The used bookstore was named the Paper Horde. It was in a large old building in one of the oldest parts of New York City. The shoppe itself was meticulously organized; surgically some would call it though it was open and inviting building. Their were chairs, benches and couches everywhere. The window ledges were even modified enough to be able to be used as a place to sit and read. Mathias the shoppe’s curator certainly encouraged that. It didn't really seem to bother him to think that people were using it less like a place to buy books and more as a library.
Mathias certainly bought more books than he sold. And it was an indiscriminate buying of books no matter the genre. He would rarely be seen behind the counter itself though it seemed like he was always there before someone approached. He was usually found with a mug of tea in one of the windows that faced the front doors at a high enough vantage that he looked out into the city and not just into the streets.
This day was much like any other day; Mathias was sitting in one of the first floor windows. A mug of tea in one hand and a large old tome in his other. It was early, that was when the young lady walked into his book store.
She looked as if she was almost at the end of her growth, though she would already be called willowy and tall by most people. Her hair was envious to most being a deep Auburn and her ringlet curls was that of what most people would spend hours on and not be able to reproduce. Her blue-green heterozygous eyes sparkled with innocence and intelligence.
As she walked by Mathias she waved and greeted him quietly making sure not to look him in the eyes. He smiled warmly at her taking note of her aversion of eye contact. “if you need anything just let me know…” he paused as if waiting for a response from her that included at least what he could call her.
“uhh… Sorcha I guess.” She smiled at him. Still looking just over his shoulder, “thank you.”
He smiled and let her move on to search the books. And search she did. She was in the bookstore for hours when she finally approached the counter. “Well Sorcha it seems like you found what you were looking for.”
“That and then some.” She smiled at him at his question. She placed the books that she was planning on purchasing on his counter. The small mountain included many differing genres though it was the last one that caught Mathias’ eye. It was an ancient leather-bound book with no outward discernable writing on the cover or spine.
He stroked the worn cover lovingly without opening the book he smirked at her, “you do know there’s truths in what this book holds.”
Sorcha still looking over his shoulder instead of at his face.
“I've been noticing that.” she mumbled as if she expected mockery.
He sighed sadly at her response. “Why don't you come have some tea with me.”
Sorcha made a gesture of assent and followed him unsure of her steps. He was waiting in a secluded corner with a tea already brewed for them. Sorcha laughed, “it is like you expected this.”
Mathias shrugged at her comment. “I may have been watching the books you were looking at.”
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “That last book… rather tome that you have there is one of my more prized books that I have in my,” he stopped for a moment as if searching for the appropriate word. He settled on. “Collection. I will be sad to see it go, though you seem like worthy owner.”
Sorcha arched her eyebrow. “And what does a worthy owner feel like.” she looked like she was about to correct herself but then just hoped that he heard looked and didn’t question it like most people when she made that mistake on words.
He laughed. “Well I suppose one that noticed that book. That may not be the first book that I added to my collection but I have had it for many years.” He looked almost fondly at it. “Most people's eyes slide right over it like it isn’t there.”
Sorcha shook her head. “Are you sure you want to sell it to me then; it seems like you let people just read the books in here. I could come here and read it like everyone else not buying books from you.” The last part had a mild tone of sarcasm to it. The bite however was taken out by the smile on her face.
“That is an option and I honestly wouldn’t mind.” He gave her a winning smile. “Though I haven’t read it in nearly as long and it might be time for that to move on.” He laughed. “If you would rather a trade, bring in any book from your collect that you don’t feel the need for I will take that instead and refund you the money you just spent on it.”
Sorcha really looked at him then and suddenly got a double image. Shaking her head she laughed and ignored it. “You really do horde books here. Most bookstores, even used ones I don’t feel would want to keep this many books. This feels more as if it were a library than a place to buy books.”
He gave a short laugh. “Yes, that is what I was going for in the long run. I enjoy literature in all forms. And have chosen to surround myself in it.” He stroked a random book fondly on a shelf. “I almost did open a library, this actually started as one, now that I think of it.” He stopped himself from blathering on.
Sorcha, her curiosity peaked inquired. “What happened to change it from a library to a bookstore?” Watching how he lovingly stroked the book she continued, “I may just bring you some books that are no longer my favorites.”
“I would like that. And you did just answer why it moved from a library to a used book store.” Mathias spread his hands wide. “Do you want to talk about why you picked out that book?”
Sorcha shrugged again. “It seemed interesting.” It very clearly wasn’t a full truth, but what she felt comfortable admitting to a stranger. Even a stranger with wonderful taste in tea.
His lips quirked into a smile when she evaded the question to his intent. “You don’t need to answer me if you don’t want to.”
They sat there in silence for sometime. Him letting her digest her thoughts. He drank his tea watching her think. He waited until she was ready to talk not pressuring her or leaving. Sorcha sat there fidgeting with the book; between rubbing the spine and cover to running her hands over the vellum pages clearly noting the difference in that than anything she had ever touched. She looked up guiltily realizing that she was letting her tactile senses take her away from Mathias. When she met his eyes she was rewarded with the weird double image of him again and a sense of shame. Her voice had the sound of shame echoing through it. “You can go about and help others; I’m not really that important.”
He was shaking his head long before she finished the last sentence. “Let them wait.” he sounded almost jovial, “Anyone who comes here understands that they can either leave money for me if they don’t want to wait or that whatever they wait is worthy of it to talk with me.” He looked unabashed by his narcissism.
That gave her a laugh. She didn’t advert her eyes from the image only slightly rolling them to try to make it go away. As she unfocused her eyes the second image became clear. Closing her eyes her face took on an inquisitive expression. The more she sat there the more she looked like she wanted to ask what was bothering her; finally he spouted. “Out with it, I promise you won’t offend me.”
“What are you?” it was a simple question and it just slipped out. Her hands went to cover her mouth like that would take it back and dam the flow of words and thoughts.
Laughter erupted once again from him, sloshing tea out of his mug which he put down before he wasted more tea or launched it. “What do you think I am?”
“I wouldn’t be asking if you if I knew.” it was frustrated sounding. “What I do know is that you aren’t fully human. And yes I am aware of the magical, mythical things that go along in this world.”
“You certainly put me in my place,” he shook his head picking up his tea once more. “You are correct that I’m not human.”
“You are maddening,” her lips however were turned into a small smile.
“Well, yes to some I am that. And if you really want to know what I am, you will have to give an equal exchange of information.”
“And what might that be?” she asked the terror in being outed about what she was learning about herself hiding just below the surface.
It was his turn to shrug. He picked up one of the other books that she had bought from him. It was the first book in the Han Solo trilogy. He then noticed the other two were there as well. “Good choice he smiled.
“I wore out my last copy. I read it once a year at least, finally getting around to replacing it.” She smiled. “I like the look of it in once book like Barnes and Nobles sells but I don’t like reading those omnibuses.”
His laughter was genuine. “Yes, a beloved series of yours then.” To her nod he continued. “I am glad that I can oblige you then on it. What else interests you?”
“As in reading, just about anything.” It was a simple and truthful answer. “My mother used to say that I would read anything that I could get my hands on.”
“What about other than reading?”
“Are you sure you want to open that can of worms?” She looked back over her shoulder being able to see the counter. People were doing exactly as he said they would. A few waiting there for a few minutes before noticing that people were just exchanging money themselves did that themselves. “How do you know that they won’t cheat you?”
“If they feel the need to then let them. It isn’t like I really care about the money and if they want the information that they do that, well they need it more than I do.”
That startled a laugh out of her. “Yes well then I guess they do.”
“So what do you like to do other than devour books?”
“Not going to let up on that are you?”
“I like to know the people who are going to frequent my shoppe.”
A defiant spark shown in her eye. “And how do you know that I will be that?”
His answer was just an almost mocking laugh. “Because you can’t beat my prices, the tea I serve.” His smile took some of the mockery out of that laughter. “And I am the best company after all.”
She began fiddling with tome again loving the feel of the pages. “You know when I walked in I thought you were going to be a stationary store, it disappointed me that you weren’t.”
Mathias interrupted her, “but I see that you found something that you liked here.”
“I did that.” Not bothered that she had been interrupted. “I art for the most part.”
“Oooo, what kind of art?”
“Any. But before you ask, my favorite is to paint.”
“Next time you come bring your favorite piece.”
She was shaking her head. “They aren’t anything interesting mostly abstract.”
“I’m sure to the right person, like yourself, they are absolutely fascinating.” He refilled both of their tea noticing that she had finished hers.
He spent the better part of the next hour convincing her to bring her art there. In the end she ceded to him on it and agreed to bring a piece. They finished one pot of tea to which he had excused himself to make another.
“Why do I feel like I am going to spend the majority of my free time here?” She muttered rolling her eyes at herself. She was sitting much easier when he had returned. It was her turn to question him. “And what do you do other than run this bookstore?”
“Oh plenty. Mostly acquisitions honestly.” He shrugged. “This place does take up a lot of my time though. I enjoy being here though so that isn’t a complaint mind you.”
She arched an eyebrow at his wording again. “Acquisitions, you say, and what do you mean by that.”
“Darling, Sorcha, I run a used bookstore, nothing other than keeping my shelves stocked of course.” He took a sip of the newly poured tea. “Well that and other media.”
She then laughed. “Other media is that why you want to see my art?”
He shrugged. “Maybe, I am though just interested in seeing it. I do enjoy seeing what fascinating people produce.”
“So I’m fascinating now,” she paused. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Sorry where are my manners I am Mathias.” His ever present smile widened again on his face, it almost seemed too wide, but not in a Joker or horror movie sense. “And yes you are fascinating. You have held your own in conversation with me for the better part of the afternoon.”
She swore. “I have to go.” Stuffing the books in her bag. “I missed one class already and am about to miss another. But I’m pretty sure I can still make it. I will be back I promise.”
He laughed. “Fair well youngling. I look forward to spending time in your company again. Maybe when your studies aren’t as constricting on your time.”
She nodded her assent. “Definitely. Maybe this weekend.” She knew she would find herself there then. She retreated from the Paper Horde with a smile on her face. She was sure that her roommate would love her out of their apartment other than for classes.
