Routine [Sima Oratio]

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Lilith had arrived at work and started sorting through the books, as she always did, taking pile after pile into her arms, and weaving in and out of the rows of bookcases. If someone were watching her, she had no doubt that it would be quite comical for them, but she'd long since stopped caring about that. After about four or five more piles of sorting and putting away, Lilith took a small break, leaning against the central desk, shared amongst the workers. Today she wasn't the head librarian, but a on staff helper, which she was okay with. She greeted the other girl that was at the desk with a smile, and went to grab her back and her journal, but realized she'd left them at home. She was so preoccupied with questions about Sima, she'd completely forgotten her regular routine. Lilith shook her head, and instead of taking her regular break of writing and drawing, she went to a far end of the library on the second floor, found a random book and began to read.  It was easy to lose time while reading, and Lilith had been completely lost in it when another co-worker approached her, telling her there was more piles to go through. Lilith smiled and put the book away where she'd found it, and slowly made her way down the stairs back to the first floor. It seemed like such a tedious job to most - sorting pile after pile of books into alphabetical order, then by genre and section, then taking each section to the proper floor and case, one after the other. She did all by hand, no carts, no devices, and she loved it. She always made a list in her mind of books to take out and read some day, as she always found new ones in her piles.

And so this is how her day went, piles and piles of sorting, a few reading breaks, and the occasional question from someone passing through. Many people asked if Lilith would ever want to quit, find a new job, but her answer was always the same: Why on earth would I want to leave this place? The work is good and consistent, the people are wonderful, and I learn new things everyday.

Lilith went on with her day, as she did everyday. It was busy today as well, which was always a pleasant surprise. Lilith loved seeing people read about new things, new interests. It was another reason she loved this job. Whenever she was asked, she got to help people find their new interests. It was wonderful. It was a routine she's created for herself and she absolutely loved it. 

[Sima Oratio]

Sima followed the scent of Lillith's to her workplace. Sima moved quickly and entered the library. Using his nose he attempted to find out if Lillith was near him, and when he figured she wasn't he put his plan into action. Sima walked up the first worker he noticed. "Hello I was wondering if you could give this to a special someone for me please?, Her name is Lillith" Sima spoke confidently and he stood tall. The person looked slightly confused. She was even a bit intimidated by how tall Sma was it seemed. She nodded. Sima then headed to look around the library. The librarian was curious looking at the flower. "White roses?" The librarian almost seemed sort of skiddish looking at them. She did note Sima's ring, but was confused not hearing any information on Lillith being engaged. She headed over to another co-worker to do the noble thing. Gossip! She headed over and began whispering what she noticed. "Turns out Lilltih is engaged? Have you heard anything about this?" She questioned the other librarian. "Can you get this to her?" She asked curiously. While the librarian was gossiping Sima was looking around attempting to find a book about the world's history and loaning information. He was pretty smart to stay away from Lillith's scent for now. 

He eventually made his way into an interesting section of action books. Sima was curiously looking at the books until he spotted one that caught his eyes. "A demon under the bed" In fact this intrigued him a little, and he peered into the book. Once again demons were mostly considered scary, and it kind of terrified him. He was only looking at one book however, so it could be different. 

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Lilith was still sorting through the books, creating more piles for her to return to their homes, when one of her coworkers approached her, looking nervous and giddy. Lilith? Uhm.. These came for you... She handed Lilith the roses, her face red, staring at her intently.

What? These are for me? Lilith was stunned, and took the roses, inspecting them. This was so odd for her, she was so confused. White roses...? Her faces turned pink, and she couldn't speak to thank the girl before her. Lilith! Are you engaged? Why didn't you tell us!? Lilith took a step back, hitting a bookcase, completely shocked.

Engaged!? What! No! Of course I'm not! She was flustered, her words coming out broken and choppy.

Oh really? Because the man who brought you these was wearing an engagement ring, and he called you a "Special Someone." Common Lilith, it's not like we would tease you. You can tell us these things!. The girl turned to leave but Lilith followed her, wanting her to believe her.

I have no idea what you're talking about! I'm honestly not engaged! I don't even know a man who would be wearing such a thing- She cut her self and stopped walking. She did know someone. The roses were from Sima, and she had a feeling that he'd picked them for a specific reason, other than the colour implied. Her face turned a darker shade of red, and she made her way past her coworker, quickly down the stairs yet again and to the main desk. She'd asked her other cooker where the man had went, since he was clearly not in the foyer anymore. Probably avoiding me Lilith smirked. He was smart. The other librarian pointed her in the direction he'd been in and Lilith made her way over.

Dead man. You are a dead man. Lilith mumbled to herself. She wasn't really angry, just flustered, and embarrassed. She knew her coworkers would never her believe her now, and she had him to blame for it. He messed with her routine, and she was gonna let him know it.

[Sima Oratio]

Sima sat down in an area totally not meant for reading, but the book really did entice him. What happened to this demon under the bed? Was it actually under the bed? Or was it figurative. He began reading and the first words on the book were. "This is not a real story, " Which usually wasn't good because it meant that you couldn't relate to the story, as Sima was trying to do. In fact Sima got so into the book he forgot what he was actually here to do. He read the book slightly out loud. "The woman turned the corner and there she saw a demon, it's horrible eyes staring into her soul" Surely this didn't make Sima feel that good, but he was still interested in the book none the less. "Don't attack me!" The woman cried as the Demon took a step forward, however little did she know their was someone who was meant to do much more then the demon. He continued to flip through the pages one by one until he was a chapter in. He then read something a little too familiar. "The monster devoured" It shook him a little, he was frequently called a monster at his previous world and he hated it. 

Sima decided to stop reading at this point and closed the book, looking around curiously, trying to find a section that would actually have something he was looking for. 

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Lilith looked down different rows of books, different sections, until she thought she found Sima. She was walking along, when she saw a flash of someone sitting in another section. She knew it was him, so she slowed her pace hoping he wouldn't notice her. She made her way around the selves, until she was only a couple away from him. She still held the roses in her arms, and she had to admit they were gorgeous. She sniffed them lightly before continuing on. She peeked around the corner and saw him glancing around looking for something to read. He had a book next to him still, and she wondered what it was. She squinted lightly, but wasn't able to make out the whole title. Just "demon". She paid no mind to it, as the library was filled with such books.

Lilith turned the corner now, a stern look on her face, with the roses nesting in the crook of her left elbow. She raised one eyebrow at him, and without a word expected an explanation. She knew he was trying to be nice, but she couldn't help but feel there was another motive behind it.

[Sima Oratio]

Sima heard footsteps near him and turned his head, noticing immediately that it was Lillith. "Oh hi!" Sima waved toward her happily. Sima grabbed the book that was beside him, and put it hack into it's spot. He then walked up to her noting that she indeed did get his gift. "What's up?" He spoke confidently. Sima could sense something that he had not before in her. Perhaps it was an emotion that he hadn't seen her express yet, whatever it was it made him curious. Perhaps it was a little weird to say the least, but Sima didn't mind, the more he learned about the way she reacted the better he felt about the situation. He had remembered that she did kill a wife, although he didn't see it he could smell it on her at the time they were attacked. So Sima knew that despite her small frame and quite fearful personality she could be brave at times, enough to end the life of something else to protect her own. Not many people had what it took to kill. So what was this new feeling or vibe he was getting off of her, only time would tell. 

Sima could tell she perhaps wasn't happy with him by the way she stood, it was firm, strong. Sima was surprisingly good at telling her body language, but not just hers, many others as well. When you have lived as long as Sima you pick up a few neat tricks. 

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What's up? What's up is I know you set that up on purpose! That's whats up. She was frustrated. She was happy to have gotten the gift, and loved them, but she just knew he had picked out white roses to embarrass her, not for the actually reason of giving someone white roses. And now, here he stood, acting oblivious. Maybe he hadn't known the implications? No, he had to of.

These, why did you give me them? She asked, less angry, but pointing to the roses in her arms. She didn't back away from him at all, even though he stood near her, and kept the strong willed pose she held. She would get answers out of him this time, she was certain. Why did he seek to embarrass her? Looking back, she was sure she'd find it humorous, but at the moment, she just felt flustered.

[Sima Oratio]

Sima was rather surprised she was being so upfront, and standing her ground. He was sure how to react this time. She was taking a rather strong stance, so perhaps it was Sima's turn. "I gave you those because I thought it would be a nice gesture," Sima paused for a moment with a smile. "Plus I like to see you flustered, it's cute." He laughed nervously scratching the back of his head. Sima wasn't sure how she'd react to this information, but he wasn't lying to her. In fact Sima was doing the opposite, he was telling the truth. "So I did give you those white roses to tease you a little, I'm sorry I couldn't resist!" He smiled brightly. "Your just so darn cute when your so flustered" Sima absently looked up as if thinking, although he just didn't want to look an angry woman in the eye. "I know it was wrong to do, BUT!" Sima emphasized the but. "You'll be pleased to know I think I have a spot for setting up my restaurant, now it may take a while to set up this restaurant, and I won't be able to start it paying for Inn rooms all the time!" Sima was pretty good at this. 

"So I thought that if you gave me a place to stay while setting things up, I could make you food, It's not like I don't clean up after myself either!" He laughed nervously. "And then you could come to my restaurant and get a big discount! I mean I'm trying to make it non-profit, so I can't give you a lifetime supply of free meals at the restaurant, but I can certainly personally make you food! Think about it though, when I become a big famous chef, you could be the one I'm thanking in interviews!" He smiled brightly while chuckling happily. Sima wasn't really sure how this would work out, but he did want to spend more time with her. This allowed him to do exactly that, and even though she would probably be teased by her co-workers of their 'engagement' and the sudden appearance of him moving into the house, he thought it would make her happy, she would have someone to talk to about her day, and to share things about his. It was something that Sima missed that he often only shared with his spouse, but now it seemed he was doing that with Lilltih, and enjoying so as well. 

Sima was slightly terrified at how quickly she grew on him, but he was never afraid of change, and perhaps this was the change he needed to be happy. "So what do you say?.." Sima looked at her with curious eyes. 

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Lilith didn’t know what to say. She was at a loss for words for more reason than one. Had Sima just called her cute, twice? Her face slowly brightened in colour, and the tips of her pointed ears did as well. Her anger dissipated quickly, as though it was never there. She was happy he’d admitted what he did for the reasons she had previously assumed, and she felt slight pride in having guessed if before hand.

I knew you did it on purpose… She muttered below her breath, and it was her first and initial response to all he had said. She knew exactly would her final answer would be, for how could she say no to him after all, she said she’d wanted to help him. She was compelled by the idea of food on a regular basis. She didn’t mind what she made for herself, but it was horrible compared to what he had made her. She chewed on her lip absently as she mulled it over in her head, occasionally meeting his eyes.

If she said yes to him -like she intended to- she wouldn’t come home to an empty house everyday… wouldn’t be alone at night or in the mornings. She’d have someone to talk to when something amazing happened, vent to if she was angry, or someone to cry to if something bad occurred… A friend, a real friend. More than that? She shook her head immediately pushing that thought away - probably looking silly to Sima in the process That was not something to think about right now. Right now he was her friend, and he needed a place to stay.

Yes. I say yes. BUT She paused, raising her index figure to point at him, poking him in the nose.

This time I have some conditions. One: Please never do this again, because they’re never going to believe that I’m not actually engaged! She let out a frustrated sigh. Two: Talk to me if something is bothering you please. I don’t like seeing you hold something back the way you did last night. It looks painful. And three: Next time I need to go into the forest for herbs -which will be soon, as I never actually got some yesterday- please come with me, you know, just in case? She smiled at him, happy with the new situation, happy that she knew for a fact she would be seeing him more, and that he wasn’t just a passing acquaintance. She leaned in and sniffed her roses again softly, her face still red from before.

[Sima Oratio]

Sima was rather impressed with her response. "Good it's settled then!" Sima smiled happily, he then turned around. Sima looked around the area and noticed that it was kind of dull, he wanted to spend time with Lillith, but she was at work so what option did he really have. He gazed across looking down at her. It was getting late, and dark out, perhaps Sima should go look on her average route for any odd looking individuals. "Hey, I'm going to check one thing, but I should back before your shift is done!" Sima headed outside the library quickly, using his nose to trace her usual router. Sima didn't think checking on her route was crazy, although it certainly seemed like it to anyone else who would find out. Sima was doing this because he was afraid now, he knew he would spending time with her a lot, and he didn't want to lose someone who was close to him. Sima had lost everyone, everyone he had every loved, liked, or was remotely close to him. He wasn't going to let this happen, so like a paranoid dog he sniffed out her routine, constantly checking it back and forth. When he determined it was safe he began heading back to the library, however something caught his attention. 

Sima's nose perked up at a scent he was unfamiliar with. This was extremely rare, Sima had never smelled something that he didn't know what it was for years. What was this mystery scent, obviously Sima had to investigate, but by doing so he absently forgot about returning for Lillith's time to get off. 

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Once Sima had left, Lilith made her way back to the front desk smiling, to put the roses away. She knew the other girls were watching her, gossiping about her, but she tuned them out, knowing telling them the truth wouldn't matter- their minds were made up. For the rest of the night she continued on her routine, sorting books, piling them, and putting them away, over and over, until she'd noticed that the other girls had long since gone home, with the library closed. Lilith scolded herself for losing track of time, and rushed to the desk to gather her things, hoping that Sima hadn't been waiting for her long. Once outside, she looked around but was unable to find him. Assuming he was simply busy with something, she headed home without him, hoping he wouldn't mind. It had been about two minutes when she realized that she'd wanted to purchase a new dagger, having lost the old one. She doubted any place would be open at the current hour, but scouting it out certainly couldn't hurt.

Lilith turned off onto an unusual path and walked slowly, peering into shop windows as she walked, taking her time. Her roses were again nested into the crook of her arms, and every so often she'd catch a whiff of them as she walked, and each time it made her smile. She couldn't wait to get home and put them into water. Lilith decided that looking in the day would be best, so once she was halfway down the street, and turned around and headed back, looking up at the moon, her main light source for the way home.

[Sima Oratio]

As Lillith walked around the scum of the city began waking up. Her beautiful appearance certainly got the attention of some certain thugs. "Keep quiet while we tail her" The thugs noticed her white roses, which were not always cheap. They assumed she had to be walking with something of value. After following her into a darker area they began to show. She was only one woman, but they showed the entire gang because they were afraid that a male might appear and protect the woman, which believe it or not was common for a pretty little thing. "Stay still," The leader spoke, his voice high and rusty. They circled her, giving her no point of escape. "Now stay still and we won't have to do anything rash, you see.." "JIM! Check her out,"  Jim walked over to her, happy and abliged to be the one. "Just stay still hehe.." He smiled. Jim was big and large, yet he sounded as if his IQ was that of a two year olds. 

Jim wasn't much of the sweet talker, and he found it upon himself to 'handle' the merchandise as he looked for something profitable, if not, they had the choice of selling the woman. 

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She had just been walking, heading home to wait for Sima if he wasn't already there. She heard footsteps closing in around her, and tried to walk quicker to avoid their attention. When they showed them selves, creating a circle around her, Lilith stumbled to a stop, her heart racing in her chest. She clung to the roses against her chest, not having anything else to hold on to.

Please... What do you want? I don't have anything to give... please. Her voice shuddered with pure terror. She no longer had her dagger, and hence no longer had any form of protection on her. All she had were the roses. Her breathing was quick, and she couldn't help but try to wrestle away from the dirty man as he began to "search" her, holding her.

Let me go! Her voice rose, scared and shaky as she tried to pull her body away from him, pushing and clawing at him.

Please! Please let me go- Help! Somebody please help me! She called out, still trying to get away, the roses becoming crushed between their bodies.

[Sima Oratio]

When she began to squirm and scream for help Jim panicked, plunging his knife into her side and twisting it. No doubt her body would recoil at this, and the roses would drop to the floor with her. The roses bounced once or twice, petals splitting off the stems as they rested against the floor. Blood only awaited over top of them, it wasn't enough to render Lillith to die, but it certainly was painful. She could stay conscious too, and certainly one would assume she wanted to pass out. Her blood covered the white roses, only leaving a small white minute white. "We, we can still her?" He asked his boss worriedly. 

Sima had given up on searching, he thought that returning back to Lillith would be more important. When he was getting rather close to the area he noticed a scent that made his heart kick into overdrive. The scent of Lillith's blood. The look on Sima's face was not a playful one. Sima leaped up to the tops of the buildings, no longer worried about anyone seeing him do this unnatural feats .Sima rushed to the location, thankfully the winds lead directed to him so he was able to smell the scent of her blood. Sima slowed his pace as he came closer. 

The group looked at her, many skeptical. Jim just shrugged. "There's nothing to worry about!" Then the air turned silent as a tremendous shock was heard to the right. Everyone looked to see a spark of red, only faded. "What was that?" Jim asked curiously, and little did he know that was the sound of Sima leaping over 15 feet in the air. He then came leaping down on top of the large man his hand grabbing his skull and slamming it into the brick fast enough for his head to split. Sima stood up tall, his full six foot stature and lean body was rather intimidating, especially with sparks of red electricity. "LEAVE!" Sima's voice was no longer just Sima, but a secondary voice resided in their, a darker deeper voice, that made him sound rather satanic. The men shook at the sight. "Stay steady men, he is just some fated I bet, nothing to worry about eh?"  The men seemed reassured and stepped towards Sima. Sima wasn't quite used to this, fighting so freely, without restriction, so he began to head towards the leader full force, but he slipped on the present he handed to Lilltih. Sima was able to roll, but was met with the blades of the people around him. He brought up his forearms and blocked the attacks, his face almsot without a flinch. Sima was used to this, but what he wasn't used to was a mortal body. One of the 5 now left had a spear, and quickly rammed it into Sima's chest. He then pushed Sima back against the wall. "Hold e'm still!" The leader barked order. 

Sima was coming free from his grasp until the rest of the men helped push the spear. It took 4 out of the 5 now left men to keep Sima pushed against the wall. Sima was upset with himself, in his world he was much stronger then this, but their was limits to his normal body. "Your going to die," He smirked "I'm going to cut you up, and you'll never see daylight again" He chuckled. Sima moved forward in anger and the 4 man were pushed back slightly and quickly clambered back against the spear to keep him against the wall. 

"I think we can keep you, not sure what price a fated will be on the slave trade, but you can watch this little thing be bought and resold at auction sound fun" The thought of being a slave again pierced his head. Sima didn't want to let lose, he didn't want to show Lilltih this side of him, but perhaps this was time. Lillith had only known him for two days, but if he didn't do this then their would be no more of her to know him with. 

The same double edged voice echoed out of his Sima's body, however the electricity that circled him now was not red but blue. The flash was so bright and intense it had the transformation from his human form to that of his demonic. He know had demon ears, fangs, and claws, as well as a few demonic features on his face. His body was now pushing past that mortal limit, but only because it was as if Sima refused pain in this form. He pushed back the four men with ease and he bared his fangs in anger. Grabbing the spear, he spun it from his end, tossing the men into the wall they had pushed him up on. They hit with enough force to cause serious damage to the wall, and not to mention the men themselves. The energy that circled around Sima's body was so hot that it actually was steaming as it hit the cold night air. Sima then rushed forward, moving quickly, as his body could only handle the stress for so long. The muscle in his arms had already began to tear, he reached for the leader, only jutting his hand directly into his throat, and pulling out his vocal chords, and tossing them to the ground. 

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The air around her seemed to disappear, replacing it was the white hot iron rod of pain that seemed to be emanating through her body. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t even think of anything other than the searing pain her body was in. She felt the roses fall from her grasp, bouncing to the ground. She could feel the sticky wetness of her blood seeping down and through her dress, invisible to the human eye within the natural crimson tone her dress already held. Her knees were buckling, the only thing holding her up was the man in front of her. She was managing to stay awake, but everything was blurry, her vision, her thoughts, it was all slow and muddy. When she did collapse she barely noticed it, only feeling her head hit the ground, causing a shock to be sent through her body. She could see her roses, one of the only things in her line of vision, stained red, dripping off of the petals. The sight saddened her, the tainted roses.

Lilith couldn’t see, but she could hear, someone was fighting against the group of men that had hurt her. It was a scary voice, but it sounded oddly familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it. Lilith put all her strength into moving her head so that she could see who it was that was fighting them, who was trying to help her. She wanted to tell them to leave, before they too were killed. Killed… Was she dying? Probably. She couldn’t help but think of Sima, who was probably waiting for her at her home. She would no longer be able to live with him, learn about him or help him. She hoped he still used her home, she wouldn’t mind.

Now that she could see, though her vision still quite fuzzy, she was able to make out a man being pushed into a wall. Why did they need four of the men to do it? After what seemed like a minuted to the fading Lilith, the man changed, sparks flying around him. She thought she heard someone say the word Fated. Why was someone she didn't know trying to help her? He came a little closer to her, but she wasn’t scared, only dazed, as she watched him tear out the throat of the last man. She could feel herself losing her grip on reality. She must be, because when the man came closer, she could have sworn he was Sima. She knew she was crazy, for it couldn't have been him, but if it was she wished she could thank him. Her eyes closed, a single last tear making its was down her ghostly white face. She’d lost to much blood.

I’m sorry Sima… I can’t… keep all of my promises, to you. She was whispering for her benefit, speaking of the things she’d promised him. No crying, being there for him if he needed her. She couldn’t keep them, and it made her feel even more sad. She could feel the pain still, and it sparked through her like a million pinpricks in the same place, over and over, deeper with each prick. Her body was numb, she felt cold. She could still feel the presence of the man, but she could no longer open her eyes.