Lion Helmet, Green Paper

This is a sequel to another Aruani story I wrote, if you want the whole thing go check out "Not because I wanted to". Link in the description.

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"Miss Leonhardt?" A voice came from outside Annies bedroom door, "Yes?" Annie replied as she combed through her blonde hair, it was sunday, her day off everything. "Your ride is here." Said the voice again, Annie sighed, "I told you Richard, I'll take my bike." Annie walked over to the door and opened it, "You know how much I hate being viewed as a aristocrat." her butler, Richard, just bowed. "I'm sorry miss. Would you like me to send him away?" Richard asked the blonde as she walked down the large hall, "No, just invite him in for tea or something." Annie said as she headed into the garage, "As you wish ma'am." Richard said as he walked out of the garage to invite the driver in, Annie rolled her eyes. She didn't like being called names like "Ma'am" or "Miss", she just wanted to be known as Annie. Annie grabbed her helmet and sat on her motor cycle, starting the engine, she rode out of the garage and onto the street.


"Armin?" A old man called out to get the blondes attention, Armin walked out of one book isle and looked to the front counter, "Yes grandfather?" Armin said, walking up to his old man. "I need you to watch the store until I get back." Armins grandfather said walking around the counter heading for the front door. "Alright, see you when you get back." Armin waved, his grandfather doing the same.

It was a slow day, but that wasn't surprising, people rarely came to this book store. Armin sighed and rested his head on the counter, "So boring." and like the gods answered his prayers, the bell signaling the door opened chimed. "Welcome to the Arlert family book store, how may I help you?" Armin said, as he looked up to see who the customer was it was hard to tell what they looked like. They wore a black leather jacket with plain jeans, and covering their head was a bikers helmet, the design on it was that of a lion with flames for a mane, their visor was tinted black but enough to see the eyes behind it.

"I uh…" Armin was intimidated by this customer, "Wheres Mr. Arlert?" the customer said, their helmet muffled their voice but it was clear enough to hear what they were saying. "He's out at the moment. Are you here to look for a book?" Armin said wanting to run and hide somewhere, "Yeah, I just need to return these ones then I'll look around for something new." The customer said setting three books down on the counter, making a slight thump. The customer walked through the isles looking for new books while Armin checked out the books they left on the counter.

"Beauty and the Beast"
"Little red riding hood"
"Cinderella"

Armin was puzzled by the selection that the customer set down before him, but Armin knew to not question people and define them by what they like. "Darn helmet!" The customer said, now the voice more clear, "Remind myself to buy a new helmet later." Armin was curious to see who was behind the visor, turning the corner to see who it was slightly shocked him. Annie stood there looking at the inside of her helmet, her short blonde hair touching her shoulders, "Annie?" Armin said, Annie looked over with her bored look, "Yeah?" Armin was no longer intimidated.

"You rent books here?" Armin said as he grabbed the new book from Annies hand. "Yeah, been coming here since I've been old enough to be on my own for a couple of hours."

"Have you seen me around?" Armin asked as he looked at the books title; "Wicked"

"Yeah, you were usually putting books up on the shelfs." Annie replied and she handed Armin another book. "And I rarely come here." Annie added, Armin smiled, "You aren't the first one." Annie looked up at Armin, "What do you mean?" Armin handed the last book to Annie, "People rarely come here, because of that we're almost gonna lose this place. My mom and dad rented it out to sell books to little kids, free books for the homeless." Armin smiled at the memory of his parents, Annie slightly smiled. "So you need money?" Annie asked, Armin nodded, "How much?" Armin lowered his head a bit, "$200,000" Armin replied, Annie whistled from going high then low, "Thats a lot." Armin nodded once again. Armin heard a chink and looked up to see Annie half way out the door, looking to his right, he saw some money in the tip jar. "Every little bit helps." Annie said as the door closed behind her.


Days passed and Armins grandfather walked into the bookstore with a sad look on his face. "What is it grandfather?" Armin said with worry in his voice, "Someone bought the bookstore, we have to give up this place." his grandfather said as he sat down, Armin was shocked to hear the news. "Who bought it?" Armin asked trying not to raise his voice, "I don't know, it was a anonymous buyer." Armin was so mad he could just punch something, his parents book store was bought by some guy they don't know.

The bell chimed signaling someone came in, "I'm sorry but we-" Armin paused in mid-sentence when he looked up to see that the person who came in was a tall man in a tux, he looked like he was in his 60's. "Are you part of the Arlert family?" The man finally said, Armin and his grandfather nodded, "Good, I came here to give you this." the man handed Armin a envelope, opening it he saw what was inside.

A certificate saying that the bookstore was permanently theirs to keep. Armin smiled, "But, how? I-" Armin couldn't believe it, his parents store was theirs to keep forever. "My master heard you were in a bit of a pickle, he decided to buy the store for you so you could own it." The tux man said, "Who is your master? Who helped us?" Armin asked, the man shook his head, "That I cannot say, my master likes to remain anonymous." Armin frowned a bit. "Tell him thank you for us." Armins grandfather said, the tux man bowed, "I will do that." the man then walked out of the store and into his fancy car.

Armin was so excited for the store he almost missed something. Out of the corner of his eye he saw outside the store, at the other side of the street, a motor cycle with its driver sitting on it was looking at the scene. Their helmet was one with a lion on it and flames for a mane, "Annie?" Armin thought, he began to walk outside until the biker started up their bike and rode off.



"What was she doing?"