[From the Ashes] Renee Helps Her Uncle

The Tandelore bookstore is located in one of the older section of town. While the streets are paved, you can practically imagine cobblestone streets all around it. It is small and has letters that seem decades old on the front that simply says, "Book store." How it has survived when so many other shops like it have died is a bit of an amazing mystery but inside it is a book lover's paradise with all kinds of nooks and crannies. It seems like some used book stores might, but there are no used book policies or turn in sections anywhere.

Renee steps into the bookstore in awe, inhaling of the history that surrounds this place and gently lets her fingers run over the spine of one of the old books that fill the shelves. Her eyes bright blue and sparkling with curiosity as she looks around the store for a moment.

The bell rings and there is a small cry of "Good morning" from the back. A few patrons wander about, looking at various rare and obscure tomes. It has a feel of distinguishment to the place, of prestige and age. There is a small stuffed owl in the corner that seems to stare at her, with original artwork crammed on every wall that doesn't have a shelf. And those places are few and far between. The register is clearly mechanical with an old fashioned analog phone right next to it.

Renee smiles softly at the voice and looks up at the owl. "Good Morning Sir." Stepping further into the store, in search of the voice. Still her eyes glancing over the titles of books as they catch her interest. The entire store like walking back in time for her and she catch faint glimpses in her mind, and pulls her hands away from the old tomes.

The proprietor, Zebidiah, comes out and looks around. The voice is familiar to him. He looks right at her and says, "Do I know you?" There are several rather impressive titles and she finds herself near the archaeology and cultures of the world section. This is high value stuff and only about half of it is really old.

Renee keeps a tone of deep respect as she answers, "You may have known my uncle Sir." She closes her eyes a moment, "Lewis DeRossi?" Her eyes meeting his own as she considers him thoughtfully, and wondering if she should be here. "I am his neice, Morgan."

Zebidiah beams, "Ah Lewis. How is he these days? It's been some time since I've seen him. Pleasure to meet you. You know, I have a book of his he lent me, I never did get it back to him. Completely slipped my mind actually.

Renee takes a deep breath and offers softly, taking her time on how to answer his question. "I am sorry to say he has passed away Sir."

He blinks and mutters to himself, "Don't read the obituaries, she said. You'll be an old man before your time, she said." He sighs and looks at her. "I am terribly sorry for your loss. How well did you know your Uncle?"

Renee takes a deep breath and offers softly, taking her time on how to answer his question. "I am sorry to say he has passed away Sir."

The man gently puts his hand on Renee's shoulders as she takes a deep breath. "I am so sorry. I saw a picture of you from 10 years ago. You have grown into a lovely creature. Your empathy is appreciated. Let me get you the book." He motions her toward the back

Renee steps to the back as he guides her. A light blush reaching her cheeks. "Thank you Sir for such a kind compliment." Still this is very hard for her and she is trying to keep her emotions from spilling out.

He smiles and pinches her cheek a bit, and then goes to the back. He keeps his thoughts to himself and fortunately has a mind shield so Renee can't immediately sense them. He grabs a book in a quaint little office that has sunlight pouring through the window

Renee's cheeks grow a bit redder from the pinch, and she bites her lip. "May I ask, how you and my uncle met?" She is obviously a bit curious about him and tries only very subtly to get an impression from him.

He looks at her and says, "Well, we met when he was investigating the old Holstead house. It was a very harrowing experience." She might recall that her Uncle had been with some people then who had heart the dead.

Renee offers softly remember bits and pieces. "You were trying to fight against dead?" She looks confused as that only brings up its own set of question. "What kind of dead?"

Laughing he shrugs, "Well it ended up that way. Horrible ghosts, like nothing we ever saw before or since. I ended up learning....things....and your uncle became obsessed with the herafter. We exchanged some information but it was...not good.

Renee shakes her head. "What kind of Ghosts?" Now she is really confused, because is that not what her uncle is now. "Do you still chase them? What kind of horrible ghosts? What things did you learn?" Her questions slow, and her face unable to hide the emotions and thoughts going through her mind, in fact she is starting to look a little overwhelmed. "Please tell me?"

"Angry, dark creatures, monstrous parodies of what they were in life. No, heavens no, I avoid them at all costs. I've warded this place from any kind of ghost. I've learned that ghosts have powers and secrets, dark terrible secrets.

Renee is trying to catch her breath, "You are a...Mage? The tomes here full of... " Her mind trying to make connections and piece the puzzle together. Her uncle one of the ghosts, that his friend now avoids. The color draining from her face. Surely her uncle would never harm her though. Even as a ghost. Her eyes closing as she tries her best to regain her barings.

He laughs, "I'm a man who knows a few parlor tricks. There are...rumors...legends of brilliant near perfect creatures called mages who should always be listened to, but the sheer perfection described is what causes me to disbelieve they exist, but I have learned a few rituals and spells.

Renee shakes her head at him, "A few parlor tricks? You said yourself enough to ward your store from ghosts, and who knows what else? Why should they be listened to? Why do you doubt they exist?" Every answer begging her to ask more questions.

"Oh, well it was a book written by a mage who seemed too wise to be real. This is an imperfect world and I've never met anyone perfect. So I might believe in ...well, almost anything but not that. And warding, summoning and binding? I can do some of that. a few other minor things. Did your uncle teach you about an of this?

Renee offers softly, "He tried to teach me as he could, but he was busy a lot. He let me read his books anytime he visited, but I never actually practiced any of what I read. I felt things though, heard things. And Uncle Lewis tried to protect me."

He nodded, "Well...there are special volumes that I can ...loan you or sell you as you can. I wouldn't trust most with them but in your case I can make an exception. Oh! Your Uncle's book, I nearly forgot

Renee blushes softly, "He really wanted me to have it. It was important. I thank you for holding onto it for so long. I was wondering if I could borrow some of your books on archaeology as well? I promise I will guard them with my life."

He grrms and shrugs, "I don't lend, but I do rent very cheaply since you are your uncle's neice.

Renee smiles at that and offers, "How much would you charge? I also do some restoration work, if every need any done."

He beams, "Oh I have so much restoration work I need its not even funny, yes, that should do nicely." He goes back and finds a thick leather tome, at least twenty pounds and comes forward, offering it to Renee. As soon as she touches it, she is aware of a secret compartment inside of the book.