Chapter 5: The first Earthlings
"And this, " Lord High Priest motioned to a room that led off the hall, "is the famous library of Spira, home to over a hundred thousand books on everything, quite literally, under the suns."
The Wilshires peered into the library and were impressed by the stacks of books upon shelves, row-after-row, the abnormally high ceiling, and the number of silent people reading. Some of the books, to the Wilshires disapproval, floated around, and an interested reader had to catch them to read. On the far end of the vault, was a staircase that led down a floor.
"That goes down into the restricted area," Francis told Albert upon his question. "The farther down you adventure the more dangerous and frightening the books become. Good heavens! There might even be a book monster down there!" He laughed to himself when the Wilshires gaped at him wildly. "Don't be alarmed, I daresay. The only downfall of the library, I believe, is that you cannot bring tea in there with you while you read. The librarian kafra does not enjoy accidents."
He pointed to a stern-faced woman with moon spectacles, wearing a black dress and a white apron over it. Mrs. Wilshire could sympathize with her about the tea rule; she did not enjoy accidents herself. In addition, the couple was both quite amazed at how such funny people could keep a building spotless.
Up to this point, the Wilshires had become enchanted with High Priest Francis ever since he started to tour them through the Church of Prontera. His old age and the upbeat music of the violinist helped with their approval. Subsequently, they were less determined to find their daughter as they were of adventuring. What they did not approve of however were the constant vigilance of the other pedestrians.
"They stare at us like we're the oddballs, "Albert told his wife, nodding at a guy with devil horns protruding from his head. Francis had overheard him.
"Try to ignore them, but-"He glanced at the couple apologetically, "this is the first time that anyone from planet Earth have been invited to attend a Universe Conference. I can understand their wonder-" He watched the Wilshires turn stunned to each other then back to him, excited and asking questions simultaneously.
"You mean we are the first of our world?" "Why haven't there been more Earthlings?"
The old man smiled wearily at them. "Our galaxy and universe is not without deeply rooted prejudices: some still believe that a people without…uh… high intellect in magic is inferior, and thus they do not ask for your representatives."
Susie was confused: "They think we're inferior?"
But Albert was angry: "The think we're too stupid or something; they think they're smarter than us; better than us!"
"Why, yes!" Francis exclaimed as if he was happy they could understand him but then he realized he might have said the wrong thing. Mrs. Wilshire seemed to be in a fret, searching constantly for her make-up bag. Albert, however, was stomping around puffing steam, and sneering at the passer-bys, his face so red Francis thought he was almost on fire.
"So that's why they look at us like that. They think we're too stupid to walk on their stinking carpet!"
"Now, Mr. Wilshire-"
"When they're the ones looking like a rainbow buffoon!" He attacked a random pedestrian almost suddenly, and then it came back to him: the lost of his favorite Pennsylvanian golfer, being pushed head-first into a wall, his daughter kidnapped, jumping through a warped hole. He had never been so humiliated in his life! He wanted to leave, to get out of Spira; he hated these people!
"Creep," The passer-by responded lowly so that only the Wilshires and Francis heard him. He strolled on without even looking back at them. Albert almost charged.
"I daresay that this attitude Mr. Wilshire is not improving our image of Earth!" Francis was holding him back with his small stick.
"Who likes all this funny business anyway?" Susie said, still hurt and looking for her make-up.
"Funny business?" Francis snapped, and Albert stopped struggling against a stick and Susie quit looking for her make-up bag. They had realized they had finally struck a nerve, and now Francis was reprimanding them as if they were children. "Funny business? I will admit I do not understand that Earthly expression (it is not in our book of reference). However, I regret to inform you that any business conducted from this point on is not the least funny. Mr. and Mrs. Wilshire, as the first ambassadors from Earth, it behooves you to not react so improperly to any way another may view you, even if it is unjustified. I beseech you to conduct yourselves in the highest decorum possible!" He looked from one to other, and slowly the anger drained from his face and his piercing blue eyes became weary. "I am sorry that this task falls upon you." He clasped his hands around his back and strolled down the hall lost in thought.
The Wilshires watched him continue on, then reclaiming their normal composure, walked after him, hoping to bring back the excited emotion of their tour guide.
"It is just-" Mr. Wilshire hesitated to explain, "on planet Earth the youth fear or respect the adults. But here, it seems… You are the only person I have seen that is as old or older than myself-"
"Aha!" Francis whirled around at them, his blue eyes twinkling. "You have forgotten again you are not on Earth anymore. In Spira, age takes longer. It is not nearly as quick as it is upon Earth." He smiled, wide eyed at them. "It is quite admirable how Earthlings welcome death after 80 or so years, granted they live that long of course. I am afraid I myself do not have quite as much courage. I daresay I would have searched for the Fountain of Youth as soon as my twenties-"
"How do you count your age?" Susie asked.
"By experience! I am old because I have experienced so much! Eventually, everyone grows a little older. (Something always happens to everyone, I daresay.) It might take longer for some and therefore they appear younger, though they may be 100 years your senior! For example, when I look in your face, I see little innocence, ignorance and naivety, and therefore understand you are experienced, and therefore quite old!" Francis smiled anxiously at the confused looks on their faces. (Mrs. Wilshire was appalled that she had been called old.)
"It works itself out. Never believe Spira has the better bargain. Unlike Earth, Spira is overpopulated by animals/monsters, not people. Our youth die a lot quicker… Maybe too quick." He sped up then, walking as if he was late to an important meeting and Albert and Susie had to jog to keep up. They exchanged dumb-founded glances but did not voice their questions.
"In this room, you will meet your daughter again," Lord Francis told them, and the Wilshires hugged each other for joy. They had been right to follow him! He opened the door to the dining hall, and saw one long table, already set with plates, napkins, and utensils. Some articles were floating again, and the Wilshires ducked passed these abnormal objects. The ceiling in here was made of glass.
Francis took the seat at the head of the table, and Wilshires sat to the left of him, not at all pleased with how the chairs moved on their own accord.
"We are early," He told them pleasantly. "We will wait."
