Jose
The first thing that Lewis noticed was that the library was old. Well, nothing in Briar Ridge was fully new, but it was usually scruffiness rather than age; things were constantly destroyed, patched up, moved around, and destroyed again. The library seemed to be mostly untouched and a little dusty; the sheer amount of velvet in the room made Lewis involuntarily scratch his nose. Maybe, its vintage property was part of its charm, just like the dim lighting and the general brown palette of the perimeter. To be completely honest, the palette part he didn't mind: with the tweed coat he wore open and his checked trousers he would fit in there nicely. And that same muted light of speakeasy always helped him relax. He just wasn't much of a library guy. Not much of a reader either.

So, why was he here?

Well, after his brother washed all of the blood and other fluids off his hands, and got over it enough to be able to talk, he introduced Lewis to a book he just read. As far as Lewis was able to put together, it was a detective story about a masked killer and the leader of a criminal organization, both in London, neither of whom anyone had seen. One of them was named "Frog". Literature at its finest – not that he knew much about the fine literature. Maybe it was just as stupid.

Nathaniel was ecstatic. He talked about reading it on breaks, putting it away only by implementing his mental power and dedication to the wellbeing of their patients. He described the language as "Interesting" And the crimes as "Poetic". He was so lost in his monologue, periodically catching his breath with a short "Oh no, that's a spoiler", and Lewis found himself actually enjoying his brother in this silly interested state, struggling to find normal people words to describe his experience. Of course, his train of thought was a little hard to follow, but certainly not harder than him describing the properties of a healthy liver with the same fervor and involvement, but in a language that, Lewis could swear, was barely English. So, jumping from the detective almost dying, to the mask being torn off of someone whose name Nat could not remember, to the beginning because Doctor Ashworth needed to comment on how well the introduction was written, was a walk in the part for Lewis's brain. He enjoyed it so much, in fact, that he created himself a goal to read through the book as well and cleverly reference it in passing to make Nathaniel's eyes pop out of his head, and also make him ask how Lewis liked the ending, and if he was able to guess it at all. 

The problem with locating the book laid in very limited information on its whereabouts. Lewis knew that Nathaniel had taken it from the town library, but whether he had returned it had remained a mystery, and asking Nat directly meant spoiling the surprise. But outside of Nathaniel, there would probably be one person who could help him with his task, and that was the librarian.

And so, the second thing Lewis Ashworth had noticed upon setting his foot in the library, was her.

He stopped moving, hoping to take a good look at her profile before the woman would have noticed him, curiously taking in her looks. She had this mouth like she was trying to say something, but changed her mind at the last second, and a form of eyes that would look expectant, if not for the softness and the upliftness of the rest of her features. The woman's dark hair laid around her face in tidy waves, brushing over her sweater. Her face seemed to be built for someone much more relaxed than her: the librarian's shoulders were so tense it looked like she was preparing to be jumped. Lewis closed the door deliberately slowly, to let the creaking alert her of his presence without startling her with loud noise.

"Good afternoon," He said with a half-smile, eyeing her shamelessly, but without the unnecessary tension, "I'm searching for a book, and I think you can help me. There must have been a man here no longer than a couple of days ago. Red hair about..." He gestured his hand in a cutting potion to the side of his neck, "Shoulder length, freckles everywhere. Short, scrawny, looks like he's about to pass out at any moment. Brings back any memories?"

And he very much hoped it did. That was his best option. He wasn't going to describe to the gorgeous troubled girl that he needed a book about a masked idiot named Frog, - even for the sake of his brother.

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Kathryn
Jade was getting over Arthur. It didn't feel so bad after she had distracted herself with her best friends Dimitra and Akira. Jackson had come home, there was a lot of good to outweigh the bad. The bad just really hurt. She was silently thankful that she and Arthur had never... Explored more than just kissing and being close. Perhaps that was why he left, maybe his past crimes caught up to him or his current ones. Either way, she was on the fast track to not caring. She quite liked her days that weren't filled with cigarette smoke, yelling and the cheap cologne. Most importantly, his goons weren't there to make their perverse remarks about her body or call her demeaning pet names. Jade spent a lot of her time in the libraries these days, just until the late evening when she would go home and check on the Hiranos. They had become her family, they helped her feel a sense of belonging. Jade was roaming between the shelves, old and worn. The library ran completely off of donations, Jade had added a few from her personal collection. She had a few books in her arm, trying to properly put them in some sort of order.

Alphabetical seemed to be the easiest. These were books who belonged in the A section but were far off in the J section. Upon emerging from the suffocating shelves in an already stuffy library she saw a patron, which... Wasn't shocking but was also kinda shocking. She had seen Mr. Barca here before, as well as Ms. Hazel, but this was a particularly new face she hadn't seen before though admittedly, he was nice to look at. A lot of people were in Briar Ridge, Akira, Dimitra, Alma, Dr. Ashworth, Valerian, Hazel, Maeve. The list went on and on for her. Of course some stuck out to her the most... Those being Akira and... The library's newest patron, was it sheer curiosity? A rebound to forget the hurt she felt. Jade wasn't quite as matching to the library as the patron was. A white linen dress as always, she had her sweater draped over her shoulders as she stood by the check out desk... Which really just consisted of a notebook to write down the name of the book and the due date... She wasn't very strict on the due dates though considering the towns... Vices. Jade was friendly, tense but friendly. She gave a polite smile before she set down the books on the counter and went to greet the patron. Jade hummed in thought, trying to envision the man he was describing "Oh! You must be talking about Dr. Ashworth right? He's very kind. He checked out a book about a frog" She knew that didn't sound right the moment she said it 

"Or something like that" She laughed at herself "Follow me, you get to be the guinea pig for my new organization system. Which sounds a lot fancier than it is. I am just putting everything in alphabetical order. So, the A section starts here" She let her fingers trail across the spines of the old worn books who were begging to be opened and consumed.

Silently declaring to its competitors that they were the best book literature had to offer. Finally she stopped at the F section, she was honestly checking to see if she had shelved it yet or not. She did, she leaned up plucking the book from the shelf. "Here we are, Frog" She hadn't read it, it must've been here before her. She held it out to the man in front of her. "Is this the right one?" Jade was observing the patron a bit more than she would ever admit. He had intriguing features, a rather stoic face. Yet there was something pleasant about the patron, right?
Jose
With his appearance, the lady seemed to liven up: her eyes glimmered, and just the most adorable smile pierced her cheeks. Maybe she wasn't tense, - Lewis thought, - maybe she was just bored. And he always enjoyed keeping others company.

"Doctor Ashworth, you say?" He asked with curiosity, lazy enough to be interpreted as *Just* Curiosity, "And... What do you think about him? Just the impression. But I'm glad he was kind to you." Lewis' voice softened for a second. Of course, he was kind. That's Nathaniel for you, always caring for others inside and outside of his office. The man was basically a walking ball of cotton candy.

"Alphabetical order sounds good to me," Lewis said approvingly, not feeling necessary to bring his own experience with paperwork into the conversation, "When it comes to sorting, simple is the best option. Not many people enjoy going through formulas and riddles to get to their book." Drops of laughter sparkled in his eyes. Just a simple joke to warm up the room. He meant it though. In a professional setting, there was nothing better than simplicity. As a hobby though, Lewis enjoyed a couple of riddles of his own. Especially when they were as pretty as the librarian before him.

"I haven't even told you the title!" He exclaimed, impressed, when the woman handed him the book, "Exceptional memory, miss... If I could get your name?" He added without unnecessary sheepishness. Of course, he would like to learn her name, and he hoped at least that much was obvious, "Unfortunately," Lewis turned the book over in his hands, examining it with his eyes, "That's not quite what I need. That's an encyclopedia about frogs: not my cup of tea – or Nathaniel's, for that matter. Is it yours? Do *You* Enjoy books about nature?"

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Kathryn
Jade nodded. She quite liked Dr. Ashworth; he was very easy to talk to and didn't mind Jade's millions of questions about medications and various illnesses. She craved knowledge, and perhaps that is why she took comfort in reading, though these days it was mostly fiction, something she had come to like. She looked at Lewis; they were brothers, yet both seemed so different—then again, she and Jackson had their differences too. Although they still somehow managed to get into trouble together, The very thought made her smile. Finally, she answered him. "I like Dr. Ashworth; he is very kind and patient. He seemingly has the answer to all of my questions, and if he doesn't, he busts out his medical books and looks them up. I talked to him a lot when I visited the  hospital." What a bittersweet friendship she had started with the doctor!

Jade felt a sense of pride that the patron had found her method to be worthy. "I think so too; it makes things so much easier." She looked at the book before laughing. "You know, I completely just went on autopilot there!" She laughed a little bit before flipping the book over in her hands. "I just remember frog being in the title." She shook her head before returning the book to its dusty shelf. "My name? Oh! I am so sorry; I didn't even introduce myself to you. I'm Jade, Jade Grant. I moved here in September." She thought about her taste in books during the pause of their conversation. "I enjoy reading books about flowers and plants. I have a garden that I like to upkeep and figure out what flowers are more likely to live in the Briar Ridge environment. I also grow a lot of vegetables during the summer. As for frogs, I think they are cute, but I am not sure I'd like to read about  them."

"So, you are friends with Dr. Ashworth; you know my name. So, may I ask yours in return?" She has so far liked Dr. Ashworth and his friend. Although they looked similar, perhaps not. Jade was sure that the man would eventually tell her names and then titles. Isn't that how it worked? It almost felt odd. To be interacting with another male, Arthur would not be very happy about it, and he would most likely say something—only she did not have to worry about such things anymore. He left, and she was free to do as she pleased. It was quite odd. Jade ran away from Coalwood to escape marriage and a man's control, whether it be her fathers or her husbands. Yet she found herself in the arms of a man who wanted nothing but to control her.
Jose
The things were going great: the pretty librarian liked Nathaniel (and didn't mind his rants, which was a fit of mental strength in Lewis's book), accepted his compliments, and laughed at his jokes. *Jade* - such a great name, soft like a piece of marmalade. Lewis couldn't stop smiling when looking at her.

"I'm a big fan of gardens," He shared, "Not as much in taking care of them, but they are a delight to look at. I think most of the things that are cared for look beautiful. Your library, for example," Lewis smiled shortly, as if it was just an example he thought of on the spot. If Jade wanted him to elaborate, he would've; but for now, he felt no need to be pushy.

"You said you moved here in September." He switched the topic, "Have you had a garden before?"

"Friend" Is a loose term," He added vaguely, the glimmers of a joke visible only him his eyes. They weren't friends in a traditional sense, that much was true, "But of course, it's hard to say "No" To a lady this pretty. I'm Lewis." He paused, considering if he should share his last name; but Jade was so adorable and so thoroughly non-threatening he couldn't resist, "Lewis Ashworth".

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