I.R.Y.R.A.S.M.O.
Chapter 3
"A book A book, My Kingdom For A Book"
By My 8th year of life I had managed to keep everyone in the dark about my past. Most people just assumed I was just a shy little girl who liked books. Even my new mother was under that impression although she was concerned about my interest in rare and old books and artifacts. You see I had come to the conclusion early on that that would be the key to the upcoming mess. No civilization could span an entire solar system and not leave something behind. I think she rely started to worry when I managed to get part time job at the crown arcade to earn money. Man was that a pain to get, the conversation with the manager went a little like this…
"Please"
"No"
"Please"
"No"
"Please"
"No"
"Please"
"No"
"Please"
"No"
"Please"
"No"
He finally relented after about 3 months of that and of course the puppy dog eyes. All I actually did there is wash dishes but it paid. I did need the money once "Mom" refused to keep paying for my habit but after a hundred or so books I couldn't blame her.
Unfortunately said habit got me well know in some circles. That was both good and bad, it made it easier to come by books and the occasional artifact but it was also going to make it harder to be inconspicuous when the battles started to attract attention.
Only a few of the books id obtained were of any actual use, most where just legends about evil and demons and such, one book id gotten my hands on did point out something that I was hoping not to be.
"Anything goes school of indiscriminant grappling by Happosie… crap"
I had all ready been suspicious of this because of my "aunt Nadoka" but id hoped I was wrong. At least I was never engaged to Ranma, boy was that an odd discussion.
"Mom."
"Yes Ami."
"I was umm ah just reading this book about history and I came across a part about arranged marriage and I was wondering if that was still done?"
"Of Course not honey."
"So I'm not going to say find out about a fiancée that has been arranged for me?"
"No."
"You're sure? No family promises or obligation for the past?"
"I'm sure honey."
She looked at me strangely for a few weeks after that but I was six so she eventually forgot about it. My main supplier of books was an old American man by the name of Mr. K. Oss that worked at an antique shop near my house he mostly dealt with the mystical so it was perfect for my needs. I never asked about his name I always thought it would be better I didn't know because the possible inclinations of that were just too horrifying.
The most use full book I ever found was in a museum. It was more of a tome due to its size and age. The problem was it was closed under a glass case and was not aloud to be removed for any reason but I had to get that book at any cost. I didn't have the money to purchase it legally or illegally for that matter. There was only one option. I had to steal it.
I started by buying what I would need a black bodysuit that covered everything but my hands feet and face, a glass cutter, black kungfu slippers with added rubber grips on the bottom, 75 feet of black rope, a grappling hook head, a climbing harness, black climbing gloves and a black hood with mask. Then I waited.
About a month after id found the book and bought my supplies I got my opportunity, mom had a night shift at the hospital. As soon as she was out the door and out of sight I made my move. I put on what id dubbed my shadow thief outfit and made my way to the museum avoiding all people lights and main walk ways on the way there it took an hour to walk. When I got there I moved to the south side of the building. It had the least light and lowest roof only 2 stories. After id tossed up the grapple and made sure it was steady I made my way up the wall once I made it up I saw something I wasn't expecting. Another wall, this one 4 stories.
"Well fiddle sticks this is going to be unpleasant." It took my 7 tries to get the stupid grappling hook up and steady. Then it took me a good 30 minutes to get up the dam thing.
"Note to self 8 year old girl not best climber." Once on the second roof I made my way to the skylight and proceeded to realize I didn't bring a plunger to pull the glass up after I cut it.
"Tar!" this glass was going to make a lot of noise when it hit the floor 6 stories down but I rely wanted that book.
"Well luck favors the foolish." And with that I cut the window out and watched it fall straight down on the head on the only guard on this side of the building. Not only did it not make any noise it knocked him out.
"That was either vary good or vary bad o well." And with that I lowered the rope and proceeded down it. When I got to the bottom I walked over cut open the display case and picked up the tome. It was about 45 pounds.
"Note to self think things thru." It took me 4 hours to get up the rope and home with out being seen by anyone. Man that book was heavy. After I got home I when straight to my room. I put my gear under some floor boards under the carpet in the back corner of my closet. I then put the book on my desk and opened it.
"I've never even seen this language before; this is going to take a long long time."
A week later a news story broke about the theft. The guard made a full recovery after they put a metal plate in his skull and the police had no leads. They were offering a meager reward for any information about the theft. I felt kind of bad about the guard but the book had to be more then worth a little guilt.
I enrolled in gymnastics the next week so I wouldn't have that same problems if I ever had to make another theft and to increases my over all physical condition. It was a little out of the ordinary for the image I was trying to make but it couldn't be helped.
By my 10th birthday I had managed to translate the book into English and write it in to 5 smaller books. The original was then put in a safe I had purchased a mounted behind a picture of mercury on my wall. I couldn't help about the picture it was just to amusing when all things were considered. The safe also house a number of magical artifacts I had managed to get my hands on. The love koi rod, the true voodoo papers, a sample of drowned girl water form Jusenkyo, one unexploded happo dariken; I hade two but one blue up in my face, and the blue rainbow crystal. Apparently this universe was a little different. The crystal was apparently found in the chest of a boy by a surgeon trying to save his life when he was hit by a car. After id found it id put the word out for the other crystals in the circles I had been known in cause you never know. I also used some of the information in the 5 silver books as I was calling them to hide the safe from magical viewing. You cant be to careful after all.
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Evilcat22: well there chapter 3 what do you think as I promised I got blown up ah well see you next time and remember "The Universe is a beautiful and wondrous place, and it wants to kill you."