Chapter 93
Ellie gazed at him in silence. “Put some respect at the library. It is this place that speaks out of me, unlike my age. I am no manager or seeker, but a welcomer in this library for years is also a respectable position. One has to know a lot about everything to guide Walkers or get them to where they want. Walkers are like people. They visit the library for a reason because of upper floors, or simply because they are still people and want to gain knowledge on lower floors.”
“Really? I find that dubious,” William found it more surprising, but after he went through the first few floors, he understood why that was the case. Control, knowledge, and learning were important across the board. Walkers were not all brawls and no brain. They need to know things if they have to protect or use their imagination to their benefit.
Ellie continued. “Not knowing where to look is part of their busy jobs, agenda, or military schedule. Talking to them gets intense as we are middlemen, so making sure to understand them is a good way to start or continue this enterprise of knowledge. That's what I’ve learned. You are that too, by the way. Just younger and emptier like a page with some scribbles. I can fix that for you, I think. Write some things. Add some pages. Make it all sparky, eh?”
“Thanks,” William said bitterly, touched his hand, and wondered what would happen next. Should he agree? Ellie sure was chatty. Like Dann, but worse? How was that even humanly possible? Some things better remain untouched, and William already knew where this would go. She will not shut up about this topic for the next hour because she found someone she viewed as ignorant but great, and William couldn't just leave.
In a strange way, he didn't mind it, not loved it, or preferred it.
“For example, the reason you—a refugee from some camp—is transported to the Federation for the Examination is rather simple. It has very little to do if you are from the Federation or Outside as a Walker. The Examination takes care of as many young Walkers as possible. Limitations are about finding enough of them, while some politics act for the benefit of the Examination that is full of worldly organizations. It's about the Awakening! Walkers needs it like a new spark. Then, we can talk about the core subject. Federation is the best place thanks to its history and operations. Much of that goes way behind the Dawn, or where it started. That is one pebble toss away in the south. Did you know that?”
“The Dawn? Why would I not know that? It's a story that every Outsider knows,” William tried to relax on the ground and leaned his head on the books.
“Try me!”
“I don't want to...” He said in grudge but her mere frown forced him to talk. “America is nothing but a shattered landmass and Dawn is a crazy story of how this apocalypse started. It is something passed on and describes a nightmarish legend. Space divided, the sky spread, and there was a new dawn in the middle of the day above South America where space cracked and the light turned, shattered, and went around the world. Even the moon changed. It was like a new sky and many Darks came forth next. An apocalypse. The end.”
“Exactly. At least you know the basics. Stories Outside do have their charm, eh?”
“Is it wrong?” He frowned at her.
“Let's say that the upper floors have some words on that, pictures to shake you with, and ways to make it seem like a strange story that is very real, but also different. It is about perspective. I think you will love it.”
“It is real. Was real, until...well, perhaps we should not go there unless you will force me at the wall, or.... undress me,”
This time, Ellie didn't expect such a response and got up in fluster. She patted her skirt and adjusted her blouse and hair. “W-what do you mean? I am young enough for marriage. I don't need some young sapling to speak like this to me.”
William eyed her and felt he was over her touch. His arm was itchy, feeling as if it was getting hotter, but perhaps it was just his feeling. “Fine. Let's say it like that. Please, consider this my courtesy. My Emblem is dangerous and I killed before.”
“Killed? You or it?” Ellie asked, pointing at his arm as if she didn't believe his or her own words.
“Does the difference matter? There is some instability here. It probably influences my emotions.... or something. Not sure. Please don't tell anyone about it and don't touch my Emblem again. I am sure you get how some young Walkers are if you speak like this, or... are you even aware how destructive we can be?”
“I am aware! Stability to kill is.... wait. Killed? Like people?”
“Do you wanna know?” William gave her a long look and didn't elaborate further.
“O-Outside, right? I better not get there or I might regret it,” Ellie felt sorry on the surface and considered this matter done.
William wasn't convinced as he watched her. She wanted to know everything about it, him, Outside, and stories about his Emblem weren't just one toss behind his back. There was no way he would talk about it to a girl he just met.
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Ah. She is so witty, and chatty, but nice. Is this normal? What kind of girl grows like that in this place? Should I be worried there are others like her?! William thought.
“I.... won't undress you if you meant that. Your sleeve is enough, isn't it? Or we can do some... experiments later if you want. Does it do some wild things sometimes? Like, show some colors, surges of Arcana, or anything. How? When?”
“I kindly refuse. Maybe later... or never, unless you want to see something you don't want to witness.” William excused himself and got up. Then, Ellie approached him and apologized. Head bowed, hands pressed to her tummy, she went back to her job.
“Please, don't talk about this. I might get into trouble.”
“What?”
“Well, everything is kind of sensitive and....not adequate, I mean.”
“So you weren't supposed to be like this? Call me shocked.”
“As a price, I will talk as if I am speaking to myself.” Ellie downplayed it and smiled as if it was just an excuse after she reclaimed her bow.
“Wait, you weren't talking before?”
She pointed at him and did as she told. “Most young Walkers around here are already in the Federation for a long time, or sent to smaller institutions and bases scattered in the USA, or other places. Federation is yet to grow big enough to do something like the Academy, or it might never be able to do that due to its location and needs. Ocean has its limits after all, while scattering is also not optimal.”
William knew this thanks to Luke and brief moments Outside. “There are institutions Outside who approached me in the past. Most were part of the Federation and looked for young Walker recruits.”
Ellie kept talking. “Yes. Emblems are the source of the recruitment, but Walkers aren't leftovers. Without some basics, they won't work half as well as average. It is like polishing a knife, reading folders, and prepping for the worst while they can. A tool. Engine. Rider. Knowledge and stability are important, second to control and imagination that is inside their head.” she pointed at William's forehead.
“I heard about it, but can't imagine how to control something that feels like an unknown beast that might snap and kill.”
“Oh, I have no clue either, since I speak alone to myself, but some people do know something. Walkers have to have a good Affinity and Skills to make a difference. Mind is like a boosting mechanism, but the System is where it shines. Here? Federations is the best place to bring it all out because of the Forced Awakening that is a few decades old, thanks to science, while the closest proximity to the Academy is like a very defined and distant edge of another blade.”
“Academy...” William mumbled, curious and staring at his Emblem. His mother used to be part of that. His father part of the Federation. Those two sole revelations made his mind heavy and memories dripping to drowning. He clutched his fist, shaking his head, and listened to Ellie to change his mind.
“The Outside is larger, but not sufficient or safe. Raising you to the upper Ranks faster is one aspect of this forced method. It is about efficiency and emphasis on science that touched Walkers for many early decades. Some clever people tried and did succeed. Why do you think you are here since it's in six weeks? Vacation?” Ellie completely disregarded the fact that the Forced Awakening wasn't public.
She didn't care. She thought William knew about it in some capacity and expressed it as if she spoke to herself. Either she did it often, or she had no friends.
Unbeknownst to her, William didn't know a thing about the Forced Awakening. He barely registered its prominence.
“I am here to learn, Ellie. That's it. The Federation is big and full of expectations and people, it makes sense to think of it as the core of humanity. They are powerful for a reason, but you are talking so fast that I am barely comprehending what you are trying to say, so please continue speaking as if I am not here.” William sat aside and glanced at Ellie, who was prepared for yet another monologue.
“Alright. Don't say that I haven't warned you or spoken for nothing. Let's see....”
This went on for an hour because Ellie felt she and William deserved this position. It was a silly self-punishment that she placed on herself and rewarded William with her lecture.
To William's excitement or previous fluster or fear, coming here wasn't a mistake. Ellie might be a strange girl, but she knew what she was talking about. It was her acts that made things difficult or a little problematic since William didn't know how to act or react to someone like her. He rather preferred to learn at his own pace, despite how this meeting changed numerous times. At least she seemed like a well-adjusted girl unless one disregarded her independence, voice, smiles, or grazing his Emblem.
“… and that is the premise of Walker’s choices in terms of the Examinations. A lot of organizations will be there. Everything has its order, and I went through a lot to learn it properly due to people like you. Heidi said that even a little cretin like myself should know it. Guess what? She was right.”
“Good for you.”
“Right?! My dream is to become their medium. Youths like you need any attention they get but not everyone gets it. It is about focus and conditions. Some are unfortunate and never fine for their Examination, let alone positions in the fields. One shouldn't expect an unpolished gem to get worthy while surrounded by jewels, right? It is a shame that not all Walkers are equal. It is just humans, I suppose. Oh, I believe there is some bitterness between the general public and Walkers and regular people see it as fear. Why? It might be futile hope, or is it because of some rebels and Outside factors? Maybe... there is more to it, but I believe in Federation's supremacy and the fact that even normal people could help them.”
“Uh-uh,” William nodded and almost yawned. Some answers were sometimes very simple definitions. Walkers were inhuman. People feared that, so what was Ellie even talking about? William figured he couldn't tell her about things he already knew. Was it due to fear, or was it because he didn't want to disappoint her?
He let his worries aside and listened to her rant. It soon ended and her topic broadened.
“Federation isn't alone in the divided and large world. Military Divisions are like defined respective guilds, and all continents have their Walkers. England, China, Japan, and India are holding their own forces in their lands. Just to name a few, of course. True, some places like Russia are also big, but that isn't really good for people. Then, we have Australia and Africa which are unadorned hells on earth. Federation has numerous alliances with those places, but we aren't a singular force, so... Isn't it disappointing?! It sure feels terrible when people are vulnerable in numbers, and Darks are so cheeky.” Ellie ended her who-knows-which monologue and leaned toward him.
Her throat stung with pain, but her mind was still free. Some water would help her a lot. Unexpectedly, she already spent a good chunk of her shift with William, yet she didn't even mind it one bit.