A Rare Edition

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi hadn’t realized how off putting his gesture was. He did not intend to offend her. He simply thought that she truly deserved to have the book. Now thinking about it, if the situation was reversed he probably would not have so eloquently reacted as she had. He shook the thought immediately from his head. No need to play that situation through his head now.

He realized his counter proposal threw her off guard. He felt pictures were an odd thing when planned. Was she scared of dogs? He hoped it wouldn’t be a problem. “They’re huskies...” He began. “...but don’t worry, they are very well behaved.” He said in an attempt to comfort her concerns. They were very well behaved, and that would be putting it lightly.

He was relieved when she agreed. “Excellent!” He said with a smile, as he took the book from her hands.

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Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Huskies? "Oh, those are really pretty!" came out before Zoe could really stop to think about it anything else. She flushed as she realized what she'd blurted, lowering her eyes for a moment. They were apparently well behaved dogs too, which just made Zoe all the more anxious to actually take their pictures. It wasn't often that she got to spend time with animals, particularly since her... ability might do things to them.

While she was thinking on this, she hadn't really focused all that much on the book. Which made it all the easier for Levi to take it. Again Zoe almost felt like she should protest or say something or anything along those lines. Instead she found herself lowering her hands, putting them at her sides, smiling, nodding, and stepping a few feet closer. Well, they were making a trade: pictures for book. That was fine, right?

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Her immediate reaction was satisfying. They were gorgeous dogs. Levi nodded his head as a smile spread across his face, “Yeah, they are my everything.” He sounded like a proud parent, but perhaps, he was. Just the thought of having a well taken photo of them made his smile grow larger. He already knew exactly where he’d put it.

With everything that had happened, and their attention being primarily used in finding the book. He realized that he had not introduced himself, nor did he know her name. He felt an introduction was in order, considering they made an agreement and would probably have to exchange some sort of information to get in contact. He was extremely curious in how well the pictures would be. “I’m Levi, by the way.” He said, extending his right hand out. While he held her book in the other.

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Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

The proud parent voice just made Zoe smile. Who couldn't appreciate someone who had a love for animals? Sure, Zoe wasn't about to get a crush on Levi or anything, considering the parts, but that didn't mean she couldn't admire someone for something like that, particularly if said someone also happened to be purchasing her a book. Said book was now in hand and Zoe was starting to edge toward the cashier. Said cashier looked rather irritated at them, which again seemed to hammer home Levi's distrust and dislike of the man.

"Oh, I'm Zoe," Zoe said. She noticed the hand and had to pause for a bit, licking her lips and considering. she ended up just raising one of her hands to wave a little before taking another little step toward the cash register. "We should, um, probably go get the book. I think he's giving us one of those looks," Zoe looked over that way, confirmed it, and pasted on another nervous, wobbly smile as a result.

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi retracted his hand. Her little wave was sufficient enough. When she mentioned the cashier, his eyes instantly darted over to the clerk and hardened. It was almost his way of letting the employee know that they were coming over, and he best not test them. Levi looked back at Zoe momentarily, “Yes, let's go.” He said with a soft smile.

Levi took the lead, and made a beeline to the register. He watched the cashier readjust himself to seem less lethargic. He placed the book gently on the counter in front of him. The clerk averted eye contact with Levi, and for good reason. Levi watched as the clerk handled the book, forgetting that Zoe was still there. Levi reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Swiftly he took out his credit card and handed it to the clerk. He grabbed the bag in one hand, and took his card back from the clerk, placing it back in the slit in his wallet. He stuffed the wallet in his back pocket. Levi simply nodded to the clerk to thank him and began making his way to the door.

Levi stopped, and held the door open, “After you.”

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Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Good, he didn't question the wave. Zoe couldn't help but sigh with relief at that, glad that she'd avoided both paralyzing the man and having to explain why that would be a good thing. She still didn't exactly know if he was tied to the school or anything like that. He certainly didn't act like it. Nor did he seem to recognize her from her various art shows. Strange to meet someone "normal," like entering back into a past life before all this had happened and swept her up into the whirlwind that was life as a mutant.

She followed as she considered, standing just behind Levi as he purchased the book for her. The clerk didn't seem to really like him, which was to be expected, but he still processed everything. Zoe smiled and nodded, then exited, careful to move around Levi's arms.

"thank you again for the book!" she said. "Um, that is, unless you've changed your mind. I did use to own a copy but, ah, I... left it behind. When I moved here," she took a deep breath, shifting away from the door and further onto the street. Should she just ask for the book and leave now? There weren't any other expectations than that... were there?

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi watched as Zoe made her way out of the store. He let the door close behind him and took a step or two away from the building. He smiled, and waved his hand to dismiss her comment. “I have not changed my mind, and you’re welcome.” Levi held out the bag for her to take.

Her remark made him think of all the books he had lost or left behind in his travels, and yet he had managed to hold on to the first book he ever read. Which was now comfortably sitting on his bookcase at home. The feeling of nostalgia slowly filled his body. Ignoring it he stuck both hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Well then,” He began as his head panned around briefly trying to decide where his next move may be. “Zoe. It was a pleasure meeting you.” He said with a smile and a slight bow of the head. Which it was. She was refreshing, genuine even. It was nice to see that younger people were still into books and her passion for poetry was palpable. Wow, did he sound like an old man.

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Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

No mind changing. Zoe smiled at that, and her smile started to show teeth as Levi extended the bag toward her. She reached out, taking it gently, still half-expecting Levi to pull it back, to change his mind at the very last second. no sooner had that thought drifted into Zoe's mind than she realized how very silly it was, making her flush with even more embarrassment. At least Levi hadn't said anything about that, proving that at least one of them was definitely a mature adult who could actually hold a conversation.

Zoe watched the pockets, the panning. "It's been the same for me too," Zoe agreed, nodding slightly. "But, oh," she began digging into her pocket, producing her phone. "We should make sure we have each other's numbers," she paused to brush aside some hair that threatened to fall into her face. "You know," she looked up at him, "So that we can set things up for me to take pictures of your dog?"

Yes, Zoe still wholly intended for that to be something that happened, and she'd end up stalking Levi it came to it. She already had her phone pulled out, fingers poised to enter numbers.

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi was glad to see a smile emanating from her. He still could not figure out why he cared so much, but it didn’t matter right now. She had the book she wanted, he didn’t knock out the store clerk. It was a good day. He was glad to hear that she felt the same way.

Levi was about to turn around when he heard the but. He watched curiously as a phone emerged from her pockets. “Ah yes!” He said, glad she had remembered. He thought for a moment. It wasn’t every day that he gave his number out to people. He only had two numbers stored on his phone. The only reason why he kept his phone on him was in case for that rare instance where he’d need help. Luckily, that hasn’t happened yet. He furrowed his brow, trying to recall his number. “Uh, It’s 4 0 6,” He paused again. “5 1 8 4 8 1 5. Yeah, That sounds about right.” He said proudly for being able to remember his own number. “Just uh, send me a text with your name and I’ll save your number.” He said with a smile.

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Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Yes, this definitely seemed like a good day. Zoe now had a book that she was certainly going to treasure, and she'd managed to arrange a photo session out of it. yes, it would involve taking pictures of someone's dogs, but she might be able to impress Levi enough that he'd mention her to other people. She did want to actually make a career out of her photography, and every little bit could help.

First though, they needed to actually arrange everything. Zoe heard the number coming out and she quickly punched it into her phone, glad that she'd had some practice in this now (her own phone had almost a dozen numbers stored in it, which made her proud just looking through). "Alright, sending..." she said as she typed, "now," and a nod as her name would be sent via the phone:

Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe, photographer poet

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi felt the breeze brush up the side of his face. It was a gorgeous day. Maybe he’d take the dogs out, or maybe he’d attempt something he’d been putting off for a while. Two years to be exact. Decisions, decisions.

He watched as Zoe entered his number into her phone. He was interested to see what the girl was capable of. He assumed she must be good, but regardless he was more excited to be getting good pictures of his babies. Not a moment after she spoke he felt his back pocket vibrate. “I believe I have received it.” He said as he swiftly removed his cell from his back pocket. He swiped the screen and her text popped up. “Perfect.” Not realizing he said it out loud. Levi immediately saved her number in his phone. That made three. “Well, I’m sure we will be in touch!” He said with a warm smile. He gave her a wave. “Enjoy your book.” He said pointing at the bag in her hand. As another breeze danced around him, he turned his back towards her. As he began walking away, he hit reply on his phone and typed…

Levi Wolfe, Dog Owner.

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Tag: Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled as Levi said the perfect aloud, almost wanting to giggle or flush or something along those lines. There was still something just so surreal in all this, even as she felt the bag thudding against her arm. Levi seemed quite pleased with everything, favoring Zoe with a warm smile. She nodded and returned the wave.

"Thank you again!" she said, pouring as much sincerity into the words as she could. Part of her still couldn't believe that she'd actually run into someone so generous and intriguing. "And I will!" she added, feeling her hand fall to the book again. She already had this feeling that it would be put among the rest of her prized possessions, like the camera and the stuffed Pikachu and other leftover bits from all the people who mattered in her life. Just as she saw Levi starting to walk away, Zoe felt her phone buzz and chirp.

She looked down, saw the label, and had to smile a little. She saved the name and the label for later, already having an idea for a poem and photograph in mind.

{fin}