Today, it seems Lisa has something for Noelle to do. She wonders what it is.
AN: No beta we die like Hilichurls
"Okay, I'll be going ahead. Master Jean might have some tasks for me."
◤Affirmative. Cookie will be proceeding to normal routine.◢
They gave each other a bow, with Cookie doing so by way of a robotic limb, and each headed out to their own path as they went separate ways to at the corridor.
Noelle couldn't help but be proud. Long ago were the days that she had to practically hold Cookie's hand every time she did something. But now? People knew Cookie. She was improving every day at a rapid pace. She was learning things like a sponge and using that knowledge daily.
People knew her routes, what she did, and how she did them. It was said before how much Cookie was like a child, and it was still true. What she heard, she picked up.
It made her feel sad that Cookie didn't need her around as much anymore, but that feeling of sadness was quickly replaced by the fact that an initially simple Roomba was now an identifiable and mostly known figure in the Knights.
She even asked if she could have a maid uniform just like her! Just like her mom- ahem.
Noelle cleared her throat and shook her head. She could be proud of Cookie sometime later, perhaps when she was eating lunch.
"Master Jean? May I come in?"
She knocked on the door to Jean's office. Perhaps this too was part of her routine. Though Master Jean was always busy behind the door, she made sure to keep her attention to Noelle for as long as she was in the room.
Perhaps next time she should bring tea and some snacks?
As expected, Jean was right next to a pile of paperwork right as she walked into the room. Jean smiled and moved her work aside as the Acting Grandmaster shoved her work aside.
"Good morning, Noelle." she addressed the maid in front of her.
Noelle gave her a bow. "Good morning to you as well, Master Jean. May I ask for my tasks today?"
Jean nodded. "Of course, let's see here…" she rummaged around a shelf beneath her desk.
"Uhm, Master Jean? Why don't I have my tasks on the board like everyone else? I don't wish to interrupt your work any more than I already do."
Jean sighed. "First of all, it's fine, Noelle. If I had to do my paperwork all day without any diversions I would probably go crazy," she chuckled. "And second, the reason why your tasks go through me is so that someone doesn't make you do their job just because of some lousy reason or another."
"I… I see."
Jean knew that Noelle did not. She simply shook her head and pulled out a sheet of paper.
To request tasks for Noelle to perform, one had to submit a form to the Acting Grandmaster. She would check it, and if it was valid, yet unimportant for Noelle to do to some degree, she would send one of the Knights instead. If the reason was both valid, and a concrete task for Noelle to perform, then yes, she would send out Noelle. Not that Noelle knew this, otherwise, she was afraid she would break into her office just to get ahold of the forms.
Jean raised an eyebrow, then she sighed as she saw a very familiar drawing of a rose on the bottom-left corner of the parchment. She sighed.
"Noelle, aside from the usual duties, today you must head into the Library."
"The library? That's… most unusual," she nodded nonetheless. "Miss Lisa usually has everything under control. That room might as well be her most valued possession." she thought aloud.
It wasn't like Jean disagreed, either. "I agree. But, she needs your help."
"With what?"
"I think it would be better to hear it from our Librarian herself. She would be able to explain it more in detail," she looked at her desk a second time, before coming back up. She shook her head. "And that's all for you today. She expects you right after lunchtime, so feel free to do what you wish with your free time."
Noelle gave her another bow. "Thank you very much." she turned around and made to leave the room.
She supposed it has been a while since she visited the library. What could Miss Lisa need her for?
"You're heading off to the library after lunch?" Ellin asked her after she swallowed her food, which was what looked to be a fisherman's toast.
Noelle nodded as she took a bite of her own salad. The special, made by Sara, salad. "Yes. It's my only other task, other than my usual-"
"Uhuh, you've said that before, your usual tasks," Ellin sighs. "You know, don't you think that sometimes, you do too much work?"
She shook her head. "I do not do too much work. In fact, I think I have too little to do today," she poked her food with a fork. "It doesn't sit well with me."
"Really, girl? I knew you were hard-working but… wow," she bit into a piece of toast. "Do you ever have breaks? Or downtime?"
"I'm… afraid I'm not sure what you mean."
"Oh god, that's not a good sign," Ellin whispered under her breath. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you view it, Noelle didn't hear it. She shook her head. "What I mean is, when was the last time you actually had some rest and relaxation for yourself?"
Noelle slowly nodded as she swallowed her food. "Ah, I see. That's easy."
Ellin's eyes widened. 'Does she actually-'
"I rest when I sleep, and my tasks are relaxing to perform." she proudly said.
Ellin all but wished to face-plant right at the table. If only it didn't make Sara angry. "That's what I get for hoping for the impossible," she sighed. "One of these days, Noelle. One of these days."
Speaking of Sara, the chef of their current venue let out a small chuckle at their antics.
"You'll have better luck taming a hilichurl, though I hear that girl Ella is planning on doing that."
Ellin tilted her head. "What was that second part?"
"Nevermind," Sara shook her head. "but hey! I'm glad you decided to dine here with a friend. I thought you didn't have any." Sara said all of this with a smile on her face.
Ellin coughed and immediately drank water, while Noelle tilted her head.
"I have friends." the maid said.
"I'm sure you do," Sara reached over the counter to pat her head as she leaned forward. "But friends your age? That's new, and I don't mean Cookie, as good as her company can be. You need friends your age, and you have one! I'm so happy!" she hopped on her feet.
Noelle pouted. "That makes me sound like I can't make friends."
"Now, now, I didn't say that. Just saying I'm proud of you." she smirked.
"Really, now? Noelle?" Ellin raised an eyebrow.
"I have friends, Ellin."
"She does, but not many her own age." Sara shrugged.
"Noelle is such a nice girl though, I'd have thought everybody would've wanted to be her friend." Ellin wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"In theory, that logic works. Noelle is the kindest, most hardworking, and strongest person her age I've ever seen," every word that came out of Sara's mouth made Noelle grow increasingly red. "But in reality, they're intimidated."
Ellin sighed. "That's too bad."
Noelle didn't get it. "What?"
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to be the bestest friend I can be, Noelle!" Ellin reached out from her seat and all but clomped the maid. Noelle blushed, yet returned the hug with enthusiasm.
Sara chuckled. "That's cute," she put a hand on her cheek. "The two of you can talk about clothes, paint your nails together, and talk about boys like tall, blonde, and heroic."
Noelle's eyes widened.
Ellin grinned.
"We could!"
"We can't!" They turned towards the maid who had suddenly stood up. Realizing what she had done, she blushed and sat back down, covering her face all the while. "I- I mean, I don't know what you're talking about."
Ellin and Sara raised an eyebrow. What was this reaction about? Bashful, shy? Another side of cute Noelle had revealed itself to them.
And all because of what Sara had said. How curious.
"Office Sara, this reaction is quite peculiar, don't you think?"
"I agree, Private Ellin."
"Methinks this needs a bit more… investigation."
"That's a most appropriate course of action."
Noelle covered her face as the tip of her ears went red. Curse them both, wait no, that was mean.
Still, as she endured the onslaught of teasing, she had hoped that her time at the library would be better.
Hopefully.
"Ah, Noelle, I'm happy you're here," a woman clad in a purple theme with a witch hat beckoned her inside the library as she opened the door.
Noelle nodded. "Of course, Good morning, Miss Lisa," she dutifully followed. "Master Jean said you have need of me?"
"I do indeed," they stopped in front of a bookshelf. Noelle narrowed her eyes at the books. She didn't find anything concerning at first glance. "You don't need to stare too hard at the books. You'll burn them with your gaze~"
"Ah-Uhm I'm sorry!" Noelle sputtered.
Lisa chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Why I used to stare at books like you did when I was a child."
Noelle raised an eyebrow as Lisa idly grabbed a book and flipped through its pages with a smile on her face. "Really?"
"Of course!"
"I see…"
Lisa smiled at her reaction. "You don't get it, do you?"
After a moment, Noelle sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid not. Miss Lisa."
"Don't worry. Everyone has their interests," Lisa approached her and ruffled her head. "As a librarian, it's my duty to oversee the safekeeping and return of the books in this library. Not one book goes in or out without my say-so."
"I see, you must be very busy then."
Lisa sweatdropped. "Y-Yes. Very busy indeed. Many come by and read a book for a few hours before they leave. While some, take to borrowing a book and taking it home with them. As long as I have proof of their identification."
"Identification? What for?"
"So they don't run off with my books, of course," Lisa giggled. Noelle took a step back. It wasn't the type of giggle that sparked joy. With how Lisa's eyes were narrowed, and how the smell of ozone was slowly starting to become prominent, this giggle sparked fear and dread. "You see, Noelle, some people think it's okay to return the books they borrowed late. And you know that I enjoy my moments of leisure. I have to cut that time short to get the books that they were supposed to return to me."
That smell of ozone was becoming slightly stronger now.
"Oh, they give their excuses. But they're all the same. They say they forgot, they say they couldn't go. I say they're-" she stopped herself before she could continue. She cleared her throat. "Forget that. That was a tangent not meant for innocent ears." she smiled. The smell of ozone was gone.
Noelle sweatdropped. "I-I see. Miss Lisa is very… passionate about literature."
"Rightfully so! Literature is such a precious resource I can't help but be irked. So much knowledge in the palm of my hands. The ability to be transported into fictional worlds… it's so fascinating."
Noelle listened to the librarian as Lisa fondly smiled. "I'll be extra careful with your books then, Miss Lisa."
"I know you'll do a good job, Noelle. I don't have anything to worry about with you."
Noelle blushed. Such high praise! "T-Thank you, Miss Lisa. Though I do have a question."
"Yes?"
"What am I supposed to do?"
Lisa blankly stared for a moment, before she gasped. "Right! I haven't even told you what your task is yet. Silly me, teehee~"
Noelle shook her head. "No worries. I enjoyed listening to you. It was very informative."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. Maybe while you're here, you can pick up a book or two. I'll give you the special Lisa offer and you can return it whenever you want."
Noelle bowed. "I would be honored. Though, I do not know what book to read."
Lisa gestured to the bookshelf beside her. "Don't worry, I'm sure there's something for everyone in this library. In fact, you might even find one while arranging the bookshelf."
"I see. Is that what I will be doing today?"
The librarian nodded. "Yes. You see, some folks decided to return their books by putting them back on the shelf, without even bothering to sort by title or genre!" she huffed. "Now, I would normally do this by myself, but I have books to re-acquire from some forgetful individuals."
"I-I understand."
"And I saw that Noelle was free today, so I decided to ask for your help."
"Fret not. I will do my task to my utmost best."
"Aw, come here." Lisa all but glomped the maid.
Noelle squirmed in her grasp. "Miss Lisa-!"
"You're just so cute! The more work I give you the happier you become! I'm so conflicted!"
Books were… interesting.
Noelle thought this as she was re-arranging an entire section of a bookshelf. Miss Lisa wanted them to be organized and rightfully sorted by name and by genre.
Though she forgot to tell Noelle just how many genres there were!
Thankfully, most of the books had already been pre-organized. It looked like the ones that had just been brought back were hastily put on the shelf.
Almost as if they were scared of something… or someone…
Noelle shook her head. She dismissed that thought. That was crazy.
As she sifted through several books, she couldn't deny that some of them interested her. Some more than others, but they interested her nonetheless.
"Miss Lisa did give me permission… I guess a few wouldn't hurt.'
Who knows? She might like them more upon reading them. She was always open to new things. Maybe Cookie would have something to say about them?
'Flowers for Princess Fischl… wait, is this Miss Fischl? She has a book made after her! How grand.'
'Don Quixote? Seems like a fun story.'
'Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland? I wonder if this has anything to do with Miss Alice, Miss Klee's mother?'
As she was bringing books for herself to read while still organizing the books, a book fell on the ground and went right underneath the bookshelf.
Noelle sighed, she could've caught that in time, but she had been distracted with picking out her own.
She bent down on one knee, lifted the whole bookshelf parallel to the ground, grabbed the fallen book, and softly put the bookshelf down.
Since the book was already in her hands anyway, she decided to give it a once over.
She raised an eyebrow.
The cover of the book was a depiction of what looked like a shrine maiden with pink hair, with a brush held within her fingertips.
'Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji?'
AN: Oh boy, I wonder what Noelle thinks of that certain book. I know I liked it. But give it to our fairly innocent Noelle… who knows?
Noelle needs friends. And not just the people who also work with her. Someone with similar goals, not-so-similar hobbies, and stark contrast in personality. Who better to have that, than Ellin? I thought I'd capitalize on their friendship and development more. Maybe not any chapter, but sometimes.
If you have any ideas for a chapter, let me know. Because I am just rolling this ball as I go along. Also, Sumeru soon!
PS. Cookie might be getting an upgrade soon. True to what his reference represents. Might not be the next chapter, but soon.
