Browsing and learning. (Kandy)

[Athor]

Athor browsed through the store, heaving a backpack full of books. He had a travel bestiary in his hands, and was eagerly inspecting a deep red phoenix. He set to work on trying to stroke it without it biting him. He managed to just touch the wing before being snapped at. He decided at that point to examine it at a distance. It really was a beautiful bird...

[kandy]

(Is your character named Aaron or Athor?)

Kandy was hiding near the back of the shop, brushing one of the long-haired puppies out on the grooming table, when a boy entered her shop. She didn't notice the tinkle of the bell she attached to the door as it opened and closed, as she was far too absorbed in her work, humming a merry little tune as she went. Few things in the world could distract Kandy from puppies.

She didn't realize there was another person lurking in her shop until she finished brushing the puppy, picked her up, and went to return him to his friends. She nearly ran into the other as she turned the corner, but she pivoted to the side just in time, nearly loosing her balance and landing flat on her face. The puppy made a disgruntled noise in surprise, but calmed quickly when he deemed that he would not end up flying across the floor.

"My goodness! People are just spouting up from my floorboards, aren't they? Hello! Welcome to my shop! Can I help you with anything?" Kandy lowered the puppy into his little home, and then glanced up at the boy curiously. "That's Rafael. The phoenix, I mean, that's his name! He's been with us for a while now, and he's pretty prissy."

The phoenix looked at Kandy with a seemingly disapproving stare.

"He doesn't like being touched, so I don't recommend trying it! It takes a while for him to warm up to people." She informed, completely oblivious to the fact that he had already tried to touch the phoenix.

[Athor]

(Sorry... slipped)

Aaron's eyes bulged out at the... shapely woman. He coughed very loudly and used his entire store of self discipline to maintain his gaze at Eye level. "Yeah.. um, I noticed that. My name is Athor." Now why did he say that?! He mentally slapped himself. Athor glanced around, desperate to change the subject. "I... um... figured that out when he tried to bite me. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he laughed out loud, a nervous laughing fit. Smooth... "Well, uh, I really like birdsandthisoneisnicedoyouknowhowtoapproachit?HehmaybeyoucanteachmecuzI'manelfandIuhhuhsoyeah..."
He was REALLY smooth. Why he was suddenly having a nervous breakdown he could only blame on the almost non-existent clothes of the girl. He took a deep breath. "Do you own this shop?"

[kandy]

Kandy smiled warmly at the nervous boy. She didn't often have people come into her shop and choke up on her! Maybe he wasn't supposed to get a pet?

"I'm Kandy and yep, I own this little place! Nice to meetcha, Athor! If you want to get Rafael to like you, you're gonna need a lot of practice! I've had him for a few months now and I feel like he's just starting to like me! I'm usually good with animals, too!" She pouted playfully, as if the bird's attitude problem hurt her feels.

"Well, anyway! Phoenixes are very intelligent, and they're said to know just how their companions feel. A lot of pets like to be cooed at, you know, 'Who's a pretty birdie?! You're a pretty birdie, oh yes you arrre!'"

Rafael flapped his wings irritably.

"See, he doesn't like it!" Kandy nodded to the displeased bird. "He knows exactly what you mean when you talk to him, and he feels like when you use baby-talk, you're insulting his intelligence! He does like compliments though, as long as you word them right! Oh, are you looking for anything today? My goodness, what kind of shopkeeper am I?!"

[Athor]

"Um.. no, I'm just browsing." Athor had affectively calmed himself down... somewhat. "I really don't have much money, but in the future I might, and I would really like a pet.... something magical. Do you recommend anything?"

He felt sheepish, as he sounded as if he were ordering at a restaurant. "Er... something intelligent, powerful, loyal..." He noted that repressing his nervousness involved removing all emotion, so his voice sounded hollow. He would have to work with that. "Mabye a different phoenix, one with a a nicer deposition?" He sounded too formal, and sheepishly looked down at the floor.

[kandy]

Kandy clapped her hands together enthusiastically, and held them together as she began to excitedly pace the room. It was a habit of hers, pacing. She did it a lot when she was thinking. "Well, Rafael is the only phoenix we have right now. We only keep one at a time; since they're so expensive, they spend a good while here. Better to not keep a whole bunch cooped up in this stuffy old place, right?

"Now, let's see...phoenixes are intelligent and loyal, but it's really quite rare to see them in battle. Phoenixes are very reserved, and choosy about who they decide to help out! If you'd be interested in something more playful, we have some magical creatures in the back you might find interesting! Wanna take a look?"

She gestured to the small doorway to the far left along the back wall, which led to the back of the shop, and more importantly, the creatures she wanted to show him.

[Athor]

Athor followed her in, still thinking about the phoenix. It seemed the best choice... Athor tried to determine the shopkeeper's race, but couldn't. Ear's are a little pointed... but not enough. Hm... He went through a mental checklist. She's obviously not a Demon... Pixie and goblin are OUT! You never know with lycans, but she doesn't seem too frail. Her features could have been muddied if she's a vampire, but please. All he had really done was state the obvious...

[kandy]

"Another creature with the characteristics you specified is the griffin. We have two right now, just this way." Kandy explained, heading for one of the aisles far to the right. "Griffins are similar to phoenixes, not in appearance, but in personality. Both are very intelligent! Griffins are a bit more bold than the reserved phoenixes, and they're more likely to get into combat-type situations. They fly, too, and get a good deal bigger, so you're gonna need a lot of open space if you want a griffin!"

One of the griffins peered at Athor from behind the glass, yawned, and looked away. He had been napping before Kandy turned down his aisle, and the sound of her voice stirred him.

"There are also Pegasi and Hippogriffs, both very loyal and good-hearted. Pegasi are winged horses, where hippogriffs are sort of a eagle-and-horse hybrid! A hippogriff has wings like a pegasus, but it has the head and torso of an eagle. You see?"

She gestured to a pegasus, then to a hippogriff. Conveniently, they were placed just across from each other, almost as if she often compared the two.