Gemini Bookstore

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Enna's eyes scanned the picture. Someone had put a lot of energy into drawing this and yet it seemed to become deeper the more she stared at it. Very interesting indeed. "Where did you get this book from?"

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"I think this one came from Printer's and Post. It was Old man Vanccamp's," she said, thinking about it.
"It's yours if you want it."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Oh, I have no place to put it. But it's very nice. I'm glad you did show me," Enna said, finally looking away from the book after a moment.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"There are more pictures," Tahlia said.
After a moment she said "Have you thought about living in a house? Especially with it so cold out."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"I have considered it, but it seems like a lot of effort to find myself a house I would only stay in when it's cold," Enna answered, reaching out to turn the page to see more of the drawings.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Who are you staying with now?" Tahlia asked, folding her arms.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"I stay at the lake. If it's too cold, I stay in the clock tower," Enna answered, not thinking it a big deal.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Enna, hasn't the rep talked to you about that?" Tahlia asked her.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"No, and I don't care to see him," Enna said, rolling her eyes. "I swear, he tries to annoy me as much as possible by telling me to stop doing things I have been for years."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Last I recall, he didn't tell you to stop. He offered to help," Tahlia said. "Is that actual annoyance I sense?"

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Perhaps a little," Enna replied honestly. "Either way, I don't need help. I've survived this long."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"You know any of us would help you," Tahlia said, unfolding her arms.
"We always have."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Enna sighed. "Yes, I know. But you already have that strange girl living in your attic, Erik and Lacie are....well them. And I feel like I bother Soren far too much. Don't worry about me, really. I don't get cold; Daniel brought me a blanket for those days."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Daniel?" Tahlia said, recalling the name but not sure entirely.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"He works at the school and his company is tolerable. He brings me things every once in a while," Enna explained in her typical short style.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Right," Tahlia said thinking, "Wait... Is that the one Soren doesn't like."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Soren doesn't like him?" Enna asked, having not been aware. She'd never seen the two of them together that she could recall, so maybe Tahlia was mistaken. "I don't know. Perhaps."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

((They had the encounter at the lake remember?))

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

((I remember Soren and Daniel met, but I thought that they were out of sight of her, right? Soren made a point of not seeing her after that encounter))

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Oh, I have a bit of an idea," Tahlia said, running her fingers through her hair. It was a bit longer since it was so cold out.
"It doesn't matter all that much to me. I mean, you are getting help though, right. Would this Daniel guy give you a place to stay?"

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"I don't know, maybe. After all, my company is such a delight," Enna said drily. Now that she thought about it, maybe Daniel would give her a place to stay, but she hated the idea of imposing.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"You make an effort to come see us," Tahlia said. Eventually, though she didn't add that bit.
"If we had a problem with you at all we would say so. After all, we've known you all of our lives, practically.
"If this Daniel can tolerate you the same, then I don't think it could hurt to ask. You may not worry about it but we worry for you."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Occasionally," Enna replied simply. "Well I might as well ask, but make it clear that he doesn't have to accept. Then at least I can say I tried to an extent."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

Tahlia gave a short sigh but nodded to her.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"You really don't have to worry about me," Enna said. "I take care of myself just fine."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"I know you do, but as a friend, I think it's good to know someone is looking out for you."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"I suppose," Enna replied. She did suppose she could understand a little bit. But she personally knew she was fine so she didn't worry much. "I'll figure something out. Soren suggested a treehouse once but I don't know."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

Tahlia smiled a little. "He's offered it for years. I honestly think he's just waiting for you permission."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Enna clicked her tongue thoughtfully. "I'll give it more consideration," she said, and meant it. It wasn't as if she planned on leaving any time soon.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

Tahlia glanced at the clock. "Are you hungry? I could order something."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Food sounds good," Enna answered. "Anything but sushi."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Not fond of Sushi?" Tahlia said. She had planned on ordering whatever so it didn't bother her but made he laugh a bit.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"I eat fish all the time," Enna said, shrugging one shoulder. "I'm in town today. May as eat something else."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

Sushi and fish were different in Tahlia's mind. But she could understand that.
"Alright, I was going to call Slonina. She was trying to get a job at Erik and Lacie's place. So far it hasn't paid off because the two of them are very occupied with distracting themselves while they wait...."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Wait?" Enna asked. "What are they waiting for this time?" She of course knew that they had been trying to adopt, but there were so many other things going on with their business that she really wasn't sure.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Lacie told me that they were approved finally," Tahlia said hopefully. "But the paperwork is taking ages. She said it had something to do with the birth mother making final arrangements."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"That's good then," Enna said, but her flat tone didn't really show that she meant it. But really, she did. She was pleased that her friends were finally getting what they wanted after so long. "Further than they've made it before."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

Tahlia nodded. "It really is. I've never seen them like this though. Especially, Lacie. She seems happy but nervous."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Well it is something to be nervous about, taking care of another being," Enna said. "It's a lot of responsibility with lots of things that could go wrong."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"I'm not sure that's the part she is worried about," Tahlia said with a small laugh. "Though it is valid.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"What part do you think worries her then?" Enna asked, since she honestly wasn't sure.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

Tahlia picked at something on her shirt that wasn't really them. "Well,it's taking a long time."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

*there

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"So is she afraid it's not going to come through? Or simply anxiety that won't be seated until they have their child?" Enna inquired. The working of human minds always confounded her.

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"Either makes sense," Tahlia said with a shrug. "I can understand how the waiting can consume you, anyways."
She thought about the Christmas cactus she'd received right before the new year and the mysterious note that it came with that convinced her Damon's spirit was able to communicate or... Something.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"Well, I suppose I understand that," Enna replied. She looked up at Tahlia for a moment, thinking. "And what about you? We haven't said anything of you at all."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"I think I'm good on the adoption thing for now, unless you mean something else," she said cracking a slight smile.

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

"I meant something else," Enna answered, not even really acknowledging the joke as per her norm. "I meant with you in general."

[Haaley, ᙏoᑯ oƒ ᙏᥲ⳽tᥱɾɩᥒɠ ᙃᥙᥒɠᥱoᥒ⳽]

"I'm okay," Tahlia said, thinking about it. "Busy like normal with a few off things thrown in here and there."

[☣ EMᕈRESS SERΔ ☣, Supreme Mod of Overcomplicated Projects]

Enna nodded in acknowledgement. "That's good, if you prefer a normal day-to-day," she said, since she knew not everyone did. She preferred not having any spontaneous issues, but some people seemed to prefer differently.