Seek peace and pursue it

[mr_a_fell]

Is there anything more relaxing than the sprawl of a massive empty library? No, I think not. I think I should be content to spend several days, if not weeks, in such a place and never tire of it. If I could have given input into Heaven's final design, I can most assuredly tell you that this would have made it in, oh yes.

Comments

[librariansheart]

Is there anything I can help you find, Sir?

[mr_a_fell]

I... Oh.. Oh dear. I uhm... P-Pardon me. I've been perusing for something. Have you any of Lord byron's works? or perhaps something of Faulkner? F-Fascinating reading, if I may say.

ffff... so cute...

[librariansheart]

We'd be a rather poor library if we didn't, I should think! Let's see... This will be much easier to lead you to myself, rather than via explanation. Which section are you in just now?

he's all kinds of embarrassed

[mr_a_fell]

Goodness, I seem to have found myself in travel. How dreadful! I do hope it isn't too much trouble for you, madam.

silly thing ~<3

[librariansheart]

Oh, no, not at all! Just let me set these down for re-shelving and I'll be right there.

[mr_a_fell]

A-Are you quite certain that it isn't any trouble? Perhaps I could come to you! I really am not fond of taking advantage of young ladies. NOT that that is what I am doing or something that I do frequently! Not at all I... I am merely wanting to save you the hassle! After all, you are such a fine young woman and.. I think I'm going to stop talking now.

[action]

[librariansheart]

[A phone notification chimes softly nearby and soon after the sound of high heels can be heard on the soft carpeting. The little librarian pokes her head around one of the stacks. Upon seeing him, she smiles and comes over.]

I really wouldn't call it a hassle, Sir. I wasn't that far away, and I like to meet new people.

[She bows, and holds out a hand.]

I'm Sheska, and I'm afraid we're perhaps a touch understaffed at the moment, but I'd be happy to help you in any way that I can.

[action]

[mr_a_fell]

[Aziraphale swallows hard and smiles at her a bit awkwardly before extending his own hand and shaking hers]

Yes, yes, q-quite all right. I do thank you for your assistance. How do you do? [It was never too late for proper manners, after all.] It must be marvelous to work in such a stupendous treasure trove of literature. I would be a right liar if I'd said I wasn't at least a little envious.

[action]

[librariansheart]

[Sheska's smile became positively luminous. This was someone who clearly understood why she was here!]

I would never leave this place, if they'd let me! There's so much to see and learn... Some of these authors have such a wonderful grasp of language and how to use the written word to its fullest extent. And the histories! One long tale, from so many different perspectives just as full of love and tragedy and fantastic events as any novel.

[She suddenly realizes that she's on the verge of rambling and colors.]

Ah, sorry, you were looking for Byron, right?

[action]

[mr_a_fell]

[If one had ever wondered what it would sound like to hear an angel sigh, as Aziraphale did upon seeing the young lady's face light up as she talked about literature.. well, one might have thought some distant songbird had been loosed in the library.]

Y-Yes, I quite agree. Literature is fascinating and positively beautiful..[He clears his throat rather loudly and abruptly] Wonderful, I should say. Byron especially. And yes, if you wouldn't mind... Shall we?

[action]

[librariansheart]

[As agitated, and eccentric, truth be told, as this gentleman was, he was endearing himself to her more and more. She readily agreed, regaining at least a modicum of poise, and led him through an upper floor corresponding to the 800s of the Dewey Decimal System. It was clear that she knew these aisles as well as street children know the interlacing of alleys and thoroughfares that make up their neighborhoods. She could, and did, point out any number of impressive collections of material by a wide range of authors with a maternal pride, voice low pitched as though in an effort not to wake sleeping children. Finally they made it to the correct section of the 821s to find a number of volumes dedicated to the considerable poetic works of Byron. She caressed the spine of a personal favorite.]

Here we are. Are you looking for a particular poem, or...?

[action]

[mr_a_fell]

[It was refreshing to Aziraphale that he could find such a lovely young lady with proper reverence for the library and the volumes contained within. And what a lovely creature she was! He wondered to himself how anyone could second-guess His existence when there were wonderful creatures such as this running about. Maddening, really.

As the two of them stopped, Aziraphale took a step backward to take in the sheer number of volumes of his poetry. Impressive, really.]

Oh no, not particularly. I'm a rather big fan of his, actually. Though I'm rather embarrassed to say that I haven't read him in quite some time. Fascinating man, if he did care a bit too much for the fairer sex. Er.. not of course, that there's anything wrong with that. However, for his time period... [He cleared his throat and reached for a book.] Are you familiar with him?

[action]

[librariansheart]

[She watched him handle her precious books, for despite the irrationality of it she did think of them as hers, and was gratified to see that her hunch about his character was correct. No one with ill intentions would ever be so considerate with her charges.]

Familiar is perhaps a stronger term than I would apply, unfortunately. I had to repair one of the compilations some time ago, and read it... While I was supposed to be repairing it, I'm afraid.

[This time the blush fanned out across her cheekbones, and the uneasy chagrin was quite evident in her tone. She looked anywhere but at him, turning to the shelf and delicately touching the spines till she found the slim one she was speaking of.]

It did get repaired, of course. I couldn't - wouldn't - leave it in that condition. But he's such an engaging artist that once I started reading, I didn't want to stop!

[action]

[mr_a_fell]

Yes, yes. Quite the romantic. And such a sniping wit! I remember reading bits of Don Juan as they were being published. Quite the craze back then, you know. Drew all sorts of attention, though not all of it good. Quite sensationalist, really. Oh dear listen to be prattle on and on. Must be dreadfully boring to you.

[He looked down to examine the book in her hands.] In any case, you seem to have done a marvelous job of that one. I can tell you care very much.

[action]

[librariansheart]

[She was surprised enough to look up at him again, and the compliment drew out another smile.]

Thank you. I do my best. They deserve no less. But you're certainly not boring. You were actually there to read the first publications of his masterpiece?

Re: [action]

[mr_a_fell]

[Aziraphale's cheeks flushed. If it proved to be troublesome, perhaps he could do something with her memory later.]

I was. Quite an interesting time, if I can say. That... doesn't put you off in any sort of manner..?