View source for 13720/Visiting the BookStore

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2021/08/13
|Location=Reilly's Used Books, Gotham City
|Synopsis=Sean and Barbara get to know each other better. Free labor at the bookstore!
|Cast of Characters=10064,58
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Just throw the Mack Bolan books into that box, I'll sort them later and clear out the duplicates."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sean's voice is heard hollaring across the used book store. Sure the way he described it she might have thought it would be a small hole in the wall, and that's the impression it gave from the front. But that was before she saw the back of the place. And the rows... upon rows... upon rows of storage they had, all neatly piled into cardboard boxes and plastic containers, all sealed up and with a rather clear filing system based on the section and then the author. To most people they'd consider it claustrophobic and chaotic. But to people like Sean and Babs... it was heavenly.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Because not only were there so many books to explore and ponder, but the place /smelled/ like old books. It had that aroma of old paper and dust as well as that almost almond-like scent of the glue that holds the bindings together getting older and older as it starts to deteriorate. All things one could go their life never knowing about until they stepped into a book store like Reilly's.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At first he had shown her around, walked about the place, pointedly and pridefully presented the Harlequin Romance Novel section. He was wearing a pair of loose jeans with the knees a bit frayed and tucked into the waist of those jeans was a purple 'Reilly's Used Books' t-shirt with the address and phone number underneath it.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But what might have been all the more surprising was when he produced for her, complete with a ta-da, a t-shirt of her own. Only it was pink. Because girls like pink.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Before her arrival, Barbara had done a bit of research on the bookstore. Because--of course shee had. It had started with her just looking up the address. Necessary information to be able to visit the place! Nothing extreme or crazy. Well, that was the intention. It turned into her clicking on the About Us tab and the next thing shee knew, shee'd researched the grandfather's information. She managed to not search for Sean or his brother. Only because she realized what shee was doing and forced herself to take her hands off the keyboard and walk away from the computer.<br><br>This normal thing was difficult! But it was worth it, right?<br><br>As soon as shee walked in the door, shee paused. Closed her eyes. Drew in a deep breath. There was nothing like it. As much as shee loved computers, shee still read her books in physical form. Just something about them, about that smell and the feel of the pages as shee turned them. Everything. <br><br>The tour was enjoyable and shee managed to not laugh at the Harlequin section. But it was their claim to fame so shee did need to see it. To be honest, they earned their tag-line. <br><br>She stared at the pink sheirt he was holding out in front of him. "Do you have it in black?" It was automatic. She couldn't help it. Not that shee minded pink. She actually liked the color just fine. "And I guess I sheould one other question. Is this your way of offering me a job? Or just plan to use me for advertising? Not that I mind being used for advertising cause everyone that loves books sheould know about this place. It's amazing."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't know..." Sean said as she opened negotiations. Biting his lower lip he looked skeptical and the tall woman in the glasses. Shaking his head slowly he seemed to be about to deny that possibility. "I mean, do you consider yourself Reilly's Books Material? I mean that's a high bar right there. I /did/ mention about our completel collection of Harlequin right?" Since that is soooo important.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then he smiled and stepped around the front desk with its age old cash register. They still used it, though she likely could tell there was also a modern scanner and data feed for dealing with more timely transaction. He produced a black t-shirt and said, "If you do a good job today you can have... both? How about that as a signing bonus?"<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Again he bites his lower lip and nods earnestly, as if he just offered the Heisman Trophy Winner a big big check.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Which makes her laugh as she is offered the signing bonus. "Well, I do have experience working in a setting somewhat like this. So hopefully I can impress you with my knowledge and upselling abilities." Which was so easy to do in a book store. Just mention another book by the same author or a book by another which was similar to the one the person was seeking. Even better if the person got hooked into a series which would usually lead to them leaving with an arm full of books.<br><br>At least, that had always worked on her when someone else was doing the selling and she was the buyer.<br><br>"Where's the ladies' room?" And once she was directed, she would wander off and come back out a minute later with her original shirt stowed her purse. She now was wearing the pink Reilly's Used Books shirt, tucked into her jeans. She did a little spin to show off her new look. "So? I think I wear it well. Not sure it's a great color with my hair but it's still good."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It had just been a point down the way toward the old hallway with its wooden floor and the various posters on the wall depicting 'big time' books like the DaVinci Code and various things by Patterson. It gave the pathway to the back area, which was just beyond the restrooms, an air of nostalgia to it. Which really, is the bread and butter of all old bookstores.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When she emerged was then when he had laughed and gave a nod, "Ok well we just have maybe an hour's worth of stuff to deal with before we can totally slack off and just hang out. Then my grandfather will be by, so help me catalog these?"<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And that's when they turned and focused on dealing with the grunt work side of a used book store. And when he said to her...<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Just throw the Mack Bolan books into that box, I'll sort them later and clear out the duplicates."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>The weird thing was, this wasn't work to her. It was enjoyable. Fun. To get to go through the old books, see the various titles. Spot things she hadn't seen or read before or an earlier edition than she'd touched previously. It was just wonderful.<br><br>She pulled over an empty box and settled down to start sorting the books in question. Which is when he might notice she was putting many of the books into the box. But about six had ended up in a pile to the side. And if he looked, he might find she was reading the back of one then quickly flipping to the copyright date behind the Title Page and setting it atop the pile, making a total of six.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now and again he'd come by to deposit another box of books and to take up the ones she had set for a different section. Usually not too many as the books were together with like types of them, but sometimes a non-fiction would sneak in with the fiction and then it would be all higgledy-piggledy. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Though as he strolls by he pauses to peer at that slowly growing stack of books she has set aside by her and he'll lean down and check them, then tilts his head. "Oh are these the ones you intend to steal? Subtle, Gordon." He says that even as, to be fair, his gaze does drift over the t-shirt she's wearing which... alright she does wear it well.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He does shift his attention back to flip through one of her choices and consider it, then sets it back down in the pile. "I always knew you acted like too much of a goody two-shoes in game, grand theft novella."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yes, because I always make sure to put everything I intend to steal in a single place within eyeshot of the staff in order to lull them into a sense of security or something equally insane." Barbara giggles a bit and rolls her eyes. As he picks up one of the books, she waits for him to put it back down. Because she wants to make sure it goes back on the pile, Not in the box!<br><br>"I don't act like a goody two-shoes. I just got on the game to relax. And you know I've done plenty of raids with you and I get you all the best intel so don't even start with me." She snorts indignantly. "I just didn't have these. Or they were earlier editions than I had."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, play your cards right, I have an in with the owners." As he says that he grins and then thumps down into a cross-legged seated posture beside her, then /leeeeans/ across her to grab half of her remaining stack, then proceeds to distribute it as needs be, giving her a hand for now.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But also an excuse to spend time with her. Next to her.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're still kinda a goody two-shoes, even when we're raiding." He smiles sidelong at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he lightly nudges her with his shoulder. "I can tell, you're like giggling behind your hand at how naughty you're being. Like that girl in school who steals an extra dessert and gives it to one of the cool kids cuz she's fighting the power."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then when he meets her eyes he amends, "Ok maybe not quite that bad."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Probably because he is getting the death glare. Not the real one that she can use when wearing a cowl and intimidating criminals in a dark alley at three in the morning. This was more like the librarian who had warned him three times to be quiet in the library and he was talking too loudly again. <br><br>"I am quite sure that my number of kills on the last raid was only seven less than yours. And consider how many enemies there were, that's saying something. Plus I am a lower level. So don't you even start with me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The way he chortles, it's clear he's amused and perhaps that's why he's teasing her so. Still he knows when to raise the white flag and so he does with his hands lifting up and him shrugging his shoulders as he murmurs, "Okay, okay. Maybe it says more about me that well..."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He glances over at her and seems about to say something, but then shakes his head and murmurs, "Anyways." He looks up and around at the room, then back across the way to the front of the store. A hand lifts to push his hair out of his eyes, his beard perhaps looking a little less rumpled as before. Did he... did he actually trim it? For this date? Aw.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But now here." He says as if offering her something, "This is my life. What do you think?" He crinkles his nose a little, "Anti-climactic right? Not the hollywood glamour you'd imagine for a used book store."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"I had imagined it more as tuxedos and evening gowns. Red carpet. So you might want to work on that."<br><br>Barbara finishes up her stack, folding the flaps of the box in. Then she picks up her stack to take to the front counter. She sets it on the shelf underneath and behind it. "Don't let me forget those," she says to him in a serious tone. <br><br>Then she shrugs as she moves to relaxes, leaning against the shoulder as she watches him. "Seriously? I think it's wonderful. Loving every moment of it. I absolutely adore this place. It's like heaven on Earth. And I'm not being facetious." <br><br>She gave him a soft smile. "Thank you for inviting me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As she says that he lowers his eyes, sort of gets a small blush on his cheeks, though he looks away so as to hide it. Then covers it up by crinkling his features a little and finally taking off his glasses pretending he needs to clean them. And yup, there comes the micro-fiber cloth from his pants pocket as he rubs the lenses.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's really great you came. After, you know, I sorta made an ass of myself on the phone." When there had been some small bit of flirtation and perhaps he felt he forgot himself.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he looked back up meeting her eyes with a small smile, "It's been..." He looks up, then back down as he says in a more calm, gentle, but sincere tone. "Just been a while since I've done the whole. Dating. Thing."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then his brow knits, "I mean I'm not crazy, we are totally doing this. I keep thinking maybe I'm still hopped up on goofballs at the hospital or something imagining the fun and all."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well, if you are hopped up on something in the hospital, I think you might come up with something more elaborate than having a girl come over to be unpaid labor at your book store," Barbara suggests with a smile as she moves around to lean on the counter while they chatted. "But hey, if this is your fantasy, who am I to judge?"<br><br>Then she gave a little shrug, leaving the joking aside. "You didn't make an ass of yourself on the phone. We both got a little flirty. It is what it is. I do appreciate you did not resort to sending me any, y'know...pics. Of the inapprorpiate variety. That was a direct way to get put in the never-talk-to-again column." She gives a soft smile. "Don't be so hard on yourself. I think you're doing great so far."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're right, maybe a trapeze should figure into it, and a trampoline?" If it is indeed his fantasy. Sean offers that back, however, with that quirked smile, giving her a rejoinder in response to her playful back and forth. He strolls to the side and finally tucks his microfiber fabric back into his pocket and pops those glasses back on the bridge of his nose.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, of course, she brings up the idea of pics of a certain variety. Which causes him to cough and almost for that glasses cleaning to start all over again. He snorts a little then replies, "Give me some credit."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He strolls around to stand beside her behind the counter, so it's the pair of them now, looking out onto the... empty store on a weekend. Not much foot traffic, at lest for now.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But he jostles her a little with his shoulder, "Besides, if I was trying to flirt with you through pics I'd just send you a shot of my..." He bites his lower lip, "So hot, so sexeh, Dickens first edition. Christmas Carol. It's upstairs. That's right. You're in the presence of greatness, lady."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"See now THAT would've impressed me," Barbara says with a laugh. "There is the only kind of D-pic I want to be seeing." She fans herself with her hand. "So hot. Take me, take me now." Then a giggle because obviously she's kidding. At least to anyone with half a brain. She's positive Sean has a full one so she's in no danger.<br><br>He'll see her gaze flick toward the ceiling for a moment then back to him. "You're kidding right? Or are you serious?" Because yes, that sort of possibility has now caught her attention fully.<br><br>"You have a first edition?!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You think I go around showing my..." He was about to say Dickens, but he can't hold it back and then barks a laugh and lowers his head until his forehead bumps the countertop as he snickers, shaking his head then looks up at her, face a lil red. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sorry, I can't complete that sentence." Shaking his head he straightens and murmurs, "But yah, there's a safe where my grandfather keeps all of his important things. And one of them..." He gives a slow nod, "Is indeed a first edition. He's kept it with him since..."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sean's eyes lift upwards, then he shakes his head, "As long as I've known him, said he got it from his father's father. So it's a thing. There, now you know something super secret about my family."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>His snickering has her grinning even more. He's got a nice laugh. Needs to be heard more. And when he says he can't finish the sentence, her giggle escapes again. "That's pretty amazing. I haven't even seen something that old at the library. Or in my own collection. A few firsts but they aren't really that old."<br><br>She gives that nudge back to him. "I am so impressed that books are the family secret." Then she looks around the room they are in, at all the shelves of books. "But maybe not a huge surprise. There were clues." She holds her thumb and index finger up, the pads of them a teeny bit apart. "Little ones."<br><br>She lowers her hand back and considers a moment. "Does that mean I need to tell you a super secret thing now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I mean," Sean looks around the room at the many indicators of his family's proclivities, but then tilts his head as he considers her. "There are hints here or there. But really it's like... I don't know. He takes such comfort from having it, and he's charged me with taking care of it. Sort of feels symbolic. Represents his life's work. So I don't know."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He looks around then back to her and smirks, "So obviously I'm totally selling it soon as I can. Probably for some magic beans, since that'd be smart. A real growth market that."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Har har.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she brings up the idea of a secret and his eyebrows climb, "Well. I won't dissuade you if you're feeling like it. But you don't have to. I'm still entirely charmed with you. Maybe save it for when I get tired of all your hassling."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"My hassling? Have you read our game exchanges? I think you are confused. One too many snakes to the head or something." <br><br>Yes, she just quoted the Genie from animated Aladdin. No, she is not apologizing for it.<br><br>Then Barbara purses her lips as though thinking very hard. She had so many secrets but there were a few that were allowed to be shared. Well, they weren't really secret. But one? It might be a deal breaker so might be best to get it out of the way now. Though she might downplay it a little and see how that went over instead of saying exactly how high up her father was.<br><br>"Well, a thing that has sometimes been hard for people to accept--even friends..." She looks at him squarely. "My Dad is a cop. Has been for as long as I've been around. Some people find that uncomfortable so getting it out there on the table now."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A bright laugh comes from him, like the one before but not as out of control, more charmed and cheerful as he turns to the side to lean against the counter as he looks to her. "I mean, seriously?"<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sean quirks an eyebrow as he looks at her, then the door, then back to her. "I mean, Barbara." Is that the first time he's used her name in such a casual way? It may well be. Beyond perhaps their introduction and first meeting.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"My family is Irish?" He says that with such casual aplomb and that smile, it's a smile of warmth. "I have like... ok well had about..." He scrunches up an eyeball as he looks to the ceiling as if seeking the answers. "Five police officers in my family. A cousin is in the GCPD right now. And another lives down South in Boston."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His nose wrinkles as he leans down and kneels at the small mini-fridge hidden under the counter. He pops it open and gets a bottle of water, offering one to her as he rises.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's hardly a secret, totally doesn't count."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>The laugh has her smiling at least. A real one instead of a practiced one to be prepared for the wide eyes and moment of 'oh'. Instead he goes completely unexpected. <br><br>"Phew." She reaches out a hand to take the bottle of water with a brief added, "Thanks."<br><br>Barbara twists off the top and takes a sip before she continues, figuring that is one hurdle down. Now to add the whipped cream on top though.<br><br>"I mean it's a stereotype but technically it does seem to be a family tradition for a lot of Irish families. But..." She drags that word out a bit and gets a little impish grin.<br><br>"That isn't the full secret. And it really isn't a secret considering it's in the papers and stuff at times when we attend events together. But...well. My father is the Commissioner."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There she gets the 'oh' she was likely waiting for. But it's more an 'oh' of recognition as he says simply, "Ohhhh. /That/ Barbara Gordon." He laughs a little and shakes his head. Then his brow furrows, "Man that has to be... super stressful."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For a moment he turns his head as he twists off the cap of the water bottle, holding the cap and then pocketing it for a moment. "In Gotham with all of the..." He lifts a hand, fingers uncurl to gesture, "With all the craziness. The Bat Man, all the horrible people." His brow furrows.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Man, you have my sympathy. But when I've seen him he seems..." Not 'nice', nice isn't exactly the right word.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Like a good guy." Good guy works.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then his eyebrows lift. "Oh man." As he just realizes.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If we start dating dating I'll have to meet him." Then his eyes widen a little more. "And he'll have to approve of me. Man. That's..." He doesn't say what it'll be.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead he takes a drink of water as he still looks off in the distance, likely imagining some very tough family dinners in the future.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"He can be tough, yeah," Cause she realizes that good guy and the looking for words meant he was thinking something else. So she just went with tough. "But to me, he's Dad. We don't always see eye-to-eye. Bump heads quite a lot actually."<br><br>She drops her gaze a moment then looks back to his face. "Don't look quite the same with the glasses and no fancy outfits for the events I attend with him. We lost Mom a long time ago so it just became habit for me to go with him instead, so he wasn't alone facing all the people."<br><br>She gives a little shrug. "It can be stressful. Not knowing if he's going ot make it home. But by this point in life, I've gotten more used to it." That soft smile. "Doesn't make it easier bit it's familiar now, if that makes sense?"<br><br>She realizes she's trying to sell him on her father and promptly stops. That's kind of pushing it. This was their second meeting so, while she really liked Sean, she might be putting the cart before the horse. As the saying went.<br><br>Besides a word he used stuck out. "If? If we start dating?" Because before he was all totally in and now? Just as she had worried.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I mean," Sean looks at her and smiles, biting the corner of his lip and says, "Like dating dating. Like, super real dating. Like if we got serious. Life relationship-wise."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Since she can imagine how many scenarios likely went through his head. Which had him thinking of so many different things. He had imagined the first meeting with him. Imagined holidays with him. Imagined asking him his blessing for her hand. Imagined how he would break it to her that she was in the wifely way. Imagined him as a grandfather. All through the stream of life those experiences flitted through his mind and all at once... it had been intimidating.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I... was thinking of the future." He encapsulates it all and then smiles a little haggard smile as his eyes widen as if that said so much. "And having to tell Commissioner Gordon you liked his daughter. That's gonna be a thing. But not. You know. Insurmountable."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then his brow furrows, "Do you think he'd approve of..." He gestures to the book store. And suddenly as Sean looked the place over it seemed...<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shabby.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And for the first time there was doubt in his eyes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"He would," Barbara told him automatically. "You have a job and are helping your family. Actually you run your own business at that so even better." Not that she's trying to blow smoke. She's being completely honest. Her father would find that all to be positives. <br><br>"But to be honest with you?" <br><br>She waited for him to look at her again, in her eyes. "It doesn't matter what he thinks. It matters what I think and I think you're weonderful so far. Admittedly , we still have a lot to learn but I am looking forward to it. If you are still game, that is."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well yeah," Sean smiles at her and says, "It doesn't change anything between us, I think." He takes another sip of his water then sets the bottle aside, "It's more like... I looked up and there's a mountain to climb for the future. But it's not daunting. More like, just recognizing it's there. And setting my mind to it."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he leans against the counter and rests his hand over hers, just enough to give her fingers a gentle squeeze. "I mean, I for a moment was pretty surprised. That someone so cool and tough and bad ass had a total book worm nerd for a daughter. So, I mean, there is that."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The way he says that he's grinning, teasing her, even as he leans closer as he looks between each of her eyes, smiling in his own.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"You did not." <br><br>Barbara can't help laughing even as she shakes her head negatively. And the hand had been so nice atop hers. She had enjoyed it. Sadly it was so brief. <br><br>"Just because I am a book worm nerd," she starts, because really, she can't deny she is. Books, computers, librarian. It sort of was all there for anyone to see. "Doesn't mean I'm not cool and tough and bad ass! One does not prohibit the other." <br><br>She sniffs, perhaps a little hurt that he would suggest such a thing, though her tone is obviously amused. "You already know I do martial arts. A variety. So I'm like...an MMA fighter too! So there."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You remember in cartoons, the lil dog running around yapping at the bigger one?" Sean says, and oh no he din'nt. Cuz he's all smiles and grinning even as he teases her. It's such an easy pattern to fall into with her, how they interacted so often with each other, and in some ways she entirely had the facial expressions he imagined when he's read her words and think of her being all harumphy as she responded.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Just asking. No reason." As if there was no reason.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But yeah, I suppose that's true. Book people clearly can be bad asses too." Then his brow rises, "And to be completely honest, you are in shape well enough for it, so I shouldn't tease you. Or you'll explode into a whirlwind of violence and then my grandpa will come in and be all mad that we made a mess of the store."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Don't tempt me," Barbara says at the mention of the whirlwind of violence with another of those sniffs of contempt. "It would be a shame to kick your butt all over the place. The mess and the damage to your ego in front of your grandfather? Such a shame."<br><br>Barbara doesn't budge of course. She would never do any such thing. Her bursts of violence were generally prompted in some way by a bad person doing bad things &lt;tm&gt;. Or when it was scheduled in her training routine because she had a lot of that too.<br><br>She grinned a bit. "As though I would do such sacrilege in a book store!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laughing he folds his arms over his chest to adopt a properly incredulous posture as he asks her, "Oh but anywhere else it's fair game? I see how it is." He lightly nudges her shoe with the toe of his own, as if chiding her, though likely just a small excuse for that hint of contact. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Okay, fiiine. I suppose if you twist my arm I'll keep on dating you." Then he adds with a hint of a despondent tone, "I /guess/."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But perhaps as another sniff is affected by Ms. Gordon he looks up and just at that right moment, he shifts his tone gently to one of warmth. And sincerity.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Though, you do know, Barbara. I am kinda crazy about you. Kinda."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>And that is how one completely disarms another. It was going so swimmingly. The teasting and joking. The lightness of hte bmood. The points of contact here and there with a finger brush or that little tap of foot to foot. The joking tone that they often had when they were interacting online. It was a strange ease to have with someone that one just met but it felt natural.<br><br>She dropped her gaze, a hint of a blush starting to stain her cheeks, then peeking back up at him with a pleased smile. "I'm kinda crazy about you too. Nice surprises just keep coming and I can't wait to spend more time with you. Learn more."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah," Sean shifts his weight from one foot, then to the other, looking away, and then back. "I think you can say I'm in agreement." And as he says that he touches her hand again. Just enough that her eyes might drift that way as his fingers interlace with hers. Just enough that when she looks back he's leaned a touch closer so that they're sharing that moment together. A breath between them, the faint scent of the books and dust and the paper within. His nose brushes hers, and she'll see his brow furrow slightly as if making sure that his courage is there...<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he closes that last bit of distance, eyes closing, lips finding hers for a gentle kiss. Just a brief caress of a touch as another breath is shared between them all the closer...<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which is when the bell at the door jangles and a voice is heard.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm gone for two minutes and already you are goofing off!" As a grizzled bald white-haired man lopes through the door, smiling a smile that the farmer must have when he's caught a fox in the hen house. He tosses his hat onto the hook next to the door, an old Red Sox hat that's worn with age so much that the red is more pinkish. But he pauses there grinning to see the reaction.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>That little ding might as well have been a claxon. The kiss was going so well. So soft and gentle and nice. But then all of a sudden there was an alarm going off in her head in the form of a soft 'ding ding'. <br><br>Shehe jumped, back a good foot from him, head turning to the sound from the man at the door. Another step taken back to be a proper distance because she shouldn't be all snuggled up to him right?!<br><br>Yet her hand remained twined with his, tightening a little at the surprise then relaxing again. She glanced from Sean to the man at the door, giving a bright smile. "Welcome to O'Reilly's!" Although she had pretty much figured out this was likely his grandfather, she still felt it was the proper response. Throw in she was wearing one of their shirts.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Old man, you're lost, this isn't the poor house. You'll get no soup here." Sean says with a smile as he looks sidelong, blushing a little but carrying it off alright. Though his hand does give hers a gentle squeeze as he turns to more directly face his grandfather's arrival.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Boy, it's because of me your poppa was brought into this world, by proxy it means I'm allowed to take you out." Yet as he's saying that he's grinning and walking forward. A little rough in stride, but able to amble around ok, he grins to Barbara and says, "O'Reilly's! We're not in the old country here, dear. Reilly is just fine if you're going to be working here and all."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Grandpop, this is Barbara Gordon. She agreed to help out here for a bit." Sean says as he gestures sidelong, stepping to stand beside her and then gently rests an arm across her shoulder as if giving her support, but also show that he feels comfortable enough to do so.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Barbara, good to meet you, sweetie." The white-haired man grins and extends a hand to shake hers as he shoots a narrow-eyed gaze across toward his grandson. "How'd this scoundrel trick you into spending your weekend like this? Too cheap to spring for movie tickets if I know him."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which has Sean rolling his eyes, but he's still smiling.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oops. First day on the job and I already get the name of the store wrong," Barbara mutters, that blush back in her cheeks as she shakes her head at herself. "So sorry, sir." It's automatic to slip into politeness after such a gaffe.<br><br>As he greets her, she gives him a bright smile as she takes his hand. A firm grip on her part, not one of those wimpy handshakes that she hates from other women. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard wonderful things." <br><br>Then she grins glances over at Sean and back to his grandfather. "Well, I have to admit that he did well with this. I love books. Old books in particular. Everything about them. Which likely is why I became a librarian so it worked out."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A librarian?!" Grandfather Reilly's eyebrows rise as he seems impressed, then he turns to look at Sean, "You didn't tell me she was a librarian." But then never missing a chance to snap wise he adds, "Of course you didn't tell me much except she played that video game of yours."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And yours too, you know. You have a character." Sean says with arms now folded over his chest though he leans to the side against the counter, sharing a grin with Barbara.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Those games are too violent for me, I like to walk around and pick the flowers though. And I make him potions." He gestures with a nod towards Sean.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's right, now you have another of my secrets, Barbara." Sean says, "You have just met the source of all my super rare potions." He gestures with a thumb.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's right, Jake Reilly, Alchemist extraordinaire."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Sean says, "So that's /another/ secret you totally owe me."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But by this point Old Man Reilly is walking around the place and poking around in the aisles. His voice can be heard as he calls out over the shelves. "Looks like you got a good bit done. Probably Barbara's good influence keeping you from being such a layabout."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which Sean replies, "Yeah, that's totally it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>And when his grandfather admitted he liked walking aroud, picking stuff, making potions, Sean got a look from Barbara. "I agree, Mr. Reilly. I enjoy doing the harvesting and making things for myself. Though Sean has sort of drawn me into the more action part of the game a little." A lot. But she's not giving more than that.<br><br>"You have been holding out on me," she mutters to Sean. "That's it. From now on I'm dealing with Jake Reilly instead of stuff." She gives a nod of her head and looks back over as his grandfather looked around.<br><br>"I can't take all the credit. I just helped sort some of the stuff into boxes. And I have a stack to buy so maybe he did a good job by having me sorting stuff since you're getting some sales out of that too," she says with a soft laugh.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That causes a rich laugh to come from somewhere behind those shelves as Pappy Reilly snickers to himself and then calls out, "Leave it to Sean to not only find a way to go on a cheap date, but to actually make some money while doing it."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which causes Sean to harumph as he calls back, "/Actually/, I was thinking she could keep them as payment for the work done. Due wages and all." Which has him looking back to her and grinning as he gives a nod as if to tell his grandfather, 'so there.'<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which has the older gentleman reappearing at the end of the aisle, "Oh yeah?" He squints. "Which ones?" And off he's looking for this stack to see if Sean isn't giving away the entire store just for a pretty face and perhaps revealing that it might not be Sean that's so... mindful of monetary things.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a few moments of grumbling are heard, Sean calls out. "We were thinking of going and getting some food, you want us to bring you back anything?"<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What?" Comes back a little distracted as they'll both hear book covers being opened and whumpfed closed. "No, nah. I had a slice of pizza on my way over. You two knock yourselves out."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Right here. Under the counter." But even as Barbara points out where they are, she is pulling out a stack of a good nine books to put on the top so they are more easily accessible by his grandfather. <br><br>At mention of giving her the books, she shakes her head. "I'd like to pay for them. If you insist, maybe one or two but the lower priced ones. I want to help support your business." His or his grandson. Either way. <br><br>She does consider something. "Do you do any sort of web based transactions? Shipping around the country? That sort of thing?" Because if they didn't, her skills might come in handy there. <br><br>"I'll pick them up after we eat though. So I'm not having to carry them around, if that's okay?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Barbara produces the books he walks over in that rough gait of his and then pulls the stack towards himself. A hand lifts as he drifts a slightly crooked finger down the length of the spines as he reads and considers each, then grunts a little. "Nothing too expensive here, sure. Easy come easy go."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, however, when Barbara brings up the mention of 'web transactions' she can see out of the corner of her eye a sudden waving of his hands from Sean as if trying to stop her but... too late.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Web?! Screw the web! I became a shop owner for the human touch. Meeting people. Talking to them. It's a lost art these days, I tell you. A lost art!" Pappa Reilly shakes his head as he sucks his teeth a bit then pushes the stack of books back to her. "People do everything through computers these days, and spend too much time in the video games!" He shoots a look at Sean who sighs.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I play those games just to keep an eye on some of the black sheep in my family. And the facebooks."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, the facebooks." Sean says but then says, "We'll be back for the books, you give me a call if you need anything, okay grandpa?"<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sure thing, Sean. I'm set here."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Too late! She stepped right in it and finds herself hearing the tirade against the evils of computers. Barbara does manage to not smile at mention of 'the facebooks' because it is endearing yet at the same time so hilarious. "I...I'm sorry."<br><br>That's really all she can say as she catches Sean's eye. She knows when to retreat. She grabs her purse from under the counter then tugs Sean's hand to urge him toward the door with her. Ready to release his hand if she has to in order to for her hasty retreat.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They make it to the door and the bell jangles as they get on the other side of it, still hearing some muttering darkly now about the twittering and how it's the downfall of the world. Which, to be fair, is true.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet once they're on the other side and clear, Sean shoots a /look/ at her, then grins and snickers as he squeezes her hand and starts to walk on the sidewalk, hand in hand with her as they stroll down the way. "So yeah, that's... my grandpa."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A halfway decent first meeting, but then his lip twists. "See, now in comparison your father might not seem as bad. Do /you/ feel able to endure the angry Irishman?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"My father is a kitten compared to that," Barbara says with a laugh. "You should have warned me about the bear trap I was stepping into. Before I had a chance to step on it. I just figure it would bring in a lot of business for you. "<br><br>She shakes her head as she strolls hand-in-hand with him. Funny that. It feels comfortable. Familiar? Right? Which is silly but she isn't going to take her had away as she work their way along the sidewalk. <br><br>"Could just advertises online, force people to come into the shop that way. Takes advantage of the resource without giving up the in person aspect."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It kinda would, but it'd be an undertaking." Sean says as he walks with her, eyes lifting. "Though yeah we could advertise. To be honest we do have a sorta web presence with people giving us reviews on a Yelp type thing, but we don't like, engage with it. And my grandfather doesn't know about it."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A hand lifts, "If he changes his mind though, I've given thought about how we'd take inventory, how we should go about it, opening up sort of a web store probably through a reseller like Amazon or something. I don't know. But these are thoughts for like..."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For a moment he pauses, but then clears his throat, "Well for like later on in life when it's more just my decision."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yelp is how I found information about the shop," Barbara admits. Letting him know she had at least looked the place up. Likely right after he mentioned where he worked, before they met in person.<br><br>As his voice trails off, she gives a nod and a squeeze of his hand. "I understand. Sorry. Didn't mean to take things to that sort of place in the conversation." <br><br>And since she did, it is her responsibility to change topics. "So where are we going for lunch? Did you have somewhere in mind or are we wandering the city until we stumble across a place that appeals?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I wanted to give you the out in case my grandfather became a bit too much, soooo, no." Sean laughs a little as he shakes his head, "I have given exactly zero thought about where we should eat. I was going to leave that up to you or. You know. Fate was we walk for a bit. Maybe we'll find something."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then his eyebrows raise, "Oh there's a decent Indian restaurant down the way. Fishtail Kitchen. We could try that." As they stroll he glances down at their hands, then back up into her eyes. His lip twists.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This... feels kinda nice. But also kind of weird, doesn't it?" He looks ahead of them then grins slightly, "I mean, I know we kind of have to, otherwise you'd just wander off in any random direction."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"I appreciate you tethering my aimless wanderings of a madwoman, yes," Barbara returns with a roll of her eyes. She actually begins to pointedly release his hand, attemtping to extricate herself. Which if she succeeds, she will start wandering in circles on the sidewalk around him.<br><br>"Although I do agree. It feels nice. Very comfortable. Thankfully you don't have sweaty palms cause that would be a deal breaker." Not really but it sounded funny. <br><br>"Indian food sounds good. Lead the way. Although definitely keep hold of my hand or else I might wind up at some random fast food place instead."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When she starts wandering pointlessly he snerks a bit and shakes his head, but then settles in with her at her side as they stroll. "Really it's for your own good to hold my hand. Clearly."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That said he'll walk on and after a few moments he bites his lower lip then leans to the side to gently kiss her cheek. "Thanks for you being you. I'm... pretty happy." He says, as if it was a grudging admission, or perhaps rare for him to just let himself be so.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Also thank you for that kiss, though I should warn you that I like /Garlic/ Naan bread. So fair warning."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Barbara Gordon (58)}} has posed:'''<br>She slips her hand back into his as they continue their stroll. "Clearly," she agrees as she is no longer attempting to wander in circles by the power of his hand holding alone!<br><br>THe little kiss on the cheek has her glancing at him curiously. Then the words just make it such an awww moment. "Not sure how to be anyone else," Barbara says with a little shrug of her shoulders. Though there are so many more things about her he doesn't know yet. However, she hasn't lied to him so there's that in the pro column too.<br><br>"No worries on the garlic Naan. I happen to like it as well. So it'll just make you yummier." WHich implies he is already yummy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:10064|Sean Reilly (10064)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Come on," Sean says as he strolls with her, "You're dangerously close to flirting there, Ms. Gordon." And as he says that he heads with her on their way to the Indian restaurant and some more time spent together.<br> <br>
}}