❝ keep on — open . ❞

[truce.]

#75979e[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]In the few hours during the afternoon whilst young Grace was sound asleep - where she could left with her uncles’ watchful eyes - Elinor often found herself taking a break from that twenty four hour a day job of motherhood. She’d not lived in Flintlock for months now, the territory harboring great changes whilst she’d been away. For a most part, Ellie was wordlessly thankful and relieved that it had changed so drastically - it would truly be a new start for her after all of those bad past memories. However, it was a shame because she had liked the quaintness of Flintlock Lodge. The new village brought life and a new dimension, though, which she supposed she ought to explore.

Today, she found herself drawn towards the library, wandering down the aisles as she pulled out a book every once in a while to read the blurb before sliding it back onto the shelf again. Their book collection had certainly grown since the last time Ellie had been here, which brought her great joy in knowing that she’d no longer have to reread the few books Flintlock had in the past. Pulling out another book, she leaned against the side of the shelf as she focused on reading the blurb. Maybe she’d take this book to read; it seemed interesting.

// terrible post but lmaoo its fine

[richard]

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— although the banner family had once possessed more affluence than many could afford, richard rarely knew what it felt to indulge in such riches. his parents were often stingy with the money, either too paranoid to spend the money or simply too paranoid that some day the flow of cash would all vanish and they needed to be prepared. that often meant that richard didn’t get to know what it felt like to have everything handed to him. granted, he had an easy life, at least able to have the basic necessities growing up; however, his parents were often too frugal to try and give him anything more, anything less. still, of all the few times, he had fond memories of getting the occasional gift from them. usually, that gift came in the form of a new - but somewhat worn - book.

they were short stories that were simple enough for a young boy to comprehend and be able to finish with relative ease. after both of his parents had died, though, there wasn’t anyone to gift him those books and short stories. it was a pastime he had almost completely forgotten about, at least until the library’s opening. he still wasn’t certain if he wanted to dabble, take time to read a good book. that didn’t stop him from looking, at least. sitting at a table, absently thumbing through a book - scanning through pages to see if it was worthwhile - he eventually noticed the blonde, wandering down the aisles absently. she had been wandering for a while, not quite seeming to find the perfect book quite yet. and, though rich definitely wouldn’t be much of a help, he still found himself standing up and wandering over.

he never really got to know her, either; she seemed to spend most of her time at the village than the lodge. leaning carefully against an aisle, he watched her for a moment before asking, “it’s almost easier to find a book when there’s fewer options, yeah?”

[truce.]

#75979e[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 2.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]Ellie was raised in a humble home. They didn’t have everything, but they had enough to get by comfortably and that was enough for them. She was lucky to be granted that sort of fortune, one in which she became a well-educated woman with the love for the finer things in life. Literature, for example, was a fantastic way to pass the time, especially in the winter when the snow was blustering. She was lucky to have acquired the past time, and even more lucky now that she had the right resources here to make the most of what she loved doing.

The idea of snuggling up beneath a blanket as she read a book in silence sounded like the loveliest way to wind down after a busy day. But, as she wandered back and forth, it was clear that it would be more difficult than she first imagined to pick something from the wide array of novels. ❝ It’s almost easier to find a book when there’s fewer options, yeah? ❞ A voice grabbed her attention, Ellie flitting her gaze over to glance towards the man stood nearby, leaning against the aisle. ❝ Oh, tell me about it. ❞ Ellie huffed quietly, slowly returning the book that she held back onto the shelf before looking back to him.

❝ At this point I think I’ll have to choose books based on which covers look the prettiest to me. ❞ She paused for a second, before pulling out a book and tapping her nail against the cover. ❝ Like this one. I have no idea what it’s about, but I like the look of the clouds. ❞ A small smile of amusement briefly tugged at her lips, but it was quick to fade again. Gently, she tipped her head to the side thoughtfully before looking back to the man. ❝ I’m not sure we’ve properly met yet- ❞ But she’d seen him at a few meetings, she contemplated before holding her hand out. ❝ I’m Ellie. ❞

[richard]

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— even while richard had grown up comfortably in his own home, money-wise, he had still been surrounded by such heartwrenching sights. a crime-filled city, forgotten about by the government once the electricity went out. his parents always had the opportunity to leave that city; they had the money and the connections. though his dad seemed hellbent on staying in the violent city. it often left rich stuck roaming such dangerous streets alone, though back then he was so prideful that he seemed to think he was next to untouchable. such confidence was dangerous in a city where people were violent just to pass the time. yet somehow rich lived on; somehow he always did.

he watched ellie with a careful gaze. “at this point i think i’ll have to choose books based on which covers look the prettiest to me.” he stared at the book as she pulled it out and pointed at the cover. the smallest smile made its way to the blonde’s lips, though it was quick to fade as fast as it had appeared. the man tried not to pay much mind to it, instead huffing a short breath through his nose, tilting his head to the side. “judging a book by its cover? you’re getting into dangerous territory now,” the words, although mostly plainly-stated, had the slightest bit of amusement into them. lightheartedness. “you ever heard that one saying? appearances are often misleading…?”

“i’m not sure we’ve properly met yet-” he pushed himself off of the book case, stepping forward so he could shake her hand. “ellie,” he repeated her, as if trying to commit the name to memory. he smiled a warm, close-lipped smile. ”nice to meet you. i’m richard, but you can just call me rich.”

[truce.]

#75979e[align=center][div style="width: 430px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 6pt; letter-spacing: 1.5px; word-spacing: 0px; line-height: 12px; color: #000"]Her home life had admittedly been one of privilege. Growing up in the quaint suburbs of Connecticut, she had everything that she could ever wish to have; two loving parents, two older siblings, a beautiful suburban cottage and a group of friends that she'd spend most of her days with. She had an education - a fantastic one at that - and she had the opportunity to be anything that she could ever want to be. The New World took most of that away from her, but at least it could never take away her appreciation for the finer things in this world.

At the man's comment, Ellie huffed a feeble breath of laughter, flitting her gaze up to glance at him. ❝ You ever heard that one saying? Appearances are often misleading…? ❞ Eyes lowered back down to the book cover, her smile barely hanging onto the last remnants of amusement as she allowed his words to sink in. Oh, she knew of that saying all too well. Even the most beautiful of fronts could hold dark secrets. Dark intentions. She shifted her weight in her hesitation before she pointed out, in an attempt to continue the light conversation, ❝ I may judge a book by its cover, but it doesn't mean I'll ever trust that it's any good. ❞

She glanced back up towards him, quick to change the conversation to introduce herself to him instead. His name was Richard, but she could just call him Rich. She was quiet for a moment, shaking his hand, before she turned to slide the book back onto the shelf. ❝ Rich - if appearance are so misleading, you should help me look for the ugliest book on the shelf. ❞ She pointed out, beginning to walk up and down the aisle in search for the plainest looking novel. Perhaps Ellie was right, perhaps Rich was right; she'd just have to read more to truly test the theory.

[richard]

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— richard never claimed to be all-knowing. time and time again he found himself face-to-face with yet another obstacle, a problem that he almost never had the answer to. however, with that being said, there was more to richard than what simply met the eye. while he appeared rather unassuming - average - the man prided himself on being observant. even while ellie spoke in an attempt to keep the conversation light, there was a weight that made the words seem heavy. saying the words with an all-too knowing tone as if she was overwhelmingly familiar with that phrase.

although he could’ve said something about it, pressed deeper, he simply hummed a short note of halfhearted laughter. it wasn’t his business to know. besides, richard never claimed to know everything. if it was something ellie wanted to talk about, he’d be an ear to listen to. until then, he simply felt grateful for every moment she let him stick around. although she seemed to make herself out to be small, and quiet, there was something about her that was so captivating. she wouldn’t be the worst company in the peaceful quiet of the library.

the ugliest book on the shelf? he watched her looking around for a novel, shaking his head subtly. “alright. you got it.” ugly was rather subjective, wasn’t it? still, he busied himself with looking along a nearby shelf, hands casually in his pockets. “what kind of books do you like? mystery, horror- romance?”