juniperwilson​:

Juniper’s eyes widened a bit while she quickly shook her head, “Oh no, you’re fine! I’m not in a hurry much, but I wanted to let you know I was here.” Glancing around the array of books, she asked, “Are you the only one here?”

.

“No....yes....our volunteer who normally covers the desk had an emergency and had to leave, so I’m just covering it until one of our subject librarians can take over. I normally work more in the back,’ Arrietty explained, though she wasn’t sure that made much sense, “I do a lot of the ordering new books, and fixing, and I put all the barcodes on. Which...I’m rambling. Sorry.”

muhnsimon​:

“For once, be glad that your sick,” Simon choked, his hand still covered the majority of his face. “I guess I should call…I dunno, animal services or something?”

“That’s probably a good start. If something died, it’d be better to have them take care of it,” she nodded, “I can call....but I don’t really know the number. And I don’t have a smart phone to look it up.”

juniperwilson​:

Juniper had been fond of trips to the library but typically only picked out a few books at a time for herself and one or two for her brother. It was a little thing but it meant a lot to Juniper that he trusted her to pick out something entertaining for him to read. She saw the librarian as she set her small stack of books on the counter, and after getting the woman’s attention, Juniper smiled politely. “Oh it’s okay! But um, I actually think I’m all ready to check these out.”

“Yes, of course,” Arrietty nodded as she took the books, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to start napping on the job.”

travisohara​:

Travis may not have always been the most aware person when it came to dealing with women, but he could still tell when someone had felt uncomfortable. He wasn’t exactly sure what it was that he had said, but he knew she was spooked. “Oh well, that’s alright.” The cowboy responded soothingly. “I like constitutional law. The idea of one day getting on the Supreme Court is appealing. But also… I’m Affected so… there’s always more need for people who are willing to fight for our status.”

Arrietty nodded, remembering that her mother had done the same thing that he had mentioned. And had been incredibly good at it. Not that she was going to bring it up.  “I think that’s a really good goal, I’m sure that you’ll be able to achieve it,” she smiled at him.

rhys-steele​:

     Standing upright once more he, too, shelved the books he had picked up. “Are you sure? You shouldn’t work yourself too hard, make sure you get enough rest and stay hydrated” he smiled, chuckling “sorry, I know I’m just a meddlesome old man, but I know how awful it is to work when you’re sick.” he shook his head, remembering his college days when he’d worked part time in a nightclub and managed to catch an almighty flu and spent his shift with tissues stuffed up his nose.      “Oh, whilst I think about it, do you know if you happen to have any books regarding the subject of the political relationships between ancient rome and egypt, it’s a niche subject I know but I remember reading one particular book that was centred entirely around their nobilities when I was younger and I’d like to pursue the subject a little farther if I can.”

“I’m used to it,” Arrietty shrugged, which she hated that it was true, but sometimes that was just the easiest way to get by, “I have a pretty weak immune system,” she said, adding the lie just to try to keep suspicion off of her. Especially as he made his request. 

“Um....we might?” she said, not able to think of one off the top of her head, “I can check the database, and then if it’s not here there might be one at the University branch that I can have transferred over here for you in a day or two.”

silebeau​:

Alex moved through the streets of Seattle quickly and without too much care for whoever was around them. It was important to them to be getting where they were going when they were on their way. Though today, there wasn’t anything particular they were on the way to. Just hunting for food somewhere in the city when they suddenly bumped into someone. “Damn… one of us has got to start looking where we’re going.” They barked in response before looking at the other person.

Arrietty was just trying to get to the bus stop.  While she wanted to walk back to her boat, the sky looked like rain was about to start pouring at any second and in the moment she decided to look up, she managed to run right into someone.  “Oh...I’m really sorry,” Arrietty instantly apologized, crossing her arms in front of herself, “I didn’t mean to.” 

muhnsimon​:

“Oh my god –” A frown deepened on Simon’s face. “You can smell that too, can’t you? I’m not going crazy?” His hand covered both his mouth and nose as he began to look around for the source of the smell. “It’s like…a dead animal or something.”

Truthfully, Arrietty couldn’t smell anything - but she hadn’t been able to all day with how sick she was feeling, so it wasn’t much of a surprise. “I’ll take your word on it,” she said, looking around to see if she could see what the cause was, “But I’m super congested and I can’t really smell anything.” 

drake-valens​:

When the woman jumped up, Drake instinctively took a step back. He hoped that the space he made would ease her. The girl was sickly looking and skittish. If he hadn’t known any better he would chalk it up that she was feening for her next fix, but she had no other signs besides the look of being sick. It would be messed up to accuse every sick person they were addicted to something. “Right, good to know. It sounded pretty real whenever I picked up the phone.” Though he didn’t listen to the whole transcript. “If we’re good, and you’re good, I’m going to head out?” He pointed at the door. “Sorry to freak you out like that.” 

“It’s recorded by the librarian that I replaced, but the more you listen the more the robocall fills in the blanks, it’s supposed to sound personable, but I think with your feedback we might want to look into that,” Arriety admitted, before nodding at him, “But that’s fine. Have a good rest of your day.”

travisohara​:

“Would I be right then in assuming that means you’re the type of person who would really appreciate a loved one… or a possible gentleman caller, for that matter, writing you letters about how much you mean to them?” He asked, the disparate threads of a potential plan already starting to weave together in his mind. “Well my offer will keep on standing. I’d definitely be willing to help in any way. Around studying and writing papers of course. Law School ain’t gonna study itself.”

It was a completely innocent question, one that normally wouldn’t bother anyone, but a wave of grief almost hit her at the idea of her loved ones - not to mention the idea of anyone being interested in her was enough to make her tense up. Arrietty had been trying her best to keep a low profile, to not be noticed, for people to forget about her, and through all that would keep everyone safe. “Umm...” she tried to start, though it was clear that she had taken too long to answer, “I..I don’t know,” she finally stated, quickly trying to shelf a book to try and hide everything that she was feeling, “So what kind of law do you want to go into?” Arrietty asked, hoping that would change the subject. 

travisohara​:

“I can definitely understand that. No matter how small it is, it’s something you’ve actually created yourself, you know? It shows the effort you’re putting in.” Travis replied, smiling all along. He didn’t think the idea was cheesy at all and even if it had been, there was nothing wrong with cheesiness. “Well that’s good I suppose. Just might take a little more practice to stay healthy and stuff right? But regardless, it’s good that it’s nothing too bad.”

“Yeah, exactly,” she nodded at him, “It’s...a little more complicated than that,” Arrietty tried to explain, though really she had no idea how to talk about it without getting into everything. And nobody deserved to have all of that dumped on them, “But I’ll be fine. I promise.”

rhys-steele​:

     Rhys was a big supporter of his local library, he could often be found perusing the shelves for something new to take home and read. He didn’t see the point in buying books new when there were so many available for public use. He also frequented the University Library, but that was more for educational purposes than anything else.       He spotted a familiar figure, of course he’d become acquainted with the staff, and headed towards the girl, noting she seemed rather pale today. Well, she always looked pale, but today more than usual. She was resting against a shelf, and so to gain her attention he coughed quietly, never being a fan of touching someone to get them to notice you, When she jumped, he started too slightly and chuckled under his breath. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to surprise you. I was just wondering if you’ would you like a hand? You seem a little under the weather today” he offered with a kind smile, crouching to help her pick up the fallen books that had scattered around them.

In the two months that she had been there, Arrietty had started to recognize some of the faces of the regulars, though she was sure there were plenty that she still needed to learn. But the man’s face was one that always seemed kind, even though Arrietty didn’t really know him well. 

“Oh...you don’t have to, but thank you,” Arrietty said, shelving the books that she picked up, “It’s just a bug.” 

drake-valens​:

Drake tossed the book onto the shelf without another thought. He didn’t care as long as it meant that the library would stop harassing him. “You make it sound like this wasn’t some loan shark on the other end of the voicemails. I don’t know if it was you or someone else that works here but every month I would get a few voicemails from this place asking about the damn book.” Drake realized as he said it that he gave up the fact that it had been an overdue book. “I’m not paying for any fees.” He stated with a point of his finger. 

Arrietty instinctively jumped when he pointed his finger at her, startled at the intensity that he came at her with. She hadn’t thought that the robo-calls were too bad (though they had been set up before she had started working there, so maybe she needed to listen again to see if they did come across too aggressive) but she wasn’t really sure how she was supposed to handle something like this. “Um...that’s fine?” she said, though she really wasn’t sure she she hugged the books to her chest a bit tighter, “And for future...you can always opt out of the calls. It’s just a robo-caller so if you press 9 when it calls it’ll stop.” 

travisohara​:

“Oh? A big fan of the aesthetics of letters then?” Travis asked as he nodded, noting the titles she had listed. Not that he would forget them anytime soon, but he wanted to not have to think back on them later. When she mentioned she was sick though, he raised an eyebrow and thought for a second. “You can never be too safe though. My family has always gone by the whole… if you feel sick, go to the doctor if just for peace of mind. At least since I was born.”

“I do, I find it kind of romantic. And the stories feel more personal that way...if that makes sense,” Arrietty explained, though she wasn’t really sure if she was or not, or if it sounded too cheesy. It probably was, but at least he didn’t seem like the kind of person to point it out. “And the doctor just said I have a weaker immune system, it’s not a huge deal,” she shrugged, trying to play it off as she hugged her arms to her chest. 

drake-valens​:

Drake had no idea how virus’s worked but he knew it sounded like bullshit. The thing lingered in the system for a week sometimes longer, but only contagious for 3 to 4 days? If that was the case nature was an idiot. “What if you’re the exception?” He questioned. Drake stared at the shelf and back at her. “That’s it? You don’t need to know my name, or random other shit?” He questioned.

“Nope,” she said shaking her head at him, “There’s a barcode on the inside of the cover, so we just scan that and everything is automated from there. We know that it’s checked in, and that it was the one that you had, so it makes it easier for everything. Library computer programs are kind of a lifesaver with this job.” 

travisohara​:

“I’m not entirely sure… most of the reason why I’m asking for a recommendation. I’ve read through most of the books I had my eye on.” He answered with a smile as he shook his head to the side slightly. “What type of books do you like though? I’m sure a smart, pretty girl like you has a long wishlist of books she’s looking at.” Travis elaborated, a smile crossing his face as he made eye contact with the Englishwoman. “Are you sure? I can always try and help out any way I can.”

“Well lately I’ve been reading a lot of epistolary novels, so I really liked “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” and “Love, Rosie.”  Meg Cabot’s the Boy series is good, but some of the jokes didn’t exactly age well in the 20ish years it’s been since they were published,” Arrietty warned, blushing at the compliment - especially since she doubted that she actually was anywhere close to pretty with how sick she was feeling, “I’m sure, it’s not a big deal. I’m sick pretty frequently. I’ve just gotten used to it.” 

drake-valens​:

Drake’s eyes narrowed leaning in just slightly to wager her on her own statement. A librarian who was sick took loving work to a whole new level. “Right…” His voice trailed off unconvinced. He believed her it was the flu but was skeptical on it not being contagious. Tentatively he took a step back, wondering if he should find another librarian. “I don’t think flu’s work like that. I think there are some books in the medical section if you need to brush up.” He joked. “I just need to return this book. Can you help with that?” 

“Um...actually it does. After 3-4 days it’s typically no longer contagious,” Arrietty explained, though she wasn’t sure if he would believe her or not. Instead it was easier to just nod at his question. “Yes, if you just put it on the bottom shelf of my cart, I can scan it in once I get back to the front desk.”

drake-valens​:

Drake hated libraries they were stuffy and spooky. They were worst than any gothic mansion he had seen in the movies. Libraries were made to be silent, and silence was pretty deadly. He was there to return a book he had been holding for three months. He had never cared to go back, but he was sick and tired of the harassments over a stupid book. “Yeah,” He grumbled holding his book up in the air, “I wanted to return this bo- are you good?” He redirected his question. The girl looked horrible. It reminded him when people were quitting cold turkey on some of the harder shit. 

“Yeah...I’m fine,” Arrietty tried to say, though really the question almost made her wonder how she looked. She had thought that her make up made her look almost decent when she had gotten into work this morning, but as she had started feeling worse as the day went on she could only imagine what she looked like now. And was almost afraid of looking in the mirror. “It’s this flu thing that I can’t really shake, but the doctor said it wasn’t contagious anymore, so nothing to worry about.” It was a lie, and she hated it, but explaining that she was actively refusing to use her powers and the questions that came with it was too complicated to explain.