Chapter 101: Factions 101
Abithik sputtered, staring at the book that Coop placed on his otherwise empty reception desk. At least, Coop thought he was staring. His bony face was aimed at the book, but the lich had no eyes, just dimly glowing orbs inside his otherwise empty sockets, so Coop was making an assumption as to where his attention was focused.
“Is that a tome of pre-mana knowledge?!” The lich finally found some words and barked them out, sounding like he needed a drink.
Coop angled his head to read the cover. It was a faded and dog-eared copy of 'The War of the Worlds,’ by H.G. Wells.
“Hmm…” Coop wondered if it would actually be okay to introduce human literature to the aliens. “No, that's a science fiction novel.” Coop pulled out another book, choosing more deliberately while ignoring Abithik’s visible confusion at the genre.
Coop made his new choice and placed the second book on the desk. It was a children’s encyclopedia with a picture of Earth superimposed over a collage of various animals. Abithik rattled as he did a skeleton’s imitation of a gasp and slid backwards at being confronted by twice the number of books as before.
“That one has basic knowledge in it.” Coop offered, tapping his finger on the cover, but the librarian was ignoring him. He subtly reached for one of the buttons situated on the switchboard on his side of the wide reception desk and pressed it repeatedly, at least a dozen times, in rapid succession.
A moment later, Lakan, the dark blue haired zombie that looked like he was a prince that died of hypothermia appeared from the reserved sections behind the reception. “Yes, Abithik? Emergency?”
Abithik pointed at the pair of books, still keeping his distance to avoid touching them.
Lakan looked surprised as well, but he immediately moved closer. “Are these the so-called human books?”
Coop nodded. “I was seeing if you guys would take care of them. No point in me keeping them in my pocket.”
Lakan hesitated with his hands hovering over the encyclopedia before he finally flipped open the hardcover of the book, taking care to feel the texture before he pulled away as if it stung him. “We aren’t equipped to handle such valuable items.” He stated firmly, squeezing his eyes shut as if he was in pain, and sounding like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
Coop looked around the impressive library feeling a disconnect between the facility and the value of a few used books. “You could just put them on some shelves.” Coop offered, feeling like it would be a waste to keep them in his spatial storage. “That’s how humans would have kept them.”