//------------------------------// // You’re Telling Me the Library Actually Lends out Books? // Story: Fifty-Three Pickup // by blowngasket //------------------------------// You’re Telling Me the Library Actually Lends out Books? “Twilight, I’m bored.” “I am quite confident in your ability to find something to do. I am busy today.” “But Twilight…” Catacomb moaned annoyingly as he hung around the back of Twilight’s chair. She was dressed up in a white blouse and long purple skirt, her long dark blue hair put up into a bun, something that Catacomb had found oddly sexy. Finally to complete the look, she had a pair of purple rimmed reading glasses over her eyes, which skimmed through the scroll in front of her. Catacomb slumped over, lazily placing his head on her shoulder, staring at whatever it was she was reading. “So…whatcha doing?” “Making sure that all of the books for this month have been returned on time.” “Wait…You actually lend out books?” Catacomb asked, legitimately shocked. “This is a library,” Twilight responded, slightly annoyed. “I don’t get paid to do nothing.” “But…I haven’t seen anyone in at all since I got here,” Catacomb said. “We usually get them early in the day. You would notice if you usually didn’t sleep until two in the afternoon,” she said with a small laugh in her voice. “Well that does make sense, I guess. What can I say? I always preferred the nightlife. So, why are ya so fascinated with books, anyways?” Catacomb asked as he continued to watch her work. “Knowledge from years, decades, and centuries ago. You can learn so many things from books!” Twilight said, starting to get into it. Catacomb had a feeling that he would thoroughly regret asking that. “Great writers putting down not only their thoughts, but emotions into every single pen stroke. Action, adventure, romance and mystery. Fiction or non-fiction. Every single work of literature is a learning experience which brings you into a whole new world that you never would have been able to explore. Then there are textbooks, important knowledge stored for anyone to use. Learning from the greatest mages, maps drawn out by brave explorers who dared to search through new lands. What is there not to like about books?” Twilight said, finishing her monologue, smiling cheerfully. “Guess you have the right job, huh?” Catacomb said, smiling nervously. He had heard about her slightly obsessive tendencies, but never experienced it firsthand. “Celestia was so kind to let me handle it on my own. It is such a great feeling being able to take care of so many great works. What do you like to read, Cata?” Twilight asked, turning away from her paper to look at him. “Well, as far as books go, I haven’t really read too many. Mainly biology and psychology stuff, ya know?” Catacomb said, shrugging. “Those are actually some pretty high level subjects,” Twilight said, slightly impressed. “If I wanna pretend to be human, I gotta learn what makes up humans.” Twilight nodded. “As for psychology…well I just like to mess with people sometimes,” Catacomb said grinning. “Not really surprised. Only you would go through great lengths to be irritating,” Twilight said, smirking. Catacomb chuckled and kissed her cheek, drawing a slight blush from her. She turned her head back to the list, trying hard to hide the small smile on her face. “Like I said, irritating.” “I do my best, Twi,” Catacomb said happily. “So, who exactly pays you anyways?” “The city does,” Twilight said, writing a note next to one of the names. Catacomb figured it was an overdue book. “I would ask you if it was boring, but I know you better,” Catacomb stated. “To be honest, it does have its ups and downs. I wish there were more people who were as enthusiastic about books as I am,” Twilight said, sighing. “Sorry to break it to ya, but I doubt you’ll find someone nearly as obsessed as you are. I can’t imagine more than one of ya.” Twilight shrugged, bouncing Catacomb’s head slightly. There was a knock at the door, startling the two of them. Twilight looked up from her spot, staring at the door. “Come on in!” She said, trying not to yell too loudly. The door opened, followed by a tanned, brown haired man walking inside. He was lightly dressed, wearing a white tee and jeans with a horseshoe design on his shirt. “Good afternoon, Caramel.” Twilight said. “Good afternoon, Twilight,” Caramel said, nodding. His attention focused in on the man still drooping over her shoulders. “Who’s that odd fellow on your shoulder?” “This is Catacomb, my boyfriend. Cata, this is Caramel.” Catacomb casually waved, with Caramel responding in kind. “How can I help you today?” “Well, I was hoping you had something new in the realm of umm…well…” Caramel tried speaking, though he couldn’t finish his sentence. Catacomb grinned slightly as Twilight patiently waited for him. “Why are ya looking at me like that?” Caramel asked Catacomb. He causally got up from his spot, and walked over to him. “Trust me. You don’t need to be embarrassed. I have seen that look many times before, and I know I will continue until the day I die,” Catacomb said, patting him on the back. “Twi, why don’t you go take a break. I got this.” Both Caramel and Twilight looked at him strangely. “Are you sure, Cata?” Twilight asked. “Trust me, Twilight. I think he would prefer my help anyways.” Twilight shrugged and got up, making her way into the kitchen. “Want me to set aside some tea?” Twilight asked, turning around and looking at two. Both Caramel and Catacomb nodded, Twilight smiling and finally walking away. “So, you’re looking to impress someone you like?” Catacomb said quietly once Twilight was out of range. Caramel’s eyes widened. “How did you know?!” he said, slightly surprised. “Kinda my thing, I guess," Catacomb lied, preferring to hide his changeling nature. "I understand that it is weird asking a girl about those kind of things, so what exactly are ya looking for?” Catacomb said, crossing his arms as he waited for the response from the client. “Well, I finally gathered up the courage and asked her out. Thankfully she said yes, but I never really been on a date before, and I don’t wanna mess it all up. I have a long history of such.” Catacomb nodded, looking around at some of the books on the shelves. “Well, as far as actual dating advice, I doubt either me or Twilight would have been helpful. Still new at the whole couple thing,” Catacomb said as he still went through the books, trying to find something. “Seriously? You two seem so…well natural.” Catacomb chuckled slightly, shaking his head. “Thanks, but we really are just winging it. If you want my advice, don’t get romance advice from a book. Sure, they are great for this, but ya should just do what you think you should do. If you mess up, at least you weren’t acting. Nothing pisses a girl off more than finding out that her relationship was made up on lies. Trust me, I am an expert on that.” “That really works?” Caramel asked. Catacomb nodded, flashing him a grin. “Things don’t always go smoothly, but for the most part, if it is meant to be, then it is. Anyways, you should just pick out a book anyways, so Twilight doesn’t scold me for failing to assist.” “Umm sure. Just sign me out something interesting.” Catacomb nodded and grinned slightly, grabbing a book that caught his eye. He carried it over to the desk and signed and dated the time card in the book. He then wrote it down in the ledger after taking some time to find it. “I guess they really do lend out books. Anyways, just have it back by the end of the month, and good luck tonight.” Catacomb said, handing the book to him. “Thanks again…Catacomb was it?” Caramel tried to remember his name correctly, not really sure. “Yuppers, though my friends just call me Cata. Take it easy, Caramel,” Catacomb said, as Caramel approached the door. He was about to leave when a familiar voice stopped him. “Leaving already?” Twilight asked, walking back in with a small tea tray, housing three full cups. Caramel nodded and smiled. “Yeah, got big plans tonight. Thanks again, Cata. I really appreciate the help." “Anytime. Enjoy the book,” Catacomb said, waving as he walked out. Twilight walked over to her desk, Catacomb making some room for the tea. She set it down and took a seat, looking over everything with a hint of surprise in her eyes. “I am impressed, Cata. You really can be professional when you want to be,” Twilight said, sipping her tea. “You even remembered to record the book in the ledger.” Catacomb beamed as she complimented him. “I didn’t want to mess anything up and all. I know this means a lot to ya,” Catacomb said, blushing slightly. Twilight chuckled and handed him his cup. “So what did he check out? Twilight asked, though she didn’t really wait for an answer, checking the ledger herself. “Just something for tonight. He was kinda uncomfortable talking about in in front of you, guy stuff and all, so I gave him a good helping hand,” Catacomb said, smiling as he knew what was coming next. Twilight stayed quiet, reading the ledger a few extra times to make sure she wasn’t reading it incorrectly. Finally, she slowly closed the log, blushing heavily. “The…Kama…Sutra?”