Luin quickly read through the book on imperial history that rested on his lap, his fingers turning the pages in a steady rhythm. But while he did digest the dry words on the pages, his ears were listening in to the conversation at the circulation desk. The other librarian had returned from her lunch break, carrying several boxes of food she didn’t consume while there, just a moment ago. Gina–as Thea called her–had promptly begun fishing for information about what happened after she left.

Luin glanced at Thea, relieved to see that she didn’t seem to mind the other woman’s nosy questions. She had been quite agitated and distracted after the run-in with her brother and the other man. Luin had wanted to alleviate her anxiety, but he hadn’t known how, so he simply watched her. Though it was good that now her coworker could help her, he pursed his lips when a certain man became the focus of their conversation.

“I just can’t believe the Commander Hollendale was in our little library here in the eastern district. Are you sure that was really him and not some look alike?” Ginaveve voiced her suspicions as she loaded a return cart with the few books that needed to be reshelved.

“Ah, yes, that was indeed the commander. Even I didn’t know that Tim was working with him occasionally. I guess it was something his superiors didn’t want him talking about. But I do wonder what kind of investigation brought them all the way out here.” Thea touched the back end of her fountain pen to her bottom lip as she thought, pausing in her signing of a stack of papers.

Luin suppressed a shiver as his intuition honed in on the thought of the investigation. While it was true that humans often had many things for which their society seemed to be restrictive of and concerned about, Luin was nearly certain that the investigation the commander had mentioned was none other than about his own awakening. Though, it didn’t seem as though the commander knew much yet. If he did, he surely wouldn’t have let Luin slip past him.

Perhaps he’s on the trail of those dark creatures?

As Luin mused, the conversation continued. “It is puzzling, but what I want to know is why you aren’t giddy from the experience of meeting the man you read articles about in the paper? You look pale and concerned rather than happy.” Ginaveve gave up her attempt at working and just leaned on the circulation desk.

Thea bit her lip. “Well, it seems I’m going to have dinner tonight at my parent’s estate instead of my apartments.”

“But I thought you were on good terms with your parents and brothers? Did something happen?”

“Well no, nothing really happened between me and them, but…ah…it seems Tim has invited the commander as well.” Thea’s voice dropped to nearly a whisper as she said the last part. Luin heard her just fine, though.

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Ginaveve gasped. “Really! Do you think he’ll accept and show up? Has he dined with your family before?”

Thea shook her head. “I don’t think he ever has, and I’m not sure if he’ll accept or not. But he and Tim seemed to be working quite closely together. He might accept. And if he does–oh, what am I going to do?!” Thea buried her face in her hands before her head popped back up. “Gina, can you help me?”

Gina smiled and sighed. “I can think of one way you might want my help, but what did you have in mind?”

“I’d like if you could come as well, but I don’t think that will work on such short notice. But maybe just advice on what to wear perhaps?” Thea’s eyes pleaded with Gina. “I can’t do anything about the odd first impression I may have already made earlier, but I’d like to improve that image if I can. At the very least, I don’t want him thinking Tim has a very odd sister.”

“You really do admire him, don’t you?” Gina laughed. “Alright, but can I ask that you invite me to a dinner at your family’s estate some other time as a return favor?”

“You want to come to the estate? I don’t see why not.” Thea’s earlier worried look had now become focused. The two women then began discussing the items of clothing Thea still had at her parent’s estate since she wouldn’t be going home before the carriage came to fetch her.

Luin turned most of his attention back to the book, but part of his mind was still mulling over this new development. He found himself irritated that Thea was so frantic about looking nice for some reason, but his irritation seemed illogical. Shouldn’t she want to dress nicely for dinner with her family?

“Master, is something the matter?” Ulla’s question entered Luin’s mind just as he realized he was frowning.

“No, nothing at the moment. It seems to be just passing frustration.” Luin sensed Ulla’s slight confusion as to what he meant.

“Was the strong man the one to cause you frustration?”

Strong man? “Are you asking about this man?” Luin projected an image of the commander from his memory to the owl.

“Yes, that man.”

Luin’s eyes widened. Yes, perhaps that man was the reason for his irritation. If the commander was investigating the creatures that had tried to devour him and had woken him prematurely, he was courting serious danger. That danger had to be the reason Luin felt irritated when he thought of Thea being around that man. The farther she was from him, the farther she might be from getting tangled in whatever mess was going to blossom between the commander and those creatures when–or if–he found them.

“It seems that man is searching for what disturbed our slumber. He is strong, but he’ll still be in over his head if he comes face to face with those creatures. I wish to have Thea and myself avoid him, but unfortunately, I have no way to make that happen. Thus, I am frustrated.” He felt Ulla’s acknowledgement of at least a basic understanding as a few images of the street as seen from the top of the library building flashed into his mind.

Luin closed his current book, having finished it, and picked up one on the modern interpretation of priestly writings. The back of his mind, though, became filled with thoughts of how to avoid the commander while also being sure his presence was accepted smoothly by Thea’s family.

He sighed. If this is what human nervousness felt like when experienced first hand, he didn’t like it one bit.