Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 6)

(Omggg hahah where is that even from?)

“No doubt,” Ky said with a smile. “I’m planning to make full use of this collection while I’m here, and I know that won’t even scratch the surface.”

(Don't Starve Together. It's a survival video game on Steam. Very fun, but quite difficult!)

"Glad to hear it. It's a fascinating place, to be sure, especially for someone who enjoys reading and learning. New subjects galore, plenty of different languages and subjects, and gossip besides."

(Nice!)

“Oh?” She gave a smile and a little laugh. Was fate so kind as to give her two chatty librarians in the same day? “What sorts of gossip?”

"Anything and everything the Diary Organizers dredge up, plus whatever the servants bring us when they come up to socialize. Juicy stuff." She wiggled her eyebrows. "Some not for the ears of young ladies like yourself."

Ky smirked, contemplating saying ‘I can be flexible’ in response to her comment. She could cut her hair again and put the binder on and be privy to all the conversations she’d heard while people thought they were alone in a room filled with men. But that would require far more explanations than she wanted to give just then. “I can handle more than I look like I can… sounds interesting, no doubt.”

Elise gave her a long look, then nodded to herself. "I believe you," she decided. "You've got the look of someone who's been through it."

What was that supposed to mean? She barely resisted the urge to furrow her brow at her. “… I do?”

"You look like you've spent too much time thinking," Elise said after a pause. "And you don't talk like any noble I know. You're nervous, I think."

Spoiler

Ky rn xD

"Oh." Was it really that obvious that she didn't belong? She needed to try harder. If she could pretend she wasn't scared of Aleth, she could pretend to be a noble... if she tried very, very hard. "... I'm working on it."

(You can bet Gaius isn't a big fan of Elise either)

"Why bother working at it?" Elise shrugged. "You are who and what you are. From what I've heard, Tomhas Loquitur wouldn't give half a damn."

(haha yeah she does not seem like she's good at keeping her mouth shut and just doing her job haha)

Ky nodded, feeling a bit of heat in her cheeks, even though she wasn't sure why. Elise was so unsettling to talk to. She preferred Ingrid. "You're certainly right about that."

(Hard to imagine why the Reputations might not vibe with her!)

"Anyway." Elise squared her shoulders. "Drop the book off at my office when you've finished and I'll reshelf it. Be careful with it, and enjoy your exploration of astronomy."

(hahaha)

"Thank you." Ky nodded to her, then glanced back at the shelf. She thought she remembered where Elise had pulled the book from, but it'd certainly be easier to just let her reshelve it herself. But she made a mental note to be sure of where she swiped Michael's diary from if she went with that, to be sure no one caught her with it.

(That will be an interesting situation to play out, both if Gaius finds out and when she actually reads the thing. I've been listening to Grettir's Saga on Saga Thing to get ideas for the diary)

"Right. I'm back to work, then." Elise dipped her head curtly and strode off.

(haha no doubt! I can imagine Gaius absolutely flaying her verbally, and perhaps physical means as well? Like, obviously he won't hurt her, but like might be getting cozy with Emery before long xD How do you think he'd respond?)

Ky watched her go, a little perplexed. She seemed terse. Not quite like Ky was bothering her, but kind of. She must be one of the librarians the twins had referred to about being mean. Ky wandered out of the maze and headed for the back of the room.