It was a small bookstore situated in a nook of the shopping district, abandoned by its previous owners who had forsaken the stories in favor of entrepreneur pursuits that were not failing in the age of e-books and new media. The dusty shelves adorned with the beginnings of cobwebs were desperately in need of cleaning before the place could be presented to the public, but Nezumi had chosen this particular hovel for reasons other than making a profit.
This small, homely space that smelled of old books felt more his own than the living quarters arranged for him by the scientists. The wooden shelves stacked full of novels were reminiscent of the rat’s nest he had shared with Shion back in West Block. The dark-haired teen moved along the narrow aisles, examining the collection of the bookstore that would become theirs. As he reached the end of a section, his eyes traveled from the titles to the old-fashioned clock on the wall which had just struck five past the hour.
“…he’s late. That airhead better not have gotten lost.”
If the boy didn't come stumbling in soon with a smile and an apology, Nezumi had half a mind to go out and find him. Surely, Shion would know to avoid the dangerous sectors and shady individuals on his way here. They'd had more than a week to settle in, but that was no reason to lower one's guard. The encounter with his shadow made for a less than a pleasant welcome to the city, emotionally exhausting - in an uplifting way - as it was. Nezumi had come to terms with the truth he had known all along, that Shion had taken root in his heart where he had no right to be. As for where that left the two of them...
Wrapped up in his thoughts, Nezumi idly selected a book from the shelf. His shadow had spoken for him then, but now...now, he supposed, it was his turn. Settling down, he blew a layer of dust off the old volume and slowly began to leaf through the pages. Although the actor had already committed many of the passages to heart, it was entirely different to feel the paper between his fingers and see the stories come to life before his eyes.
Prior to Shion's arrival, books were the sole companion that had carried him through the starving nights when he had struggled to get by. It was easy to forget the hunger that constantly gnawed at him, lost as he was in the tragedies and romances and adventures. Now, however, Nezumi felt almost listless as he turned the pages, waiting for the other to arrive.
