Reading Means Borrowing |OPEN|

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

Devan pushed the cart loaded with books through the aisles of Bane's in the process of shelving all of the books that had been returned. It was a quiet day today and Devan was enjoying the peacefulness of it. There had only been a few people in and out all day and although she enjoyed having more people come in, it was nice to have the place to herself.

Once she finished with books on the cart she pushed it back to the front and noticed a new return sitting on her desk. After checking it in she walked towards the back of the library and tried putting it away but the shelf was to high. She put the book on a lower shelf and walked to the end of the aisle to pull the ladder to where she needed it. When she reached the shelf, she moved some books to the side and slowly slid in the returned one.

As she climbed down the ladder, her foot caught on the second to last wrong and she toppled to the ground. "Damnit," She muttered as she landed on the ground, she could already feel her ankle throbbing. Pulling herself up into a sitting position, she took her shoe off and slowly rubbed her ankle for a moment. When she started to feel the tension leave it, she placed her shoe back on and stood walking slowly to her desk.

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

Logan grinned when he went up another level. He could have cheated his way through the game but that wouldn't be any fun. Same with getting computers and other devices to do what he wanted them to do. It was always more fun to do it the normal way. It was always Logan's first option if he knew he could do it because then it at least made him seem like a regular person for once and he liked that. Course, if all else fails he could just place a hand on it and work this magic before taking all the credit for being the genius that fixed it.

Reaching a save point, Logan left the game for a second to check his tray for any post-its or notes. Picking one up, he stood and made his way down to the other end of the library to update some systems and do a check. It was just basic maintenence but it gave him something to do.

Getting up to the computer in question, he saw a fellow Library worker walking toward it. "Hey, I need your computer for a sec," he said with a smile. He had seen her around but never quite got to introducing himself. He was usually pretty invisible around there anyway. Logan was just the guy you go to if you had technical problems otherwise you went about your business like he wasn't even there, at least that was his experience.

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

Just as Devan was going to sit in her chair, she heard the tech guy walk up behind her. Spinning around, she nodded at his statement and moved out of the way. She hadn't introduced herself to him, but being head librarian meant she knew who all of the employees were. Grabbing a stool from behind the check out counter she pulled it over to her desk and sat down next to where Logan was.

"Is there a problem with my computer? Or is this part of your job duties?" Devan didn't pretend to be computer savvy. She just never took an interest in it more then she had to. The only thing she usually used it for was finding new books for the library and checking her e-mail. Most technology baffled her mind as to why it was so necessary. It seemed as though people were getting lazier and lazier.

Crossing her legs, she gazed at the computer screen to see what he was doing as she rubbed her ankle. It was still throbbing a bit but she didn't want to take a pain reliever when she had some herbs at home that would work just as well without all the chemicals. After a moments pause, Devan turned her head towards the newest employee of the library and smiled a bit. "I'm sorry, terribly rude of me not to introduce myself already. I'm Devan Harper."

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

Moving past her, he sat down in the seat and began clicking and typing at record speeds. Well, perhaps not record speeds but he was still going quite fast.

"Nope, no problem, all part of the service," he said, pulling up the command prompt window. He could have just run a few programs to do the checks but this gave him a more in depth look at what was going on, also, it gave him a chance to improve things too.

"It's more like a preemptive strike again the machine," Logan explained sounding like this was war and he was he was making a strategic move by doing a quick systems check.

"Something wrong with your ankle?," he asked, his back was still turned but saw enough of a reflection to know that she had been rubbing. Logan always enjoyed doing that, it seemed to make people think he had eyes in the back of his head half the time. Still, it wasn't quiet as cool as the things his brother was capable of.

Continuing to type with just one hand, Logan turned and offered her the other for a hand shake as he spoke. "Logan Hewitte, a pleasure to meet you Miss Harper," he said with a smile. He didn't need to look at the screen because at this point all he was doing was typing in some code to improve it a little. It was just that little bit extra he wanted to do and of course he knew the keyboard like the back of his hand and didn't need to see it to type on it.

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

Devan nodded her head as he responded to her question. She didn't quite understand what he could be doing that could be termed a preemptive strike, but then again she didn't pretend to know anything about computers so she didn't bother to ask about that.

When Logan asked about her ankle, she pulled her hand back from it. "It's a little sore, I twisted it." She said it nonchalantly, hating to draw attention to herself in any sort of way.

Devan took his hand and shook it lightly, "Likewise. I haven't seen you around before. Are you just new to the job or to the town as well?"

There'd been so many new people to town that their faces had begun to blend together. She didn't really feel the need to try and get to know any of them. It wasn't in her personality to be friendly with people she didn't know but she was far too polite to ignore her coworker.

Some days Devan missed the way things were when she could walk down the street and not be assaulted by new faces or tourists looking for a certain place. Other days though the new faces were a welcome change, it lended a hand to anonymity and that was something she relished. In a town this small people gossiped far too much for her tastes and for awhile when she was younger the gossip would focus on her. At first, it would grate on her nerves but as she'd gotten older she'd learned to ignore it.

Of course, she was getting more time at work because of all of these new people. It seemed that they enjoyed coming to the library to poke around in the towns history. She was more than happy to steer them towards the appropriate books. Plus they also helped to curb the annoying feeling of being watched and followed. She wasn't sure when it had begun but since the arrival of tourists and such the feelings had lessened.

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

"That's gotta suck," was Logan's nonchalant reply to her injury. He didn't know a thing about first aid and his knowledge on ankle injuries only extended as far as, 'put an ice pack on it'. So he figured the best he could do was to offer his sympathy in the form of that sentence.

"Nah well, I was born here but we've been away for college and got back maybe six months ago? Just been hangin' out since then and I figured it was time I got a job so here I am," Logan explained as though he were just talking to an old friend. He hadn't even realized the 'we' that he had thrown in there. He had spent a great deal of his life separating himself from his brother in order to be seen as an individual and he was sure Ethan had tried to do the same as some point but it always went back to it being about the two of them. It made sense though. With their abilities, they only really had each other.

"Have you always been here?" Logan asked, about to save the changes he made before grinning at a new idea for a second then pulling up something else and typing more unreadable code into it. Finding links to the files on his own computer, he was glad for the network that connected every computer in the library. With his own admin account and password he felt like he had that one password to rule them all. It was actually kinda cool.. For him anyway.

Closing those programs, he let the computer restart. "All done," he said, swiveling around in his chair. "I added something new to it too but if you don't like it I can disable it," he said before turning back again and watching it boot up. This was the computer she used exclusively so he figured making it more interesting would be cool and entertaining.

When it started up, instead of the sound of those familiar notes from windows starting it, the computer simply spoke in a voice used by some of the programs for the visually impaired. It said, "Good morning Miss Harper," and Logan grinned at his accomplishment.

"Like it or hate it? Be honest, I can deal with criticism," he said, facing her and looking at her for her response to his tweaking of one of the operating system's most basic functions.

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

Devan nodded her head a bit, "I have some herbs at home that will help." She just wasn't looking forward to the walk home, but she didn't live very far from the library so she figured it wouldn't make it that much worse for her.

"We?" She inquired politely. Usually she wouldn't ask so many questions but it was a very slow day and she'd already finished the book she'd brought with her. It only made sense to pass the rest of her time here with a little mindless chatter. It also helped to keep her mind off of her ankle, which had begun to throb again.

Devan smiled at his question of whether she'd always been there. It was nice to meet someone who'd grown up here who she didn't actually know, someone who didn't know what had happened to Dylan. She hated talking about that with people and to this day people still inquired about how she was dealing with life with no family. "Yes, born and raised."

"I guess getting older means I don't know all of the younger people born here." Of course, she'd probably know his parents, but she wasn't going to say that. She didn't want to get into a conversation about people she'd most likely been friendly with before Dylans death.

Her attention turned to the computer when he mentioned he'd added something new to it and when it spoke to her she couldn't help but laugh. It was odd to her to have her computer know her name but amusing at the same time. "Honestly? It's a bit odd, but I like it. Will it say anything else?"

She wasn't sure if her question came off as ignorant or if it was a normal thing someone would ask, but for once she didn't care. She leaned forward a bit as she waited for a reply. It was truly interesting what he'd done with her computer.

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

"Herbs? That stuff really works?" Logan asked, looking a little skeptical. He never really bought into that whole hocus pocus magic stuff but then maybe he should. Being able to make any electronic device do his bidding wasn't exactly normal either so hey, maybe herbs did have some kind of effect. He knew accupunture kind of worked so maybe the Chinese were right because they used all those herbs and stuff too.

"Yyeah, me and my brother. We're twins so, college was at the same time as both of us," Logan explained.

"Really? How come I've never seen you around before?" he asked, not really expecting an answer because there wasnn't really any good ones she could give. She wondered then how old she was. She didn't look too much older than him. If anything, she looked to be about his age. How come he hadn't seen her in high school? Maybe he just wasn't looking hard enough.

Logan raised an eyebrow and leaned back a bit to get a better view of her. Had he missed something? Because she didn't look all that old so.. What did she even mean? "How old are you?" Logan couldn't help but ask.

"Nah, it's switch to good afternoon and all because it's linked to the clock but I can get it to say more if you want," Logan explained. This was all just fun for him and being able to do this sort of thing without his abilities just made it all the more exciting. He liked impressing people with it but of course, things didn't always go the way he planned which was why doing what he could do was always a nice back up plan.

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

Devan laughed at his incredulous tone when she mentioned the herbs. She nodded her head a bit, "Yes they do work, if you know what to do with them at least." She happens to be one of the best when it comes to mixing herbs and knowing what they work for and what to do with them. "It's better then putting drugs in your system."

She'd never been a strong believer when it came to modern medicine. It was good for certain things but people relied on it far too much in this day and age. They wanted to pop a pill for every little ache and pain. She smiled to hide the flinch that overtook her before she could stop it when he mentioned he had a twin. "That's wonderful, where did you go to school?"

Devan laughed again when he asked her why he'd never seen her before. "I suppose we travel in different circles." Devan knew she looked young for her age, she supposed it was one of the perks of being an elemental. She had the appearance of someone much younger, but she was still human in her mind. Not like the other supernatural beings that inhabited this town. She would die a lot sooner then any of them would, unless they were killed.

"Didn't your mom ever tell you it was impolite to ask a lady her age?" A smirk graced her lips as she studied him. She didn't like to give her age away because people who weren't like her tended to think she was either lying or something unnatural when they learned her true age. Usually when she met someone new and they wanted to know her age she'd shave off twenty or so years to avert suspicion.

Devan shook her head slowly, "I think that it would be more then a little odd if it said too much." Offering him a polite smile, Devan stood and moved her stool back to where it belonged. "So what did you major in in school?" She figured it had something to do with computers but she knew that there were a lot of different things one could study when studying that.

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

Logan thought about it for a second. It definitely seemed to make sense. Herbs were kind of like medicine in some ways so maybe they really did work. "I guess that makes sense," he admitted.

"UCLA," Logan answered, oblivious to her initial reaction to it. He had never been one to look too closely to these sorts of things.

"I guess so," Logan decided. Before leaving, his circles extended as far as home and high school so maybe she had enough years on him to not have been there but still, Logan thought she looked young, and attractive too but he wasn't about to say that out loud... At least not intentionally.

"Oh.. right. Sorry," Logan said, realizing she was probably right and this was just one of those things you avoided when talking to a woman. Along with the whole 'no you don't look fat in that' routine.

"Yeah, I could make it seem almost alive but then fake alive is probably better actual artificial intelligence. Actually no, A.I would be cool just as long as you don't go too far and create skynet... Unless you work out time travel first then maybe there'd be a way to stop it but I highly doubt that's ever gonna happen and I'm rambling again, sorry," Logan said with a slightly embarrassed grin. 'Don't sound like a total dork in front of the pretty lady Logan', he told himself. He tended to get a little carried away with things sometimes especially when it involved computers, technology, comic books and a couple of other geeky topics.

Logan stood when she put the stool away, figuring it was time for him to go back to his little corner but then she asked her question, "Computer Science and Maths with a minor in Physics," he explained. He had done really well too and although he had all that potential, Logan was happy with where he was right now.

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

“That’s a great college,” Devan smiled as she thought about her own time at college. She’d ended up staying in Mercy and just traveling to the local community college for the first two years. Then she’d spent two years at NYU, but she’d traveled home nearly every time she had the chance. People at the school just hadn’t understood her and she tended to be a bit of a loner.

Devan laughed, “Don’t worry about it, I don’t take offense to the question.” She still wasn’t planning on answering it though but if he was persistent she’d just tell him in her late twenties.

Devan merely raised an eyebrow as he rambled on about computers and artificial intelligence. She offered him a small smile when he finished and shook her head, “You don’t have to apologize about something you’re obviously passionate about. Far too few people are passionate about something these days.”

She could almost hear her mothers voice in her head telling her the exact same thing after Dylan had died and she’d thrown herself into her school work. The memory brought back some of the saddest times in Devan’s life so she pushed the thoughts away and turned her attention back to Logan. She was impressed by his studies and it showed on her face.

“That’s incredible, must be odd working as a tech in a library.” She stated with a smile and twinkle in her eyes to show she was joking.

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

"Good I guess," Logan said. She still wasn't answering and he didn't want to push the issue. He did however feel as though he needed to provide her with some sort of explanation. It wasn't as though he asked every person for her age for no real reason at all but he was curious. He wasn't sure why he hadn't seen her around if she wasn't too much older than him. "I was just curious because you don't look a lot older than me and I figured I might have seen you around or something before now," Logan explained.

Logan just smiled. At least he didn't have to apologize all the time around her and at least he could be himself so that was a plus. he liked doing what he did. Logan actually enjoyed reading up on what was going on with new technologies. it was just something that he had always loved and it wasn't simply an interest, it was more like a part of him.

Logan just smiled. Most people thought he was pretty well qualified and couldn't understand what he was doing here. Logan had even gotten job offers but he likes taking the easy road and just enjoying life for now. Though the main reason he chose to stay in such a small town was his family. He wanted to be closer to them and this was it. There just weren't all that many technical jobs in town and this was about the best he could fine.

"It's not odd. I mean, it was best I could fine here but at least I've got my family and friends and in the end that's what matters, right?" Logan said, more thinking out loud than actually explaining why he had allowed himself to end up her.

[DEVAN JACQUELYN HARPER]

Devan narrowed her eyes a bit as he continued with the age topic, but her face didn't change other then that to show she was annoyed by this. "Well, how old are you? I'm assuming twenty-two or twenty-three since you just graduated from college. I'm a bit older then that, and I'm pretty good with faces I would've remembered if we'd met."

She offered him a pleasant smile to further mask her annoyance as she began straightening up her desk. Her shift was nearly over and she was looking forward to a glass of wine and a good book. Then again she might just stop by the crypt and see how Diana was, she hadn't seen the woman in a few days.

Packing a few things in her bag, she sat down at her desk for a moment to log off of the computer. A small chuckle escaped as her computer spoke again and she shook her head slightly before turning her attention back to Logan. "It really is amazing the things you are able to do with computers. I've never had any talent when it comes to them though."

When he mentioned that he didn't mind the job because it kept him close to his family she gave him a sad smile. "Yes, that is what matters."

Even with her family dead, she'd never leave Mercy. It was her only connection to them and she would die before she ever broke it. She may only visit her brother once a year and her mom even less then that but she saw them in the town. She'd pass by a certain spot or building and it would bring a memory of her family to mind. Sometimes they were sad memories, but they were memories none the less and she wasn't able to give that up.

[LOGAN JAMES HEWITTE]

Logan sort of looked on in awe not entirely sure where she was going and only after realizing she was still skirting around the issue and avoiding telling him her age so Logan figured he'd stop talking about it. Instead he just stared at her like a deer in some headlights for a moment then looked away and moved on to the next thing.

"Well, I've never been good with herbs so I guess we're all good at something," Logan said, noticing she was already starting to put her stuff away. Checking his watch, Logan realized he had spent more time here than he had anticipated. He hadn't planned on sticking around and having a whole conversation with this woman but he had and he thought he should probably get going soon, especially with her starting to pack her things away, he took it as a sign.

"Yeah," Logan added when she seemed to agree with his statement. She seemed a little sad or something but Logan didn't want to pry so he said nothing else on the subject.

"I guess I should get back to my desk," he said moving past her. "It was nice meeting you. I'm sure I'll see you around," he said with a smile. He figured it was about time he got to more work, it was what he was being paid for after all.