scene 52

[charmedillusion]

You know what's strange? Certain visits to the library, that's what's strange. Not that the act of visiting the library is ever strange, but when you've spent the entire summer doing much less reading than you thought you would, and you choose a book, and it ends up being entirely not what you expected

Comments

[livingmyths]

Oooh! Sounds like a really good book!

I work here at the library and sometimes I get so caught up in the books I forget to go home at night!

[charmedillusion]

It was! Just...not what I expected. At all.

But how wonderful that you work there, I wish I worked at the library. I'm sure I must have seen you there before without even realizing it.

[livingmyths]

Books are funny like that. And this Library is sort of, well... it kind of has a mind of its own, I think.

Oh, maybe, but maybe not. I kind of... keep hidden away sometimes. I can be really shy.

My name's Rain, by the way.

[charmedillusion]

I think you must be right, which makes it much more fascinating than other libraries. Even if it is a little frustrating sometimes.

Then I'll definitely have to stop by and look for you next time I'm there.

Hi, Rain! I'm Sarah.

[livingmyths]

Yes! But sometimes, if it likes you, it gives you just exactly what you want.

Oh, I'd like that! I'm here most days.

It's nice to meet you, Sarah.

[charmedillusion]

Oh, great. I've got a long way to go before that happens, I think.

I'm usually there a lot more than I have been, lately. I need to fix that.

It's very nice to meet you, too! I'm glad something good came out of this entire thing.

[livingmyths]

I spend, well, most of my time here. Unless I'm working at Mr. Stark's. I need to make extra money to be able to buy stuff to build a little place in the woods with lots of doors and a way to see the stars at night.

'Cause staying out there in the winter with just a blanket would be too cold. And people would worry.

Which is weird to say, 'cause before I came here I don't think anybody ever worried about me ever.

[charmedillusion]

That sounds like it'd be a very pretty place. Would you be building it all by yourself?

That doesn't sound like a terribly great idea, no. You don't want to be a popsicle anytime soon.

Really? No one, ever?

[livingmyths]

Oh gosh, no! I don't know how to do anything like that!

Well, I could always do what I used to do - kind of hide out in people's basements or stuff like that. But actually, Ianto and Luke wouldn't mind if I slept in the Library. I don't think Barnabas would either. But I wouldn't want to wear out my welcome you know.

Well... Maybe... maybe...

Maybe my mother when I was really, really little.

[charmedillusion]

Then you must have found someone who can? Or...?

You mean, you don't have anywhere else to stay besides the library?

Did you lose your mother? I'm sorry, if this is too personal, feel free to tell me to shut up.

[livingmyths]

There's a bunch of people who said they'd help. So, hopefully it will all work out. I have to save a bunch of money first anyway.

Apartments are too scary. I feel safer outside, but the streets here aren't always too safe.

Yeah. She... I was kind of really little.

[charmedillusion]

That's good! I bet you'll be able to have it up in no time. I'm sure there must be other houses in the woods, though I haven't been through all of the woods yet.

You must have lived outdoors back home, then?

Oh, Rain. I'm so sorry.

[livingmyths]

We'll see. I hope so. I haven't actually seen many, but then I pretty much keep to myself. I can be kind of really shy.

I mostly lived on the streets or in shelters or in my dad's car. But the last couple years, I sort of technically lived with these people I worked for. But mostly I slept out in the woods back of their house and snuck back in in the morning.

Yeah... can't talk 'bout it, though. Too scary.

[charmedillusion]

You're allowed to be shy, as long as you let people come be shy with you sometimes.

Oh my, Rain. Your life has been far more adventurous than mine.

No...no, it's okay. You don't have to. I'm sorry I asked. If...it it makes you feel better? I miss my mother, too. I don't see her very often.

[livingmyths]

Oh sure! You can come visit anytime.

Adventurous? Well, I don't know about that. Sure lived in lots of places, though. That's why it didn't matter about it being cold outside. We'd just go somewhere warmer.

It's okay. And I'm sorry. It's hard not to see your mom.

[charmedillusion]

I'll take you up on that!

It sounds very adventurous, at least. I bet you could write your very own book about your experiences.

Oh, it's all right. I have nothing to complain about, really. I do still see her. But you have your memories of your mom...those will always be with you.