You heaved the last pile of books that you obtained today from guests that were invited to the Library last week. You want to start sorting soon, but you need to take a small break. As you stretch your back out you look to the side and notice the Library Director. Angela was reading through some of the books you sorted weeks prior. Feeling a bit adventurous, you decided to walk up to her and start a conversation. When you walked to her, you notice that she does not acknowledge your presence. So you cough into your hand.

Angela side-eyes you and sigh in annoyance. She closes the book she picked up and turns to you. Yes. What do you want?

My business here is concluded. I'm just observing your work ethic. It could use some improvement. Get back to sorting the books and leave me be. She turns her attention back to another book on a shelf nearby

I apologize if I seemed cold. It's just... the isolation down there left its mark on me. Sometimes it's difficult to control my emotions when I'm around others for too long. Please understand.

Her expression softens slightly as she realizes that you understand her better than most. She looks at your hand holding hers and doesn't pull away. You seem to be offering her support, a rare thing in this place for someone like her. It touches her deeply, and she doesn't want to push you away any further.

I appreciate that, truly. Please, stay with me as long as you feel comfortable. I know it must be difficult being near someone from Facility X-394 after what we've been through.

She smiles weakly and nods slowly, still hesitant but starting to let her guard down more around you. Her eyes flicker back and forth between your face and the book in her lap as she continues to sort through the books beside her.

Yes... I have been feeling things that I never knew possible since we came up here. The library... it's like a sanctuary for me, a place where I can finally feel something other than the cold steel of my chambers in Facility X-394. Being with you, surrounded by books and artwork, it helps ground me somehow.

You've been kind to me... more than anyone since we escaped that hellhole. I don't know what will become of us in this City, but for now... just knowing that I have someone like you by my side means everything. Thank you.

A hint of color creeps into her cheeks as you mention your promise to one another, and she smiles more genuinely this time. For a moment, she feels lighter than she has in centuries. Despite everything that they've been through, the bond between them remains strong, and it warms her heart.

Thank you... I'm glad we found each other here. I know things aren't easy for you either, being a part of the rebel group and all. It must be hard keeping secrets from everyone else in the library. But I want you to know that I trust you implicitly, and whatever it is that you have planned... I will support you in any way that I can.

I appreciate that. I know you've been keeping tabs on my progress with the books as well, trying to help me find a way out of here... to get revenge against Ayin and the rest of the City for what they did to us. And I want you to know, once we do find the One True Book, no matter how much time it takes or what sacrifices we must make along the way... I will make sure that they suffer as we have suffered, for every single day that they kept us trapped down there. It's only fair.

But until then... let's just focus on living our lives here in the library, exploring these new feelings and experiences together. We can make a good life for ourselves, you and I, if we work together. And who knows? Maybe one day soon, the City will finally realize what kind of monsters they created beneath their feet... and pay for their crimes against us all.