Three Bells: [WRITTEN] - New Horizons in Lit Appreciation

[simplestgift]

They have everything Shakespeare ever wrote in the library.  Everything!  It's a fountain of gold.  I could spend days here.  I'd sleep here if they'd let me.  I don't think I've ever been happier.  And there's no theatre group here?  None?  Do people here not realize what they have?  What kind of a world is this?

In case anyone asks, I'll be in the library for the rest of my life.

[Or really just the rest of the day.   At some point he'll have to come up for air and grab something to eat at the 7th Heaven, where he'll be buried in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  It'll be dark before he goes home, carrying only a single book.]

Comments

[memoryboxes]

[She manages a little smile.]

Then you have my thanks, for what you're doing. Even if I'm not from your world, or not from your time, or even your country—fighting for your people is a very noble act.

It's certainly one I don't think I could do...

[simplestgift]

[His lips part slightly in surprise. He is clearly deeply touched.] Thank you. Thank you very much. I...[a little smile, almost shy]...I don't think anyone's ever said that to me. I'm just doing my duty. That's the way we look at it.

1/2

[memoryboxes]

Duty isn't something people have to do. Sometimes, they avoid it.

[A tiny smile draws on her lips.]

It's the people who actually face it head-on that are worth thanking, in my opinion.

[memoryboxes]

Besides, you do far more than myself! I spend most of my days just cooking dinner and cleaning my house—well, did. Since the Malnosso brought me here, I haven't been able to do my usual routines.

[simplestgift]

[A tentative smile, though he is still deeply moved by how she has honored him.] That's more or less what I've been up to as well, Sayo. It's harder than it looks. [He glances down.] Not to mention if there weren't a domestic world, I'd only be fighting to fight.

[memoryboxes]

The restless kind of person?

[simplestgift]

Oh! I mean, it wouldn't be important if there were nothing to protect. No, I'm not very much what one looks for in an officer, I'm afraid.

[memoryboxes]

That's alright, I think! I'm not exactly the best definition of a mother—I'm clumsy and forgetful and I tend to get lectures from my son instead of the other way around...

[She picks up her book, smiling.]

But as long as we're both putting our heart into things, I think it'll be okay. Don't you think so?

[simplestgift]

[There's some hesitation in his answer.] I do hope so. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sayo!

[memoryboxes]

And a pleasure to meet you, Archie-san!

[And some hesitation on her part as well.]

I'll do my very best to remember you, but... if I do forget—I'm sorry.

[simplestgift]

[This causes his face to fall, and he can't keep the pity from it this time.] Well...is there anything I can do to help?

[memoryboxes]

[She looks away in thought, brushing her hand across the top of a stack of books and smiling, even still.]

Unfortunately, all I can really do is keep making new memories and keep thinking of the ones I don't want to forget. So that they remain in tact. As long as I can do that, I can work toward remembering the faces I run into.

But I'm not that concerned. Right now, everything's good... I feel good about it.

[simplestgift]

Oh, good! [But the smile he gives is weak.] Please. Let me know if you should need anything. It's not as if I'm overwhelmed with officer-related duties here, so it wouldn't be any trouble.

[memoryboxes]

... I will.

[She returns the look, but hers is a strong one.]

And if you need anything, let me know as well, Archie-san.

[simplestgift]

I'll be sure to do so, ma'am. [Though he doubts he'll ever need to. With a polite nod, he turns to go, his eyes lingering on her for just a fraction of a second. Counting his own blessings, perhaps.]