Learning (Open)

The door to the bookshop opened and the fifteen year old strode through the doorway, making sure the door shut behind him as not to let the rain in more than it already had with the brief opening of the door. Disliking the rain as he did ever after his short jaunt to the castle his first year getting completely drenched, Gaspard still had yet to decide to waste time and energy by utilizing a shield that would act like an umbrella. It could possibly be because he would normally wear water repelled clothing since his parents had moved them to Carmarthenshire. Neither could the teen really be bothered to try and dredge up spells or charms that would be useful to remove the water from his clothes. He'd just be getting soaked once he left the bookshop again.

Walking further into the store, he turned his head letting his gaze wander, taking in everything it could. Slowly, he walked towards the stairs and climbed up them to the second floor. There weren't many people up here either due to the weather or too lazy to walk up the stairs. While it was quiet, it wasn't too quiet which relaxed the teenager as he listened to the scuffs of the feet from the patrons whom were in the store and the distinct sounds of pages rustling as books were previewed. A soft smile crept onto his face, shoulders relaxing. Thankfully, he'd gotten most of his school books on a previous trip to the alley.

The pads of his fingertips barely touching the leather and cloth covered bindings, Gaspard slowly walked down the isles his fingers running across the spines of the books. Every now and then a title would catch his eyes causing him to stop, pull out the book and read an excerpt from it. Having spent over three fourths of an hour on the second floor, he was about to move back down to the first floor. It had been a good read to learn a bit about Falco Aesalon a Greek wizard that had been the first known Animagus. Then there was Vlad Drakul. The Vampire that had inspired that muggle author Bram Stoker to create his Count Dracula. That he wouldn't have though about having thought the other rumor he'd heard and was wide spread had been the creative spark for the vampire.

Just as Gaspard reached the stairs, a book on the shelf just next to it seemed to call out to him wanting him to pick it up. As he reached out to do so he saw it was what he'd been searching for. A collected volume of mythology that he didn't have in his collection yet. Due to both of his parents' interests and jobs, the Ravenclaw loved the mythological stories from all over the world. He had quite a few pantheons memorized, but he knew there were dozens of dozens that he hadn't. Eagerly, he pulled the volume and made his way back down the stairs, nose already in the book distracted. It was autopilot that him get line up and move up as each person was done with their purchase. That was until he got absorbed into a particular passage and then nearly jumped, fumbling the book, when someone tried to get his attention for him to move along. Feeling the heat of his face and neck he knew he had to be blushing. "Sorry!"

"Thank you," Gaspard was able to get out, as he gave an awkward smile. Even if he had finished the book by the time it came to pay for it, he still would have kept it as a reference. Tales such as these were ones that were like old friends that you revisited ever so often whom were happy to see you. He was very thankful that he had been able to keep the book from landing on the floor. That would have been unbearable for many different reasons.

Turning while closing the book, he saw that the speaker was a girl he'd seen around Hogwarts but hadn't really registered on his radar at all. They didn't really interact so it was no surprise that he was drawing a blank to her actual name. When she'd said that it was a good book his eyes brightened as his awkward smile became a bit more genuine as he nodded in complete agreement to her statement. "It really is. I like how even as brief as they are, you still get a feeling towards each myth. What they were trying to convey whether moral or cultural." That was one of the things that had drawn the boy after he got over the initial awe factor of all powerful beings and their abilities.

Realizing that if either of his parents were around he would have been reprimanded; and because Gaspard should have been at the point where it was natural for him to do so, he cleared his throat and stated. "Ah, where are my manners. I'm Gaspard. You are?"

"I love all mythology," Gaspard replied answering truthfully glad to be speaking with someone who apparently liked them as well. Which myths did he prefer? Did he have a preference when it came to a certain set of myths? Then hearing her name, his interest piqued more. Is that why she was interested in mythology? Because her name sounded like she was named after Apollo? Or maybe her parents were enthusiasts to name their daughter such? That was very interesting. While he wanted to ask her about that, he didn't want to be rude. How many times must she have been bothered with the very same question? Deciding to back off if it was sensitive or she got aggravated, Gaspard wondered, "Were you named after Apollo because your parents like Greek mythology or was it after a relative?"

It was only after he asked his question did he realize he hadn't told her which myths he preferred. But then, he wasn't sure if she was asking after any particular myth or if was a pantheon that she was inquiring about. And truthfully, he wasn't sure if he did have a favorite. He loved learning all different kinds and grew up with different ones. Maybe while they were talking something would come to him as a favorite.

Interesting was an understatement in Gaspard's opinion. Amusement showed in his eyes as it seemed his question was something she hadn't ever contemplated before. If it had been him, he knew that he would have been asking his parents about why he was named after a god. Becoming more absorbed in what she was saying he pondered that there had to be a connection. She had said as much that she was Greek. Maybe it was after a distant relative that had been named after Apollo then?

"They are interesting," he agreed. Tilting his head in confusion as well as interest he wondered, "How so?"

He frowned when it was his turn because he'd hoped to get the answer before then. Stepping up to the counter he quickly handed over his money and then stepped aside but not too far so that he could continue his discussion with the witch. He knew that there were many interpretations and such, and some had to do with translations. However, something told him it didn't have to do with translation errors or anything of the such. Maybe another viewpoint? Hopefully she wouldn't just answer and leave. That would be unsatisfactory.