RWBY - New Horizon

Chapter 18 - Bookclub connections and history lessons

It had been a few weeks since Beacon's initiation and the beginning of the school year and things though somewhat chaotic had been enjoyable for Talon. The Male was currently engaging in one of his newest hobbies during the free period, reading but with Blake and Ren. The three of them had quickly bonded over a mutual love of literature, and often in their spare time would gather in the library. At first, it was simply reading in silence just enjoying each other's quiet company, but as of late, the trio had begun sharing their own personal tastes in literature and recommending books they had read to each other.

It was during this particular session that Talon intended to surprise his friends with a few gifts as thanks for the companionship he had found in them. With silence emanating from the library, Talon coughed to gain his friends' attention before taking two wrapped packages from next to his feet.

"I'm not great with friendly stuff, so I just want to say that these are for both of you... as thanks for being such good friends in the short amount of time we have known one another."

The two took the packages before thanking the male, offering that he did not have too, but they are thankful all the same. As both Blake and Ren opened the packages carefully peeling back the wrapping, they realised its contents causing the eyes of the pair to widen. Inside was a short stack of books all in pristine condition but not just any books; these were all limited editions of books they had found in the library that they had thoroughly enjoyed. As they reached the bottom of the stack, they found a book that they had not even realised had been released yet, the latest volume of an ongoing story that the trio had all become engrossed with. A simple black background with swirls of blue flowing around the golden text. 'last voyages of a seafarer – Volume 7 silver shores.'

Blake once again thanked him, but her curiosity was getting the better of her as she was sure she had not seen this in stores yet and she had checked on multiple occasions.

"Talon, once again thank you, but how did you get this? Where did you get this? I've been browsing the stores in Vale every other day and couldn't find a copy of this."

To this Talon simple chuckles while rubbing the nape of his neck before answering that it hadn't technically been released just yet.

"First editions are releasing in Atlas next week and copies should be falling in Vale the week after... However, while training in Atlas, I may or may not have made friends with a small publishing company since I became something of their first regular. The same company was the first ones to publish the authors work, so they were pretty chummy.

When I last spoke to them hoping to find out when the next volume would be released, they put me in touch and after he found out three huntsmen in training where so invested in his work he sent over an express copy."

At the nonchalant nature of his story, both Blake and Ren could do little more than sit there slack-jawed before Talon continued,

"Ooh, open the front the author said he signed it."

Talon simply sat with a genuine smile as the two opened the cover to reveal not just a signature but a small paragraph thanking them by name not just for their heroic career choices but also that without dedicated fans such as them the author would have never succeeded with his own dreams ending it signed as Tobias T. Taupe the author of the last voyages of a seafarer series.

At this, Ren could merely bow his head and offer his deepest thanks, Blake, on the other hand, took a more direct expression of appreciation. Quickly standing from her seat, walking without a word before picking Talon up by the shoulders and hugging the male in a bone-crushing hug much to his surprise.

"Eep"

"Thank you, Talon, for everything. You truly are too kind."

Retracting the hug as her cheeks held a faint pink hue, Talon gave the pair another genuine smile as the lunch bell rang.