Damn, I love the library

[The Cleverest Devil]

SShhh, quiet in the library!

I was torn between nervous and excited. I didn't know why, but it felt good-the right mixture of chemicals.
As I walked in the large double doors, the sweet/musky scent of pulp and paper hit me like a Charles Bukowski novel.
On my way up the stairs to the stacks, I smiled and nodded to the librarians behind the check-out counter. The day way good, though I felt down-right evil.

As I do whenever I can find excuse for it, I was wearing a dress shirt and tie. Dress pants...the whole deal. I had CK's "Eternity" for men behind my jaw line, my chest, and ears.

When I got upstairs, I glided with an easy strut, browsing the stacks and isles. Getting a feel for the Tuesday afternoon crowd. Once or twice I had noticed a hot looking thing at one of the study tables, but she looked so lost in her work that I didn't bother trying to make eye-contact.

From the M-N section I grabbed Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer and took a seat and one of the long isle tables. I had read the book, and got into it again quickly, but I was distracted every time I heard a busy pair of high heels wonder past.


OOC:This is pretty much open to anyone.

 

[JenSuccubus]

Jen

I keep wandering past someone with a book, as i search the library for the book i'm searching for....but i can't seem to find it, i quietly mutter a curse at myself for wearing those heeled sandles today...otherwise, i was dressed pretty normal for me on a good day, long gypsy style dress, and a semi-low cut top as well....my hair not being tied back, flows behind me as i move.

(OOC: Basic Discription on my profile...heehee, and i know i'm starting off slow, but hey *Shrugs*)

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

OOC:

32 years old.
Petite small framed woman.
Raven hair and dark eyes.
Pale complexion.
Slim figured.
Narrow hips
Pert, rounded breasts, ample if not sizeable.
Picture of fragility.

IC:

I sat in my usual spot in the library.
I had hours yet.
Hours before I had to go home.
I curled up and turned the pages, lost in the world that unfolded before me.
My sandals were discarded on the floor and my feet curled under me. My cream shift dress rode up at the thighs and my matching jacked lay discarded at the end of the seat.
I sat in cushioned bliss as the sun shone through the window.
This was my hideaway. This was my escape.
Noone usually came this far into the library.
He would not think of coming here.
Nor would anyone who knew him.
I was safe and away from it all... for a brief time at least.

I turned the page and read on, oblivious to everything and every one around me...

 

[JenSuccubus]

Jen

"God damnit....where the hell is it?! it was here yesterday...." I mutter under my breath as i continue to search for that damned book.... My skirt flows with me as i walk in my heeled sandles, still looking...

"Oi vey.." I mutter annoyedly "This is beginning to irk me.." being careful not to curse again since there are kids in this library...i think... anyways i sigh and sit down on one of the soft chairs, taking a moment to rest and to think, i cross my legs at the knees as i sit, an old habit of mine when wearing a dress.....

~Jen~Succubus

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[The Cleverest Devil]

I dog-eared my book somewhere around Henry Miller's conning of a frumpy couple into invited him to join them for dinner.

For moments, I did nothing but sit still, enjoying the silence. I heard farts, yawns, coughing, sniffing and sighing. I wondered what you could get away with in a library, if anything. In here, the quiet caught you red-handed, no matter what.

Then I saw her. Ahead from where I sat was a large isle, separating me from the rows beyond. She was at the end of the foremost isle ahead of me. Her long honey blond hair she kept sweeping from her face, out of her eyes and behind her ear. I wanted her eyes to look at me. To put me in her cross-hairs, as I had her in mine. I drank ever inch of her, from hair, to lips, to collar bone, to legs, which she crossed like she knew what she was doing.

I rose without thinking, just wanting to get closer. For seconds our contact was broken, as I weaved in and out of the isles. I knew I could seduce her....could own her, if only she would look up.
In a secluded corner, I take a seat. Positioned so that I can see her eyes, her breasts, and her legs between the books.
It's then that I notice another, quietly reading. So obviously wanting to be invisible to the world. She's oblivious to my eyes taking in her body....her perfume is mmmm,I don't know the name. Absent mindedly her tongue tucks into the corning of her mouth, and I feel a twitch in my pants. Looking again to my honey blonde, I lean in to the raven haired beauty and say in a hushed voice "Are you reading for excitement, or suspense?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

"Are you reading for excitement, or suspense?"

I jump as those words wrenched me out of the alternative world I'd been absorbed in.

I raised frightened eyes to his.
I tried to mask my relief when I realised it was noone who knew me.

I looked at his assured smile and bit back the resentment at being disturbed.

"I read to escape..."

I said quietly, but pointedly.

Talking to this man was not a good idea, even if I wanted to.
I talked to no one. Not anymore.

If he knew I'd been out of the house again this afternoon, I'd be in trouble, but if it was known I'd been talking to young men... I shuddered as a hand went unconsciously to the fading bruise on my shoulder.

As I open my book once more I try to make sure my wedding ring glints.
That always kept them at bay.
Words and flirtation were cheap and of little significance to them, but I knew that if caught I'd be paying for a long time to come.

I bend my head back to the words once more and with a sigh try to regain my lost tranquility...

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

I kept my head in my book.
I wasn't sure if the guy had moved totally away and had a strange feeling that he was still watching me.

For ten minutes I struggled to try to get engrossed again, but the mood was lost.
Exasperated, I dropped the book on the seat and put my hand on the sill, looking out at the bright day outside.

I was tired, fed up, depressed.
But most of all I was trapped.
I felt tears spring to my eyes.
Damn.. not here... this was supposed to be my haven.
I brushed an impatient hand over my face and took a steadying breath.
I rested my forehead on the sill and enjoyed its cool comfort.

I didn't want to go back yet.
I prefered to just stay here in the quiet saftely of this place.
Maybe I could get into my book eventually...
Absently I rubbed the shoulder again as it grazed the sill..
the dull aches of my body were just second nature now and I rarely acknowledged them.

Slowly I sat up, though, realising that the position was not as comfortable now as I had thought before.

I determined to enjoy the time I had and glanced out of the window again...

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

"Isn't it always the way"

I looked over, noticing a man surrounded by books.
He was sat at a table obviously studying.
I was sure he'd spoken, but was he speaking to me?

" Excuse me... did you...?"

I break off embarrassed at my mistake.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

"Excuse me? Were you saying something?"

I stood beside him as he responded with the same question.
I didn't really know why I'd moved towards him.
I guess any distraction, even a risky one appealed at the moment.
I felt pretty on the edge and lowered my eyes shyly.

I'm sorry.. I.. I thought you were speaking to me... I.. didn't mean to disturb you...."

I turned away slowly after offering an apologetic smile.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

As I turned I felt his hand on my wrist.
I flinched and met his eyes trying to mask the fright of my over reaction.

"No, wait...please don't go."

He didn't sound aggressive and I felt a fool.
I sat down as he'd asked me to.
I couldn't help eyeing him warily.

"Share your thoughts?"

I watched him smile.
He couldn't begin to imagine my thoughts my life.

I shook my head.

"Believe me.. you wouldn't want to know..."

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

"Please, people say I am a very good listener, if you care to share."

I looked across at him and bit my lip.
Being hit on I could deflect, aggression...well.. I could deal with that too... but kindness... his manner cut through the defenses.
I looked away quickly.

"Was it what that man said to you earlier?"

Still that gentle questioning.

"N..No.... "

I'd spoken quietly but even to my ears I could hear the bitten back sob in my voice.

I kept my head low and fiddled with the pages of a book that lay on the table before me... struggling to regain my composure ... I couldn't let go... I had to stop the tears before I really lost it.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

His hand reached out and touched my chin lightly. I tried not to but he felt the flinch as I let him raise my eyes to him.

I knew he could see the fear there.
Fear of being there with him, fear of letting someone know what was going on.

If I swept it under the carpet, then it didn't exist.
I'd spent years ignoring the facts.
I got by.
It was what I did.


"Is there anything I can say or do? I just wish to understand your sadness, and possibly bring a smile to your pretty face."

I looked at him in amazement, realising by his smile that he had meant it.

"Pretty..?

I could not help questioning softly, smiling at the impossibility of such a statement.
I couldn't remember the last time I'd heard someone say something nice about me...

"...me..?"

I shook my head, so distracted that I didn't check the tears that ran silently down my cheeks.

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

His touch was gentle as he wiped away my tears.
For once I managed not to flinch as he touched me.

"Please don't cry. It can't be all that bad."

I looked up at him and smiled.
He had no idea, but his kindness had touched me.

"My name's Raven, Raven Constantine."

His eyes rested warmly on mine.
I nodded acknowledging the name.
I knew this was foolish, but I calculated I would be in trouble already, so I might aswell just.. talk ... for a while...

He was sat close to me, his eyes warm and intense.
I watched this earnest young man with a numbness like being behind glass...
I seemed to spend my life as an observer to my own experiences.
That was how I managed to withdraw, to cope.

" May I ask yours?"

His soft enquiry brought my attention back to him.
I knew if I continued the conversation, I would be asking for trouble.

"Maddie... my.. name's Maddie..."

I said softly, afraid of the consequence of offering the information.

Again the smile.
He trying to draw me out and me knowing that I could never tell.

"I'm.. sorry about th..this... Raven..."

I spoke in breathless apology, as he reached out trying to stop the words I felt compelled to utter.

"I don't usually.. "

I broke off.
He was so close and so sympathetic; a sympathetic stranger.
But I couldn't take him up on his offer to talk...

"That is..." my voice trailed off helplessly once more.

Without realising what I was doing, I leaned forward and let him draw my head onto his shoulder.
The warmth of the touch made my body shake as the tears fell.
Only now did i realise how lonely I'd been, how frightened I'd become.

For moments I allowed myself the luxury of comfort until commonsense took over and my body stiffened in horror.

Oh god..what the hell was I doing?

 

[Dj_Maximus]

...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Maddie Brookes

I looked at him and saw him staring back at me.
He didn't understand.
How could he?
I glanced over his shoulder and saw others moving quietly round the library.
I had to try to explain;

"I.. can't be seen talking to you here... he'd ... "

I checked myself.
No I wouldn't tell him that.

He reached out and touched me lightly on the shoulder.
I drew in my breath as I winced, givng the faintest of exclamations.
Just beyond the broad sleeveless bodice of the dress, my shoulder was a livid rainbow of colours now.
The "accident" had happened weeks ago, but it still hurt like hell.

I heard someone approach and looked darted a nervous look.
Without thinking I took Raven's hand as I stood up and then realising how I was trying to draw him along with me I dropped his hand suddenly.

I smiled at him, shyly.

"Thanks for caring, ... Raven.."

I said quietly and with a glance over my shoulder I retreated quickly back into the corner again, wanting to dissolve into my usual anonymity.
Shrinking into the back of the window seat, my book closed, I could not stop my eyes peering through the shelves, scanning for the dreaded familiar face.

It was too open at the table to talk, I mused.
Anyone could see, overhear, assume, tell...
"Raven" probably thought I was insane by now anyhow, I concluded.

I sighed and rubbed at my face once more.
I had time yet, but perhaps it was best that I went back earlier today I thought reluctantly.

I flicked open a compact and tried to make myself look "normal".
I looked a sight at the best of times and was used to carrying out all manner of "repair jobs" to ensure all appeared to be as it should be.
I was getting to be quite a makeup artist, but only because he was getting more careless.
It was like he didn't care what people thought anymore.

Having powdered down my tear stained face I raised the mirror to check that the red marks on my neck didn't show.
I was pleased with the job I'd done with that this morning, but I'd been held against his shoulder and makeup wipes off too easily...

 

[JenSuccubus]

Jen S (Italics are thoughts for me)

I sigh, annoyed with life at the moment, however, the confortable chair is helping a bit. I message my temples a bit, thinking.... where the hell was that damned book?.....god damnit.... I sigh a second time, still annoyed, and I begin to doze in the chair a bit...not really thinking....anymore anyways...

~Jen~Succubus

 

[The Cleverest Devil]

OOC: I'm out of this one. Whatever I was going for is intruded upon again and again. Perhaps I should have clarified some rules....or limited the players. I'm still very new at this. Next time-have fun, kids.