╳–;; &MANEATER ┊❝resignedfaith❞
( ❝☽ ) – It wasn’t the sound of the other man’s voice that had the figment looking up with such a startled expression so much as the words he’d chosen to speak. It was no new thing for him to flounder a bit, nervous countenance taking control of his actions and reactions as his thoughts rearranged and aligned in a more suitable way to enter a conversation… but it was certainly a new thing for him to be just as taken by a question as he was made nervous by it. Particularly, one certain word hidden among all the others, harmless for the man to toss about, but DETRIMENTAL to his cursed existence.
Still, he reminded himself if only to placate his easily unraveling nerves, it was only common for browsing customers to eventually voice what they were looking for, especially if it hadn’t been found by mere browsing. The store was extensive, yet seemed to offer so little once one was looking for something in particular.
“Ah– I can’t particularly say I do,” he answered honestly, formality leading him to dip his head slightly in apology even with the partially surprised expression still rendering golden eyes a bit wider than they would usually be. “Most people wish for what specific ending you may be talking about, I imagine. H-however, I assure there are others with your desire as well.”
Avoiding using the word ‘wish’ had become like avoiding landmines in an unmarked field.
A slight, welcoming smile finally graced his expression, and he indicated the rest of the quaint store with a sweep of his hand. “If you think hard enough about what you would like to read, then you’ll be led to it; such is the nature of this store. Of course, I’m also here to assist if you prefer that method, sir.”
— ✕ Immortality was DREADFUL, really. He’d seen the world change time and time again since creating the DEAL - and, in all honesty, harbored no desire to see it change anymore. For all he cared, the world may have very well FROZEN OVER into an eternal state, lacking past or future - and, truthfully speaking, it wouldn’t have bothered him at ALL. So long as he was able to complete his limited goals, ambitious though they were, he would be satisfied.
— ✕ The simple fact of the matter was that endings HAPPENED. If he wanted them to or not had no effect, considering how cruel fate was known to be. Those who wanted the ending of their DESIRES would have to traverse a savage and unforgiving land, one where ANGELS prowled upon the weak and DEMONS stalked the strong.
— ✕ There were times when he was WRONG, of course. Scarlet hues glanced to the speaker as though to JUDGE him without ushering a single word or motion forth - it was a fast look, but near a scowl all the same. He turned back to the shelf, withdrawing a small novel from its hold and flipping through the pages with little CARE for what was written inside.
— ✕ ❝ Others with my DESIRES ?? ❞ Don’t make me LAUGH. He held back his thoughts with a small hum. There would be no use in being BITTER to the other - to anyone else, sure. But he was well aware of what trials one may have ENDURED while dealing with customers, and thereby had no right to be CRITICAL of the man. ❝ I don’t think anyone - ah - SHARES my desires. I am a rather... how would I say, unique man with my wishes. ❞
— ✕ The Frenchman gave a dismissive wave wit his left hand, his right tucking the buck away back into the shelf’s EMBRACE. ❝ If you don’t mind me asking, does this store have anything on ANGELS ?? ❞