a natural at public relations.

Milo liked her laugh, and he never noticed things like that about other people because he usually had his head buried in a book.

"Once again, I'm not going to pass judgement if you read romance," he joked. "I like poetry as well, especially anything by Edgar Allan Poe," he said, smiling.

Milo was not only trying new genres of fiction to read, but he was also attempting to read less reference and non-fiction books, unless required for his job. He didn't care what others thought, but he wanted to push himself out of his comfort zone to see if it was worthwhile. So far, so good.

[professor-lungri]

weigh station

closed starter for @adventuringthatch

It was time to weigh the yearlings! Now, normally, Shere could do this on his own without batting an eye. Normally, the Vaagh had a chirping, squirming gryphon under one arm, another at his heels, stepping gingerly over the rest of the brood.

Now, though, it was very, very difficult. The gryphons were heavy, and Shere grew fatigued quicker and quicker. There was almost no comforting presence lingering in his chest, no extra strength to bolster him. It was terrifying, despite the fact he drew little attention to his worry, despite the fact he made it, outwardly, seem like everything was okay. It wasn't.

Still, he huffed good naturedly as he heated a gryphon up into his arms, one hand clutching it's talons away from any soft bits. The wings were always the tricky parts. They needed to be kept down or out and away from the body; usually, that meant a complicated sling device, but another pair of hands meant they could do it manually, if they were quick enough. Usually, it was Greg or Martin who helped here, but neither of them were here, so Shere turned to the man who had been volunteered (told) to help with the job.

The gryphon in his grip chirruped and flapped her wings, knocking the Vaagh in the side of his head. He juggled her a bit and shook his head. "Oi, now don't go and do that, love. You've been through this before," he crooned, voice soft and affectionate despite the throbbing in his temple. To Milo, he said, "Grab the straps for her wings, would you? You'll have to slip them over, careful like, one over the other. Should lay down the middle of her spine if it's on properly."

Shere expected it probably wouldn't be, the first go, but it was still doable.

[adventuringthatch1]

So this was not how Milo had planned to spend his day. He intended to read a few books on his to-read list while inhaling numerous cups of coffee, either from Hatter's or from the university, as well as take a quick cat nap in his office before doing some research and figuring out how to use Tinder.

But Shere had other plans for him, which included dragging Milo away from his plans and assisting Shere, which Milo was happy to do. Those things he could do any other day of the week. Milo was happy to help his friend, even if there was an 85 percent chance he would sustain some kind of injury in the process, because it involved weighing gryphons.

He'd never done anything like this before, so it'd be a great learning experience for him, and he could possibly ask Shere questions as well. He was eager to learn everything he could about gryphons and other magical creatures. But that would come, and he needed to concentrate in order to help Shere.

Milo looked at Shere when he spoke to him, “Oh, right. I’ll just grab them.” He went looking for the straps and found them, so maybe this was going to be fun. He approached with the straps, carefully listening to Shere's instructions before nodding. He carefully placed the straps on the gryphon's wing, one over the other, then checked to see if he had done it correctly. "Is that right?" he asked Shere, unsure whether he had done it correctly.

[reidsaurora]

Lesley Smith-Juniment — "Hot Air" — icons, part two

made with polarr + vsco

rb + like if you save!!

credit @ofwilliamandwalter if you use!!

taglist: @1234-angelika @ohhmychuck @drayshadow @nomajdetective @kbakery @mercuryvapours @asgardprincess97 @gh0stgurl

hey, y'all! these have been sitting in my drafts for like a month so i figured i'd post these as a way to sorta make up for not posting today! i hope you all enjoy! feel free to leave icon suggestions in my inbox if you want more!

[adventuringthatch1]

ofwilliamandwalter​:

Lesley Smith-Juniment — “Hot Air” — icons, part two

made with polarr + vsco

rb + like if you save!!

credit @ofwilliamandwalter if you use!!

taglist: @1234-angelika @ohhmychuck @drayshadow @nomajdetective @kbakery @mercuryvapours @asgardprincess97 @gh0stgurl

[adventuringthatch1]

the-lottie-diaries​:

Studying Mysteries | Milottie

.

Lottie heard the laughter…of course she did, but she chose to ignore it. While others might not find it interesting, she did! She thought most things were interesting even if there wasn’t one hundred percent proof for them. And well, Lottie had been pursuing a vague thread to a love connection from one dream. So…she had no place to judge at all.

“Oh, you’re fine sugar,” Lottie replied warmly. “But it’s lovely to meet you Milo. My name is Charlotte La Bouff. But you can call me Lottie.” Honestly, he could call her whatever he wanted, because he was pretty cute. She shook his hand cheerfully, hoping he wouldn’t react too weirdly to her cold touch.

Wow. Atlantians sounded wild to her. “Half god and half human? That’s so crazy! Why would he think that? Is it cause it’s underwater? Cause then I’d just think merfolk.”

Milo was disappointed to see half the audience leave, but he was also relieved; he wasn't going to waste his time on nonbelievers. Plus, at this point, he wanted to concentrate on one potential believer - the cute blonde who didn't mock him or his beliefs.

"It's nice to meet you, Lottie." "It's a lovely name," he said, shaking her hand and noticing how cold it was. Odd.

"It's not as crazy as you might think. Furthermore, because Atlantis was once on land before being sunk by an earthquake, it makes more sense for Atlantians to be half god and half human."

"Now, if it was originally an underwater city, then yes, I'd agree that it makes sense for them to be merfolk, and that would be a great theory.”

[adventuringthatch1]

boointhenight​:

Wake Me Up || Match

.

Boo didn’t recognize him, but that wasn’t much of a surprise. She didn’t really know anyone outside her department which meant there was a whole lot of the school she had no connection to at all. But she could guess that he was a professor or another grad student since she knew the library had been empty before and it was only people at their level that were able to get in after hours. 

So, awesome. Professor or fellow grad student saw her freak out on waking up like a minor maniac. Loved making that impression on people. 

“Nope. Nope I’m fine. I’m all good.” Actually she thought she might have a pretty solid bruise on her side and her hip, but that wasn’t that big a deal. She’d always healed from bruises pretty quickly and it wasn’t like there was that much he could do for a bruise out of a little first aid kit. 

Still sitting on the floor but trying to play it casual, she said, “So, uh, what’s up?”

Milo again recognised her as a graduate student but not one in any of his classes, which was a shame because he admired her dedication to her studies and wished that most of his students did as well.

“I’m glad, but if you’re sure? Then I won’t get the first aid kit out.”

Milo wasn't sure if he believed she wasn't hurt, but he knew she knew her own body better than anyone else. So, for the time being, he would not press the issue; if he believed she was a danger to herself, he would have to act, regardless of the protests.

He wasn’t sure how to answer that question so went with his gut and decided to distract himself from what had just happened and the many thoughts he had about the situation, “What are you studying? If you don’t mind me asking.”

[adventuringthatch1]

labellerose-acheron​:

Something Strange in the Neighbourhood *** [Bello]

Now that Belle’s hands were free, she could tear into the book like she wanted to, which was exactly what she did, scanning the pages and flipping through the chapters, trying to remember where she’d seen the line she was thinking of. She wasn’t crazy, was she? It was somewhere in here, she remembered. When she had been doing research to break the charter, she had come across something about magic draining–

She glanced up when Milo spoke.

“Hm. Hopefully,” Belle agreed, not thinking about how that might sound.

“I have been going through everything in the archives, but I’ve never seen anything like this, which seems odd for the town’s 1000 year history. I thought it might have something to do with Ashmedai–oh!” She found the page she’d been thinking about.

“Oh.” That was more disappointed, her shoulders dropping.

“Magic is imbibed into the Swynlake, draining it would take considerable strength, moreso than Merlin ever had. Though, some theorized he put something into place to keep the magic contained. Well, that’s unhelpful. We know what he put in place. It was the Town Charter.”

Milo sat back and let her read; he was content to wait and see if she could find something he couldn't, and he didn't see it as a reflection on his intelligence. He occasionally missed things because he was tired or had consumed too much caffeine.

"Oh, I didn't even think to check the archives," he mused to himself rather than to Belle, finishing his coffee as he noticed she must have found what she was looking for, but then looked disappointed.

"See, I read that and thought the same thing, but perhaps he put something else in place that no one is aware of." He was just spitballing some ideas, but in reality, he was grasping at straws and unsure where he was going with that train of thought. "Perhaps something to do with the Town Charter or something close to it?"

[adventuringthatch1]

rowsandrows-of-roses​:

Top Shelf –@ [Isamilo]

Isabela smiled at him as he did what she asked. Very nice, he was gentleman at least, though from appearances it didn’t look like he had a lot of money…or probably decent social standing. If the mop of hair and knit sweater were anything to go by.

That was alright! It could still be nice to flirt. Isabela was rather sure she had the sheriff in her pocket by now but…it was never good to put all your eggs in one basket. (Literally, in this case, if she wanted to have children sometime in the next two years!)

The man handed her the book and she smiled, waiting for him to say something and continue the conversation.

When he didn’t, Isabela wanted to pout. She didn’t, of course, she kept smiling, but–did he not want to talk to her? Was she losing her charm? It was the stupid magic drain, wasn’t it? Isabela knew she was nothing without her magic.

“Thank you,” she said, persevering despite this setback. Maybe he was just a literature snob. “I know this book is silly. I am getting it for my aunt, for her birthday.”

Milo smiled at her; she looked lovely despite the fact that he was dressed in an old knit sweater he had grabbed on his way out the door, but it wasn't about appearances for him. He knew people didn't think he had a lot of money when in reality he did, he just didn't like to flaunt it, so he pretended he was living on his professor salary and it worked in weeding out the people who were only interested in his money and not him as a person.

"You're very welcome," Milo looked at the book again, thinking that he might try to find something similar in the university library and see what all the fuss was about with romance novels. 

"It's not ridiculous. If that's what you want to read, you should read it regardless of what anyone else says." 

He didn't like people who made fun of other people's interests or book choices; it wasn't like they had to read it for others to enjoy it, so making fun of it was pointless. 

“But it’s a good choice, for your aunt.”