Meeting James
920 Words
The woman looked to him and smiled warmly. "Hello James, aye no problem. You are in a special library not many get to see. The architect loved mysteries and people who sought knowledge."
James blinked intrigued, "So hardly anyone comes in here. why? its... magnificent." holding his arms up in expression. a A whiff of something good catches his nose. "Is that....coffee!?!"
The woman chuckles, "aye, a new addition it would seem. Come we'll get you one from the machine. would you like a tour? i could use a break."
He nodded with a smile, "Why not."
They strolled past shelves and shelves of ancient tomes juxtaposed by modern novels on the other side. Many he had not seen in decades.
"This library is kinda magic if you'd believe. You're only supposed to see the door if you have some gifts the architect deemed fitting or special or different to the average human. oh my name is Brigit by the way." the pretty woman offered.
"Nice to meet you Brigit." he paused " what do you mean SPECIAL?" he asked.
Brigit tilted her head to consider this question, " well to be honest i can't quite answer that. This place is a bit of an enigma i haven't fully puzzled out. Tell me something, what's your feelings on fantastical creatures and the other worldly? Witches and such like?"
James raised an eyebrow at that. "I guess anything is possible. I'm not about to dismiss it. There are witches in the world for certain, at least the new age ones that love shiny rocks and subscription boxes filled with semi occult related trinkets. Real witches, blood born, I haven't met. At least i think i haven't. If i can have a moderate belief in those then the rest is very probable. We have myths and legends in our history for a reason. Some could speculate them to be real." He paused for a moment like a thought dawned over the horizon of his mind. "hold on, are you saying this place is for witches? real witches!?!"
Brigit, surprised by his small rant and subsequent revelation couldn't help but smile a little. She dared be chaotic in that moment to boldly give him the truth. "Yes. Aye. More than that though. To anyone with the mind to SEE the door and walk through it. No matter who they are, profession or what species they were born too. "
James wide eyed looked at her half incredulous half excited. " shut the f**k up. NO WAY! " he blinked in disbelief. "Wait, so what are you? As far as i know personally i am human." Brigit laughed at him " steady on. one thing at a time. you still have to process that other worldly things are real. perhaps we can discuss what i am another time, if you are inclined to return?"
James chuckled and rubbed the back of his head in slight embarrassment. "yea im sorry that was a bit forward."
she grinned at him and told him it was ok. James really liked that grin. It gave him butterflies.
She motioned to him to follow her and wander a while.
About three hours later they returned to the spot they had met. A chair for him identical to her had materialised when they were off looking at the vast halls. It dawned on him his life was never going to be the same. They took their seats.
James sat across from this pretty woman wondering how his day had turned to this. she seemed normal yet there was something ethereal about her. Her pale skin, long hair and definitive green eyes reminded him of an Elf from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. She wasn't as tall. He'd assessed as much from their walk around the library. He tried not to stare too hard while his heart skipped a little faster. Attempting to remain a tad stoic.
"so James tell me more about you. where you from?" the pretty lady asked. "oh im from the Shetland isles originally but these days i haunt Glasgow. Moved down into the mainland as a young kid now am here living the life. going strength to strength" His sarcasm was showing in the latter half of that answer.
He took a sip of his fresh coffee they had got on the way back. Pointed to her stack of books "which ones of these are you reading?". She sighed looking at the stack, "All of them but for now this one on philosophy. Guys kinda grumpy and misogynistic but i get it. The former and the latter. Man of his own time as they say." James read the name on the book. "ah yes, a delightful chap is Neiztchez. angry at everyone he decided the world wasnt worth it and reclused himself. i get it too. poor guy." he handed the book back.
"i prefer plato and some of the classics. easier reading. less grrhh more reason. "
Brigit smirked "haha stoic, matter of fact and rebellious. good choice. "
James was enjoying himself. First time in a long while. He'd not spent time just remarking over books with anyone of note. His friends had families and no time to read. An anomaly. The outlier. James looked at her as she talk to him about some other philosopher when he decided to take a chance. "Brigit, im sorry to interrupt, but could i have your number?" it just tumbled out like fates dice..... full of danger......
- Writer
