58th of Summer, 517
Aladari had never been in a library. It simply wasn't a priority. Hands-on learning was so much more efficient, and required so much less...boredom. This wouldn't be so much of a shock to those who had spoken to her, and thus discovered her level of education. But it was a surprise to anyone who knew she had been raised near Zeltiva and made it through public school without approaching one of the many literary centers.
Today she was going to change that, though. Aladari was headed to the Valkalah Library with a quick stride and strong sense of purpose. Despite having to backtrack several times in the city's many ups and downs, she made it there with many bells of daylight left, and a significant amount of energy persisting in her soul.
Upon entering the facility, she immediately approached the front desk with a smile. Adjusting her scarf to carefully cover her Gnosis, Aladari nodded to the man behind the front desk. Like the rest of the Akalak, his frighteningly muscled skin was shaded a strange blue, but his expression was kind and welcoming.
"Hey there, that's a new face. Can I help you, or are you just visiting?" He asked, putting a book he had been reading off to the side.
Suddenly, the air deflated from Aladari. She wasn't sure what she was doing there, nor what one normally was looking for in a library. They were certainly overwhelming in their selection. The entire floor spanned in front of her- and not only that but also onto another floor. What could they possibly hold in all this space? What should she ask for? "Uhm...A..." She mumbled, looking around her for inspiration.
The first thing her eyes rested on was a mother holding a small girl's hand. They looked cheery together, the girl skipping as she went to the Children's Well, if her little sing-song was to be trusted.
"Children's Well," Aladari blurted.
"Aren't you a little old for those books?" The Akalak laughed. "No, no, I'm just teasing. Come on, I'll show you."
As they walked, the man tried his best to make polite conversation, but Aladari was mostly enthralled with watching the books go by, and so was not an ideal conversationalist.
"So, name's Zandar, by the way. You?"
"Al."
"Alright, nice to meet you Al. You just arrive here in Riverfall?"
"Yeah."
"That's nice. You know, the volunteer program is a great way to give back to the city, so it's cool that you're already starting."
That gave her pause. "Volunteer program?" She repeated slowly.
Zandar stopped beside her. "Yeah. The volunteer storytellers for the children. Oh, Gods, are you not here for that? I'm sorry, I just assumed."
Upon hearing the word 'storytelling', Aladari hastily backpedaled. She really had been missing out in libraries all this time! "Oh, no, no, I am. I's jus' not rememberin' the words, a'cause of my Common not bein' so good. That is why I's here."
"Oh, good." Zandar smiled in relief. "Well, you want to hang out here and get ready, and I'll go round up some critters for you?" He offered. "I'm sure they'll be delighted!"
Aladari nodded, still somewhat in a daze from the sudden advancement of her situation. "I guess so. But...what story am I tellin'?"
Zandar waved a hand as he walked away backwards to announce the guest to the children. "Whatever one you want!"
Today she was going to change that, though. Aladari was headed to the Valkalah Library with a quick stride and strong sense of purpose. Despite having to backtrack several times in the city's many ups and downs, she made it there with many bells of daylight left, and a significant amount of energy persisting in her soul.
Upon entering the facility, she immediately approached the front desk with a smile. Adjusting her scarf to carefully cover her Gnosis, Aladari nodded to the man behind the front desk. Like the rest of the Akalak, his frighteningly muscled skin was shaded a strange blue, but his expression was kind and welcoming.
"Hey there, that's a new face. Can I help you, or are you just visiting?" He asked, putting a book he had been reading off to the side.
Suddenly, the air deflated from Aladari. She wasn't sure what she was doing there, nor what one normally was looking for in a library. They were certainly overwhelming in their selection. The entire floor spanned in front of her- and not only that but also onto another floor. What could they possibly hold in all this space? What should she ask for? "Uhm...A..." She mumbled, looking around her for inspiration.
The first thing her eyes rested on was a mother holding a small girl's hand. They looked cheery together, the girl skipping as she went to the Children's Well, if her little sing-song was to be trusted.
"Children's Well," Aladari blurted.
"Aren't you a little old for those books?" The Akalak laughed. "No, no, I'm just teasing. Come on, I'll show you."
As they walked, the man tried his best to make polite conversation, but Aladari was mostly enthralled with watching the books go by, and so was not an ideal conversationalist.
"So, name's Zandar, by the way. You?"
"Al."
"Alright, nice to meet you Al. You just arrive here in Riverfall?"
"Yeah."
"That's nice. You know, the volunteer program is a great way to give back to the city, so it's cool that you're already starting."
That gave her pause. "Volunteer program?" She repeated slowly.
Zandar stopped beside her. "Yeah. The volunteer storytellers for the children. Oh, Gods, are you not here for that? I'm sorry, I just assumed."
Upon hearing the word 'storytelling', Aladari hastily backpedaled. She really had been missing out in libraries all this time! "Oh, no, no, I am. I's jus' not rememberin' the words, a'cause of my Common not bein' so good. That is why I's here."
"Oh, good." Zandar smiled in relief. "Well, you want to hang out here and get ready, and I'll go round up some critters for you?" He offered. "I'm sure they'll be delighted!"
Aladari nodded, still somewhat in a daze from the sudden advancement of her situation. "I guess so. But...what story am I tellin'?"
Zandar waved a hand as he walked away backwards to announce the guest to the children. "Whatever one you want!"