thisbluespirit (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thisbluespirit) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rainbowfic2023-08-03 08:46 pm
thisbluespirit) wrote in rainbowfic2023-08-03 08:46 pm
Entry tags:
Tourmaline #8 [Starfall]
Name: Overdue
Story: Starfall
Colors: Tourmaline #8 (quiet/noise)
Supplies and Styles:
Word Count: 1251
Rating: G
Warnings:
Notes: 1337 Starfall Manor; Aimon Merner, Evornan Hoall, Diessa Tarvinian, Aliyna Dimue, Leaira Modelen. (Very slight piece because I realised there were some characters I hadn’t really introduced yet, and I’m going to need them soon…)
Summary: Leaira is late, and sometimes a library is just no use without its librarian.
Someone over at the library desk coughed pointedly. Aimon paused in the midst of going through the columns of Arin’s meticulous accounts for the last quarter of 1336 to raise his head and look, more out of instinct than any special interest.
The scholar at the desk coughed again, and tapped his fingers on the desk’s surface. Aimon carefully marked his place in the hefty volume in front of him, and rose. He took a few steps towards the desk. “Imai Modelen isn’t here,” he said in a low tone.
“Well, where is she?” The scholar, light-skinned and white-haired, turned, and on realising he was addressing the visiting Inspector of Accounts, toned down his annoyance. “I’m sure she has reason, but it is very inconvenient.” He kept a pale blue gaze on Aimon, who mentally went through his earlier introductions to the staff and had to guess by omission: Evornan Hoall, the only senior scholar who hadn’t been at the Manor when Aimon had arrived.
Evornan lowered his voice as Aimon neared him. “She sent me a note letting me know that she has finally obtained the Imoran History in the tenth century Southall edition.” There was a slight accusatory edge to his voice, as if he suspected Aimon of aiding and abetting Leaira in her unwarranted absence.
“And yet she still hasn’t arrived,” said Aimon mildly. You didn’t become an Inspector of Accounts by becoming easily angered by people who objected to your presence, or amending your behaviour to their demands. “Imai Teykal had to let me in when I arrived. That was half an hour ago.”
The main door opened slowly. Aimon and Evornan both turned their heads and watched as what appeared to be a pile of sizeable old books on legs walked in through it.
Aimon hastened to relieve the carrier of enough hefty tomes to reveal another member of staff who was new to him – a slight young woman with fine black hair fastened up at the back of her head, who gave him a quick smile in thanks.
The newcomer deposited the rest of her burden onto the desk – Evornan stepping back only slowly – and then looked around, first at the two of them, then the wider room.
“Where is Leaira?” she asked, before glancing at Aimon. “Oh, thank you – please put them there –” Aimon placed the books beside the others she’d brought in. “Yes. They’re old and quite valuable.” She frowned. “I’m sorry – who are you?”
Evornan studied the books she’d just deposited in front of them. “He, my dear Diessa, is the Inspector of Accounts from the High Council. Come to catch us all out in our errors.”
Aimon leant over to shake the newcomer’s hand. “Yes. I’m Aimon Merner, Imai –?”
“Diessa Tarvinian. I’m one of the junior scholars – and Leaira’s assistant when I’m here. I’ve only now got back from an auction in Western District – mostly successful, as you can see!” She rubbed a hand across her cheek, leaving a trail of grey literary dust on light bronze skin.
Evornan pulled himself up. “Well, I shall have to return later, I suppose, and hope our errant librarian has deigned to join us by that time. I’ll leave her a note – unless you know where my Imoran History is, Diessa?”
“I only arrived last night,” she said. “I can have a look, but Leaira probably has something like that under lock and key.”
Aimon stepped back as Evornan replied, letting their conversation fade into background noise as he finally identified Evornan’s slight accent – he was from Central District. Aimon had once been sent on assignment to a failing family firm not far from Copperfort – the worst assignment he’d ever had. Starfall might be odd, but the people were mainly friendly, even to him, and if maybe the occasional book glowed in the dark, it didn’t yet appear to be a seat of malice, murder and embezzlement, unlike Wendinnan House. He had to repress a shiver at the memory.
The door opened again, and this time Leaira bustled through it, stopping abruptly in front of the gathering at her desk.
“Imai Modelen, my book –”
“I’ve brought in the Talhone Collection. There are more – how do you want to deal with them?”
“Actually,” added Aimon, “while I’m here, I do have a question.”
“It is a library,” Aliyna said, suddenly emerging from the depths of the history shelves, pushing an awkward trolley back to its home at the desk.
Evornan rounded on Aliyna, his greyish-purple robe swinging round. “What were you doing there, ignoring my query all that time?”
Aliyna shrugged. “I can’t get at the rare books, can I?”
“Please, everyone,” said Leaira. “Quiet, and I’ll deal with you all – one at a time! Thank you, Diessa. If you’ll wait a few moments, I’ll come with you to fetch the rest. Evornan, one moment –” Leaira slipped behind the desk and vanished into the darkness of the inner room. A few minutes later, she re-emerged, carrying a small volume, bound in peeling red leather, with golden clasps. A paper slip poked out of its pages. “I am sorry Evornan, but I couldn’t leave that lying about out here.”
The shift in Evornan’s mood was immediate. He brightened and thanked Leaira profusely and graciously before sweeping off to examine his treasure in a far corner of the room.
“You were late,” said Aliyna, folding her arms. “After everything you keep telling me!”
Leaira shook her head. “I was unavoidably detained – and I don’t make a habit of it, unlike some people. Do please go and finish tidying Philosophy and Religion.” As Aliyna went, Leaira smiled at Diessa. “I’m so glad you’re back! Aliyna is beginning to improve at last, but she’s not you.”
“Improving?” said Diessa. “Impossible, surely! What did you do?”
Leaira leant on the desk. “Cam gave her a stern talking to and then Imai Nivyrn took an interest. I don’t think she’ll ever make a librarian, but she might actually get to be a proper Pathwalker one day, which is what she’s here for, after all.”
“I should go away more often.” Diessa laughed and then looked down at her hands, her brow wrinkling. “I need to wash again. Those books are filthy.”
“No point until we’ve finished with them,” said Leaira. As Diessa took some of the volumes into the office, she turned at last to Aimon. “What did you want?”
“Mainly to try and help,” he said. “But what did happen to you – no trouble, I hope?”
Leaira looked down at the books and then back up at him. “To be honest, Aliyna’s right. I’m nothing but a bad example. I was cold last night and got an extra blanket out of the store – but I forgot to write in the book this morning, so Kilsin chased me down somehow and then lectured me for a solid ten minutes about taking items without informing her. You have met our steward, haven’t you?”
“I have,” said Aimon. “Their records are impeccable and even if they weren’t I’m not sure I’d dare to question them. I don’t envy you!”
Leaira pulled a face. “ I feel sure I’ve shrunk several lengths. It wasn’t as if I was stealing it!”
“Well,” said Aimon, “I can’t condone the failure to keep proper records, can I?”
Leaira laughed. “Talking of which – what was your question?”
“I think,” said Aimon after a pause, “that it can wait a while – like your library users!”
Story: Starfall
Colors: Tourmaline #8 (quiet/noise)
Supplies and Styles:
Word Count: 1251
Rating: G
Warnings:
Notes: 1337 Starfall Manor; Aimon Merner, Evornan Hoall, Diessa Tarvinian, Aliyna Dimue, Leaira Modelen. (Very slight piece because I realised there were some characters I hadn’t really introduced yet, and I’m going to need them soon…)
Summary: Leaira is late, and sometimes a library is just no use without its librarian.
Someone over at the library desk coughed pointedly. Aimon paused in the midst of going through the columns of Arin’s meticulous accounts for the last quarter of 1336 to raise his head and look, more out of instinct than any special interest.
The scholar at the desk coughed again, and tapped his fingers on the desk’s surface. Aimon carefully marked his place in the hefty volume in front of him, and rose. He took a few steps towards the desk. “Imai Modelen isn’t here,” he said in a low tone.
“Well, where is she?” The scholar, light-skinned and white-haired, turned, and on realising he was addressing the visiting Inspector of Accounts, toned down his annoyance. “I’m sure she has reason, but it is very inconvenient.” He kept a pale blue gaze on Aimon, who mentally went through his earlier introductions to the staff and had to guess by omission: Evornan Hoall, the only senior scholar who hadn’t been at the Manor when Aimon had arrived.
Evornan lowered his voice as Aimon neared him. “She sent me a note letting me know that she has finally obtained the Imoran History in the tenth century Southall edition.” There was a slight accusatory edge to his voice, as if he suspected Aimon of aiding and abetting Leaira in her unwarranted absence.
“And yet she still hasn’t arrived,” said Aimon mildly. You didn’t become an Inspector of Accounts by becoming easily angered by people who objected to your presence, or amending your behaviour to their demands. “Imai Teykal had to let me in when I arrived. That was half an hour ago.”
The main door opened slowly. Aimon and Evornan both turned their heads and watched as what appeared to be a pile of sizeable old books on legs walked in through it.
Aimon hastened to relieve the carrier of enough hefty tomes to reveal another member of staff who was new to him – a slight young woman with fine black hair fastened up at the back of her head, who gave him a quick smile in thanks.
The newcomer deposited the rest of her burden onto the desk – Evornan stepping back only slowly – and then looked around, first at the two of them, then the wider room.
“Where is Leaira?” she asked, before glancing at Aimon. “Oh, thank you – please put them there –” Aimon placed the books beside the others she’d brought in. “Yes. They’re old and quite valuable.” She frowned. “I’m sorry – who are you?”
Evornan studied the books she’d just deposited in front of them. “He, my dear Diessa, is the Inspector of Accounts from the High Council. Come to catch us all out in our errors.”
Aimon leant over to shake the newcomer’s hand. “Yes. I’m Aimon Merner, Imai –?”
“Diessa Tarvinian. I’m one of the junior scholars – and Leaira’s assistant when I’m here. I’ve only now got back from an auction in Western District – mostly successful, as you can see!” She rubbed a hand across her cheek, leaving a trail of grey literary dust on light bronze skin.
Evornan pulled himself up. “Well, I shall have to return later, I suppose, and hope our errant librarian has deigned to join us by that time. I’ll leave her a note – unless you know where my Imoran History is, Diessa?”
“I only arrived last night,” she said. “I can have a look, but Leaira probably has something like that under lock and key.”
Aimon stepped back as Evornan replied, letting their conversation fade into background noise as he finally identified Evornan’s slight accent – he was from Central District. Aimon had once been sent on assignment to a failing family firm not far from Copperfort – the worst assignment he’d ever had. Starfall might be odd, but the people were mainly friendly, even to him, and if maybe the occasional book glowed in the dark, it didn’t yet appear to be a seat of malice, murder and embezzlement, unlike Wendinnan House. He had to repress a shiver at the memory.
The door opened again, and this time Leaira bustled through it, stopping abruptly in front of the gathering at her desk.
“Imai Modelen, my book –”
“I’ve brought in the Talhone Collection. There are more – how do you want to deal with them?”
“Actually,” added Aimon, “while I’m here, I do have a question.”
“It is a library,” Aliyna said, suddenly emerging from the depths of the history shelves, pushing an awkward trolley back to its home at the desk.
Evornan rounded on Aliyna, his greyish-purple robe swinging round. “What were you doing there, ignoring my query all that time?”
Aliyna shrugged. “I can’t get at the rare books, can I?”
“Please, everyone,” said Leaira. “Quiet, and I’ll deal with you all – one at a time! Thank you, Diessa. If you’ll wait a few moments, I’ll come with you to fetch the rest. Evornan, one moment –” Leaira slipped behind the desk and vanished into the darkness of the inner room. A few minutes later, she re-emerged, carrying a small volume, bound in peeling red leather, with golden clasps. A paper slip poked out of its pages. “I am sorry Evornan, but I couldn’t leave that lying about out here.”
The shift in Evornan’s mood was immediate. He brightened and thanked Leaira profusely and graciously before sweeping off to examine his treasure in a far corner of the room.
“You were late,” said Aliyna, folding her arms. “After everything you keep telling me!”
Leaira shook her head. “I was unavoidably detained – and I don’t make a habit of it, unlike some people. Do please go and finish tidying Philosophy and Religion.” As Aliyna went, Leaira smiled at Diessa. “I’m so glad you’re back! Aliyna is beginning to improve at last, but she’s not you.”
“Improving?” said Diessa. “Impossible, surely! What did you do?”
Leaira leant on the desk. “Cam gave her a stern talking to and then Imai Nivyrn took an interest. I don’t think she’ll ever make a librarian, but she might actually get to be a proper Pathwalker one day, which is what she’s here for, after all.”
“I should go away more often.” Diessa laughed and then looked down at her hands, her brow wrinkling. “I need to wash again. Those books are filthy.”
“No point until we’ve finished with them,” said Leaira. As Diessa took some of the volumes into the office, she turned at last to Aimon. “What did you want?”
“Mainly to try and help,” he said. “But what did happen to you – no trouble, I hope?”
Leaira looked down at the books and then back up at him. “To be honest, Aliyna’s right. I’m nothing but a bad example. I was cold last night and got an extra blanket out of the store – but I forgot to write in the book this morning, so Kilsin chased me down somehow and then lectured me for a solid ten minutes about taking items without informing her. You have met our steward, haven’t you?”
“I have,” said Aimon. “Their records are impeccable and even if they weren’t I’m not sure I’d dare to question them. I don’t envy you!”
Leaira pulled a face. “ I feel sure I’ve shrunk several lengths. It wasn’t as if I was stealing it!”
“Well,” said Aimon, “I can’t condone the failure to keep proper records, can I?”
Leaira laughed. “Talking of which – what was your question?”
“I think,” said Aimon after a pause, “that it can wait a while – like your library users!”
no subject
Anyway. I love this. And I'd love to hear the story of Wendinnan House if you ever get a chance.
no subject
Thank you! <3
no subject
Anyway, this was fun. And I'd rather like to hear more of Aimon's experiences at Wendinnan House if you can ever fit it in!
no subject
And I'd rather like to hear more of Aimon's experiences at Wendinnan House if you can ever fit it in!
Thank you! I want to myself - I was going to, and then found I really needed to do a bit more background world-building for it, which has now happened thanks to the 24-years-earlier strand, except that also stole my brain. Muses, so unruly - as you know!!
no subject
I do know all about unruly Muses, yes, alas! I hope they let you write it in due course...