Skaia University Library | Open

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane sat at the library's reference desk, her shoulders rolled back and her gaze angled upwards. Her eyes roved across the aging ceiling tiles, counting them for no other reason than attempting to alleviate her boredom. It was rare that she got past 48 before she lost both interest and count, and she sighed, begrudgingly deciding that she may as well start from tile one. 

The library was deserted, with most students either in class or at lunch, and Jane had done just about everything she possibly could within the realm of productivity. She'd shelved all of the returned items, sent out emails to those who were tardy with books and fines alike, tidied up the library, and even put in orders for new volumes for their collection. Abandoning the fruitless counting, she looked out to the library at large, biting her painted lower lip. Once more, she sighed, figuring that if nothing else, she could always work on an assignment or two. 

Jane withdrew a USB drive from her pocket and inserted it into the computer, pulling up a paper she had been working on. It wasn't due for another week and a half, but she figured it was better to work on it now than to be stressed about it later. She ran a hand through her already-tussled dark hair, and cracked her knuckles, ignoring the way her stomach grumbled in frustration. "Oh, hush." the chubby brunette chided, adjusting her red-framed glasses upon the bridge of her nose. Soon enough, her colleagues would return from lunch, and she would be relieved from her post. Patience, here, was key. 

As she began to type, her lips formed the words she wrote, the paragraphs becoming a soft whisper beneath her breath. 

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[mustachioedmaiden]

The other woman spoke like a poet, her words rolling as viscous syrup from her tongue. Jane led Kanaya onward, finding the aisle they'd need with relative ease. After all, she had been here many times for her own pleasure. Eyes flicked over the shelves from behind her large spectacles, and brightened as they fell upon the well-loved tome. She held it aloft, a mysterious man in a trench coat emblazoned upon the cover.

"I am a fan of mystery," Jane said, "supernatural or otherwise. I'm a criminal law major myself, so I tend to be rather partial to the tried and true PI novella. But the way this one weaves in magic is brilliance incarnate, not to mention quite humorous." The librarian smiled, giving a little chuckle to herself. "Hoohoo, I can always admire when a protagonist doesn't take themselves too seriously. Grittiness for grittiness's sake in a main character is hardly appealing. I can assure you, it is well worth the read, Miss....?" Jane sought a name she did not know as she extended her free hand, smile light.

[drawntotheflame]

"Maryam," she said, extending her hand in kind. The grip was straightforward and warm, and Kanaya found herself endeared by it. "Kanaya Maryam. I'll have to concur with you on that point. A dash of humor is a sorely needed but often neglected ingredient among darker genres. I myself ordinarily indulge in supernatural stories of any manner, especially anything vampiric in nature, and I trust your recommendation on this." She took the book and turned it in her hands, fingers caressing the worn edges. "The casual magic aspect strikes me as especially intriguing."

She shifted her gaze to Jane's face once more. "Might I know your name as well? You've been a tremendous help."

[mustachioedmaiden]

"The main character is a Private Investigator and a wizard, so you certainly have a healthy dose of both mystery and paranormal. And yes, there are vampires here, as well. Seems to be a fair choice all around." Jane chuckled softly, blinking as the other woman inquired her name. "Oh! Crocker, dear. Jane Crocker. It has been an absolute pleasure." Her wild set of curls ducked forward in what seemed to be a half-bow, and she gestured back to the stairs. "Shall we get you checked out then, Miss Maryam?"

[drawntotheflame]

Kanaya laughed again, glowing at the shorter woman's lively demeanor. "Yes, please, Miss Crocker," she responded, finding it surprisingly easy to match the jovial tone and fall into a teasing cadence.

Back at the front desk, Kanaya handed over the book and her student ID. "It was delightful to make your acquaintance. I hope this isn't too forward of me, but..." She rummaged in her bag pulled out her cell phone, fitted with flower-adorned case. "I'd like to exchange phone numbers if you're willing."

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane took the book and the ID, scanning her card first and then the book itself. She then grabbed one of her due date slips and her stamp. She was about to emblazon the due date upon the yellowing cardstock (a seemingly simple task that brought Jane great joy) when Kanaya spoke again, her flowery cell phone now in hand.

A soft flush rose to Jane's face, and she blinked in surprise. "Oh! I'd.. Ahem! Of course, dear. My number is (413) 878-5567." She smiled, her flush fading soon enough. But it had migrated to her ears, their tips dusted with telltale pink. "If you text me, I'll add you to my contacts."

Jane finished checking Kanaya out, unable to stop the persistent grin that tugged at her painted lips. When she looked up to the other woman, their eyes locked, blue eyes dancing brightly. "I hope to see you again soon."

[drawntotheflame]

Kanaya's green nails tapped on the screen as she punched Jane's name and number into her contacts and sent Jane a quick text -- "Hello This Is Kanaya Maryam" -- before she forgot.

She opened her mouth to say farewell and found herself flushing at the eye contact as well, although her darker complexion made it barely noticeable. "Ahem -- well, yes. I'll probably return quite soon, I don't expect this to take me an excessive amount of time to peruse." She slipped the book and her phone into her bag. With a final dazzling smile down at Jane, she tightened her shawl and headed out the door.

[mustachioedmaiden]

"I doubt it will either, but rest assured, there is more where that came from!" Jane said cheerily, offering a little wave as the taller woman departed. She smiled to herself and returned to her work with a persistent grin, far less bored than she had been mere moments prior.