Welcome to Gaia! ::

Bibliophile was an oasis of quiet, of natural light and hard wood, in a world of big name chain stores. The smell of books, the lingering scent of tea from Equinox next door, and a distinct lack of 'background' music were notable.

The employees seemed to mostly be young adults, from college age and up, though at the moment there was only a middle-aged man walking around straightening things up. He looked very much like a Professor, as one would imagine one from an english mystery show or something. He was well dressed, fully in a blazer and sweater, tie and subtle hints of gold from his cufflinks and tiepin as well as the signet and wedding rings he wore.

The store was in an old home, arched doorways leading to rooms designated by section. There was even a section on 'MAGIC' though to anyone who truly knew the subject knew that they were all nonsense.

The first 'employee' to find Kim was in fact a long white cat. She was large and stretchy as she slinked and purred. The cat sniffed the air, but didn't approach. She simply collapsed in a sunny spot and stretched out, essentially blocking Kim's escape from the aisle if they chose to leave.

Violetta watched Kim with very blue eyes, intelligent eyes, but didn't move. Instead she yawned, her tail flopped back and forth a few times, and she began to groom with a loud purr. Around her body the floor seemed to get mossy, and behind each of her ears a single violet bloomed.

Her owner had heard talking, with no response, and appeared in moments to find someone rather hesitant to pass his cat.

"Oh I'm sorry-" He bent and scooped her up, foot swiping at the moss which seemed to dry into loose debris as soon as the cat was removed. It simply brushed away from the wooden floor. The middle aged man was very noticeably English, "Are you allergic?"

The long cat continued to purr, was set around his shoulders like a scarf, and resumed her grooming there.

"Did you need help with anything?"

"Yes she's talented.." Alg said carefully with a small smile. It wasn't really alright to discuss magical things in public, not that the store was bustling but he didn't know this young person from Adam.

"A pine marten?" Alg's voice got lower, "A shadowy one? Gloom?"

The name seemed to get some attention from Violetta who now was watching Kim with a light tail twitch.

Alg looked concerned at all the stuttering and uneasiness. Magic was of course a sensitive topic most places and if he was understanding correctly, they must have just discovered the other side.

"No reason to be nervous.." Alg said kindly. "Come along with me and we can talk about it.."

He actually offered a hand, though wasn't sure if they would take it, "I'm Professor Mercer. This is my store." He then nodded his head for them to follow him back towards his office.

Kim would find, if they took the man's hand, that his touch was warm and soothing. Nervousness, while not eliminated, would be eased.

"Kim," Alg nodded, "Nice to meet you."

The walk was quick and it seemed there were other staff available so going to the owner's office wouldn't be a detriment to business. It was a small room with just a desk, computer, a small window looking out into the back alley, and an extra chair for Kim to occupy.

Violetta leapt to the window sill which had a cat-hair covered pillow that she took up with a purr and a stretch in the sunlight.

Alg closed the door behind them and motioned for Kim to take a seat. On the desktop was a photo of what had to be the professor's family, a tall man with silver hair holding his hand, a younger man with dark hair in front of them, and 3 white cats.

"I take it," Alg sunk into his chair with the sigh of middle age, "you found yourself in other ashdown?"

Alg offered a tissue and an apologetic look. It was really a losing battle with the cat hair.

"Ah-" The letter. It meant that everyone had gotten it, "-well that's a bit complicated. You've discovered magic at a very delicate time."

Alg leaned back and crossed his hands over his stomach, "If you went to the other side, met Gloom, and recieved a letter, it means that you have magic Kim." There was no easier way to pass that information along.

"It also means you are, in some way, connected to the other magical people in this town and the issues that come along with that. You may not know your powers yet in this world, but on the other side you are capable of performing magic. Will power is all you need." It was a lot. And unbelievable. He understood that.

"Well you should, or will soon, have some sort of ability here on this side.." He hated saying the 'real' world because he was never sure if that was even true. Not when it was so changeable. "it may seem like circumstance or luck at first but you'll find it to be uncanny. From there-" Alg shrugged a bit.

"I don't look outwardly very magical but I've developed many abilities since I discovered them. Just give time and attention to yourself. On the other side-" The dream side. The Silent Hill side. "-you can essentially perform any magic you can think of so long as you have the willpower for it. Effort and focus is all you need."

Kim of course seemed uneasy, which was understandable, to discuss this all with a relative stranger all the while with the impending dates and mysterious letters from the other side.

The professor sighed sympathetically, "As for the rest well, it's all rather complicated." He rubbed hand across his jaw, the stubble slight but audible, "A fetch is basically a magical zombie. A being who failed magical trials on the other side, or stayed there so long that everything human disappeared and instead left a magical husk in it's wake. There are currently a class of those with magical abilities who are called nobles, dictated by the Charter," as a Charter by definition was meant to do, "to watch over fetches, as well as other magical beings who reside on the other side. Nobles are people just like you who have progressed in their magic and passed trials to attain that status."

It was a lot of information, "The charter discussed in the letter also dictates the delegation of duties for other magically aligned people. There are people who bond with animal companions called wargs as well as those who can shift into animal forms. Moonwalkers." There was a pause, "Like werewolves and things."