A reading witch [OTA]

[hagothehills]

Once she finds the time -- not hard, really, with so little obvious work to be found -- Tiffany decided the best idea was to go along to the library while she awaited an answer from the giant turtle. After that, she would be able to find a place to study in peace, she was sure

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[faramir_hurin]

There is a young lady I do not know with a pile of books. It takes a moment to figure out that she is not writing with a modern pen or using lined paper as most would do. Perhaps she will not appreciate my advice, but she may well--it could save her time at her copying.

"Good day, my lady. I am Faramir, the current head librarian here. I have not seen you before and cannot help but note that the equipment you use for writing is more like what I would use at home. Have you any questions about this modern library?"

[hagothehills]

Tiffany blinks at the man for a moment-- he seems to carry himself so much more like someone from the Disc, and seems to know immediately her needs.

"I have deciphered your 'dewey decimal' and found mostly what I need. I am studying modern cooking," she says, and then adds, "It seems most straightforward."

Except for the blinking boxes. Those she's not fussing with.

[faramir_hurin]

I cannot help but smile.

"That is one of the first things I did when I came to the library--I looked to studying the history of Earth and how to cook in the modern way. I am much better at it than I used to be." Though I did get one piece of advice when I was doing it, which I am about to pass on. "If you wish to copy recipes, there is a machine called a copier. When I was doing the same thing, someone showed it to me and I did not have to copy so much because the machine can copy a whole page in a few seconds. I can show you how it works, if you like."

[hagothehills]

"That would be most useful. Thank you," says Tiffany, choosing one book to attempt it with. "How does it work?"

[faramir_hurin]

"I found it very useful. I was lucky to have people here to help me when I arrived. So many of the things modern people use I did not understand." Then I almost laugh. "I can show you how to make the copies, but I don't really know how it happens any more than I really understand how electricity works or our little message devices. I can work them without understanding."

I look over her books.

"Have you chosen a few things you would like to have copies? I can show you how so that you can continue as you like." She is young but I sense that she's independent.

[hagothehills]

"Yes," she said. The Cooking for Dummies books were rudely titled, but they were a wealth of information.

[faramir_hurin]

"We can leave the other books here for now. Come, I will show you where the machines are."

They are not far, easily seen if you know what to look for, but not too close for the noise to be bothersome. I show her how to place the book open on the glass and cover it, how to make the printing larger or smaller if it needs to be so, and the button to push to make the copy--or more than one, if she needs to.

"When I have tried to make something, I throw away the recipe if I do not like it. If I do, I will write it out with any changes I need to make and then throw away the copy." I shrug. "I hunt, and so will use venison instead of beef or rabbit instead of chicken very often."

[hagothehills]

"And... this is just a service?" A bit sensitive for the moment; Tiffany is used to the various costs and trades, and is adjusting poorly to the money-based economy that the village presents. "That the village provides?"

[faramir_hurin]

I nod at the question. It must seem an amazing thing.

"Like the books themselves, the library has this available for any who wish it. Besides books there are other things that can be borrowed. It is only those who return materials late that must pay." Otherwise it is all free, an amazing concept.

"It seems ridiculous at first, but in the modern world everyone is taught to read. So material is provided, though I'm told that this is a very large library for such a small village." Which is not a small village to me.

[hagothehills]

Tiffany nods slowly to this, taking it all in. That is quite a large thing. "Thank you," she said. "I will put this to good use."

So much she could do with a library at her fingertips! A library like this will be a boon! She will never lack for reading and learning, if this is just -- here, for people to use, without paying!

[faramir_hurin]

"You are most welcome to do so." And I do not doubt that she will.

"To take materials, you must bring them to the desk and I--or someone else--will check them out for you. You must return them before the date specified, but there are few restrictions other than that." It's amazing to me still.

"Have you any other questions at this time?"

[hagothehills]

Tiffany always had questions. Her Second Thoughts had to remind her that some of those questions were often more then many people could take, and maybe she ought to reconsider asking them. Some of the other questions, however, were perefectly reasonable, and those should be alright.

"Have you found it very difficult to adjust? I come from a very different place, and sometimes people react most strangely -- they seem to adjust better to being told 'I am a witch' then 'I was raised on a farm'." She considered, and added, "Magic seems frightfully common here, and the tools are often like magic."

Wizarding magic. Which was often anything other then sensible magic. Run-amok magic. Stupid magic, often enough. Frippery with crystals and rituals and waving your hands at the stars. Magic didn't really need all that, but it made some people feel better, she supposed.

"They also look strangely on me when I explain I cannot accept money. Is that so uncommon? Does no one trade?"

[faramir_hurin]

There is a fair flood of questions, but nothing that I cannot answer

[hagothehills]

"A witch who can be bought isn't worth her steading," Tiffany said by way of explanation. A witch that can be bought is suspect. How do the poor, who are often very old or very young, know that she is not giving better care to those who cn pay her more? They don't.

Besides, money's only bloody useful if you've got something to spend it on. More often then not, old sheets, some good boots or maybe a bolt of cloth would work better for Tiffany's needs.

Still, the unspoken question - how will she buy things -- is the problem. She can't.

She's just going to have to hope others understand, and are willing to trade what she'll need -- even if they must buy it new. Tiffany would feel very poorly if they did, though.

"We will simply have to see how we can work things out," she says after those troubling thoughts. "I'm sure that it can be managed adequately."

[faramir_hurin]

"I would like to think that the people here will at least attempt to deal with your differences. We come from so many different cultures and most I have met have been understanding of my own ways." I think a moment. "I could not name anyone who has given me problems, though some are more understanding than others. I think those of us from more different worlds have to be more accommodating than most, but the nature of my own world makes me willing to do that."

I do not mind, as long as the other person is at least trying.

"I hope that you will meet people willing to help with those things you need but cannot buy. I can help you with a number of things--as thanks to those who helped me when I first came to this place."

[hagothehills]

"I hope that will be the case," says Tiffany. She'll have to figure something out, if it proves too difficult. Compromise is hard, but a witch is able.

"I shall go back to my books now. Thank you, Mr. Faramir."