The Serpent of the Sands

[Julian Fisk 1]

Jules was in a very good mood as he limped into Whizzhard with his cane. His newest book, The Serpent of the Sands, was out today and he was whistling cheerily to himself as he went to find it in Whizzhard Books. He had arranged before Mr. Potter's wedding and his brother's death to have the book displayed near the front of the store, and he was very pleased to see the display in the front window.

Leaning on his cane with his other hand on his hip, Jules smiled at the display and his new book. They looked amazing, and he knew he'd done a good job on it. This one was based on some of his experiences in Egypt, and he thought it had just the right mix of adventure, intrigue, and a romance that hadn't actually happened anywhere near that way. He was as proud as a new father.

  

[Sage Macnair2]

Sage had convinced his governess to take him to the bookstore. One of his favorite authors had released a new book. He wasn't sure if the author expected someone his age to read it; but, books had been his salvation for a long while now. Or as much as a salvation as possible. Not even they could entirely fill the hole left by his family. Sage was the last son in a long line of sons. Mother had wanted at least one daughter and was beyond sick of boys by the time he was born. And he was so much younger than most of his brothers. Even the governesses were sick of children by the time Sage came around.

He was all but neglected. Oh it wasn't like he hadn't tried to get attention time and time again. Last time Mother had really looked at him was when he'd accidentally set her dress on fire with his magic. Just...Yeah...He couldn't say books paid attention to him. They weren't sentient. But at least they let him travel to other places, different worlds. For a while he could perhaps forget how miserable and lonely he truly was.

His governess went to browse whatever the heck she looked at. Sage was beyond asking questions at this point. She didn't like to talk to him. She wanted him to hurry up and go to Hogwarts. Well that was fine with him! School had to be better than this!

He hurried to the front of the store and was relieved to find a pile of the books he was searching for. He picked one up and hugged it to his chest. "Thank you," he whispered. The author had no idea how much he'd helped him.

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

A broad grin split Jules's face when a small boy, about the right age to be going into his first year soon (and so younger than his target audience) picked up a copy of the new book and hugged it like it was his dearest friend. That was a big part of why he wrote. Certainly the money was nice too -- and he made enough to support himself and a hypothetical family with ease -- but he loved sharing stories that other people loved.

"You're a fan of Julian Fisk?" he asked. In the days prior to dust jackets with the author's picture plastered on the back or inside the back flap, Jules was not the most recognizable figure. The murmured thanks were more than he usually got (except, of course, his royalties).

  

[Sage Macnair2]

Sage looked up, very much surprised that someone was addressing him. He was used to being completely ignored and all but neglected. He grinned back softly, pleased for any sort of conversation. Heck, he'd take negative conversation sometimes. He'd run away for a little bit just to try and get a bit of attention. Of course that plan had been the worst failure ever. He didn't like to think about it.

"I love him!" he breathed, grinning from ear to ear. "He's a fantastic writer! There are all these incredible adventures in his stories; but, the characters always feel real. You really believe that if people were in those situations they could behave that way. And...It's more than that they're real...They're so likeable! They're flawed but that's what makes you appreciate them even more! Nothing's worse than 'perfect' characters," he babbled. He was a bit shocked the stranger hadn't cut him off yet.

"That's what I really love. No one's pure good or pure evil. His books reflect that. Everyone's a mix of parts. And...You can't help but wish for things to go well for the characters. You get to understand the reasons behind their goals and ambitions, their dreams and desires. Once you have intimate knowledge like that...Well, it's hard not to cheer for them!" he said animatedly.

"It's really nice that he puts a lot of thought into his characters. You never feel that the plots are random. Characters have a reason for acting the way they do even if you don't initially understand it."

He gave the person an apologetic smile. "Sorry! That was probably more than you wanted to hear! But...He's one of my very favorite authors!"

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

Jules grinned like an idiot as the boy went on about how amazing his books were. That was something he could listen to all day; perhaps he should marry a woman who enjoyed his books to that extent. Certainly if his wife had a great deal to say about what a wonderful novelist he was, then their marriage would go quite well.

"I don't mind at all; books are a wonderful thing!" he said with a smile, then looked up to see a rather distraught and somber looking Mr. Potter coming his way.

  

[Bennet Potter]

Bennet had been trying to focus on his work. Darcy's death, having the care of little Jameson -- it was all a great deal to process, and Bennet was one of the worst people ever at processing his feelings. Like the fact that Lyra was alive ... ish. He just tried not to think about that. It seemed impossible.

"Mr. Fisk, is the display to your liking?" Bennet asked -- because asking an author about a display was far better than thinking about his dead brother and his undead sister.

  

[Sage Macnair2]

"Books are truly wonderful," he breathed, nodding his head in fierce agreement, still grinning from ear to ear, pleased this stranger wasn't annoyed with him yet. If it weren't for the escape of books...He was fairly certain he'd have cracked many years ago. Books...Well they were inanimate so he couldn't say they really gave him attention; but, they transported him to other worlds, made him forget about all his neglected life.

It was then that another adult approached and asked the adult Sage was talking to if the display was to his liking. But...Wait...HE just....

Sage's jaw dropped in shock and awe. "Mr...Mr. Fix?!" he exclaimed, delighted but stunned. "Is that really you?!" Was it possible?! Could one of his very favorite authors be right here in this store talking to him?! It wasn't a dream?!

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

"I am," Julian told Mr. Potter, who seemed to see that Jules was engaged in conversation and quickly took himself off. Jules then turned back to the boy, and smiled a little sheepishly.

"I am. Mr. Julian Fisk, at your service." He bowed slightly in an overly dramatic move, his eyes twinkling playfully. He hadn't meant to confess his identity to the boy, but what was done was done. "And you, good sir?"

  

[Sage Macnair2]

Sage's eyes widened with delight when Mr. Fisk admitted that he was in fact the famed author. His tongue seemed to double in size and he was unsure of what to say. He could only look on at Mr. Fisk in a state of pure joy bordering on delirious euphoria. He desperately tried to kick his brain into gear, to think of something intelligent to say. But this...This was THE MR. FISK, one of Sage's very favorite authors!

Thankfully Mr. Fisk spared him from coming up with a conversation starter on his own by asking for a name. "I'm Sage. Sage Macnair," he introduced himself, extending a hand for the author to shake. "It's so nice to meet you!" he exclaimed. "Um...Do you think...Would it be possible...Could I maybe get your autograph?" he asked hopefully, heart in his chest.

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

Jules smiled indulgently at the boy. "Of course you can!" he beamed. "Are you getting the book? If you are I can sign that for you."

If not, he'd find something else to sign -- but he'd definitely give young Mr. Macnair his autograph. The child was obviously a fan, and that deserved some consideration seeing as people buying his books was how Jules now made his living.

  

[Sage Macnair2]

Sage eagerly bobbed his head up and down, eyes shinning. "I have every single of your books!" he said excitedly. "There's no way I'd miss out on the new one." He realized he was still clutching the book to his chest like it was his most precious treasure. He gave Mr. Fisk a bashful grin while he tried to go about holding it normally.

"Really, your books are wonderful! I don't know what I'd do without them."

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

"I'm glad that you like them," Jules said with a grin. It was people liking his books that kept him fed and clothed and housed. He supposed if being a novelist hadn't worked out he might have become an instructor for new curse breakers, but he rather enjoyed his current line of work.

"When we go up to the counter, I'll get a quill and ink from Mr. Potter."

  

[Sage Macnair2]

"Um...Mr. Fisk...Would it be okay if I hugged you?" Sage asked timidly with an abashed grin. He new it was a really strange request and perhaps entirely out of line. But Mr. Fisk's books meant the world to Sage and had saved him from the brink of despair over and over again. And it wasn't like Sage was going to get any hugs from his family.

He beamed when Mr. Fisk promised to get a quill when they went up to the counter. Sage couldn't believe he was going to get an autograph!

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

Jules smiled down at the boy; he really was a sweet lad, and Julian was glad to have fans at all. They were what kept him afloat, fans, people who bought and read his books and then bought more. Otherwise he would be quite without ability to make a living the way he did.

"Certainly, Mr. Macnair," Jules said fondly. He hoped he had more fans like the young Mr. Macnair out there, ones who were truly and deeply touched by his work.

  

[Sage Macnair2]

Sage beamed when the author said it would be fine if he hugged him. Thank goodness! He'd been terrified he was going to creep him out or possibly even make Mr. Fisk hate him. But Mr. Fisk's words sounded sincere not reluctant. And there was such kindness in his eyes.

He hurried over to Mr. Fisk and wrapped his arms around the man as best he could although the man was much taller and bigger than Sage. He squeezed him tight, trying to express just how much the books meant to him in the single motion. They were more his mother and father than his own parents. They were his security blanket, the things that kept him going when he was down and wondering what the point of anything was.

  

[Julian Fisk 1]

Jules accepted the hug and gave the boy a pat on the head; he was quite glad to see how much Mr. Macnair enjoyed his work. He was glad that there were plenty of people out there who loved his books, because that meant that he was able to live the way he wanted to.

"Well, Mr. Macnair, let's go get your book and that quill."