The next morning Alina once again shuffled to the front door of the castle. Although Anja did find out what happened, she was too drunk to really do anything about it, and a bit thankful someone else was willing to feed the girl. Right now she was sleeping in from her hangover, so Alina decided to see if she could find the nice light colored big sister, and maybe get some new books!

The towering oaken doors greeted her once more, and in the broad morning daylight Alina could better appreciate their beauty. Although the first time she hadn’t been able to reach the knockers, this time she came prepared.

“I’m going to win this time door?”

Putting the books down she borrowed from yesterday Alina pulled out a large wooden stick with a hook at the end. She stated determinedly at the knocker and reached it out. After grabbing hold of the iron handle, she pulled it back and-

KNOCK

The satisfying sound of the iron smashing together excited Alina, and she jumped with the stick in the air.

“HAHA! I DID IT!”

With renewed vigor Alina continued to knocked on the door with boundless enthusiasm, forgetting that the door opened outward.
KNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCK
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/03/2018
The young lord walked throughout the halls, a decent stack of books piled high in his arms as research material. An apple adorned his stack for a snack. He heard the knock and simply walked away before remembering that he was the help here. Sighing, he opened the door and looked at the newcomer, peering away from his book stack.
"Yes? May I help you?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
As the door creaked open Alina hurriedly took a step back, remembering the result of the last time she was that close to the door. But when the opener was not the nice light colored girl from yesterday Alina tilted her head curiously.

"Uhm... I'm looking for the nice girl that wears white clothing. She helped me borrow a few books from yesterday, and I think her friend was going to make chicken bacon! Anyways I cam over to play today as well since Anja got drunk again last night!"

She ran back and picked up her books too, holding them in the exact way Albert held his, although her stack wasn't as large.
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/03/2018
"A woman in white...ah! You must be referring to Beth. I cannot say that I have saw her recently and gods know where her sister is at."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina shifted the books so that she could peek over the other side.

"Is it still ok for me to get new books or should we go find them?"
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/03/2018
"Hm? New books? What do you mean?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"Beth let me borrow these books yesterday! I already finished them so I want new ones!"

Alina held up her book stack, which was impressively large for someone to finish in one night.
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/03/2018
His eyes widened a bit as he looked over the stack.
"Really? Impressive. May I see the titles?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
Alina handed over a couple books. 1 of which was a fairly hefty visual encyclopedia on tropical animals and another a fairly light novel about a dragon prince.

"I like the books here! They're different from the ones I have at home."
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/03/2018
"Really? Hmm I too glossed over that encyclopedia. I find natural science very intresting and it aids with my research in addition. The books in the library are rather useful are they not?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/03/2018
"They're super fun! I think I'm going to get one on fish next!"
September 4, 2018
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/04/2018
"Ah, I see. Interested in natural history eh? Well, I cannot vouch if Beth is around here. Shall we look for her?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/04/2018
“I dunno.”

Alina’s bright silver green eyes peeked out from under her hood.

“What kind of books do you read?”
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/04/2018
The man smirked somewhat arrogantly as he replied to the manakete.
"I read a great amount of books. My interests include alchemy, natural history, political sciences, botany and archeology."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/04/2018
“Ohhhh.”

Alina nodded, clearly impressed.

“Momma didn’t have as many fun books. A lot of stuff on cooking, making boring stuff, and trading with humans.”
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/04/2018
"Hm? Trading with humans? Are not you human as well?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/04/2018
Alina froze froze a second, before violently shaking her head.

"Nonononono I'm human! It's just that the book that my mom had wasn't for humans!"(edited)
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/04/2018
"Hmm...very well, not that it matters anyways. Though why would she have something like that?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/04/2018
"She trades...With other people! They give her books and she gives them boring stuff!"

Alina seemed very proud about this.
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/04/2018
"I see, so she somehow came with a book written about trading with humans...do you remember what it said? I am rather curious about how the other peoples think of our race."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/04/2018
Alina tilted her head as she tried to remember, the hood tilting with her.

"Um...Mostly just saying that they eat less food and are very simple minded. It wasn't very interesting.

Alina decided that now was a good time to swap the subject.

"So are you Beth's friend?"
September 5, 2018
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/05/2018
The lord at first seemed rather insulted at that sentence.
"I say, simple minded? Whoever wrote it had a low opinion on humanity. I would argue that humanity's strong point is innovation, it is our avarice that is our weak point. I however, digress. Eh? Yes, we are both kingsguard members and she is one of the brightest on our team, barring me of course."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/05/2018
“Is it fun?”

Alina tilted her head the other way this time.

“Everyone except the old guy seems to want Anja to join, so it must be fun right?”
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/05/2018
Albert put a hand to his chin.
"I would not say it is fun, no. Our work conditions are rather poor and we have little respite. However it is rather interesting."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/05/2018
“Oh.”

Alina didn’t really understand.

“Do they pay you a lot? Anja likes to grumble about not getting paid enough.”
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/05/2018
"I would say the pay is decent...However a large amount of our pay goes to our weapons..."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/05/2018
“Anja loves buying weapons!”

Alina giddily shuffled her feet as she tried to explain Anja’s weapons without her hands.

“She’s got this super long spear that she uses for wolves and bears, she’s got this super shiny sword that she uses for bad guys, and bears! She’s also got this REAAAAAAALLY big hammer that she sometimes uses, usually on bears!
September 6, 2018
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
"Ah, I see. So that is why everyone wishes for this Anja to come to our aid. Well that is very helpful, however what is she to you? A family member?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
Alina thought about what label to actually give Anja. She wasn’t really her mom, but she wasn’t really a big sister either.

“Well she takes care of me. She buys me food, lets me sleep with her. Sometimes if I have a nightmare she’ll tell me and Cookie a bedtime story. But her stories are really bad.”

Alina stuck her tongue out as she remembered Anja’s last birthday story.

“She also takes me hunting! Usually I just help move the meat but sometimes I help make traps for smaller animals!”
“And headpats! She praises me and gives me headpats!”

That was the most important bit.
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
"Ah, I see, she is your...caretaker then? I too have a caretaker, though mine is less...maternal I suppose."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
“Does she give you headpats too?”
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
"Ah, no. That would be rather odd considering we are around the same age. She does however aid me in potion making and gathering books that I need for research."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
“I don’t think it’s weird.”

Alina thought headpats should be for everyone regardless of age but maybe things were different here.

As they turned the corner Alina recognized the familiar hall that held the library’s entrance. Giddy with excitement Alina rushed forward and dumped her old books on the return desk before running to get more. After a minute she returned with another book.

“Here. I think you might like this book!”

[Ice Dragons of the Northeast]
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
Albert looked down at the book and smiled, putting his hand on her head and ruffling it a bit. He enjoyed it when people had a genuine search for knowledge.
"Ah, thank you. I shall give it a good read."
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
"Ehehehe"

Alina liked Albert. He gave good headpats.

"You should give me a good book to read too!"
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
He put a hand to his chin and closed his eyes.
"Hm....what to give...you have a interest in the natural sciences, correct?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
"Uh Huh!"

In the time that Albert had closed his eyes Alina had ran to one of the comfy window sills and returned with a soft bean bag in one hand, and Cookie in the other.

"Especially sea animals! They always look more huggable!"
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
"Hm...I see..."
He walks among the bookshelves before pulling out a book.
"I believe you may wish to give this an attempt. It is on the wildlife close to Zaldos, sadly we are landlocked so there is nothing on ocean wildlife. However, it is a good read in my opinion.
[On The Wilds]
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
"Ohhhh."

Alina excitedly took the book and dragged the beanbag to her favorite spot. Once she had made sure that everything was nice and comfy she returned to pull on Albert's sleeve.

"Can you read it too me?"
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
"Ah, read it? Hm...I am not used to something like this...but I shall try. How long shall I read? Through all of it?"
Cyber, Empyrial Flufftician09/06/2018
Alina nodded her head happily.
Foss | Rip no Christmas Sumia09/06/2018
"Right well..."Foreword: Zaldosian ecology is one of...'"
With that he read into the book, entertaining the dragon he met the best he could. After all, it was his duty as a scholar to help engage curious minds in study as well.