LSRO: Chapter 296 - Smaller Numbers (Patreon)

Soooo like I knew I was going to post today, but then I had Book 4 release and sort of totally forgot about it. Until now!

Here is the next one.

Also - book 4 released today!

Chapter 32

Smaller Numbers

Sometimes, Quinn wished the Library had eyes she could watch, like she did with Lynx, to know whether it was actually paying attention or trying to multitask too many things. She steadied her breathing and repeated herself as calmly as she possibly could, considering the current trapdoor situation. “We can problem-solve this together, right?”

Sorry, the Library said. Of course we can. If we can’t absorb it, then we just need to seal it, and tie it in to security alerts.

But we can’t seal it completely, right, with the way it’s built? Quinn said. It didn’t matter which type of sight she used for that portion of the shield. There was no way to eliminate the actual door. For some reason, it was a sticking point for her brain.

No, the Library said. I don’t think we can remove it yet. Knowing my current luck as it stands, it’s probably a Death of a Caster thing or something.

Quinn could practically feel the Library frowning. An idea occurred to her. Well, how about we tie the alerts into the standard golem security patrol?

That’s an excellent idea, the Library said. Perfect.

Reaching out, Quinn gathered her energy. She had no idea which exact abilities, affinities, or anything else she was using for this, but she did need to seal it from the other side. She pondered it. She already knew she couldn’t just go through it and seal it... She didn’t even know how she would breathe on the other side in an empty dimensional space, among many other things.

With power gathered, she closed her metaphorical eyes and touched the gaps in the shielding. She imagined herself using an energy blowtorch to weld underneath the trapdoor, pulling and pushing the fabric of the web of shielding and making it a part of the reverse side of the trapdoor. She wasn’t entirely sure why the backdoor that he’d built into the system of the Library was an actual trapdoor, but Quinn got the symbolism.

She could feel the Library feeding her strength, feeding her energy, the thrum of the filtration chamber echoing with it. Fresh mana. It suffused her entire body, refreshing, tingling. Finally, she finished the last portion of the trapdoor. Okay, it’s encased inside the web. Even though they couldn’t use it as intended before, it’s doubly secure now. However, technically it can still be yanked up from this side, I think. Might want to tweak the entrance wards and shielding too. Make sure we’re taking everything into consideration. We’ve already had several infiltrations.

The alarms should help with that now, but it’s easy enough to adjust the scanning parameters. The Library sounded distant, like it was doing several things at once.

 Quinn shrugged. Now if anybody from this side is about to betray us like Korradine was, then it will alarm and let us know and we can take care of it.

The Library didn’t seem particularly focused. Golem synchronization initiated. The security golems have been tapped into this specific alert on a high priority. 

You need to let me and Lynx handle some of the more mundane tasks...

Excellent, the Library said. And in the meantime, I will add it to my—

No, Quinn cut it off. You’re doing so much already. When I first got here, I thought you were a machine. And now I realise you’re not. You’re an organic being with an amazing brain that is very encompassing, but you can’t be all-encompassing. You’re not a god, right?

The Library actually chuckled. No, I’m definitely not a god. I don’t have all the power or all the knowledge... yet.

Quinn laughed. Good to know. That’s the shielding done, I think, right?

Yes, of course... The Library paused before continuing Quinn. You feel more attached than you were.

Yeah, I’ve noticed that, too. This last synchronization was a doozy.

There... The Library paused again. That heartbeat... the one you could feel in the filtration chamber?

What of it? Quinn blinked at the rapid subject change.

I think... that might be you.

What?

 The Library let out a sigh that felt like a rush of wind through Quinn’s head. Obviously I’m not completely sure. This is all new to me too, but I can feel it in here, behind the shielding. It’s safe. I’ll look into it more.

Sure. Quinn wasn’t entirely certain how to react.

After an excruciating moment, the Library spoke again, bringing the subject back to where they’d been. We need to open another pillar. I believe you’re going to need more power sooner.

Really? Quinn checked several of the information tabs she kept open - one of them being the filtration chamber status. She was glad of the distraction. We haven’t even opened another branch yet. 

But this time the Library butted in. In anticipation of. There’s a lot of power sitting here. I don’t think we’re getting through it fast enough.

Okay, I’ll add that to my list.

Just about to send herself back into reality, the Library spoke. “You know, did you want me to have Harish look over those samples?"

Quinn, about to answer in the affirmative, second-guessed herself. Actually, he’s not on the list of people I trust most. So right now, that’s a no.

You don’t trust Harish? the Library asked, obviously curious.

I don’t not trust Harish, with the extremely sensitive information we’ve given him and Siliqua. But it’s more, I have to decide on it in a circle. Yeah, that was what it was like. Quinn was happy she’d figured out what had been bugging her since she’d made the list. And after Misha’s problem, I just, I’m really hesitant to involve a lot of people.

Understandable, the Library said. What about Cook?

Oh, I trust Cook.

What about Narilin?

Narilin and my relationship isn’t exactly what I would call even-keeled.

The Library chuckled. That’s an understatement.

While I trust Narrolyn with the books, I’m not entirely sure that I trust Narrolyn with, well, the security of the entire Library.

Valid point. I’ll leave you to it then.

Quinn pulled herself out of her trance. Her shoulders were stiff and her neck had a crick in it. She rolled the former and cracked the latter.

Malakai looked up when she moved. “You’re back.”

“Don’t sound so excited.” 

Mal chuckled. “No, no, just you were gone for a couple of hours.”

“A couple of hours?” No wonder she felt stiff and sore from sitting in the exact same position for so long. “Anything exciting happen while I was away?”

“No, no, just the usual. You know, Library almost burnt down. Got sabotaged.”

“Shut up.” She couldn’t help chuckling.

“You feeling okay, Quinn?” he asked, serious this time.

“As good as I’ll get for now.” 

“You realise we need our Librarian, right?” His tone had turned sombre. You can’t run yourself ragged. We don’t have any other options right now."

About to answer flippantly, Quinn realised not only was he correct, but if everything ran its course, technically, genetically even, the Library would never need another Librarian. She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about that. She nodded at him and spent several minutes working out the kinks in her shoulders and neck.

“Do you think Milaro will have time to come and see us soon?” Quinn asked Mal suddenly. 

He blinked at her. “Well, probably. I’m not sure whether he’s here talking to Nishpa at the moment about that eye thing you pulled out of your memory, or...”

“He’s not here,” Quinn said, her senses reaching out on command.

“Okay. Or he’s at home fixing a few things that went haywire. If it’s of dire importance, you know he’ll come back, right?”

Quinn sighed. “Yeah, I know he will. To his own detriment. To your entire people’s own detriment, just because we need him.”

“Well, that’s okay. He’s one of the guardians of the Library,” Mal’s voice was soft and even, endlessly patient. “Essentially, that’s what they are.”

Quinn leaned back against her chair. “I know. I know. I just don’t like always having to depend on people. Never had to depend on people back home.”

“Yeah, and look at that. That got you sucked into a magical universe, didn’t it?”

“Technically,” Quinn said. “I’ve always been in this magical universe, right?”

“You’re being pedantic today,” He barked a laugh.

“I am a little. I’ve just realized several things that make me slightly uncomfortable.”

“What? You have realized you’re succumbing to my fantastic and whimsical charms?”

“Yes. Yes, that’s it,” Quinn deadpans. “Oh no. However, will I live with your wit and charm?”

They laughed softly together, some of Quinn’s tension easing.

Mal sobered first. “Seriously, though, Quinn, what’s up?”

“Well, no, I just, since I really have the Library’s, I don’t know, genetic code, doesn’t that mean I’m going to be like a forever Librarian? I mean, I won’t ever be able to retire, right? Because, I’ll always be. 

“I guess technically,” Mal said, “as long as we found somebody else with the Librarian affinities, which hopefully now they’re done massacring you all, we should be able to find one, right?”

“Theoretically,” Quinn said. 

“See?” He pushes, but she just watches him, her brow furrowed with confusion. “Because you’re a cosmicisodracus, and you’re probably going to live a very long time, if not forever, then your natural lifespan would kick in once you retired, you know, in like 5,000 years.” 

Quinn chuckled. “True. Then I could just float around the universe, depending on whether or not I can actually turn into a cosmicisodracus by then.”

“Exactly. Otherwise, you could just, you know, sit in the academy and read books.”

Quinn pushed herself up, suddenly restless. Her back was cracking, her shoulders were sore, and her stomach rumbled like a rockslide. “I do believe I am starving.”

“You know you’re not actually starving, right?” Mal goaded her.

“I know I’m not actually starving, thank you for being the pedant this time, but I am hungry, and I feel like talking to Cook. I’ll be back soon. Does anybody want anything?”

Aradie began to hoot, and Lynx blinked up at her, “Nope, I don’t eat.”

“That’s really sad, Lynx,” Quinn said. “You don’t know what you’re missing. Oh, I find that tragic, if you could taste the doughnuts I love, you would understand how sad it is that you can’t eat.”

“I’ll take whatever he’s willing to give you for me,” Mal said, flipping through another book. Quinn couldn’t see the title from where she stood, but she was too hungry to care.

The culinary wing, as per usual, was extremely busy, and yet Cook stood at their massive set of four stoves, preparing a plethora of meals. Quinn watched. They were very efficient and ran their culinary branch with methodical competence. Even patrons who came to utilize the branch were well versed in their rules. 

“And what can I do for you today, Librarian?” Cook asked, not even turning to look at her.

“Lunch, or I don’t even know when we are right now. Is it dinner time?”

“How about we call it food time?” Cook said. “How about I make you a lamb ragu? I do believe that is one of your favourites.”

“I haven’t had a lamb ragu in, since I was like ten. How did, I’m not going to ask. I remember what you told me, and thank you. That’s definitely a meal I’ll enjoy.” Quinn couldn’t even keep the smile out of her voice. 

“Excellent. I have already had it cooking for a few hours. It will be ready shortly. Just give me a few minutes, please.” Cook busied themself.

Quinn sat down next to their stove section and waited. It was calming, sitting in the kitchen. All the smells, and the bubbling, and the background noise, and the steam. It was quite delightful. Quinn was particularly fond of the scent of herbs and spices that wafted all around. Her nose had always been somewhat sharp, able to define different smells. And lamb ragu was one of the best. She wondered where they’d found a bay leaf to simmer it with. Her grandmother... Quinn was resolved to calling them her parents and her grandmother. That’s what they’d been, that’s how they’d treated her. Her grandmother had been a damn good cook, and she remembered the dish fondly.

“There you go, for you, Malakai, and some treats for Aradie. I do believe I owe her.” Cook deposited a small thermal bag directly in front of her.

“Thanks, Cook.” She stood up, grabbing the bag and getting ready to head back.

“Quinn?”

“Yeah,” she said, looking back at them.

“Stop second guessing yourself. You are doing a wonderful job. I will be proud to cook for you for many millennia to come.”

“Thanks,” she said, unsure how Cook always knew what she needed to hear, and not only what she needed to eat.

She made her way back into the office, plopped one of the containers on Mal’s lap, who squealed as the heat hit his skin through his pants. She chuckled as she sat down, savouring the scent.

“This smells amazing,” he said, already recovered from the light singeing.

“Yeah, Cook had already started many hours ago.” She hummed as she unpacked her cutlery and took a smell of the aroma, closing her eyes.

“You sound content. Food makes you happy,” Mal observed.

“Food is a wondrous thing,” Quinn said as she dug in. They were quiet for several moments as they began to devour the food. 

“What do we do after this?” Mal asked.

“I don’t know about you, but I have a book to read.” She flipped through the journal with her left hand. “And it’s got a lot in it. Luckily, I think the translation spell is actually working on it now. I don’t...” She paused, a name catching her attention just a few pages in. “The Uniceros? Weren’t they? That’s Korradine’s species. I didn’t think there were many left.”

“Well, comparatively to a lot of the other species, they’ve always had smaller numbers,” Mal said, shoving food in his mouth so much he was barely audible.

“Oh,” she said. “This book is... This book is a chronicling of a Uniceros council session.”

“Oh,” Mal said. “That should be interesting.”

~~

Verrrrry Interesting bwah hah hah

Much lovef

KT