Timestamp: Winter 52 512 AV
Location: The Valkalah Library
"Hello." Sweetly, Tia'aria greeted the Akakak at the counter as she entered the Valkalah Library, the opening of the door bringing in a gust of cold and a flash of light from the outside world that set the mites of dust in the air afire. Her Tukant was practiced but imperfect, however it sung with the airiness of her soft voice. "I'm sorry. I've not been here before, and I'd love if I could have some assistance. I'm new to the world of libraries."
"It's fairly straightforward. I can't give you a hand, however, if you don't let me know what it is you're looking for." The Akalak at the desk said, steadily and with a very polite smile. She felt reassured by his kind and helpful nature and the nerves that ached lightly under her skin were soothed by the realisation that he wouldn't say something crude about her lack of familiarity with her setting.
"My mistake," Tia'aria said. "I'm looking for... One moment, I have a list here somewhere." A finger was held up as her other hand delved into the backpack hanging off her shoulder. Pulling out a sheet of crumpled paper scribbled on in a tidy, large script. She lowered her praised hand and cleared her throat as she looked at the writing on the paper. "I'm looking for a book about cooking, herbs found in the area that can assist with cooking, and what animals can be harvested from that would give ingredients, like eggs and milk. Hmm... Also, if there is a book lying around like this, I would like to get something about basic first aid."
The Konti didn't have much faith that there would be any of those books sitting on these shelves, especially not the first aid book, believing that a society that welcomed fighting and honing the body so much would have many people clamouring for such a tome about bandages and salves. Even if there were any, she didn't believe they would be written in a language she understood as well as she did Kontinese. There were many humans and people who spoke Common, but she had to hope that something would be fit for a Konti.
For a few moments, the Akalak considered her requests. She didn't know it, but he was going through what could have been his entire stock. She would have been amazed to learn someone knew what books he had without looking through a catalogue.
Finally, he smiled.
"You're in luck. We may have some of what you're looking for."
He rose up and circled around his desk, waving Tia'aria forward and gesturing for her to follow him. She did, understanding the gestures, and he ked her through the small library, patiently explaining the layout and where she could find certain books about certain topics. The culinary section was particularly tempting as he introduced her to it. Easily, she found a few books in Kontinese and one in Tukant that she could take a look at. Their titles were very straightforward and promising.
He took her to other sections and then brought her to a set of tables and chairs already occupied by a handful of people. By the time they finished, she had five books in her arms and was easily overburdened by the load. She sighed with relief as she found an empty chair and dropped the books down with a loud bang that disrupted the atmosphere.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Hahaha, its fine. Remember to keep quiet, however, because others use these workstations as well and loud noises disrupt their concentration." He whispered as well. "You can use this area to research your chosen topics. If you ever want to have something copied, you can come find me and I'll work out a price and a day you can expect it. I've got to go back to the front, though, so get settled here and see if you chose right."
He left and she faintly heard the opening of the door again before she sat down. Finally, she was able to take a good long look at her choice of books.
Refined Tastes, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: The Best of 510, Mint Decadence, Rivarian Plants, and Bruises, Cuts and Sprains: The Treatment and Identification of Minor Injuries were stacked before her. Four of them were heavier than she ever saw in books, but the book about Mint was significantly smaller and might have been easier to read.
Rolling her neck, she set herself for a long day of studying. Bringing out her notebook, a quill and a sealed bottle of ink, she got comfortable and cracked open Rivarian Plants. Her awareness became consumed by the scratching of her quill and the words in front of her.
Location: The Valkalah Library
"Hello." Sweetly, Tia'aria greeted the Akakak at the counter as she entered the Valkalah Library, the opening of the door bringing in a gust of cold and a flash of light from the outside world that set the mites of dust in the air afire. Her Tukant was practiced but imperfect, however it sung with the airiness of her soft voice. "I'm sorry. I've not been here before, and I'd love if I could have some assistance. I'm new to the world of libraries."
"It's fairly straightforward. I can't give you a hand, however, if you don't let me know what it is you're looking for." The Akalak at the desk said, steadily and with a very polite smile. She felt reassured by his kind and helpful nature and the nerves that ached lightly under her skin were soothed by the realisation that he wouldn't say something crude about her lack of familiarity with her setting.
"My mistake," Tia'aria said. "I'm looking for... One moment, I have a list here somewhere." A finger was held up as her other hand delved into the backpack hanging off her shoulder. Pulling out a sheet of crumpled paper scribbled on in a tidy, large script. She lowered her praised hand and cleared her throat as she looked at the writing on the paper. "I'm looking for a book about cooking, herbs found in the area that can assist with cooking, and what animals can be harvested from that would give ingredients, like eggs and milk. Hmm... Also, if there is a book lying around like this, I would like to get something about basic first aid."
The Konti didn't have much faith that there would be any of those books sitting on these shelves, especially not the first aid book, believing that a society that welcomed fighting and honing the body so much would have many people clamouring for such a tome about bandages and salves. Even if there were any, she didn't believe they would be written in a language she understood as well as she did Kontinese. There were many humans and people who spoke Common, but she had to hope that something would be fit for a Konti.
For a few moments, the Akalak considered her requests. She didn't know it, but he was going through what could have been his entire stock. She would have been amazed to learn someone knew what books he had without looking through a catalogue.
Finally, he smiled.
"You're in luck. We may have some of what you're looking for."
He rose up and circled around his desk, waving Tia'aria forward and gesturing for her to follow him. She did, understanding the gestures, and he ked her through the small library, patiently explaining the layout and where she could find certain books about certain topics. The culinary section was particularly tempting as he introduced her to it. Easily, she found a few books in Kontinese and one in Tukant that she could take a look at. Their titles were very straightforward and promising.
He took her to other sections and then brought her to a set of tables and chairs already occupied by a handful of people. By the time they finished, she had five books in her arms and was easily overburdened by the load. She sighed with relief as she found an empty chair and dropped the books down with a loud bang that disrupted the atmosphere.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Hahaha, its fine. Remember to keep quiet, however, because others use these workstations as well and loud noises disrupt their concentration." He whispered as well. "You can use this area to research your chosen topics. If you ever want to have something copied, you can come find me and I'll work out a price and a day you can expect it. I've got to go back to the front, though, so get settled here and see if you chose right."
He left and she faintly heard the opening of the door again before she sat down. Finally, she was able to take a good long look at her choice of books.
Refined Tastes, Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: The Best of 510, Mint Decadence, Rivarian Plants, and Bruises, Cuts and Sprains: The Treatment and Identification of Minor Injuries were stacked before her. Four of them were heavier than she ever saw in books, but the book about Mint was significantly smaller and might have been easier to read.
Rolling her neck, she set herself for a long day of studying. Bringing out her notebook, a quill and a sealed bottle of ink, she got comfortable and cracked open Rivarian Plants. Her awareness became consumed by the scratching of her quill and the words in front of her.
