Librarian Schools Andre
Summer 2021, Week 1
Friday midday
Royal Metro Library, Old Towne
Lavrentia
They arrived at the library in the Old Towne, eager to start their day. Today they decided they'd be more female presenting, and so wore some bits and bobs that would signify that. First checking any books that were left over night and piling them to be put in the return section. Once the various areas were set up for both other librarians and some volunteers, they sat at the main desk, starting the process of returning the books and waiting for any patrons coming in shortly after opening.DeAndre Walker
Andre hadn't been to a library in....let's just say a while. But the Royal Met was apparently the place to go when the internet failed you and you had zero idea what you were actually looking for. He wanted help on how to train his powers. It should have been easy right? Wrong. Lifting weights only did so much for him, and it felt as if he had reached a plateau. Flying was worse because all he could think of trying was willing himself to go faster. So, the thought occurred that maybe there was a specific way to train abilities. So, when the internet failed it, to the books it was. Where he had messed up was thinking it's a library, I can find what I need easy. He had spent almost an hour searching shelves by himself. There was a whole numbering system that went so far over his head and all he could find so far were normal workout books or mechanical books on how airplanes fly. How does this work? Looking around, he saw someone that looked like they knew what they were doing, and were putting books away, maybe they work here! Totally not speed walking over to his perceived savior, he politely asked, "Excuse me, do you work here? I need some help finding...I need some help figuring out what I need to find and then where it's at."Lavrentia
They had seen the younger man walk in, but it seemed he knew what he was doing, so they continued on with their work. As a few more patrons and volunteers walked in, they felt comfortable reshelving books themselves, and started in the nonfiction section, where he had seen them. They hid a smile at the excitement, feeling like this was going to be an interesting person. "Yes, I do. I'm the recent head librarian, actually," they smiled. "What is it I can help you with?"DeAndre Walker
Do I have a secondary power in luck? Andre had to keep himself from hugging the person out of sheer thanks. "Oh, you do not know how happy I am to hear that." He replied with a broad smile. "So, I'm looking for books on..." He stopped for a second. By telling this person what he was looking for he was effectively telling them he was an Evo. His meeting with Isaac definitely indicated a shift in his thinking about having to hide it, as had his Lieutenant. But this would be the first time he just said it out loud. But if I don't, I miss a chance at finding what I need to get better. "I'm looking for any books on Evo abilities. I met someone I'm trying to help get more control." Not actually a lie, so that was good enough. "I'm wondering how they train it, get stronger. Those sorts of things. Like how does a flyer fly...better?" Hope flooded his eyes wishing the Head Librarian had some answers or could at least point him to where they were. Shit, manners! "My name is DeAndre by the way."Lavrentia
Their eyes widened only a moment before nodding. "There is a yet small, but growing Evo history section, with some subjects on the currently known areas of evolution." They shrug slightly, apologetic. "It's not kept on the main browsing section as a leftover remnant from the war, and those who wanted to know could always just ask a librarian for the guidance to the section. It was a way to protect both sides, so to speak, and to continue ensured funding." They bob their head to the side, in a clear Follow Me message, and walk up the two flights to a more private study area. "Today, I go by Lavrentia, but sometimes I feel like Lavrentis - generally you can tell by what clothes and accessories I wear, but if you're ever confused you can go Lavrent- and I'll finish it for you." They smile, unlocking the door. It was only locked as DeAndre was the first Evo information hunting patron of the day, and the general unevolved public generally considered the upper levels as focused research levels anyways. It is a small circular room, with one side having tables and fresh pens and papers for those forgetting their own, and one side filled with books. "Each shelf is dedicated to each branch of evolution," they start explaining, "the easily reachable sections are general history, and the higher levels are for those who want to learn better controlling techniques. It is a part of the library that grows everyday thanks to the Mayor's new EPI program. Let me know if you'll need anything else," they say, turning to the young man. "I'll be a few floors down, but there is a telephone wired for the main desk so a librarian can be summoned."DeAndre Walker
Looking around at the shelves, Andre gave a slightly awed, "Thank you, Lavrentia" before the Librarian left him to study. And that's precisely what he did. For the next four hours. He started with books on Flight. Apparently, there were different types. Go figure, it's never easy. You had levitation that Pathers could do that looked like Flight. There was also Gravity manipulation that simulated flight. His was apparently the vanilla variety going by these books. Defined, in the most worthless way possible, as the ability to fly under one's own power without outside influences. "What does that even mean!" He didn't give up, and instead dove into the books higher on the shelf that dealt more with the techniques. For flying there was Speed, Weight, and Finesse. Those weren't actual sections, that's just how Andre saw it in his mind. Speed and Weight appeared to be things he had to work out to get better. Except...it looked like he had been doing it wrong. When he worked out, he went for repetition, maintaining and refining what he had. To improve his powers, it looked like he had to 'max out.' Push his flying muscles--we're using work out comparisons because that's how we work, brain--to the limit, tear them, and let them get better. So basically...he'd had to fall...a lot. Strength looked like it was the same. He couldn't just work out. He had to push himself to his absolute limit again and again until he got stronger. And then he had to repeat the process over time. "But where can I..." Looking at the phone, he had an idea and picked it up. "Hi, this is Andre in the Evo's section. Can I speak to Lavrentia, please?"Lavrentia
The librarian who picks up the phone mentions that Lavrentia is on their lunch, but should be back in a few minutes, and when that happens, they'll come to the Evo section. Which is exactly what happens - they apologize, "Sorry, today happened to be a family lunch day. How can I help? It's nice to see so many books spread out, it will help our future funding for the Evo section." Before patiently waiting to hear some of what Andre has learned, and some of what he wants to know further.DeAndre Walker
"No, no, I'm sorry if I interrupted your lunch." Andre had started putting the books he wasn't reading back while organizing the few he needed to tackle in more detail. "I just had a few questions and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction." He set the book he was reading down and tried to organize his thoughts. He had a lot, but probably only a few for the Librarian. "Is there a place where Evo's can, I don't know, practice? Like has the Mayor designated a spot? Also, are these all the books, or are there maybe some biography types? Something with maybe some information from someone with a similar power in more specific detail."Lavrentia
"Well, the EPI is still relatively new, and it takes more than one progressive town to turn back thirty years of bad feeling." They shrug. "So far, yes, there should be a, for lack of better term, supervised area for those just coming into their powers and those wanting to learn more. Briar Park meets twice a week, on Wednesday evenings and Saturday during the day." They ponder the other part. "Well, some Evos are coming out of the woodwork, so to speak, and you might catch something of who you're looking for. We're a little tight on personalized biographies and histories, but I can put in a request for the ILL (inter library loan) system, see if other more conservative places have books, they don't mind giving up that fit histories."DeAndre Walker
"Brian Park, Wednesday Night and Saturday Morning. Got it." Finally, a break. And some place to let loose a bit. Wait, then people would know what we are? Damn. He could figure that out later. The knowledge is what he really needed right now. "Could you? That'd be awesome. These books already gave me so much. I expect you'll be seeing me here more often on my days off."Lavrentia
"Of course," they smile. "I'm here most days, as the head librarian. Should you come in when I'm not in, there's usually another Evo on staff for Evo specific information." They pause a minute, allowing the information that he had been speaking to a fellow Evo all day sink in, before continuing, "I assume you might need help setting up a library card? It allows us to let you take those books home and inform you when other books you request are either available or in for you to pick up."DeAndre Walker
"Oh, yeah. A library card would be super helpful." And thank heavens for Lavrentia reminding him those things existed and that you could not just walk out with books whenever you wanted. Not that he'd ever do that...on purpose. "That sounds good. Let me just grab the few I want to check out and put the rest of these away. Then we can make me a card-carrying member."DeAndre Walker
Pausing in his packing up as the worlds settled in, he turned around and looked at Lavrentia. "Another Evo? As in--oh. Well." He gave a small sheepish smile as it set in that his little charade didn't work one bit and that there was someone like him so close. Two in one day. Small world. Or small city rather. "It's good to meet someone else like me."Lavrentia
"Not quite like you," they said, noting his physique and general strength. "My powers are rather more...knowledge based and historical in nature. It's why I'm the head librarian, I have a good memory and a way to share my knowledge." The pair walk down the stairs together. "There's more of us popping up, which is why there's a higher demand for books - but the general unevolved folks still like to maintain some of their personal views, as much as they can. Hopefully within the year Evos won't have to hide their power, and there can be more aid around the city for folks of all types." Once they get to the main desk of the library, the librarian pulls out a piece of paper, and a stack of cards ranging in Roy-G-Biv shades. "Just fill out this form, and pick a card, and we'll scan it in, and you can be on your way. There are no late fees, but there is a potential damage fee, such as ripped out pages or burn marks - be careful and there should be no problem. You can check out up to ten books at a time, and three films if you still like physical films, with books being due in four weeks and films in two, though you can extend your loan if no one else has it requested." They explain all the rules, basic information any patron should know to have an enjoyable time. "Oh, and should your job keep you busy during the day, we are opened up until nine three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday - a neat little funding loophole we found." They chuckle slightly, waiting for Andre to finish the small bit of paperwork.DeAndre Walker
Andre picked the purple card without pausing. Unabashedly my favorite color. And went to work on the paperwork. He already had four books with him he wanted to check out, but was happy to hear he could have ten. Why don't more people use the library? Why didn't I use the library?! Everything filled out, he handed the paperwork back to Lavrentia. "I know this is your job and all, but you've been a huge help. I can't express that enough."Lavrentia
"No problem at all," they smile. "It's always a really fun time to see others rediscover their library - even one as open as this." They nod to the card - "Nice colour, but green is my preferred choice. If you have any other questions, here's my card. I'll answer at most times of day." They hand Andre a card with their contact information listed on it, knowing they'll see him often.DeAndre Walker
DeAndre took the card and examined it. Note to self, actually save the contact information in your phone this time. With a little salute and a, "Thank you. But purple is obviously the superior color." A kidding smile and collecting his books, he gave the Librarian a wave. "I'll see you around."
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
June 25, 2021
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