The day was warm, but not excessively so. He was thankful he was inside today as the sun was merciless. He had found out rather recently he could walk within the sunlight with relative ease, making for interactions with his customers easy to come by and to take more day shifts. How he had explained to his employees was that he had finally gotten done with his online classes for some business degree had had been wanting to finish. They seemed to believe him, so nothing more was said about it. However, he did wear sunglasses whenever he went out. They were always so fabulous. Today he wore his usual type of suit, just without the jacket. He had one black suit pants with an emerald green and black suit vest over a white long sleeved shirt that he had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. His long blond hair was in its usual braid down his back. At the end of it was tied a couple strings of hair bells. They were simply gold things, looking older than they should have been. They were a gift from his master and love, Kristoff Knight. The man who had turned him also ended up falling in love with his young fledgling. They had a great 250 years before Kristoff's violent and heartbreaking death. As if she reflect his thoughts, his emerald green eyes looked distant while he worked within the shop. He had let everyone have the day off today so he would be able to work in peace and enjoy the day. Being a day-walker now made his sleep schedule off kilter.

He heard the front door open, smelling the scent of a male human. He hadn't gotten many customers today, but he figured it was fate's way of telling him to slow down and just enjoy it all. He knew he had to talk to the petulant child who made his blood boil with rage at the mere thought of her, though he figured that could wait for another day. "Welcome Through The Looking Glass. How may I offer some assistance today?" Erik said calmly as he put down the book he was holding to walk towards the boy that had entered. The smell of the boy was intoxicating to the vampire, but he had eaten yesterday and as such would be alright for the next two days if he didn't do anything strenuous. Though Erik was far from happy, he put on his best faked smile, which fooled most humans he ran into. The name of the bookstore came about when he had ran into a copy of Alice in Wonderland when it first was published. Yes, what was meant was that he actually ran into a copy. The girl holding it was waving it in the air to get someone's attention and just as Erik rounded the corner BAM, right in the face. Needless to say, he never actually thought someone would get the upper hand on him that day. Though, to be honest, that was the anniversary of his master's death, so he was out of it for entirety of the day. Erik walked calmly towards the boy and stood in front of him, looking ever so much like those disheveled formal rouge nobles in the victorian times.

Erik blinked at the boy, the cane an obvious indication that something was wrong with the boys eyes. The eyes. Erik finally looked up into them only to stop dead with wide green eyes. Ice blue. Ice blue. They were ice blue. Memories came swarming back to him of a sad calm man with ice blue eyes and dark black hair. They were the type of eyes to make Erik melt just simpliy being in the presence of those eyes. On the outside he showed nothing more than some mild surprise, but on the inside he was going chaotic. Memories and clips of a deep voice saying his name over and over again. As if shaking his head out suddenly, Erik closed his eyes and did his best not to focus on the boys eyes. "My name is Erik Knight, I am at your service 1)précieux client." Erik was born in France, though his main area to grow up in was England with his master. Still bits and pieces of his old heritage came through as he sometimes called people and things by names in french. He sometimes spoke whole sentences in french, though he doesn't do this if he knows the other person doesn't speak it. Unless he has something against you and dislikes you, then he'll speak it just to annoy you. Still Erik waited, keeping his eyes averted from the ice blue ones staring back at him.

Won't you tell me
that everything is fine...

Erik let the boy slip his arm wherever he wished, walking with Ian to the back bookshelves that held the braille. He pat the boys hand lightly to hopefully subdue any awkwardness that might arise due to their closeness and how they were walking. It was no problem for the vampire to lead the boy. He took care of all of his customers. It also helped him not look into the eyes of Ian. The ice blue color still burned holes within his heart where the bandages still lay bloody. The eyes. The eyes, he was told by a gypsy with a habit of guessing futures right long ago, were the windows to the soul. Erik had made the morbid joke that his eyes reflected no such soul, only an empty vessel. The girl with piercing brown eyes told him that he should not reject that which he prizes greatly. He responded with a curt 'i gave up my soul to try to kill the devil, it's not there.' All he remembers hearing of the girl after that was her warning that he should not dip his toe too much into the pits of hell. The young and still emotionally hurting Erik went on his way, disregarding her warning. Silently the vampire shook his head lightly to get himself out of his thoughts. He had gone on a tangent again. A fact that told him he was getting too close to his hunger limit. A vampire could go insane, yes, but Erik tried really hard not to get that far with himself.

Erik could almost see the awkwardness in the boys face when the vampire mentioned the more carnal selections within his collection. He wouldn't have thought a blind old woman to have much of a taste for such books, but years ago one such woman came in to donate the books she could not read anymore. Her daughter that had brought her in look absolutely scandalized over having realized her mother's reading habits, but Erik thanked the women with a huge grin on his face. When the daughter went to use the restroom in the back, Erik crouched down next to the woman in the wheelchair she was in to hold her hands and start to gush over how much he adored her choice in books. The old woman laughed, coughed hard a bit later, but then continued to laugh. She pat his cheek and told him to never grow up, it's never fun. He responded with 'of course, my dear woman, I shall keep those words to heart.' He hated to see such a spirited woman go, but he hoped that her final resting place was far better than the streets of New York. Back in the modern day city, Erik turned down a book isle to lead Ian towards the shelves. "But monsieur, those are the best parts. Books are movies we can play in our heads. The details are what bring it all to light. I once knew an old woman who would tell me that the best books are the most sensuel." Not wanting to make the boy uncomfortable, Erik merely laughed and ended with "But to each their own. Though you know you can tell a lot about a man by the width of their shoulders." A cheeky grin appeared on Erik's face as he bit his tongue. He couldn't laugh or else he would give away at the double meaning there.

"Not much of a selection? Mon dieu! I have quite the collection due to the constant complaints by my managers and the requests of my other blind guests." Erik turned another corner to come to a stop in front of three packed full bookcases full of braille. He had everything from manuals to children's books. He had not learned to read braille, but he had a couple employees who taught it, though of course their employment was more than 10 years ago. Time meant little to Erik. He didn't seem to see the passing of it all until he noticed the big cities and the new technology. There was something that Kristoff always told him that he kept to heart: don't fear the future, embrace it. So that is what the vampire did, he took the future and made himself a living in it. Without waiting for an answer, Erik (if Ian's writer is willing), had grabbed his hand gently and lead him to the adventure section of the shelves. The titles had both braille and print on them, so the people who were buying them for their friends could tell what they are. "These are the adventure books." Still leading his hand gently, (again, writer willing) he moved it towards the mystery section. "The mystery section," Erik's voice was quiet as he felt the boys pulse, still not looking into those sinfully innocent ice blue eyes of Ian's. He moved the boys hand again (you guessed it, writer willing), towards the romance section. "And the romance section. There are other types of books, but those are the main ones I have." Erik pulled back his hand quickly, holding his hand behind his back with his other. "Is there anything else you require, monsieur Ian?" Erik didn't want to leave such an interesting boy, but he hoped that he would take his time at least.

He chuckled at first when he could tell the boy was not telling him the full details about his run in's with romance novels. Keeping himself composed, Erik had stayed still behind Ian while the boy looked. He smiled like his usual, but it grew when the boy grew excited. He always surprised those that came into his bookstore because they were used to the smaller shops not having a lot to look through. Erik was not just anybody, he was well-versed in the ways of the world and thus figured out what made book-readers tick. He was a reader himself, often slipping into his big leather chair in his living room to curl up with a good book. While he slept at odd times, the books tended to relax the man so much so that he slept soon after reading two or three. He could not pull away his eyes from Ian, trailing his green orbs down the boys body before his attention was taken away when Ian finally turned around.

He was left breathless as he caught sight of those sinfully delicious ice blue eyes of his. It's as if god himself is making me remember both the heartache and the rush of grand emotion at the sight of those eyes. Erik said to himself, wish he could just take the boy into his arms and kiss him due to what he felt at the moment. Lust was surely one of them, but those eyes made Erik softer, made him remember what it was like to have someone to care for him and for him to care about. At first it was a sad feeling, but then he shook it off like usual and continued on as if nothing happened. "But of course, I would not allow anything less for my valued guests." Erik's British accent fell and rose, making some of the ladies within the shop stop to turn to the owner with curious and rather blushing eyes. He knew the effect he had on some ladies. It was strange coming to America at first because with his accent, he had found that the ladies were most certainly attracted to it. It made it easier to ask them for a bit of a bite to eat when it came from his mouth. He could tell them that he thought they were swine but still they would giggle and let him continue.

Not thinking anything of it, Erik had stepped forward and placed a hand on Ian's shoulder before leaning a bit over the boy to reach for a book. His green eyes scanned the shelves to look for the copy one of his past managers had brought him. He smiled at the cover with the old illustrations on it. It was written in braille, but the title stood clearly out to him due to the ink under it. Alice in Wonderland. "I recommend this book, monsieur. It is my favorite. Its filled with some nonsense, but with a world full of too real reality, some is needed to pass the time." Erik breathed in his scent, unknowingly locking away that smell in his memory. He stood up and stepped back, unsure of what to do for the first time in a while. He wanted to stay and get to know Ian, but he wasn't sure if he would develop...what was it that one of his workers had told him one day? Oh, yes, 'creeper status', with Ian. Human's these days sometimes worried for no reason. The world was filled with strangers anyway. Hesitant, Erik finally made a decision. "If you require anything else, just shout and I will come running." Erik had turned to go, his feet dragging as he wished for more time.

For a moment Erik just observed the boy, curious as to his reaction to so many books. It would seem my competitors are sorely lacking in accommodating all of their customers needs. Oh well, I win this round bookshops of New York. Inertly pleased with himself, he ran a hand over the hair bells at the end of his long blond braid. The jingle they gave at the sudden handling of the bells made Erik more at ease than he was already. Sure it was just a human boy, but this boy had the same color eyes of his late master. Those eyes cut deep within Erik to parts of himself he thought were long since covered and dead. "You are most certainly welcome," His British accent low as he gave a small bow to Ian, though he knew he couldn't see it. Old habits die hard. Just as he was about to reluctantly walk away, he heard the boy start again. Hm? Erik stopped to listen to the boy again. He had felt his heart beat when he had reached over him, but paid it no mind since he usually could feel the heart beats of creatures anyway. He stopped to turn back slightly towards Ian, wondering what else he could be of service to the boy. Deep inside he hoped the boy would need him again, giving him a reason to come back to find out more about the boy that suddenly came into his shop today. Fate seemed to have a way about her that Erik thought strange, but he didn't question it. Holding his hands behind him as per his usual stance, though instead of the disinterested one that usually dominated his expression, one of curiosity and a fondness came over it. He did not know this boy, but he had wondered what made him want to stay so much.

The boy had asked for more recommendations. A common enough request and a simple one for the vampire. He had read a lot during his life, enough to fill two libraries packed full. Reading offered him an escape he couldn't normally have. Though at first all he wanted to do was kill and kill thousand upon thousands to ease the pain within his heart, he finally found after 200 years that he had to find better alternates for his emotions. He took up reading and writing, though his poetry was absolutely dreadful. He was much more eloquent with the verbal wording of things. Erik could see the hesitation on his face, the slight worry that came though the vampire wasn't sure why in the world he would be feeling so. Though he was relieved Ian had called him back quickly; he wanted to spend more time with the boy that interested him. Erik's face remained genteel, professionalism and his whimsy side melding into one at once like usual. He also noticed the change in tone and instantly his face fell. Surely this boy knows more than books, unlike I... however, the change in the boy sparked something in Erik. He wanted to make sure that this boy felt included and wanted, even if it was by a monster such as the aristocrat vampire. "Oh mon cher, I have so many more recomendations to fill twenty libraries." Erik grinned, easily moving closer to the boy and putting his hand back on him to balance himself while he leaned up to the mystery section of the book shelves. "On my most tedious of nights, Sherlock Holmes has been my companion. This book holds many of his stories, but the others are all seperated." Erik moved down a bit to hand Ian the book, moving the boy's (at the writer's discretion) hand over it so that he could 'read' the cover. Erik leaned up again, but then pulled down something from the action section. "And I have many books on topics such as magic as well as battles. There is one book I have in my hands such as Lord of the Rings. It's a bit drawn out, I believe, but overall a good read." Keeping the books in his hands, his eyes brightened as he got onto the subject of books. "Now if you like poetry or shakespearian drama's, then I have Shakespear's complete collection. He was a bit iffy at some parts, but his humor is good once you get used to it. Despite how he is praised, the man was a dirty minded man."

Erik laughed, loving the talk of books. However, he realized that he was just talking and talking about books, never stopping for the boy to talk. Taking a deep breath, Erik steadied himself as he held the books in his hands. "Pardon moi if I am speaking so much. Books are my passion; they saved me from myself many years ago and I have not gotten the chance to pay them back yet." Erik smiled, chuckling lightly. "Perhaps my goal is to give them good homes so that others too can enjoy their divine wisdom and healing properties." He didn't know why he felt so at ease around this boy, but he wasn't going to question it and then ruin it. Don't ruin the mood, Erik.

Erik returned the boys smile back to him. His kind-hearted nature seemed to just radiate around the boy as in an aura. There wasn't many people who stepped within Erik's life that gave off this type of aura. When they did, however, he always knew to take his time to indulge having them stay around him. Kindness had been in short supply ever since 400 years ago. Keeping his eyes soft and trained upon the boy, he stepped closer so that it would be easier for him to reach out and touch the books within his hands. What also brought Erik's more kinder side out was the subject of books. Granted, yes, they were in a bookshop, but the topic always seemed to lighten Erik's mood. Perhaps that was why he busied himself with books and made a shop just for that; it was as if he were trying to tame the beast within by bringing some old friends by to help. When he was alone, books were the friends that never left him. They always made him feel as if he were never alone within this world. Erik smiled at his words, just happy to be talking so casually with a human as if there were no such things as monsters in the world that were dangerous. A small part of Erik's mind, the darker and more paranoid parts, wondered if Ian could see a terrible monster before him instead of what Erik really looked like. "Because not everyone can indulge themselves like I can." He chuckled, the meaning behind that sentence deeper than what he brought to the surface. "What good is life if you cannot do what you love? Something to think about, mon cher." 

Erik chuckled, letting the boy 'look' at the books within his hands as he stood still. It was something he never thought about, him having his sight and all, and he thought Ian all the more better person than he was since he was much more stronger than him. Erik didn't know what he would do if he lost his sight. He looked over the boy again, still smiling as he heard the boy say he would take them all and if he offered any discounts for students. He did, but Erik would give a bigger discount without saying a word to acknowledge it. He had a weakness for men with ice blue eyes. "Of course, mon cher, I offer all students in the academy a discount." Erik started to walk towards the front counter, sending two giggling and blushing girls to run away as Erik drew near. His eyes flicked towards them and in all of his British accent glory said "Ladies." Which made them giggle more and then go back to their book shopping. Shaking his head and sighing, he tapped Ian's shoulder lightly. "I can ring you out up at the front counter. Unless of course you are still looking?" He wasn't trying to get rid of Ian fast, but he couldn't drag up another reason to stay near him without it seeming excessive. However, one thought nagged at him. Hesitantly, in a very non-Erik fashion, he turned around to look at Ian at first, but then looked to the side. "I hope I can see you again, mon cher. It's not everyday I get interesting people through my door." Erik smiled. Oh mon dieu, I sound like a creeper. Yes, Erik, you kinda do.