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Philip listened to Nicholai's reply about his editor. He gave a small wry smile. "That's nice. Having someone to look out for you like that" he replied. "I generally don't like people, I don't really have friends, but I do hope I have that one day. A real friend who looks out for me." He finished his milk then got up and stretched. "Do you want to look around shop, see what books I've got?"

Philip smiled and nodded. "I guess you probably have seen most of what I have. I do have a few really rare books that I keep in a locked glass cabinet. And I have one book I keep in the safe. I didn't buy it, my aunt Elizabeth left it to me in her will, it's worth a small fortune but I'll never sell it" he told Nicholai. "I'll just put these back in the kitchen. You go poke around if you like."


((Sounds fine to me))

Philip took the mug, glass and plate of cheese snacks back to the kitchenette. He quickly washed up the crockery and put the remaining cheese pastries back in the tin. He washed and dried his hands then went back into the little shop to find Nicholai, who'd called out something to him about one of his books. The man looked a little paler, he thought, as though something had worried or upset him. Maybe it was his imagination, he seemed calm enough. "Which book? Oh, that. I haven't been able to find out anything about the author. Odd. I got it from a guy who does house clearances. He gives me any old books he finds. It was in a big old trunk of books he found in an attic in some old house somewhere. Why? You can have it if you like."



((Really good idea, I like it))

Philip smiled and shook his head. "You don't have to repay me. It's not likely to sell anyhow. It's not a well known book. I had never heard of the author." He had told Nicholai he hadn't found out anything about the author; that was true but then he really hadn't tried that hard. May be he would see what he could find out about him. Nicholai certainly seemed to be behaving a little oddly about the book, almost disturbed by it somehow, which seemed strange. No way was he going to ask him about it though, he wasn't going to repeat his mistake in the cafe. He liked Nicholai a lot and he didn't want to risk losing his friendship over a book. He smiled. "I can't take any of your books! Unless of course you have a copy of Nicholas Hardinge's Poems, Latin, Greek, and English published in 1818. There were only ever 250 copies ever printed. It's not actually worth that much, about $80 I suppose, but I'd love to find a copy." He laughed, he was joking of course, it would be a near miracle if Nicholai had a copy. He'd been looking for one for years. "So, I'll see you on my birthday, right? Unless you want to grab a coffee sometime before then. I know you're busy with the deadline for your book."


(( smile ))

Philip was humming away happily to himself as be busied himself with sorting out a box of books he'd found thrown out in a dumpster. Most were likely to go straight into the recycling bin but there were two or three definitely worth putting on the bookshelf for sale. He was in a good mood. He had won the poetry competition he'd entered, he had sold several books include one rare one so money wasn't such a worry, and he was looking forward to seeing Nicholai again. He had done some research on Alexander Alstairs and found out a fair bit. It seemed the Alstairs were a notably family. He'd noted down all he'd found out and was going to present the information to Nicholai, to go along with the book. He heard the buzzer as someone entered the shop. "Be right with you," he called out. A moment later he felt a hand on his back. He swung around in surprise and found himself alarmingly close to Lyle. With his back against the desk there wasn't really much room for movement now. "Um...Dr Schuman. What are you doing here?" he asked him nervously. "I thought I'd come and see how you're doing with your little hobby. Thought I'd help out by buying a book" the man told him. Philip squirmed sideway away from him. "It's not a hobby and I don't need any help, thank you. You're welcome to look at the books of course and buy if you wish. But would you please give me a bit of space?" Lyle gave him a rather creepy smile. "Oh, don't be like that, Pip. I'm just being friendly. I thought we really hit it off at the opening. Just be friendly back." He stroked the neko's tail. "I don't like that. I said give me space please" Philip repeated but Lyle showed no signs of retreating. He leaned in and kissed the boy's ear. Philip felt nauseous. He wondered how to get rid of him. He clearly wasn't taking no for an answer and physcially the petite lythe neko was no match for Lyle. He quickly put his hand in his pocket. He had his cell phone in there. Nicholai was on speed dial, all he had to do was press 1 and the green button and hopefully Nicholai would answer and realise something was wrong. He pressed the buttons. "Dr Schuman, if you don't get out I'll have to call my father. I don't want you here" he said loudly. Lyle grabbed his wrists, pulled his hand from his pocket. "You're not phoning anyone. And your dad told you to be nice to me. This isn't being nice, is it, Pip? I'll treat you good, give you presents, pay for your little shop to keep going. Just be friendly." Philip welled up and struggled.

Philip was just so relieved to see Nicholai. He got there so quickly - he must have been nearby already, thank goodness! He hauled Lyle off him and demanded to know who he was. Lyle protested at the manhandling, struggling to get out of Nicholai's hold. "For f..cks sake get off me!" he exclaimed angrily. "It's none of your bloody business who I am!" Philip immediately moved to behind Nicholai. He was shaking and his eyes watery. "It's Dr Lyle Schuman. The guy I told you about" he told Nicholai in a tremulous voice.

Philip didn't resist at all when Nicholai gently took his chin and kissed him. It wasn't a long kiss, it wasn't a really passionate kiss. It was soft, gentle...perfect. Philip melted into the kiss then stared at Nicholai, blinking, when it ended. "I'm okay thanks" he replied a little breathily. "He...he didn't hurt me much, just my arm." He held out his wrist, red from where Lyle had grasped him tightly. A small thumb-print bruise was appearing. Lyle glared at them both. "Your father said you didn't have a boyfriend" he said irritably, stepping back though. Philip leaned against Nicholai. "My father doesn't know everything about me" he replied. "Please leave." Lyle gave Nicholai a deathly glare then turned and marched out. Philip heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much!" he said. "I was so scared! Um...that...that was just for Lyle's sake I suppose?" He looked up at him with a soft smile and hopeful eyes.



((Perfect! They should do my psych test again - I'm jealous of a fictional rp character! lol biggrin ))