Yeah, so this was a long time coming. Sorry. Anyway, read and review. I don't own Baccano and never will.
Morning came too soon for my liking. I grumbled complaints to myself as I got out of bed and prepared for work. I looked out the window and realized it was raining. Fantastic…
Outside the building, a few minutes later, I flagged down a taxi and gave him my work address. I let the driver chatter while drifting into my own thoughts. After arriving, I paid the fare and quickly walked to the door. My boss, Brandon Lewis, was inside waiting for me.
"Good you're here." he said as soon as I walked in the door.
"Aren't I usually?" I asked starting to walk into the back.
"Yes." he called after me. The shelves were all stocked already, so I volunteered to work the cash register for the day.
The day dragged with very few customers entering. Near closing time, however, the door opened and two young people walked in. I stood up straight and smiled in greeting. I was ignored, as the two seemed wrapped up in their conversation. Well, it was really one-sided, actually.
"I'm telling you, Chane, my brother used to come in here all the time. This is the best place to find him." the young man with fiery red hair said.
The short, dark haired woman just gave him a look that seemed to say, 'Why must I go along with you're crazy plans?'
The other glanced over and saw me. "Hello? Do you work here?"
"I do." I answered him. "How can I help you today?"
"I'm looking for my brother." he announced with a smile, coming over to the counter.
"I'm sorry, sir. This is a bookstore. I'm not sure how I can help you." I said.
The young woman followed him and just shook her head at me giving me a look that suggested this wasn't the first time he'd done something along these lines.
"Well, he used to come in here all the time. He probably still does. You might know him." the red head continued. "Can I at least give you his name?"
"If you think it would help." I answered trying hard to be polite. I looked over at the woman, wondering why she hadn't chimed in yet.
"Great! It's Luck Gandor."
My mind immediately went to the man who had come into the store just yesterday. "I just met him recently." I confirmed.
"See, Chane!" the man exclaimed happily turning to his friend. She simply crossed her arms. "Do you know when he'll be back in here?" he asked turning back to me.
"No, I don't." I answered honestly.
"Oh well." he said not looking disappointed in the least. "I guess we'll just have to come in here every day looking for him."
At this Chane threw up her hands in exasperation and walked out of the store. The other watched her and then turned back to me. "She's probably just upset because we don't exactly have a place to stay tonight." he explained.
"I would be upset about that, too." I said.
"Yeah, it's my fault really. I might have forgot to book a room somewhere and we can't find a place to stay. Oh, and my brother apparently moved out of his house, too."
"I see. Well, maybe Firo would know where he lives."
"You know Firo?" he asked.
I suddenly felt bad about bringing him into the conversation. For all I knew, this man was some sociopathic killer or something. "I do." I continued anyway. "He lives in the apartment next to mine."
"Really?" the man smiled. "It would be really helpful if you could give me that address."
"I don't know about giving people's information out." I objected.
"I understand. Maybe if we knew each other better, huh?"
"Yeah, maybe."
"I'm Claire, by the way."
"Caroline."
"Well?" He looked at me expectantly.
I just stared at him for a moment, confusion lacing my thoughts.
"We know each other now." he said.
I mentally face palmed. This guy just didn't give up, did he? "Look, I don't know you at all actually. I wouldn't feel right giving other's addresses out. Think about it from Firo's perspective. Would you want me giving out your address?"
"I wouldn't mind." Claire said, smirking at me. "Please, I don't have anywhere to go."
The door opened again and the woman entered again. She walked over to Claire and placed her hand on his arm. He looked down into her eyes. It was like they were communicating telepathically or something. I watched the exchange in a sort of awe. Finally, he looked back at me again.
"Sorry to bother you. We'll be going now." He gave me a smile, then turned and walked out the door followed closely by his friend.
I shook my head and started organizing some papers on the desk. I didn't even look up when about twenty minutes later, the door opened again. "Welcome to the bookstore." I said.
"It's good to see you again." a familiar voice said.
I looked up into the warm golden eyes of Luck Gandor. He smiled at me, and I returned it with one of my own. "You too…" I said.
"I greatly enjoyed the last book I purchased from you. I was wondering if you could suggest anything else." he continued. "I'm really open to anything."
"I'll see what I can do." I answered, then shook my head. "Oh, do you have a brother?"
He looked surprised at my question. "I have two here and New York. There's also my adopted brother, but I don't know where he is."
"Is one of them Claire? Red head? With a girl?" I probed.
Now his expression was downright cautious. "Yes, how do you know this?"
"Well, he just walked in here about thirty minutes ago, looking for you."
An exasperated expression appeared on his face. "Of course he did. He wouldn't think of checking the phone book, or calling the number I gave him. I'm sorry for him. What did you tell him?"
"I said I didn't know where you lived. He asked me about Firo, too." I sighed. "I wouldn't tell him anything. There was just something strange about him."
"You can say that again." Luck looked down at his watch. "The book hunting will have to wait for another time I suppose. I have to go find where he wandered off to. Thank you anyway."
He turned and walked for the door. "Bye!" I called after him.
He turned and regarded me with his soft golden eyes. "Goodbye, Caroline." Then he turned and left the bookstore again.
I turned and leaned against the counter. I lifted my hand up to my burning cheek. Why was I blushing so much? Well, this Luck Gandor seemed to have his fair share of craziness. And I might possibly get to experience it right along with him.