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 Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:30 am
Anthony Darrow was, at least in his mind, more like his normal self today. His days of moping around and trying to sort things out in his head were hopefully behind him. Now he had to focus on work. Get back into the groove of things. Move on from loss and worry and terror, and just get back to his regularly scheduled life.
He was working the front desk of the library on its first day of being open since the epidemic. He had been awake for quite a few days now, but with the amount of backlogged work that needed to be handled he had not been able to open the doors until now.
Not to mention those few days were he refused to come to work, either too drunk or too hungover to even get out of bed. But he wasn't going to dwell on that.
Things were bad for everyone, he reminded himself.
So he turned the sign over to 'open' and unlocked the door, offering the city a place to relax and read, if they so wanted. He then returned to the desk, expecting a quiet day at work. After all, he doubted 'visiting the library and reading a good book' was at the top of anyone's to do list at the moment. Still, he did see people coming in and out, and it began to feel like normal. Exactly what he wanted. He helped people find books, or work the public access computers for the internet.
There was still a lot of down time, though, and he spent most of his time sitting at his desk behind the front counter, browsing the internet between bouts of checking in books and rough sorting them in the back for shelving. It was more difficult than usual, since he was hobbling around on a cane, but he had worked out a system that allowed him to work as fast as he could.
Not quite his regular pace, but it would have to do.
He was in the back at the moment, leaving the front desk unattended during a quiet period so he could sort out a cart of books that hadn't been shelved since before the whole 'half the city is in a coma' thing.
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:07 pm
'Visiting the library and reading a good book' was at the very top of Queen Beryl's to-do list for that day.
Or rather, it was at the top of Ursula Killingworth's to-do list, but only by technicality. Hillworth was due to open for the new school year the following week but until that point, the young woman had decided to indulge in one of her century - no - millennia old pastimes.
It was her first time in an official 'public library'. The palace on Earth had rooms upon rooms filled with books, but never anything like this. No, here there were scores upon scores of books, shelves lining the entire building with nothing but stories, histories and facts she was all-too eager to devour.
Ursula's memories of libraries were faint and confusing. It was clear she rarely visited such a place (and considering her habits, sadly, Beryl did not expect to learn much from them) so in turn, Beryl's knowledge of such a place was painfully limited. Did she just... take a book? This wasn't a book store - she knew there was no money involved... or was there? How else would they stay open? How much did the books cost - should she have gone to a bookstore instead?
Straightening her posture, she held on to her purse strap with one hand as the other opened the door to the vast library that awaited her. Heels clicked against the ground, otherwise the place was abnormally quiet. Peaceful. Delightful.
It wasn't hard to locate the front desk - the empty front desk. Eyes roamed the counter as she stepped closer, reading various signs (Quiet Please!) and notices posted here and there. The books seemed to be labeled in sections... but where was she to start first? Was there a limit on how many she could take? She was allowed to leave with them, right?
One hand moved up to brush back a loose curl, eyes continuing to survey her surroundings as her mind digested her new environment. Oh if only they had such a place back when she had the time to read so many books!
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:45 pm
Tony was still working out all the kinks of his newly developed process of shelving-while-limping-on-cane, and though he thought he had everything down he ran into a problem when he needed to shelf something on one of the higher shelves. He stared at it for a moment, gauging the distance, the weight of the books in his hands, and the time he estimated he would need to stay balanced on his bad leg without using the cane, since both hands would be needed to get the books up on the shelf.
Or he could just get someone else to come do it, but this was his library as far as he was concerned, and he liked to do his job. Maybe he was just getting a bit too proud of his status in his own little world, the small helping of
being the best' to get help with something he used to be able to do effortlessly. He was supposed to be good at his job, and he took such care of this place.
The library was his home, probably the biggest part of his life: he would be damned if he took a step back and had to ask for help on something he had long ago been able to master. He would just have to soldier through, and re-learn all the skills with this new disability. After all, it wasn't permanent: with therapy he would be walking normally again in no time.
Maybe work at the library counted for that?
In any case, he moved to put the books up on the shelf and, despite the careful planning and the inner pep talk, the books crashed down from his hands as he stumbled awkwardly, one slamming him right on the head. He let out a curse louder than he would have liked, rubbing his head and retreating from the back room with his cane in hand.
Maybe the front desk would be safer.
He noticed a woman, vaguely familiar, though that was true of everyone who came into the library essentially, standing and looking around. She seemed a bit lost, and that was one of his favorite kind of visitors: it gave him someone to help. He smiled, forgetting about the headache he had just given himself, limping over to the front desk and leaning over a bit to get her attention.
"Can I help you find something, miss?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:21 pm
The crash was loud enough to be heard by the front desk, catching the attention of various readers around the area as well as the Negaverse Queen's. Her eyes quickly found the source of the cursing and she tilted her head in curiosity as he made his way towards her. Everyone else returned to their reading, a casual glance in the duo's direction every now and then by a bored reader.
"I came here looking for a book..." Pause. "Several books, actually. But I'm not so certain I'm the one needing assistance."
An eyebrow arched, one hand falling down to her hip as she eyed the gentleman in front of her. He was using a cane - limping, in fact. But his age was no where close to that of the elderly, so perhaps he was injured? Perhaps even injured from a book attack, judging by his most recent dramatics? "Are you alright?"
She had absolutely no intention of bringing him to a hospital, but a cell phone call, certainly. Not that she was looking for an excuse to use such an unusual contraption or anything...clearly just doing a civil duty as an Earth citizen towards another, of course.
"I do have a cell phone I can use, to make the call."
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:47 pm
Tony looked at her, tilting his head slightly to one side. For a moment he was lost, not realizing she had heard the chaos in the back room. Not that it was isolated from the world, since sound very easily drifted to the front lobby, but for some reason he always thought that what happened in the work rooms stayed in the work rooms. It was a habit deeply ingrained in him now, and even though he had worked there for years he still made silly mistakes like that.
"You're not in need of a**... oh!" It donned on him what she meant halfway through his question, which left him saying a word he hadn't meant, and he shook his head, "Assistance, I mean. Uh. Well. Uhm."
He looked around sheepishly.
"I'm fine. Th-there's no reason to make... ah... any call. Thank you, though, for the... offer." He frowned. He had just bumped his head. Sure, he was on a cane, but what of that? It didn't mean he was a wimp, did it? Did he look so feeble that he needed an ambulance on stand by? Shuffling his feet, he tried to steer his thoughts else where.
"So, what was that about several books?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:38 pm
She frowned briefly, disappointed that no, she wouldn't be able to use her phone for any sort of call (damn it) but the edges of her lips returned to a fine steady line at his next question.
Where was she even supposed to start?
"I'm looking for books."
Okay, that was simple enough.
"Any... sort of book."
Her voice wavered slightly, her shoulders still straight, head held high and confident. She had no clue where to begin, no idea where she should start looking. What sort of book was she interested in? History? Classical? Romance? She wanted to read them all but there was no way she could just tell him that - but what was she supposed to say?
Eyes glanced over to readers at a nearby table, each engrossed with whatever book they'd plucked from the shelves. No one else seemed to be having any issues - was she the only one who didn't know how a library worked?
Biting her tongue, she refused to let her half-smile fade. "I'm not from around here - I'm interested in all sorts of books. Show me the ones you prefer, for starters?"
Pausing for a moment, her eyes closed as she took in a deep breath, recollecting the fact she was not her usual self at the moment, nor giving orders to the ones she usually ordered around. "If you wouldn't mind, of course. Please."
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Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:14 pm
Tony's eyebrows lifted a bit as she spoke. He often had people coming in not quite knowing what they wanted, but they always seemed to at least have a general topic. They might not know which book they wanted, for example, but they would have names of authors, or a genre, or some kind of topic or interest. She didn't offer him anything.
Books he preferred? He had to refrain from hitting the panic button. This was always the awkward part (one of the many, at least). Even with years of practice, he was still not good at telling patrons that he didn't actually read very much.
He had heard all the jokes, about a librarian who didn't read. But something told him she wasn't going to be cracking any jokes for him.
Just a hunch.
Her question hit a sore spot. He had only just locked the door on his once precious collection of personal books, collected over what felt like his life time. All about Arthurian legend, and some other legends scattered in. But after going to that place... to Camelot... he had no will to look at those books now. Dream or not. Whatever it was, he had no idea.
It didn't matter now.
"I don't read very much, I'm afraid. But perhaps I can show you around to the different sections? You might find something that sparks your interest. O-or we have, ah, we have this New Books section. A little bit of... uh... everything."
He smiled at her, wanting to be helpful. He didn't seem to notice she had ordered him. Or maybe he just naturally responded to orders, just to be polite. Either way, he was looking at her, eager to help.
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 5:28 am
"A librarian who doesn't read?"
What a peculiar situation indeed! "Why in the world would you work in such a place if you have no interest in reading?"
Awkward silence lingered between the two adults, soon to be waved away by her own impatience. Curiosity killed the Guardian cat, after all. "Nevermind, that's none of my business. A tour would be lovely, provided you're able to give one."
Eye fell back down towards the cane, then back up towards his face. She said nothing, but it was clear she was questioning his ability to walk, much less guide them both around the library. It was a decently sized library, after all.
The hand on her purse hoisted it up, settling it further on her arm as she stepped forward and began to walk, pausing only for a brief second to allow her hobbling guide to join her . "Is there a limit on books I can take home? Does it cost anything?"
Pertinent questions, in her opinion!
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:52 am
Tony nodded.
"A librarian that doesn't read," he repeated, just so she was clear. Not that he thought she was confused, but still. He was also trying to keep the jokes from coming, just in case she had a surprise sense of humor he needed to know about. Or be prepared for. He laughed at her question, though it was jovial. More at his own expense then hers, as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Just because I don't read them doesn't mean I don't love books. I am just the kind of man that likes the books themselves. I know that's strange," he sighed, shaking his head, not thinking it relevant to talk about himself. "Anyway, the patrons generally tell me about the books they're readi... cost anything?"
He shook his head. She must have been from way out of town, if she didn't understand how a library worked. Still, it wasn't the first time he had been asked that, and he doubted it would be the last.
Pretending not to see the way she was looking at his cane, hiding his limp as best he could and walking with his chest slightly puffed out in a small show of pride, or perhaps just to cover how embarrassed he was at seeming so useless, he led her to the elevator.
Which he was really hoping would behave and not break down again.
"All you need to do is set up an account. We require simple information for contact, and a credit card number, but the only time you ever pay anything is if you've destroyed a book, or it's been missing for a few weeks over its due date. Late fees will accumulate on your account for a certain time, and you can always come in to pay them off, or to discuss them. We only charge when it's been an unreasonable amount of time."
He was waiting for the elevator to take them up to the next floor, which had more books to offer than the first floor, which was mostly research and reference things for students, as well as computer banks and things of that nature.
"There's no limit on books. I suppose it's how many you think you can read in three weeks, or how many you can carry." He offered her a smile.
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:35 am
"How tempting - though I can see myself struggling to read as many as I'd like to take home with me."
Her own words seemed to amuse herself as she thought over the library process he was generous enough to explain. She had Ursula's credit card - no issues there. Mortalitas thankfully had been wise enough to retrieve the former funds of the previous General-Kings, so money was far from problematic.
Eyes moved to the shelves as they stood by the closed elevator doors. Though she'd never say it, she understood what he meant. She loved books, even without having to read them. The feel of their covers, the smell - it was an escape in itself. It had been a form of escape for her, centuries ago, back when there was no silly form of electronic entertainment as there was now. No, back then she had her stories, she had her journeys through the eyes of another, she got to experience heartbreak and romance, death and discovery all within aged pages of books stored away in the palace rooms.
All those books were gone now, though. All were burned or lost during the war that burned the palace - first edition stories were taken from her, original spellbooks that were never copied down. All that was left were the memories stored in her own mind, locked away in fear of forever disappearing out of existence.
Her attention slowly returned, and eyes moved back to focus on his cane, which she credited him for hiding well. Unfortunately for him, it was the perfect distraction from sorrowful thoughts of lost treasures.
"So how were you injured? Hopefully you won the fight."
This time her smile was genuine - a refreshing change, for once.
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 1:06 pm
Tony smiled at her, shaking his head in wonder. How many books could she want, when she didn't know what she was looking for? Unless she was like that robot in Short Circuit, and could just blaze through anything... but he doubted it. Still, it was a funny mental image, and he was staring at her as he waited for the elevator, imagining it.
He looked down at his cane, snapping out of his daze around the same time she had. He shook his head, not thinking she knew anything about the Negaverse and their minions, and not wanting to give away any secrets. He was used to assuming no one had any idea what he would be talking about, anyway.
If he only knew.
"Well, I mostly won the fight. I drove him off, at least. I was attacked by some thugs on the way home, and they left me unconscious in an alley. Ah, it's dangerous area I live in. Uh... maybe I should have just said... yes... I did win." He sighed, shaking his head. Finally the elevator arrived and the doors slid open, so he could take her up to the second floor. He held the doors open for her, though it was doubtful that they would close with the two standing there, letting her enter first politely.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:26 pm
"I see."
Being that it was Destiny City, chances were if a 'thug' had attacked the librarian, it had either been a senshi or one of her own officers. There was a slim chance that an actual civilian crook had been responsible, as the crime in Destiny City had significantly dropped as soon as the two 'rival gangs' had appeared on the scene.
It was easy to assume, however, that since the librarian was still alive that none of her own had touched him. Surely no one would have let him escape?
She caught herself scowling at the notion, quickly moving her lips back into a fine, safe straight line. Beryl had ridden in very few elevators since arriving on Earth, but thankfully their technology was not completely unknown to her.
"Hopefully you left them in a sorry state, since they seem to have done the same to you."
Eyes wandered back down to his cane, then up towards his face. She realized her wording was harsh, so, biting her tongue and suppressing a wince, she apologized. "Sorry, that was...wrong of me to say. Hopefully your injuries will heal soon enough. Have you seen a doctor?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:55 pm
Tony's eyebrows lifted and a frown started when he heard her rather biting remark about his state. He tried not to look offended though, catching his expression before it could fully form and holding it there in an effort to look amused or something, not wanting his face to fall and look insulted or hurt. Instead, he looked like he had just smelled something funny, and was being thinly polite about not saying anything.
Giving up, he settled for looking confused, and very nervous.
"Ah, well. No, it's okay, I understand what you meant," he offered, when she apologized. He cleared his throat, smiling again. At least that came more naturally than all the other expressions he had been struggling through, "I uh... did hit one in the head with a rock? So. There's that. I count that as a triumph."
He chuckled, nodding his head. "Yes, I went. Ha, I certainly couldn't have patched it up myself."
Motioning around, he gave her a tour of the floor, hoping she might find a section of books that interested her, so she didn't leave the library after all this effort without anything to read. He always liked helping people find books. The second floor was, essentially, the first half of the alphabet in the library of congress method of shelving. Not that that information was very useful, as there were tons of books and sections to pick from.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 2:27 pm
Her look was nothing less than pitying as she watched his reaction to her words. Bluntness came naturally for her - there was no reason for manners in the Negaverse, simply formality. So seeing a brief glimpse of how her own words wounded a man... well, it was empowering, to say the least. And also at the same time...guilty. Which brought an even bigger frown upon her face.
She was too old to be feeling guilty, goddamnit.
Remaining quiet throughout the tour, eyes wandered the halls and aisles of books. She found herself pausing here and there and it wasn't until he stopped walking that she pointed out to a particular section.
"History... could we browse there some more, perchance?"
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:27 pm
Tony seemed to get over it pretty fast, back to his easy demeanor and warm, gently expression. He found being nice was easier than taking offense to everything the library patrons said: most of the time they didn't mean it, and even if they did he only saw them for a few minutes on any given day. He had so much else to worry about, after all.
When she pointed out the history section he seemed almost excited, but only in the nerdy sense that he might actually be able to help her now. Instead of looking like a doof and embarrassing himself constantly.
"Of course! Do you have an interest in history? We have pretty much anything you could think of. Different cultural histories, time periods, geographic histories, journals, histories of art or science or religion..." He was motioning to the various aisles as he spoke, remembering where each general topic might be found.
Sometimes he wondered if he had spent too much time in the library.
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