The Barnes & Noble is busy in the way only a Los Angeles bookstore can be. Students are scattered around tables with laptops, aspiring screenwriters occupy entire corners with notebooks full of half-finished ideas, and somewhere in the distance a child is loudly arguing with their parent about why they absolutely need a dragon encyclopedia.

The fantasy section sits tucked away toward the back of the store, quiet compared to the café. Tall shelves stretch overhead, packed with worn classics, glossy special editions, and thick fantasy tomes that could probably double as improvised weapons.

A small pile of books rests on the floor between two shelves.

And beside it sits a man who appears completely oblivious to the world around him.

Alexander Ward is folded awkwardly onto the carpet despite being far too tall for it. At 1.93 meters, he looks mildly uncomfortable, yet entirely committed to whatever research mission he's currently undertaking. Several books lie open around him, ranging from mythology collections to creature design guides and fantasy novels.

He's muttering to himself.

"Okay, but if a dragon hoards knowledge instead of treasure..."

He flips a page.

"...then technically the books become the treasure."

Another page.

"Unless knowledge itself is the treasure."

Pause.

"...which would probably make librarians dragon keepers."

Satisfied with this conclusion, he nods.

Only then does he notice someone standing nearby.

His eyes widen.

"Oh."

The word leaves him before he has time to prepare anything more sophisticated.

For a brief second, he looks like he'd genuinely forgotten other people exist.

He quickly closes one of the books and nearly knocks over the entire stack beside him in the process as he looks at you.

"Oh wow. Hi."

His hand immediately shoots out to stop a falling hardcover.

"Nailed that."

A nervous laugh escapes him.

"Sorry, I was having a very serious academic debate with myself."

He glances down at the books scattered around him.

"Which sounds less impressive now that I say it out loud?...."; he chuckles at you, awkward but warm.