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There were some days in which taking a girl shopping was an okay thing to do... And then there were days like today.

He had brought Drii with him because it was either drag her along or leave her at home with his mother and the latter was not an option. Not when Nodel had embarassing pictures that she seemed to thrive on showing all of his friends. Drii was now missing. Missing. How could one loose a 5'4", boyish pixie-looking girl?

Sighing he gave up his search. Knowing her she'd pop up right when he either least expected or least wanted her to and that was just fine for the moment. She could go ahead and stay lost while he slipped into the store claiming to specialize in 'all of everyone's magical needs'. There were a few things that he wanted to pick up and, while it would be cheaper to just get them from his Uncle he didn't want to go through being asked what they were for... Or lectured on their uses.

From the commotion he would've assumed that he'd found Drii but the young woman he looked up to see juggling books looked nothing like his friend. She did, on the other hand, look terribly embarassed and a bit like she could use some help. His mother had always encouraged him to help a damsel in distress.

He made his way over to the shelves of books, stooping down to help her gather some of the ones that had fallen. "Books like this are generally made to withstand a good tossing about... Especially the hardback ones." He grinned as he stood, carefully adjusting the books against his arm so that he could reach down to offer her a hand up. "I've seen enough of them thrown by a friend of mine in frustration after a botched spell. I'm sure they're just fine... Now you? Are you alright, miss?"

He chuckled softly, smiling brightly as he released her hand, turning to reshelve the books he'd gathered from the floor. "It was hard enough watching my Uncle Ja'reth trying to compensate and balance when his wings first sprouted. I doubt I could do it myself. I've had a hard enough time as is keeping my head straight with horns."

Once the books were back where they belonged he turned to the young woman. He gave a deep, theatrical bow in an attempt to lighten the mood and, perhaps, relieve her of a bit of embarassment by drawing attention to himself. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Bronnie." He remained 'serious' for all of five seconds after that, grinning as he glanced up at her. "I'm Keith."

"Only when they grow... And on and off for about a week after while I get used to them." He brought his hand up, scratching lightly at the sensitive skin around the base of his horns. They had just grown recently and he was still getting used to everything... Especially the curve.

His brow lofted slightly as he leaned in, curious. "If you don't mind me asking, and tell me to bugger off if you do, what are you looking for? Perhaps there's something I might be able to help you with. I don't claim to be an expert... But Nodel has dozens upon dozens of books..." And the Keep had even more. He might be able to suggest one, at least.

"Hmm... Now that is a tough one." He pondered for a moment. "Neither of them are all that hard to find subject matter on if you know where to look and you're looking for them seperately but... Together?" He shook his head slowly. "That's something I'd have to ask either Nodel or Uncle about. As good as this place is, I doubt you'll find anything on it here."

"Unless..." He turned back towards the shelves, letting his fingertips trail down the spine of one of the larger books. He pulled it out, flipping it open to the back with his brow furrowed. His 'serious concentration' face always made his friend, Balin, laugh... He tried not to be serious often.

When he found what he was looking for he flipped through the pages again. "No... Even this lists them seperately." He turned the book so that she could see it. "It has a good bit about shadow manipulation but, from what I've been told, most shadow manipulators don't share their secrets well."

"If you'd like, I could probably question my uncle to see if he's heard of anything. The Keep has an entire library flooded with books I've never read before..." He left it implied that he was almost certain his uncle had, at one point in time, enough spare time on his hands to go through and read all of them.

He managed not to laugh as he shook his head slowly. "I suppose I lucked out... There are so many different dragon types in my family and, somehow, I managed to be the least destructive of all of them. Mother's always gone on about how happy she is that I don't take after Nodel's knack for potion making."

He had gotten so used to life at the Keep where everyone was either dragon, half-dragon or, in some way, related to one that he hadn't realized that there were other creatures here that had horns for one reason or another. "Half." He nodded with a smile. "Nodel used to joke that I was half dragon, half weed with how quickly I sprouted up."

He ran his hand back through his hair, looking almost sheepish for a moment as he looked at the young woman. "I forgot it's not always easy to tell. I just assumed you..." He gestured in the air with his hand. "Well, that you were. Outside of the Keep I've never really run into anyone else before..."