fandomhigh | Library [8.02]

Library [8.02]

Karal had managed to tame his hair since returning from his impromptu worlds tour with Jeff. It no longer looked as if it was set to launch a bid for world domination at any moment, and that could only be a good thing.

There was still no sign of Altra, though, which was a slight worry. As he sipped his morning tea and opened the library, he decided not to worry about it -- the Firecat would return in his own time.

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And everything Liir had said about reading memories came rushing back and made him wince. "Oh, Sunlord. He wouldn't have done it on purpose." Karal was certain of that. "He wouldn't have," he repeated, then slumped to lean against the shelves.

"What did he read from you?" he asked, voice quiet, knowing from watching Andrew that it could be nothing good. "Only if you wish to tell me."

"Oh, I realize it wasn't on purpose. He told me," in a round about way, "what he had seen."

Andrew was highly uncomfortable even thinking about it, the memory, and that probably clearly showed in his body language.

"She didn't mean to do it," he said softly. "At least, that's what I kept telling myself back then. I was barely five." He grabbed and held onto his wrist. "And it snapped so easily."

It took him a moment to figure out what Andrew was telling him. When understanding dawned, he was instantly, blazingly furious. Sunlord, damn her to all the hells, forever. Let her burn.

But he appeared very calm when he gently touched two fingers to the back of Andrew's hand where it was clasping his wrist. "And now you know it wasn't?" He was afraid to say anything else; he wasn't sure what would come out.

Andrew shrugged. It was easier to believe she hadn't meant to do it. It was easier to believe it had been an accident. Lies could be oddly comforting.

"It's just... I mean, he didn't seem to..." His words were getting twisted.

"I worry that he'll think less of me now," he whispered.

Karal had to take a deep breath so he could maintain the calm façade, and then he pulled Andrew into another hug. "It was not your fault. Nothing that was done to you was your fault. No one could ever think less of you because of what was done to you. You were a child." A defenceless, trusting child who should have been protected. "Liir is not going to to think less of you, I swear to you."

Andrew stiffened up and pulled away. He knew that Karal's comfort would bring down his defenses, and right now he needed those walls, wanted them higher.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I just... Let's talk about something else."

"I'm sorry," he said, stepping away and folding his hands in front of him while he looked at the floor. "I fell naked into a river of chocolate while being chased by very short orange men with green hair. And then I rode a sheep. A pink one with wool made from candy floss."

Edited 2008-02-09 01:49 (UTC)

Andrew just stood there, blinking, unsure of what Karal was going on about.

Karal glanced up. "Jeff and I fell through a portal. We ended up jumping between a lot of worlds. That was the last one. I had a hat," he added. "A bright purple one with a huge feather." He paused, then said quietly, "You wanted to talk of something else."

It took a moment, but a grin slowly grew on Andrew's face. "A purple hat? With a feather?" he asked.

"I don't suppose you still have it?"

"It became rather sodden in the river of chocolate," he explained. "The feather was very bedraggled, so I left it behind." He smiled tentatively back. "I did wave it at the orange men when I charged them with the sheep, and made them give me their pants."

Edited 2008-02-09 02:22 (UTC)

"Are you just making this up?" He eyed Karal.

"On my honour as a Sun-priest," he said solemnly, them sighed. "I wish I was making it up. That was only the last world."

Andrew took a small step towards Karal and held open his arms for a hug.

Karal happily accepted it. "It was dreadful, Andrew. I didn't think we were ever going to get home, at least not without something permanent happening to Jeff. And then Turtle would have killed me."

"But you made it," he said, chuckling lightly. "You were gone for a week with Jeff and I didn't know it." He squeezed Karal tighter.

"I'm sorry."

"Only five days," he corrected. "And there's nothing to be sorry for." Karal grinned and ruffled his hair. "You were distracted by a certain young man, I think, which is as it should be."

"So did you ask this Evey about the movie tonight," he asked.

Karal went red and moved away to look at a book on the nearest shelf. "Not yet. She sometimes comes by the library in the afternoons," he explained. "If she doesn't, I'll ask her at the club."

"Oh, so she's visiting you here regularly?" he asked casually.

"Not regularly." The book really was fascinating. "It's nice, though, when she does. It's quiet, so we get a chance to talk."

"Hey," he said suddenly. "Are you familiar with Valentine's Day?"

"Not in the least." He leaned one shoulder against the shelves. "Is it important?"

"It's a holiday," he explained. "One specifically designed to make single people feel awkward and lonely. At least, that's how I used to feel about it. You see, um, a valentine is a card you would send to someone you love or, you know, are strongly attracted to... or not so strongly, depending on your age and how easily you buy into marketing." He shrugged.

"Anyway, your valentine is the person you would send that card to. And there is a day to like celebrate that relationship. And it's next week."

"Glory, I'm not sure if that is sweet or sad," he said thoughtfully. "Every day should be a day to celebrate the person you love." Karal really did tend towards the romantic. "But having a day would, I guess, help those who might forget and take it for granted, but, as you say, sad for those who don't have someone." He smiled slowly. "But you aren't one of those people."

Library [8.02]

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