[There's an interesting mix of books in this place-- the Belobogian stuff is to be expected, because of course Belobogian literature would be popular on its homeworld. Since the planet was opened up to the rest of the galaxy, they've clearly been getting in at least a little bit of commerce from the rest of the known universe, judging from the off-world authors. A few names that he's very familiar with, some that he knows by reputation only. That slim little book of 'history' is particularly noteworthy-- it's got all the fingerprints of a history fictionologist.]
[Gepard's little notes are also a fun read, if only for the insight that it gives on what he's been doing these past few years. The good former Captain has always been a meticulous kind of man, so it's amusing but not surprising that he's taken such careful notes about his own reading habits. His daily work reading isn't quite so fantastical as what he takes home. His bedtime reading is all grand romances and dramatic plots, but what he reads in the shop is much more tame. Embarrassed, maybe, at potentially being seen in public with something too fanciful?]
[When he gets to the picture, he picks it up to get a better look. Gepard with his sisters and his daughter, all of them looking happy. Lily, in particular, held in her father's arms and beaming at the camera. It's very cute, and he puts the picture carefully back where it was, in its little place of honor.]
[He kills the next few minutes by reading through the bookstore's ledger, listening to the sound of water being boiled in the other room. Sales are mediocre at best, the place really only limping along because Gepard doesn't get paid much and doesn't seem to mind. It's almost second-nature at this point to just... run through the mental calculations of what it would take to get a business like this really up and running. The potential's there-- the only other major competition would be the book merchant in the Administrative district. Sure, the newsstand model saves you a lot of costs because of its low footprint, but all your customers have to stand outside in the freezing Belobog temperatures, and this store has actual indoor space to work with. A little market research, some importing of new, popular media, better advertising so people actually know this place exists-- give him six months and he could get this place bustling. Less if he can secure funding up-front.]
[But he's getting ahead of himself. And there's that little lily box on the counter, too, the one that's got a simple little lock and sounds like it's holding papers... it wouldn't take much to open, but it's also locked and thus intended to be private, and Gepard could come back with tea at any moment.]
[Sampo also knows exactly where the box will be, and when Gepard won't. The door lock won't keep him out after hours. Why risk Gepard's wrath now when he can come back later and open it at his leisure?]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2024-09-23 02:10 am (UTC)[Gepard's little notes are also a fun read, if only for the insight that it gives on what he's been doing these past few years. The good former Captain has always been a meticulous kind of man, so it's amusing but not surprising that he's taken such careful notes about his own reading habits. His daily work reading isn't quite so fantastical as what he takes home. His bedtime reading is all grand romances and dramatic plots, but what he reads in the shop is much more tame. Embarrassed, maybe, at potentially being seen in public with something too fanciful?]
[When he gets to the picture, he picks it up to get a better look. Gepard with his sisters and his daughter, all of them looking happy. Lily, in particular, held in her father's arms and beaming at the camera. It's very cute, and he puts the picture carefully back where it was, in its little place of honor.]
[He kills the next few minutes by reading through the bookstore's ledger, listening to the sound of water being boiled in the other room. Sales are mediocre at best, the place really only limping along because Gepard doesn't get paid much and doesn't seem to mind. It's almost second-nature at this point to just... run through the mental calculations of what it would take to get a business like this really up and running. The potential's there-- the only other major competition would be the book merchant in the Administrative district. Sure, the newsstand model saves you a lot of costs because of its low footprint, but all your customers have to stand outside in the freezing Belobog temperatures, and this store has actual indoor space to work with. A little market research, some importing of new, popular media, better advertising so people actually know this place exists-- give him six months and he could get this place bustling. Less if he can secure funding up-front.]
[But he's getting ahead of himself. And there's that little lily box on the counter, too, the one that's got a simple little lock and sounds like it's holding papers... it wouldn't take much to open, but it's also locked and thus intended to be private, and Gepard could come back with tea at any moment.]
[Sampo also knows exactly where the box will be, and when Gepard won't. The door lock won't keep him out after hours. Why risk Gepard's wrath now when he can come back later and open it at his leisure?]