Betty
*Long and lingering looks through the labyrinthian halls of the Order's library would lend most to a sort of madness, especially those novices that had never experienced such a place before. Tomes by the thousands sat sorted, at times stirring by the shift of subtle spells woven into the shelves themselves, causing them to fly or even slip between space to order themselves.*

*There was those rare few with a gift for seeing into this forest and seeing every root, stem, and trunk clearly. The librarians, curators upon whose shoulders much of the Order's-... Well, -order,- was held, possessed rare gifts of the mind to handle the burden of organization. At the nexus of the many-leveled rooks that made up the library, each holding amassments of archives, chambers, and laboratories, was where many of the librarians could be found. And it was here a guest had come, in the deep hours of a stormy night, seeking help.*

*Aewerin, eyes already buggered by black-ish bags that swelled slightly from her fights against rest, slowly and carefully walked herself over to find any librarian she could with a far too rigid back. At times, small huffs come from her, as she uses both hands to hold a sizable column of tomes that stretched from her navel to under her chin, which she used to clamp them together.*

*Her eyes trace one way, and then another, before sliding the tomes onto the table, a begrudging look of frustration on her face - one a librarian would well recognize as someone not having found what they were looking for, and growing jaded for it. Aewerin's robes and hair were both messed by a slight layer of dust, likely from flying books overhead raining upon her. Though, even with that in mind, she must've spent hours on end studying to have reached such a state.*

*Though - it remained to be seen who would come to help her, if anyone at all.*
Tiffany
If there was anything Bibi could appreciate, it was the peace and quiet of the library at night. There were no loud and obnoxious Acolytes, no couples trying to do all sorts of things inappropriate for a library, no people trying to come in here with food and ruin her - ahem - *The* Books, it was just... Quiet. The few people that came here so late were usually the most studious or curious of people, and those tended to know how to behave in a place like this.

Still, that didn't mean she was slacking on her duties at all. She was walking around the place quietly, her soft leather boots barely making a sound on the marble floor, hands folded behind her back and her gaze sharp. Mentally, she kept a map of where the few stragglers were approximately located, and she made sure to locate everyone at least once every ten minutes, keeping track of their activities. While walking around, she also picked out any books that had been misplaced, putting them back where they belonged - even if the magic of the library could do it for her, there was something relaxing about doing it herself.

It wasn't rare for the owlish woman to be compared to a prison guard, and with how vigilant her gaze was, few were inclined to disagree. It wasn't an entirely accurate comparison, though. She was just concerned about her - ahem - *The* Library, and the books found within. Many were hundreds of years old, or incredibly rare, and any damage done to them would be catastrophic, and much to her annoyance, it was rare for people to understand that. So, she watched the place carefully, more than ready to kick out anyone that ignored the rules posted clearly on the door.
_ _

In her wanderings, something - or rather, someone - was quick to catch her attention. It wasn't an unfamiliar face, Bibi had seen her around a couple of times, though she was blanking on the other's name. That didn't matter right now, though. What mattered was that she appeared to be lost, in that way only scholars unable to find what they were looking for appeared lost. "Do you require assistance?" She thus asked, her voice soft, as was appropriate for a library. Bibi kept her back straight and her hands folded behind it as she spoke, perhaps appearing somewhat stiff to those that weren't familiar with her, but in reality, she was quite relaxed - after all, this was her domain, and she knew it like the back of her hand, she had no reason to be nervous here.
Betty
The night made for a natural sort've shade for Aewerin's ever-busy mind. There, when others slept, she could put aside - if only somewhat - that poking, prodding, pricking feeling of business that she had to meet. An incessant draw between tasks that seemed to come from an always deepening well of black that sat heavy in the dells of her doubts.

But here, in the library, at night? Aewerin only had the stars and the books to keep her mind occupied, so she could focus even better. Sleep be damned. And it was- often. Bibi could see it on her face, that Elf who she's seen a handful of times, for all the years they've spent in the same tower. That familiar edifice of self-imposed suffering in studying. But, the Elf seemed to bear something of a thin smile, a not-so-subtle surliness withdrawn away out of respect for the librarians, whose domain she stood within.

"-You- must be the famous Bibi." Aewerin smiles, a bit more snark in it now. Whatever the implication was- well, the Shifter could likely well-reason it was the way that she guarded this place and its vested purpose so vigilantly. Few are those that'd dare leave things out of place intentionally, before the ghostly owl comes looming around the corner to correct it.

"I— do need some assistance, yes." Aewerin's lip coils, a serpentine and jagged little sneer that tells of all her discontent at needing to ask. The tomes she possessed, all fragments and second-hand accounts of history of Dol Boldhar - that lost and legendary place below the earth.

"I don't know-..." Another coil of her lip, changing her mind on how to word it. "I haven't yet found a tome that compiles the locations of entrances to Dol Boldhar. I need it for- well. It's needed." 

She gives off a huff, leaning a fist back to press it into her lower spine, bending back to a surprisingly and viscerally loud crack, accompanied by a muffled, muted grunt.
Vickey
Then, as if summoned by the sound, a shadowly little figure pounced onto the counter and sat. The housecat- no, something else wearing the disguise of a cat- left an oddly pale, moonlight colored reflection where a shadow should sit from flickering magelight candles, as its tail slowly swayed side to side. It was a familiar.

Looking up at Bibi, it just tilted its head, pupilless eyes unable to be tracked for where they looked, and for how long. It seemed friendly enough, and avoided making contact with the tomes.
Tiffany
Famous? Bibi would hardly call herself that - in fact, she was extremely reluctant to do so, she would rather not be all that well-known. But, she supposed, for someone that frequented the library, her name would be one that would come up occasionally, perhaps even frequently. She was probably the librarian that took her job the most seriously, because she didn't consider it her job, not really. It was what she'd always wanted to do in life.

"That is me," She said anyway, not a hint of a smile on her face - she seemed to prefer playing the role of stern librarian, at least for now. "And what might your name be?" Bibi couldn't help being a little curious, she'd seen the other around a lot, and she did seem like the studious type, which was a type the Beastwalker liked to see in her library.

Her gaze darted to the books the Elf was carrying, earning her a slight raise of the eyebrow. Those were some unusual tomes to be reading, many of them hadn't been checked out in all the time that Bibi was the librarian. Admittedly, that was the case for most books here, because there were so many, but still, it caught her interest.

Bibi remained quiet when the other requested her help, noting that she seemed to be somewhat reluctant to ask. Was she one of those types who always thought she could do everything on her own? It was not an unusual sight here - though luckily this person didn't seem to be the most stubborn one out there, actually able to accept help when it was offered.

Dol Boldhar? That did explain the books already on the table. Bibi gave a slight furrowing of her brow as she crossed her left arm over her chest and absently tapped her chin with the index finger of her right, her gaze darting around the shelves, deep in thought. "I might have some ideas..." She mumbled, and though she was about to speak once more, she was startled by the sight of the creature leaping onto the counter.
_ _

Instinctively, the feathers upon her head stood up straight, and even her hair stood on end a little, making her appear somewhat taller as she flinched, staring at the... Whatever the hell that was. Luckily, it didn't appear to be dangerous, but it did scare the life out of her.

Bibi took a breath to calm herself down, quickly flattening her hair with both hands. "Pets and familiars are not allowed in here," She stated, and with her left hand, pointed to the rules posted *Clearly* On the door, which did indeed say that - it was the third rule. The right hand, she held hidden behind her back, curled into a tight ball - the urge to start fiddling with something was nigh impossible to resist, but she did anyway, not wanting to embarrass herself in front of the Elf.
Betty
The lack of immediate reaction brought a little smile to the Elf's lip, who tilted her head aside and leaned her elbows on the stack of books, peeking over them at Bibi. Though- a small break in her composure came as she adjusted her back to another few muffled cracks and a small grunt.

"Aewerin- just one of the Chroniclers." The Elf hums, leaving it at that and that alone. She had a bit of a reputation for a firebrand of a tongue and a ferocity of spellwork, but the subjectivety of that was... Polarizing among her peers within the Order. Aewerin wasn't entirely sure what Bibi thought either, curious about the Beastwalker's listlessness and directness of tone.

Aewerin perked up a bit at the mention of ideas- though for the sudden flourish of feathers in the fright Bibi had, Aewerin's lips pursed as she traced up and down the pattern of blacks and whites, before noticing that her vision kept focusing firmly on Bibi's golden eyes, in fermenting fascination.

Blinking once, and then twice as she realized she didn't respond immediately to Bibi's words, Aewerin then shook her head, giving a swaying little 'go, go' wave towards Murmur.
Vickey
Who- at that- gave an audible and too-human 'Hmph!' before continuing his complaints as he hops off the counter.

"In any half-way civilized order, I would make the rules here— damnable! Damnation, I say!" He speaks in a spectral tone, as he saunters out of the library after whispering his exaggerated little complaints. He was sure to find and make some trouble, but nothing in Bibi's- err- the *Order's* Library. And behind him trailed that strange, moonlight colored shadow.
Betty
Watching him go, for a moment, she turned back to Bibi, lifting a hand plaintively. "Murmur likes to think of himself as royalty- he does. But- yes, I could use some assistance."
Tiffany
The Beastwalker couldn't help but notice the small grunt, and more concerningly, the cracks of the Elf's back. Had she just been carrying too many books? Or was there something else going on? Well, it wasn't her place to ask, was it? She just had to do her job.

Aewerin, huh. It was a name Bibi had heard tossed around occasionally, though rarely in a bad way. Well, okay, she had heard the Elf discussed badly, they just didn't seem like rumors the Beastwalker should attach much value to. The fact that her wit was sharp was something that infuriated others, but it was something Bibi found more interesting than anything. At least she hadn't been talked about as a troublemaker, which was something that reassured her, albeit only a little.

Either way, she tried to put those rumors out of her mind, and instead focus on the person standing right here, in front of her - the person that seemed to be intently focusing on her as well. Why was Aewerin staring so? Bibi could practically sense the tension in the air increasing with each agonizing second that passed, but she couldn't tear her own gaze away. That way those blue eyes looked into hers, it was making her feel a strange sort of nervousness, a tightness in her chest that she didn't understand but very much disliked. Why was Aewerin looking at her that way? Was there something on her face? Was she doing something weird without realizing? Oh gods...

Luckily, the moment that seemed to last an eternity was over soon enough as the other shook her head, and Bibi quickly lowered her own to look at the strange cat... Creature... What was that?
_ _

Though she'd calmed down from her initial fright, the feathers on her head jumped straight back up when the whatever it was spoke up. Was it sapient? Had she made a mistake kicking it out? She'd assumed it was just a strange sort of familiar, but now... She wasn't so sure. However, the creature was already gone before she had a chance to speak up about the matter, leaving only the two women.

Bibi was quick to once more flatten her feathers with both hands once the other spoke up and pulled her back to reality. Right. Help. Do the thing she was meant to do. "Certainly," The woman spoke with a nod, folding her hands behind her back. "Dol Boldhar, was it? I do believe that there are some books on the matter. Would you like me to fetch them for you?" Polite, calm, a voice bordering on monotone, but helpful, that was what most people were used to from her.
Betty
Bibi might well notice, for a lack of it elsewhere, that Aewerin seemed to hold a rigidity of posture that matched her own, but for entirely different reasons. Every time Bibi's seen the woman bend her back, there was a sizable pop or crack. But, finding some warmth finally from the movement, Aewerin seemed to relax ever so slightly. On closer inspection, the Elfess had distinctly developed deltoids, and a strong back that seemed to press against the flanks of the tunic she wore now.

Much like Bibi might create binders and frames to hold together a damaged tome, this Elf seemed to have built for herself a binder of flesh to keep her back under some measure of control.

Aewerin's stare was thankfully averted, though at times Bibi would notice that the Elf peered, long and curiously, into her golden eyes, as if she was looking for something in them, or just taking in all of their little details. But, when Murmur was departed, and their conversation continued, Aewerin responded to finally break that agonizing eon of waiting.

"I can ge—" She cuts herself off, considering. Her tone wasn't sharp, but an independence that was ignoble and defying of her better interests was slowly beaten back by that growing curiosity for the owl. "—Yes, if you wouldn't mind. I can help return these and carry those?" Aewerin speaks, softer. Curiously, the snark from earlier seems to have been muted. Perhaps Aewerin was attentive to Bibi's mood, perhaps it was coincidence- but it was a palpable shift.
Tiffany
Frankly, Bibi made a point not to stare too closely at people, not wanting to judge them on their appearance by accident. She'd rather judge someone on the content of their character - and still, even she couldn't help but notice how, well, buff Aewerin was. Perhaps she only took notice of it because of how unusual it was for a mage. Most tended to be frail, studious types, but Aewerin looked like she could benchpress at least ten of those mages at once. Had she more experience with injuries, Bibi might've figured out why, but right now, she just assumed the cracking noises of the other's back were due to her sitting down like a shrimp, poured over tomes, like so many people in this library.

Bibi once more let her gaze dart around the library, the sky-high bookshelves that towered all around her. She was quiet for a moment, thinking on where to find anything related to Dol Boldhar. History... Or architecture? Maybe she'd just have to check both.

It was actually surprising that Aewerin offered to help, but Bibi gave a light shake of her head. "Returns go over there," She said as she gestured at a small chart standing next to the main desk, which had a bunch of other random books on it as well. "I have to check each book for damage before putting it back." It wasn't that she didn't trust the other woman, it was more that it was just protocol, and she had to check every book before putting it back.

"You can help carry the new ones, if you would like, though. That would be very helpful, thank you." It wasn't often that people offered to help like that, and Bibi did appreciate it a lot. "Shall we, then?" She gestured in the direction of the bookshelves she'd like to take a look into with a hand, then folded both hands in front of her, starting to walk in that direction, expecting the Elf to follow her. Perhaps most would have noticed the shift in Aewerin's voice, but it completely flew over Bibi's head - which wasn't too unusual for her, actually.
Betty
Sometimes posture wasn't such a shrimple thing. Bibi's assumptions weren't entirely wrong - at times Aewerin's anxieties to find solutions bent her back over her tomes, as if looming and lording over them, demanding of their secrets. In those rare lapses of lucidity where she could think on what she was doing, she'd swiftly correct herself and try to minimize the agony she'd have damned herself to for the next hour.

Now was one of those hours, as she so evidently seemed to be slowly loosening up whatever damage she had done. But, the Elf's teal eyes seemed to be traced with her-... Stores, of stamina. Magical potential sat around their edges along a mountainous little border of gold, though more earthen in tone than Bibi's own eyes.

At Bibi's indication, Aewerin inclined her head brief, before rolling her neck out, laying her stack of tomes in the returns where they were meant to go. At the mention of damaged books, Aewerin notably perched a brow at the owl, but it fell away. For Bibi, likely something easily misread, but it was nothing more than Aewerin's fleeting thoughts.

*Do you think I'm an amateur?*

One brushing finger under her nostrils later, as if blowing away the steam from her imagined indignation, Aewerin returned to a more pleasant demeanor, still earnest in her intent to help Bibi carry the tomes to where she was studying. Following along in near lock-step with the owl, Aewerin seemed casually content to match the pace and not rush anywhere. Whether it was for her back, or another reason like her little peeks to the side towards the Beastwalker, one would have to guess.

Without a stack of tomes in the way, the number of sown scratches and scars in Aewerin's robes was also noticable. They were affixed with new threads, almost appearing as veins of gold ore revealed only in the fracture of tested and torn stones. Something beautiful out of something injured - in parallel to her own back, it seems.
Tiffany
The raised brow didn't go unnoticed by the Beastwalker, but she didn't quite know what to think of it, what it was supposed to mean. Was she even supposed to attribute any meaning to it at all? Well, if there was a genuine issue, surely Aewerin would speak up about, right? She decided to put the thought out of her mind and focus on the issue at hand instead.

Her sharp gaze darted around the library as she walked between the shelves, pausing occasionally to pull out a book, flip through it, and then return it after finding out it didn't carry the information she was looking for. Where was it? Information on the lost Dwarven kingdom shouldn't be so hard to come by... Unless she was looking in the wrong section. Wait, now that she was thinking on it, maybe that was the case. Even if the history of the place was real, there was a very real chance that the books on it had been moved to the 'myths and legends' section, which was...

Bibi tilted her head back and exhaled a soft sigh. All the way up there. Of course. "Please wait here for a moment," She told Aewerin, and suddenly, within the blink of an eye, where she stood was the *Cutest* Little owlet, one that undeniably shared the feathers on Bibi's head, and her golden eyes, a pop of color in its otherwise black and white appearance.

The creature spread its wings, and then started flying upwards, leaving behind one small, soft white feather that fluttered downwards through the air. Arriving at the destination, way close to the ceiling, the owl was quick to spot a book that was all about the city in question, and pulled it from the shelf with its talons. A regular owl might damage the thing, but Bibi had always made sure her talons were carefully trimmed so that there was no risk of that occurring.
_ _

The little owl flew down with more effort than it took to go up, having to flap twice as hard to keep her descent slow and not crash to the ground. Still, she landed gently, placed the book on the ground, and hopped off it, turning back into her regular self in another blink of an eye. With that, she picked up the book once more, gently dusted it off, and held it out to the Elf. *A complete history of Dol Boldhar*, the title read, and judging from its thickness, it was hopefully going to help a decent amount - assuming the information found inside was truthful, of course.
Betty
As she followed along with Bibi, the Elf gave a periodic little squint, suspicious and searching, up and down the shelves, whose silence belied all the answers they kept well bound, within. They weren't wandering within the history sections, nor the geographic. No, they were approaching the mythological and magical, and so Aewerin coiled her lips as a shy serpent peeling back from a sudden, sour taste. Was she wrong in thinking, in searching? How much time had she just spent on nothing?

Aewerin was aware in some ways when she was reading - what had she really been looking at? The true history was fragmented, and she was staring into faultlines trying to make sense of darkness in depths she lacked the tools to dive into and survive.

But- all of that rumination retreated when Aewerin realized she was suddenly besides an owlet - orbs of gold reflected candlelight back at Aewerin, who seemed for a time fixated on the celestial look of it, before she watched Bibi fly away. What was going on, the mage wondered to herself? Was this-...? No. Here? She shook her head again-... Shake-shake-shake, before lightly clapping both of her cheeks with her palms, dually to wake herself up.

When Aewerin was handed the book by the more familiar form of the feathered Beastwalker, she took a good look at the cover. The way that the Elf gently used the barest bit of her fingertips, and treated each page and corner delicately as to not contribute to the wear, would well inform Bibi that she had kinship in an appreciation of literature.

Aewerin finally sighs to herself, conceding for a moment that she had failed to find this by assuming where the sources would be. A lesson tasted bitter on her tongue, but at least she could continue to work. She smiles up to Bibi, considering.

"Anything you can tell me about this one, in particular? Otherwise-... Don't suppose you have any duties keeping you from helping me notate? Nice flying, by the way - I'm sure the mice wouldn't dare."
Tiffany
The Beastwalker was quick to pick up the few feathers she'd left behind, stuffing them into her pockets, something that might make one wonder - how many did she have in there? Judging from how swiftly she snatched them up, it was unlikely that this was the first time she'd done this.

She watched as Aewerin opened the book - for a moment, Bibi had been afraid of how the Elf might treat it, considering her physique not at all being that of a mage, but her worries were eased soon enough when she saw how gentle Aewerin was with the tome. It really was a relief, and made her opinion of the other increase significantly, Bibi had always been able to appreciate a fellow lover of books.

Making sure that her posture was straight, she once more folded her hands together in front of her, and continued to observe the Elf. What she didn't notice was that there was a small white feather left behind on her shoulder, a stark contrast against the black of her vest. Was the book the one Aewerin had been looking for? It did seem to be that way.

"I have not read it, I'm afraid," Bibi replied with a light shake of the head. Though... That offer was tempting. Her eyes darted around as she paused, considering for a moment what she still had left to do. As was normal, she had finished her duties on time, and right now, she was supposed to keep an eye on the people in the library and make sure that they didn't cause any troubles.
_ _

"I will have to make a round once in a while to ensure that no one is breaking any rules, but for the rest, I am free to assist you." Bibi would have liked to leave it at that, however, what Aewerin said next was not something that she could just let slide. "And the mice are kept out through magical means. It would be highly ineffective for me to be the one chasing after each and every one of them, and frankly, a waste of my time." Was she insulted? With her expression remaining neutral and her body language its regular amount of stiff, it was impossible to tell.
Betty
As she watched the featherfall and their so-swift return to the pockets where they made their bed, Aewerin couldn't help but wonder as to the texture of them. Though, a slight snicker came at the display, out of genuine bemusement, as she kept the book delicately in her hands- something treasured, by Bibi's measure. A commendable comparison between them, and something that could perhaps in time be a way to communicate.

Otherwise, Aewerin kept an eye on the Beastwalker as she spoke, though a surely surprising laugh escaped from her at the indignation over the mice and impertinent question she had asked. Her head leaned back, a bright smile of teeth came- and the Elf seemed for a small time to be free of torment from her spine.

"I am joking. You're far too busy - but, they don't know that." She coos softly, with a tilt of her head, eyes trailing around as she implied the scene of the little rodents running along the corners in fear of Bibi.

"But thank you- truly. I can leave you to your work, if you'd like." She says, one last smile seeming to always soften the sharpness she brought. Like a sheathed sword.
Tiffany
There was a slight stiffening of the owlish woman's shoulders as she heard the other's snicker, and then her laugh, and she paused momentarily to think. People had laughed at her enough times for her to be very self-conscious about when that was occurring, but was that what was happening here or was it a sound of amusement for another reason? Was Aewerin making fun of her? Had she somehow said the wrong thing?

Her words did reassure Bibi a little, though not by much - she still felt like it could very well be the case that Aewerin was laughing at her. Best try to ignore the topic and simply move on from it, she didn't want to risk learning something she didn't want to know.

"If you allow me a minute to make sure no one is breaking any rules, I can help you out." Why she was so eager to aid the Elf, Bibi wasn't sure of. Perhaps it was simply because she was different, unusual, because the Beastwalker hadn't ever seen anyone quite like her, and she was, well, curious. Or perhaps it was something else instead - she wasn't sure. Either way, she did want to help out in whatever small way she could.

"Please, have a seat-" She gestured back in the direction of the tables with a hand "-while I take care of that, and we can work together... If you would like to, of course." There was a chance that Aewerin had only been joking with her initial offer, something that Bibi found happening more often than she'd like to admit. She'd always found it difficult to tell when people were serious or joking, and it had led her to many embarrassing misunderstandings in the past. Hopefully this wasn't one.
Betty
There was something that seemed to click inside Aewerin's mind, sending many a stuttering and shuffling gear into smooth motion, as she watched Bibi's reaction- or lack of it. After a moment of silence, before addressing other tasks and sitting, Aewerin spoke.

"I'm laughing because I enjoyed the idea, and silly as it is, I'm confident you'd do it with as much care as you treat the tomes." She hums her little tune, then listens otherwise in place.

Once Bibi directed Aewerin to sit, she went to do so, nodding at the mention of working together with a little bounce in her heels and a bob of her bangs that brushed across her brow. Something brewed withing, Aewerin thought, though so very unsure of what.

"I would like to work together and have your help, once you're set with your other duties. I'll be awake." She says, as if challenging the very black bags under her own eyes, rather than telling it to Bibi.
Tiffany
A rare look of surprise came upon the Beastwalker's face, a slight widening of the eyes - but she wasn't unpleasantly surprised, no, it was quite the opposite, actually. It was exceedingly rare for people to notice when she was struggling with figuring out what they meant, and to then explain it? That was unheard of.

"I see," She answered, noticeably relaxing, especially when it came to the matter of her shoulders. "Thank you... For the explanation." Though laced with awkwardness, there was a sincere gratitude in her voice.

With the Elf's confirmation, Bibi turned around to quickly start patrolling around, her footsteps a bit faster than usual - was she looking forward to this so much, then? It did seem like it would be pretty fun, and Aewerin wasn't exactly unpleasant to be around, but... Was that all that was behind it? Or was it that part of her mind was associating the other with that embarrassing fantasy of hers where the perfect woman would just come through the doors and scoop her up? She did seem strong enough to do so...

No, no, no, stop, stop, stop! Now it was Bibi's turn to clap her cheeks with both hands, trying to shake the thought out of her mind. Right. Patrolling. That was what she was supposed to do. She cleared her throat and straightened her back, then continued her walk around, at a bit of a slower pace to give her mind and face enough time to cool down again. Don't think about that. Highly inappropriate. Just be normal, Bibi. Be normal.
Betty
The Elf turned towards the offered seat and went, bouncing through each bound, with a small smile over her shoulder and a wave to Bibi for when they speak later. Sitting then, Aewerin tried - this time, at least - to attend to her posture. Shrimply sitting up helped alleviate most of it, but she used a small desk lectern to see the tome before her straight on, without having to bend over it like some craven cultist.

*Thank you for the explanation.* Aewerin thought to herself, ruminating on it, a run through her mind that wound her into plan and plot. Eventually, she decided that she'd make sure there were as few misunderstandings with this one as possible. Maybe- she could teach her some thing as well? Aewerin held that odd hope a moment, before letting it pass for now. She'll see in due time.

Aewerin had to correct herself to not crook her elbows on the table, or any one of the other dozen of spine damaging ways she had to put herself in pain. With a breath, she kept her mind focused on what was in front of her, using little mantras and harsh bites of her own lip to keep herself awake, against her own eminent exhaustion. And so, she awaited a curious new friend.
Tiffany
It took about ten minutes for Bibi to return, looking as prim and proper as she always did, not a hair nor feather out of place, her previous thoughts completely hidden from view, and pushed away in her own mind, something she had a lot of experience with doing.

Approaching Aewerin, she eyed the Elf curiously, and with some small amount of worry. "Are you alright? You look like you're about to fall asleep," She stated, a gentle undertone in her voice. Had that been the case when they talked earlier too? Had the Elf looked that tired then as well? How had Bibi not noticed that? Was she just too stuck in her own head? "If you need to sleep, we should wait with this until another time. Do not neglect your health," She added, her voice taking on a sterner tone.

It was far from the first time that Bibi had seen it, people overworked themselves a lot in this place. Trying to force knowledge into their brains despite the late hour and the fact that all their minds needed was sleep... It was almost more common than books themselves. It was also far from the first time that she'd try to make one of those people get some sleep, and knowing the stubbornness of most... Well, she doubted she'd be successful, but she had to try.
Betty
So Aewerin sat, there and then glancing over to the Beastwalker as she approached the little crook where the Elf nested. She did look exhausted, but curiously, she seemed to dip her hands into a small pouch.

From it rose two leaves, with a curious and alkaline scent that aromatizes the corner-... Awfully. It wasn't pleasant by any means, but passed quickly when Aewerin shot them into her mouth and chewed on them. Almost immediately, she seemed to perk up, pupils dilating just enough to be noticeable, as she smiles at Bibi.

"Oh! Much better - Better, better. Don't worry. I can sleep later." She even sounded more awake. It seemed the mage came with-... Horticultural habits, of a sort. The Elf only seemed to brush the back of her neck, fingers sifting through downy and short hair as she chuckles away the sterner tone.

Was it embarrassment? It was hard to tell- harder still for the Elf's apparent attempt to hide it.

"So far - it seems that this has a few things I needed. Especially triangulations of suspected entrances to the depths near old keeps. I was aiming to work on a catalogue—"
Tiffany
Bibi was about to question what the leaves even were, but didn't have the chance to before Aewerin had already consumed them. Were those... Illegal substances? In her library? No, surely the Elf wouldn't be that dumb... Would she?

Should she ask? There was no way that she could justify not doing so, right? If Aewerin had brought something illegal in here, she'd have to kick her out, no exceptions. "What was that?" She questioned, face stern, but sending a silent prayer up to Shara that it was just something normal that she could let slide - she really didn't want this conversation to end so soon.

Despite that, Bibi sat down on the chair in front of Aewerin's anyway, assuming that her doubts would be cleared soon and that they could focus on the matter at hand. She took a glance at the materials presented in front of her, and listened to the other's words quietly, a soft hum escaping her.

"That one is unlikely," She said as she pointed at one of the locations. "There was an expedition there recently, and they found nothing of note." A short pause. "Well, they did find a good amount of knowledge, but nothing related to Dol Boldhar." The rest, though... Those seemed somewhat likely at least.
Betty
Two chews and a muffled cough later, and whatever the matter was, was soon missing and well-gone. Aewerin looked up with that brighter, more alert look at Bibi, offering out a smile.

"Oh! Some herbs - bit bitter, but they keep my tongue and teeth clean. Some relief for a broken back, as well." She hums along. None of that was untrue. Of many flaws, what she left out was a clarification most-... Concerning. Otherwise Aewerin seemed to turn to the tome, continuing on as if she did nothing in the least wrong.

"Nothing at all? Were we sure they missed nothing?" She furrows her brow, a bit more brazen and bold in voice and posture, as if her back was suddenly unbound from its previous shackles.

"Well- we'd have to cross reference with other accounts of these three -..." She says, pointing at one, then another, and then a last location around the center of the continent, each in a separate country.

"What're the most recent archaeological accounts? Is this truly it?" She furrows her brow, a finger tap-tap-tapping on the table, a tick that triggers with each tumultuous bout of temper at the lack of answers.
Tiffany
The Beastwalker was about to respond, to question the matter, but then she hesitated. Was that really something she wanted to do? Thinking about it, it didn't seem to be harming anyone, and if it really was for cleaning her teeth and the pain...

"...I suggest that you refrain from doing such things in my direct line of sight," She stated anyway, her voice still somewhat stern. Was Aewerin that dumb? Or was she just tired? Even if it was legit, there was still a big chance of the Elf being kicked out, and she'd better be glad that Bibi was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

She examined the page once more, then gave a nod. "I read the reports quite recently, I remember them well. If you would like, I can get them for you." She didn't mind the fact that Aewerin didn't just trust her on her word - it was the mark of a good researcher.

"There might be a few more, but those could take me a few days to compile. It's not a particularly popular topic, and few new information is coming out lately." Bibi gave the book a gentle tap. "This is the most comprehensive work on the topic that I know of."
Betty
She glances up at Bibi, searching through her golden eyes before giving a nod, a shut-eye'd smile of acquiescence and attempted appeasement, and a scratch along the fluffy hair on the back of her head, as if distributing the brief feeling of shame.

"Yes- yes. Kept well out of sight, guardian." Aewerin jests, using an antiquited term for some of the librarians, referencing their secondary duties: the defense of the archives and libraries, in the case that threats were present to accumulated knowledge. Though, as Bibi might be able to tell, the tone was the same as when Aewerin spoke aloud that she was joking - unambiguously so, as if the Elf was trying to make the tone changes far more easy to follow.

Perhaps a kindness of sorts, or perhaps just something done coincidentally - either way, the mage didn't clarify before turning her mind to more studious thoughts and her tome to the next page with it. Tapping the table with a secret little pacer for her racing thoughts, Aewerin considered Bibi's words carefully before responding.

"Yes - the report might be telling of what to *Not* Look for, at the least. Otherwise-.... If I come back every day, for some time, I could help you compile those other sources? I do need them, but don't want you to leave you alone to it." She leans back, seeming far more loose after her-... Incredulous ingestion. Stretching her arms up, she uses that moment to seem to catch a thought from the air and bring it back with a small grunt.

"There's word brewing of several-... Mmh." She clicks her tongue quietly, thinking on the mot precise word as her ears search around the top of her head, rolling and turning over, and over.

"-...Penurious tasks that will be available for the Chroniclers. Sending them out to find answers themselves, searching for what's lost without much in the way of resources or backing. I imagine they're trying to scrape the barrel and save every coin on what they think may be lost causes." She chuckles, grimly.
Dorothy
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