Kolina:
The weather had been iffy all day and with the threat of a few inches of snow, Chailee decided to stop at the local library. There was nothing better than a good book with a big mug of hot chocolate while the world slowly disappeared under a soft cold blanket of snow. And, seeing that chailee had extinguished all of the un-read books at home and currently didn’t have anything in mind she specifically wanted to read, a trip to the library was in order. There she’d be able to find just about anything to appease her rather voracious reading habit.

Walking into the building she relished the smell. Any building chocked full with books had the most pleasant scent of old pages. It ranked right up there for her as the smell of cracking open a brand new book. As any good book reader could tell you, both scents, while similar, were very much different. You were either opening yourself up to a new world or possibly going back to visit old friends. And that’s what Chay loved about books. Well...one of the many reasons. Besides you know, visiting new worlds, falling in love, going on adventures and...well...yea. There’s a lot to love about books.

Cheeks rosey red from the cold outside, Chailee happily unbuttoned her coat as the warmth of the library began to slowly seep into her bones. She noticed it wasn’t all that busy. A few people sat at some of the public computers and an elderly man was reading a newspaper in one of the many lounge chairs, but besides that there wasn’t much going on. At least not on the main level.

Brushing a few stray curls from her face and tucking them behind her ear Chay walked over to the stairwell and made her way upstairs. She was looking for the fiction section. She had a desire to loose herself in a good fantasy novel. Maybe something with a princess and knights? Maybe even a touch of romance! With a smile and practically bouncing the girl began to walk around the second floor in search of a book to fill her needs.

Lithiasaur:
Tony left the front desk in the hands of one of the capable young student workers that came through internships or because they direly needed funds to feed themselves while studying in college. They were always the same type, the ones that sought to work at the library. Bookish, eager, and lovers of the written word. They were dedicated and trustworthy, and so far, in his long years of experience here, Tony had run into very little problems with them. So he was all too happy to let the current employee run the front desk unattended, knowing she might browse the internet or chat on her phone while he was away, but doubting that would cause much harm. She was the type to know when to work and when to play, after all.

He was not a stickler for that kind of thing, either. A very laid back boss, he allowed for all kinds of things, which promoted an easy and comfortable air, though he somehow managed to get hard work out of his employees when he needed it. The library ran smoothly, and it was always a relaxing place for him to be, despite it being his day to day job. After all, most folks dreaded their work, while he could come here as a little escape from his real job. Being a knight, after all, put a lot of things in a much different perspective. In the library, as far as he knew, everyone would survive, and the help they needed from him was simple. Finding books was so much easier than fighting battles and protecting innocent lives.

It almost made him feel guilty, considering this place a haven like that. But everyone needed a little escape, even this even tempered, experienced Royal Knight.

Today, he was working on organizing a new section on the second floor, renumbering and shelving the books that had been brought over to fill the shelves. It was tedious and brain numbing, but he loved it. And he had good company in the form of his two well trained Library Dogs. Well. Excitable corgis, which were not exactly the same thing, but close enough. Dogby, the older one, had at least been at this long enough to really understand how to behave. And Gizmo was learning from her older 'sister', which was helping. They were good dogs. They just... got a little distracted at the promise of new friends.

Which was why they darted away from Tony suddenly and he was made to, with a heavy sigh, put down the books he was holding and go after them. He knew better than to run: it just made them skitter on their stumpy legs faster than he would be able to follow. He saw the duo scampering toward a girl, shaking his head as the small stampeded skidded to a stop in front of her and eagerly stared up, hopefully wagging the bumps on their bottoms that passed for tails.

"I'm sorry," he said, once he was close enough to not be shouting across the library. "They're... hyper, but not dangerous."

Kolina:
Chailee rounded a corner and was more than surprised to find not one but -two- dogs looking up at her with expectantly big eyes and their entire rumps moving with their little stubby tails. Needless to say her heart completely melted the moment her eyes fell upon the duo! She had never seen dogs in the library and at first thought maybe they were service dogs, but realized they weren’t wearing the vests denoting them as such. Plus, any good service dog wouldn’t just be without it’s owner in a place like this.

Speaking of owner…

Chailee looked up from the happy pups to the man who appeared from the general direction the dogs had come from. “Oh, it’s completely alright!” She giggled. “I am a big animal lover. I was just surprised to see two dogs in the library.” She looked back down at the dogs and grinned. “Alright alright. You both obviously want some attention.” She knelt down to their level and let them smell her hands for a moment before happily catering to the dogs want and began scratching their heads and ears. She laughed again at their rather obvious happy ‘smiles’ at her attention. “They’re so cute!” She looked up at the man. “Are they yours? They’re just so adorable! Not to mention, very welcoming."

Lithiasaur:
Tony shook his head as Dogby and Gizmo delighted in the attention, whining at Chailee and bouncing up on their short legs to try and get in front of each other, each one wanting the most pets, and licking at her hands while shoving each other to get it. They were playful and gentle, though, and it was clear there was not an ounce of aggression in either of them. Just so, considering their owners.

"Ah, well, they sort of belong to the library, in a way. Well, they belong to me, and so does the library, so they have permission, I suppose. They are good about keeping their voices down, though, for the most part." Whining and small yips aside, they rarely barked fully when in the quiet library.

Tony had never taught them that, directly. He supposed they just picked it up, by how everyone else talked around them and to them here.

"That one is Dogby, the larger one. She's older, and the puppy, of course, is Gizmo. They are very glad to meet you, clearly." He laughed, though he knew that those two dogs were happy to meet everyone, and anyone that offered them pets and affection were considered new best friends almost immediately. "Oh, uh. Was there anything I could help you find?"

He was, after all, the librarian. Might as well try to do his job, instead of spending his time wrangling short dogs. He had a name tag on, which he felt officiated his position there, and established him as someone who was there to be helpful, and not just a creepy person asking weird questions. He had not brought his cane with him, but his leg was not troubling him too much today, so he just leaned lightly on a chair as he watched her. Really, his leg was feeling better and better, and he wondered if he would, as the doctors insisted, always need that cane. They did not count on his being a Royal Knight, after all.

Kolina:
Chailee giggled at the duo who were doing whatever possible to make sure they got the most attention from her. She continued to dote upon them, making sure each of them got as much loving as the other despite their attempts to overthrow the other’s position closest to her. Their antics made her long to get a dog herself. Well, truthfully, she wanted pretty much any kind of animal she came in contact with. This is why her parents refused to let her go near an animal shelter by herself. They knew if it was within her power, she’d come home with an armful of pets. Willow was truthfully enough for her at the moment. That horse was like having a dog at times with the way she followed Chay around the pastures.

“It must be lovely to own your own library and to be able to bring your pets to work.” She turned her face back up to the man. “I don’t know if I can think of a much better job than that!” She laughed.

“Oh! Yes, actually I could use some help.” She gave both dogs another good scratch behind their ears before standing up. As she rose she fixed her curly hair which had fallen around her face in her loving attentions to the four legged rascals at her feet. “I am looking for a good fantasy novel. I actually have my heart set on something that deals with kingdoms, princesses and knights.”

With her attention off of the dogs she now was able to get a good look at the man and noted that he had to be around her father’s age. The can in his hand made him look almost dignified. It was interesting how accessories of any type could help define someone. She hoped though, despite his use of it now, that he wasn’t in any sort of pain or having trouble manuvering around on his own. She didn’t though, point it out.

Though...she did feel like he was a gentleman who she could trust. Why she wasn’t sure. Maybe it was the fact he owned a library, had two extremely quirky and loving dogs, or just exuded a calm nature? Maybe it was all three? She wasn’t sure, but she felt comfortable around him.

“I am sort of hoping we get enough snow that school is cancelled so that I can sit and read all day with a mug of hot chocolate at my side.” She grinned. “I can only hope the stars align for me tomorrow.” With a giggle she glanced back down at the dogs at her feet. “If anything I am glad that coming here I got to meet you two and…” At that moment Chailee realized she hadn’t gotten the mans name of introduced herself. “Oh! I am sorry. I didn’t get your name.” She blushed slightly at her mistake. “I am Chailee Sterling.” She held out her hand.

Lithiasaur:
Tony made a soft whistle and patted his hand against his leg, calling the dogs over to him. Reluctantly, as Chailee stood up and moved away from them anyway, they turned and padded back to Tony, sitting by his feet and panting happily. They had been well petted, after all, and that was all they could really want in life. Besides some food and a good nap. And walkies.

"A fantasy novel, hm? Well, we have a section for that, over in fiction. I'll show you. I'm sure you'll be able to find something worthwhile over there. And if not, there are computers were you can search and find suggestions by themes. So hopefully we'll be able to find you something."

He opted not to mention his collection of books on Arthurian legends, which did also include the more romance-y ones. He felt he was making a good impression so far as a figure of authority and a man that knew what he was doing, so he did not really need to let her know he was a big goof.

If the corgis didn't already do that...

"My name is Anthony Darrow," he said with a chuckle, offering her his hand as she offered hers. He gave it a firm and friendly shake. "It's nice to meet you, Chailee. Always good to meet a reader, to be sure!"

Kolina:
“Same! I always enjoy meeting others who are avid readers. And I mean, it isn’t every day you meet someone who owns a whole library! At least not to the extent you do.” She laughed as she glanced in the direction he had indicated. “Perfect! I am eager to dive into my next story!”

Chay glanced down at the two corgis who were contently sitting at their masters feet. They were so well behaved and, amazingly, hadn’t uttered a single sound besides little groans, whines and huffs during her petting spree. Certainly not a single bark came out of them. Such good dogs!

As she began to walk with Anthony in the direction of the fiction section Chailee opted to ask some questions. After all, he seemed really nice. Not to mention he felt warm and inviting to such things. “So, um, if you don’t mind me asking, what are your favorite type of books to read?” She paused for a moment and looked at him. “I t hink I win pin you for a Non-fiction sort of guy. Maybe….histories?” She tilted her head, a quirky half smile on her face as she looked at the older man. At the same time, she took note as to whether or not he was really in need of his cane or not out of pure curiosity. Was it there as an accessory or necessity? Maybe she was being too nosey but...what could one expect from a 14 year old girl?

Lithiasaur:
Tony smirked at her, noting her question and thinking his secret was never safe. Having a room dedicated to his collection in this very library was, probably, not helpful to him, either. But at least that room was locked, and only the invited ever got to see it. Or when he needed to have meetings in there with other knights. He liked that spot, and it was often where he went to calm his mind and visit his Wonder.

"Well, I don't actually read all that much. I know, that's a terrible thing to say, as a librarian, but it was definitely more true a while ago. These days, I do find I like some quiet time with a book. Before, I used to just collect them, because I've always loved the sight and smell of them, and taking care of them. Just being around books has always made me happy. But ah. When I do read, I like legends. Arthurian legends."

He did walk with a slight limp, but he seemed to not notice it any more. He walked smoothly enough now, anyway, since he had not been straining too hard today, and was not as worn as he could be after a day of running around the library and heading up and down those stairs. He did not like the elevator, and was fairly convinced it hated him.

"Here we are," he said, motioning toward the shelves in front of them. There were long rows of meticulously organized books, mostly trade and hard backs in this area, as opposed to the larger and more random sizes of the text book heavy sections of the library. At the end of one of the rows, all of them labeled 'Fiction' and with numbers underneath indicating the way they were organized, was a computer labeled for searching and library use only. No gaming or inappropriate web surfing, though people always found a way to get away from the set navigator to access the internet.

Kolina:
Chailee was a bit surprised to hear Tony confess that he didn’t read much. But as he continued to explain his reasons she slowly thought she began to understand. After all, she very much enjoyed just being around books. The mere idea of being surrounded by books and being able to touch and smell them, even if she wasn’t able to read them, was a calming thought. It seemed that Tony was able to appreciate books in all of their aspects. Yes, he does read occasionally, but whatever the reason for his lack of reading whether it be time or other issues, it was very obvious he enjoyed the atmosphere that being surrounded by books brought. Chay could appreciate that.

“Huh. I never would have thought of you as a mythology reader.” She admitted her desire to want to pigeon hole him into an area of reading she expected from her father. Her father had managed to create quite a good collection of World War two books. But he wasn’t one to sit down and spend an entire day reading. Chay had gotten her taste of books from her mother. And her mothers voracious appetite for devouring books.

As they continued through the aisle’s Chay took note of Tony’s slight limp. So the cane wasn’t just an accessory despite the fact he didn’t seem to use it. Well, it was probably there just in case. She began to wonder if it was an injury in the healing process of something more associated to age like arthritis or joint deterioration. Maybe an old injury? Well Chay may be curious but she wasn’t rude. And asking something like that she she had only just met Tony would fall into the rude category.

When they reached their destination Chay glanced down the rows and felt a little bit of excitement bubble up inside of her. As well as a tinge of sadness because she couldn’t really think of a reason to keep Tony’s company. He had gotten her to her destination and really what else did he need to hang around her for?

“Um...I know you said you don’t read much...but um...is there a book here you might have read that you might recommend?”

There! That was a sincere and innocent enough question and didn’t seem too needy...right?

Lithiasaur:
Tony considered her question.

"Well, I'm not too sure about the kind of knights and princesses you're looking for, but the Mallory tales of King Arthur and his knights tend to be the classics, as far as reputation go. I enjoy them, and they share a lot of things in common with the basic standards that have come to be accepted for Camelot, creating that sort of fantasy like world that draws so much attention and wonder. At least for me," he laughed, shaking his head and looking wistful.

It was kind of funny, that he had ended up being a knight named Camelot, and was able to visit that Wonder directly. It was like visiting the dreams he used to have before he ever knew of this war and the powers that fought in the shadows and the darkness, while most of the world was unaware. He had been one of those innocent people, willfully oblivious and taking care of his books while pretending there was nothing wrong with the city he was living in.

Still, he had always loved Camelot, and his collection of books was as old as his work in the library, well over a decade now. Long before being a knight of that name. It was an honor for him, and a true delight. He felt such a deep kinship to who and what he was, and really, he loved that silly, generally pointless tie. It would mean nothing to anyone but him, after all.

But to him, it meant a lot.

"Uh but the computer can help you search by genre and key words, so hopefully it can come up with something you like. There is even a feature that recommends similar books to titles you type in to it, though I guess... if you don't know what you're looking for... that won't help much. Ah, well. Anyway, there are at least options open to you. Hopefully you find something."

He smiled warmly and nodded his head, stopping to let her start her search. He looked down at Dogby and Gizmo, who stopped by his feet but clearly wanted to follow her.

Kolina:
“Hm...Camelot…”

It was very obvious with the way that Tony spoke of the Arthurian tales that he had a deep love for that bit of mythology. If there was one thing that this man read, it was definitely any and all stories pertaining to Camelot and it’s incredible hero King Arthur. Truthfully, Chailee had never read a story pertaining to Camelot. It wasn’t that it hadn’t interested her. In fact, it was probably a part of fantasy and mythological stories that she would very much enjoy. It just wasn’t ever something that popped up in her head when it came time to pick a new book.

“Well then, I think I’ll dive into that book then.” She smiled. “I don’t really know much about Arthur besides, you know, the really well known things like Merlin, Arthur and his knights, and Arthur’s Kingdom of Camelot.” She glanced down the row of books before hopping over to the computer to type in the specific book that Tony had suggested to her.

Her search revealed the card catalogue number. Taking a moment to memorize the series of numbers and letter she walked past Tony and the dogs, stopping to give Tony a smile and the two corgis a pat on the head each before systematically going through the shelves upon shelves of books until she found the one she wanted. In finding the book in specific, she also noted there were a few other books there dedicated to Arthur. Some seemed to focus on Arthur himself, other Merlin, and a few more that appeared to be about Camelot but featured other characters she had never heard of. Well, maybe she’d have to bury herself in those books at some point. Well, that is, if this book fascinated her like she was hoping and expecting it would.

With her new treasure held against her chest with crossed arms she practically glowed as she walked back to Tony, Gizmo and Dogby. “I am expecting this to be a good read since it comes so highly recommended.” She giggled and winked. “Though I have no doubts that it will be!”

She paused for a moment and looked up at Arthur. “So uh, thank you so much for your help today! I am really glad I got to meet you.” She looked down at Gizmo and Dogby. “You two too.” She laughed as she glanced back up. “I will make sure to let you know what I thought of it when I return it.”

Lithiasaur:
Tony nodded his head and smiled at her as she bounced off to look for her book, turning his attention to his dogs after a moment. He kneeled down to pet them and comfort them as their new friend went away for a moment, though she returned soon enough for their hopes and dreams to be restored. They lived very strange, but simple little lives, he imagined, with the way they constantly experienced sheer delight at the smallest of things.

Must have been nice, really, to be so care free.

"Looks like you found something. I do hope you like it, and look forward to hearing your review, either way! Let's go downstairs and check that out, if you're ready. " He smiled, always glad to help, and a little worried she might not like the book. But then, that was always the interesting part of the job. Seeing what others felt about books, and hearing the differing opinions. Even to his own.

Still, he would take any chance to spread the love of Camelot around. Maybe that was just selfish at this point, but he was alright with that.


~FIN at 4.1k words~