They stepped through the crack into the relative safety of the hub room Andy and Bill had discovered the first time they got here. The entrance to the All That Is Wing remained unlocked and opened. The same unnerving silence settled across the group as they looked at their surroundings.
“Well, the good news is I think I’m fine with visiting this place, physically, at least. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired, though.” Andrew was the first to break the oppressive silence.
“Well, good, no explosions for both of us then. Follow me, and try not to be too unnerved by the librarian. They’re a bit weird.” Andy smiled as he spoke. His excitement to get back to exploring the knowledge of this place had beaten the terror of what lived here.
Despite his warning, the dogs still reacted to the appearance of the librarian, but at least everyone else was able to control themselves. Andy doubted this would come anywhere near qualifying as the strangest thing Twonger or Ralth had seen, and he knew his older self wasn’t likely to admit to any disturbance.
“Bug, it’s okay. I know they seem weird, but it works for Bill and me, so everything should be fine.” Andy kept his voice calm and soothing.
“Alright, but this all smells real weird.” Bug relented and broke from her aggressive posturing.
“Ugh, Andy, was this here last time?” Bill asked. There was a slight tremor of fear in his voice. Bill wasn’t as over their last experience here as Andy was, it looked like.
“What’s what?” Andy asked as he turned to look at his friend but quickly spotted what the capybara was talking about before he had the chance to answer. There was a large red book sitting on a reading stand. It was one of, if not the thickest, books Andy had ever seen.
“Yeah, no, that wasn’t here before. I’d have noticed it and gone through it. Librarian, what’s this book?” Andy pointed to it as he asked.
“I’m sorry, but which book are you referring to?” It asked with complete disinterest in its voice.
“This, right here. The giant red book that I’m currently pointing at.” Andy moved closer and poked his finger at it, nearly touching it as he spoke.
“I’m sorry sir, there is no book that we shelf where you are pointing. Is there anything else I can do for you today?” The puppet librarian continued.
“What are ya talking about, ya weird puppet? There is a book right here, clear as day, that the kid is pointing at. We all see it. So stop being stupid and tell us what it is.” Twonger said.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
“Welcome to the library, guests of the stewards. Please use the sign-in sheet, and I’ll prepare your library cards for you.” The librarian entirely ignored Twonger’s statement and moved into a different speech.
“Interesting, I can’t tell if it legitimately can’t see the book or just refuses to acknowledge its presence. Either way, I think it’s best we don’t touch it for now. I feel something odd emanating from it.” Ralth’s voice still held the usual calm and collectedness that the giant man always seemed to radiate.
“Yeah, hey, librarian, what happens if they don’t sign up for a library, and what does signing up do exactly?” Andy cautiously probed for more information as he wasn’t sure how much he liked the idea of his friends signing anything in this place.
“The library cards grant access to our facilities such as reading rooms. Those attempting to enter one without a card trigger an alarm that summons security. In which case, they will be ejected from the Under Library, permanently. Upon signing for a library card, the patron is now duty-bound to defend the continuation of the Under Library from any threat, real or imagined, as defined by the opening day charter. Should you wish to read the charter, it is stored in the history of the Under Library section within the reading room.”
“Doesn’t look like we have much of a choice here, mate, it’s sign or die if I’m reading the puppet’s words correctly.” Twonger walked over, grabbed a pen, and quickly signed a document the Librarian pushed in front of him. “Well good news, I don’t feel no different. So seems safe enough.”
Ralth followed Twonger’s lead and signed the form without any questions. Andrew moved to go next when the Librarian withdrew the form and suddenly froze in place.
“Error, the steward has already been logged, error.” Andrew stepped back with a look of confusion on his face.
“Hrm, it must be because of shared genetics. It thinks we are the same person.” Andrew said.
“Yeah, it seems like it. I wonder what chaos that is going to cause here in the long term.” That revelation soured Andy’s mood. It was just another potential problem to add to the endlessly growing list of issues they’ve had to deal with since the Gryalth decided to cannibalize their reality for resources to better conquer their own realities.
“I’m sorry, I can’t use a pen, and I don’t think the other members of the Canine Council can either.” Bug had stepped in front of the counter.
“Oh, that is not an issue. We have many non-humanoid members of the Under Library. Please, all of you, stamp your paws on these forms and tell me your names. I will add them to the cards myself.” The puppet answered.
“Bug.”
“Alfred.”
“Gretel.”
After the three dogs said their name, the puppet presented them each with an ink pad for their paws and the papers to stamp with them. All three did so.
“Excellent, your cards will be ready shortly. The Under Library thanks you for your patience.” It walked backward from the desk as it said this.
“This place yer go here is some of the most unnerving shit I’ve ever had the displeasure of being around. And I’ve been to some terrible places.” Twonger said as soon as the puppet was out of sight.