Log: Jyn Erso and Marcus Cole Who: Jyn Erso and Marcus Cole What: Discussing books When: April 25 Where: Clove Bookstore Warnings: None
Alice Cole had been a great lover of literature. With space on the colony at a premium, there hadn’t been room to store a great many books, but she had made certain to download as many of the classics as she could get her hands on to Arisia III’s data banks. When her husband Robert had commented on this use of company resources, she had replied that she intended her two sons to grow up reading about more than flight manuals and drill specifications. Marcus had a thorough enough grounding to appreciate the presence of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in Atlantis, along with Enjolras and Grantaire, and High King Peter. He and William had playacted at being musketeers and knights of the Round Table long when the only war in their frame of reference was the recently ended Dilgar War.
Being planetbound had allowed Marcus to take advantage of reading hard copies of his favorite books, and he’d come to Clove Books to stock his still rather bare shelves. Wandering between the spicy-scented trees and wooden shelves of the bookstore was an adventure in and of itself. Marcus was leafing through the pages of The Count of Monte Cristo when he spotted a familiar face. He smiled. He’d enjoyed his conversations with Jyn Erso both in person and on the network.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he greeted.
Reading wasn’t something that Jyn had had the chance to do in her life although she enjoyed it whenever she could. Her family had moved so much that their possessions were few so most of the stories Jyn knew had been passed on verbally. Since being in Atlantis, she’d spent a good deal of her free time reading and had discovered the literature of many different worlds. She had decided it was time for a trip to the bookstore and had just picked up a copy of Rebecca when she heard Marcus speak.
“Hi,” she said with a smile. “Just looking for some new reading material. I searched for some titles online and this was one that came up. It sounds like it might be really good. Have you read it?”
“Gothic style thriller,” said Marcus, looking at the title. “I read it at my mother's insistence. It was one of her favorites. She said it was about escaping being trapped by the past.”
He glanced down at the book in his own hands. “Perhaps the trees have a theme in mind today? I'm told they’ve been known to guide patrons to the perfect book.”
“Maybe they do, that’s a nice thought,” she said and looked at the book he was holding. “I read that a while back actually. It’s very good. I found a list somewhere of classic books and I’ve been trying to get through it but I know I’ll never make it. Then of course there are books from so many different places here but I love it.”
“I wonder how they do it,” Marcus thought aloud. “Psychic trees?” It wouldn't be the strangest thing he'd seen in the universe - any of them. “Are there any from your world you’d recommend?” he asked. “I should be branching out while I have the chance.”
“If there were psychic trees, Atlantis would have them. Sometimes I think I can hear them talking which is crazy but I do,” she looked up at the canopy of leaves over their heads which was rustling just a little bit yet she couldn’t make out words. “Actually yes, there is a poet that I like. My mother used to recite her work to me since we didn’t have room to keep any books. I wonder if they have them here?” Before she even finished the sentence one of the branches moved and nudged her to the left and her mouth fell open. Maybe there was something to psychic trees.
Marcus raised his eyebrows. “Well, that answers two questions,” he said, in amusement. “It seems our mothers had similar priorities. Mine was very fierce about ensuring we were exposed to the classics. I’d hate to take away from your opportunity to read it for yourself, though.” He had a sudden, rather daring thought. “Perhaps we could share?”
“I like that idea. I believe there’s a lot we can learn from each other,” she suddenly realized that he might have taken that the wrong and way and tried to cover her tracks. “I mean everyone…..here….we all come from different places so there’s a lot we don’t know….” then she laughed. “Okay so I completely blew that but yes, I would like to share. “
Marcus smiled. He didn't see anything wrong with what she’d said. “Atlantis does succeed as a hub of cultural exchange, in addition to being a base for war. It’s not so different from Babylon 5, in that way.” It reminded him of Entil'zha Sinclair, and he made a mental note to look for Tennyson.
Apparently, the clove trees didn’t need to be told aloud what one was looking for because the leaves rustled against another volume of poetry. Marcus pulled it from the shelf. “It seems I'm well set up.”
Jyn laughed. “Will you look at that. I’m not familiar with Tennyson. He must be from your world?” There were so many genres and cultures to choose from that it was a bit overwhelming but Jyn had been lucky and liked most of what she’d found. “We can trade. You read mine, I’ll read yours. We can compare notes.” and it was an excuse to see him again which she had to admit was quite appealing.
“He is,” said Marcus, with a trace of nostalgia in his voice. He tapped the spine of the book. “A good friend was very fond. He used to quote Ulysses in his addresses. I recommend it.” Her suggestion of a trade drew a smile. “Swap, then.” If nothing else, it guaranteed future conversations with her, and he rather liked that idea.