Shin was more than open to the idea of making a list so that Kealey could go through the books at the library instead of paying for each and every one of them. So, on top of loving his job, Shin was genuinely good intentioned, at least as far as getting Kealey books were concerned. He said that he’d be happy if any of them made her day and Kealey actually laughed, then raised her eyebrows as he launched into a description history behind We. ”Amazing how strange human nature is.” the blond commented, shaking her head, ”They’d just revolted, yet they persecuted someone for expressing ideas different than their own. I’ll definitely have to look into it.”

If Kealey had been anyone else, Shin’s vast amounts of knowledge might have been a little overwhelming. As it was, his continued enthusiasm flowed through Kealey and she just nodded eagerly. ”I work at the main branch here in the city. I’m pretty sure that every book ever written is there somewhere in the stacks. I’d be willing to wager I can find this anthology. I’m not incredibly familiar with any of Poe’s works outside of the popular ones you mentioned. As a little girl I always found the Cask of Amontillado terrifying. I’m a sucker for people who philosophically ponder science and the world.“

Shin praised her choices and Kealey chuckled, nodding her head, ”I had a feeling you’d think so.” her little joke was exceedingly funny to herself and Kealey nearly laughed again. She wondered if she was slightly hysterical still or if she was simply amused by the direction the day had gone. Then Shin started talking about the feelings Kealey had brought up and a story from the anthology he’d suggested.

Shin spoke, and Kealey’s eyes widened as a hand came up to toy with the end of her ponytail. He was talking about an Empath, someone who could feel the feelings of the people around him. This man, apparently, had gotten himself caught in a vicious cycle of hate and anger. Kealey cringed subconsciously at the thought of living in a situation like that. ”It would have been horrible for him… Kealey said, her face pinching slightly as she frowned at the thought. ”All those dark feelings…making him feel them whether he wanted to or not. It’s torture to not be able to tell what your own feelings are on a subject, always relying on what other people feel.” Kealey continued, then shook her head slightly, ”You’d be surprised to find that I have more in common with the main character of that story than you might think.” Kealey said standing up as Shin spoke of inspiration, Kealey nodded.

”It’s part of the reason I like to work with the books. Sometimes people pour so much of themselves, so much emotion into the things they write.” She shrugged, ”It’s almost like you can feel it leaping off the pages. I’m always startled by people who can’t feel it…even if my singular talents put me a little more in line with the feelings.”
Shin cast a look at the clock in the shop and pointed out that it was probably time for him to check her out. Kealey nodded, feeling slightly bad again for keeping him from his work with talks of fancy and lists of books that she wasn’t going to buy in the shop. ”Of course…” she said, immediately looking towards the register, ”I’ve taken up too much of your time as it is. To the register.”

The cat from earlier was still there, winding her way through the books Shin had pulled as he reshelfed them them and wound between Kealey’s legs as he stood there, ”I really do love your shop though.”

Shin smiled as she responded to his comments, snapping mental fingers when she gave him the the title. So that's what it was! But he agreed. That story had been strange, but the fact Poe was delving into weird waters lent itself into considering deeper questions of the world.

"And that! Pondering conceptions of reality and society! That's one of the things I like most about science fiction. By considering worlds different than our own, we can bounce ideas off the fabric of imagination. What it's like to live in a world built on numbers and cold logic, or to be born into a society housed underground, where information is fed to you by a vast machine. Teaching you to think, teaching you how to feel, and... just the thought process helps. It's one of the reasons science fiction has a relevant reverance with literature. Even if the stories are sad like the story of the empath..." Shin's voice fell when he noticed her reaction. Somehow, he felt like he'd hit the nail too hard on the head again. For a moment, he fluctuated as his emotions took a step back. Hesitating.

"..They help us consider new things... You seem like you know that feeling firsthand. Strange question, but are you an empath? I know some people who are more receptive to other peoples' emotions than most, and..." A calming smile parted his lips as he regrouped."The way you draw connections with thoughts, it's like you're mirroring some of my own..."

Kealey simply nodded as Shin continued to point out the good aspects of Science Fiction. Kealey had never been a particular fan of the genre, but Shin’s enthusiasm mixed in with the points he kept making had Kealey convinced that it was something that she definitely needed to try out. In fact, he’d already convinced her, and was just adding to the excitement of getting home to actually start reading.

Kealey realized with an almost physical start that she’d just been looking forward to going home. It almost made her want to hug Shin. It was the first time since she’d met the assassin in the subway that she’d been eager to do anything at home. It was a lovely feeling. Shin made such great points about the way that authors said things about the world through their writing, too. Kealey smiled and nodded her head, ”I think you’ve definitely made a believer in the genre of me, Shin. I have to admit, I’ve always kind of cast sci-fi aside. I think I’ve had the wrong idea, though.”

He was still talking, explaining how even the sad story of the empathy was relevant, then he hesitated. Kealey felt it and looked up, the smile half-frozen on her face as he continued. Not only was he well-informed, apparently Shin was quick on his mental feet as well. He’d put two and two together from what Kealey had said. Still, she looked at him carefully, the smile fading slowly from her face as he asked her if she was what he thought.

It was always a strange thing, telling someone new about her powers , and Kealey thought about lying for a few moments, just to make things easier. Shin didn’t seem to mind though, in fact, he seemed astoundingly nonplussed by the whole thing. Merely politely curious. It had an incredibly calming effect and Kealey found herself smiling again as she nodded her head.

”I am…” she said simply, a slightly sheepish look crossing her features, ”I hope you don’t mind…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. You’re just so enthusiastic…I think even if I wasn’t what I am it would be contagious. It’s refreshing.”

"It's fine. I don't mind it. Actually, I'm kind of used to it." Shin replied with a nod. "Not with empaths, of course. But with other people. Like gargoyles that crash into windows at the mansion, or big red monkey men in tuxedos glaring across the hall. Drunken giants, guzzing booze? Yeah. Seen it. And color-changing lizardboys who just want to help… I've seen that too. I see a lot of those sorts of things in my work. I haven't seen an empathy, though." He added calmly, meeting her eyes. "Not to say it's anything to be ashamed of. It isn't. We here at full circle admire uniqueness. In fact, creating an environment where mutants and humans can peacefully interact together is a very big deal to us here. And even our friend the blue badger isn't immune to that mission's draw. After all, I made him myself."

He darted eyes around the shop once, real quick, then leaned forward with his index finger extended to show off an inch-long shiny red shard. It spun on his fingertip twice, then vanished as he slipped back. He looked around again to make sure nobody saw him. Aurum yawned his way across the book store towards the coffee bar, arms stretching out like a dancing flag in the wind.

"You're still talking to her?" He laughed. Caylee pounced from out of nowhere and mauled Aurum's shoes. The coffeeboy stared at the cat for a second at it batted a lace from side to side.

Sighing, Shin slipped the books in the bag. "I'm sorry about him. Usually, he's a bit more tactful. I guess he just thinks you're cute. Don't worry about it. Anyways," he smiled at her again, finishing the transaction and slipping the receipt into the bag. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Kealey. Next time I stop by the city library, I'll see if you're on-duty. Don't think I won't wanna talk to you about your readings." He wagged his finger jokingly. "Make sure to enjoy your books."