The Systems Challenge

The idea was that they'd spend a few days while Elmo and Elwin perused their various books. Which Elin eagerly awaited results from Elmo. With Elwin, she wasn't that concerned, although Kim did leaf through some of the books that Elwin had finished.

However, about halfway through the second day, when Elin was contemplating going back to the cafeteria to get some lunch, they had 'visitors.'

Stanley and his group were led to them by what Elin could only consider a book fairy or something. It looked like a strip of paper that was stiffer than the paper in the books and floating through the air. She wasn't sure how exactly to describe it, as it was too much outside her experience of dealing with things.

She hoped someone else would know more than she did about it.

"Well, this is a surprise," Stanley said, hardly sounding surprised at all, which Elin suspected was to be expected.

The floating piece of paper floated over to Blot and said, "This is the book you're looking for," a feminine voice said.

"Okay, we'll take it then," Stanley said, his face smug. "Assuming these others haven't selected it themselves, I mean."

Elin doubted he really meant the tone that his words came out with. It was just something that she really had serious doubts about, even as she glanced at his companions..

"Well, have you inspected what books they brought to trade?" Blot asked the floating piece of paper.

"Oh, I knew I was forgetting something!" the paper said, sounding like it was a pretty big blunder.

Blot then turned to Stanley. "What books did you bring to exchange for me?" he asked, sounding much more pleasant than Stanley had.