After ascending the flight of concrete stairs, Rhajat arrived outside the pair of large wooden doors and glided her hand over one of the doorknobs. Before entering, she turned to address the charismatic wyvern rider waiting expectantly behind her.
"Wait here, I won't be long."
The smile from Percy's face disappeared immediately. "Oh, don't you want me to come in? I…I thought we we're gonna do this together?"
Disheartened by his expression, Rhajat shook her head softly. "There's no need, I'll return shorty."
Just as she was about to rotate the doorknobs, she hesitated when she received another question from her companion.
"Why can't I come in with you?"
Rhajat shut her eyes and exhaled softly. "Percy, I really-"
"Please? I promise I'll be good."
Turning back to him, Rhajat observed the genuine expression of desperation on his face, a demeanour she hadn't witnessed quite yet before; above anything else, she could tell he was being sincere. As she was greeted with a small, hopeful smile from the young man, Rhajat sighed softly and stirred with defeat.
"Very well" she announced before addressing him in the eyes, "but can you please refrain from attracting attention. This is a library, and there will people inside who intend to study and concentrate in peace."
An expression of hurt and confusion emerged on Percy's face, one that made Rhajat reflect on her comment bitterly, displeased with how she expressed it.
"…Do you think I'm a nuisance?"
Immediately, Rhajat shook her head to try and disprove his despondent inquiry. "No" she reassured desperately, "I didn't say that…I just..." Her voice trailed off into silence, unsure of how to express herself without causing any more offence.
"I promise I'll be on my best behaviour."
The wyvern rider's gentle smile provided some relief for the young woman's troubled conscience, enough for a small appreciate smile to develop on her lips. "Thank you" she whispered with an affirming nod.
As Percy shook his fists excitedly, Rhajat turned the doorknob and gently pushed the door open, her eager young companion following her inside.
Arriving inside the lobby of the library, a quick observation of the faintly unfamiliar layout helped Rhajat assess that the building had recently received refurbishment and redecoration, meaning the allocated sections for books and novellas had mostly likely been relocated.
An exaggerated whistle of wonder emerged from behind her. "Woah" announced Percy in astonishment, "this place is massive!"
Several wandering eyes averted their attention towards the young couple, prompting Rhajat to shrink with embarrassment; Percy, naturally, was far too captivated to notice.
Approaching the front desk of the venue, Rhajat was greeted with a warm and inviting smile from the elderly woman occupying the counter.
"Could you please direct me to the new section on sorcery and mystic arts?"
After a moment of inactivity, the librarian acknowledged with a smile and politely gestured towards further down the lobby to a selection of aisles.
Nodding appreciatively, beckoned Percy to accompany her as the two made their way in the direction the librarian pointed. Arriving at the entrance to one of the aisles, Rhajat noticed a selection of books and tomes she recognised arranged along the shelves, and ventured further inside with her doting boyfriend following closely behind.
Approaching one of the divided shelves, Rhajat arrived at the alphabetically allocated, and tilted her head to inspect while gliding her finger methodically across the spines of the books.
Observing her curiously, Percy continued to fiddle absentmindedly on the spot. "So" he announced casually, dispelling the silence, "what are we looking for?"
Furrowing her eyebrows to further concentrate, Rhajat responded stoically, "a book on medicinal practices and procedures."
Percy closed the distance between them and positioned himself in front of her, bringing her inspection to a halt. "Don't you already have a book about that stuff?"
Exhaling softly, Rhajat resumed her action. "Yes, "but's it's recently received a reprint – a new edition with additional remedies and methods – and I'd very much like to inquire about the latest content included."
"Oh, okay" replied Percy jovially, "that makes sense."
As Rhajat continued further down the aisle, she was greeted with another question.
"So…um" announced Percy, uncharacteristically nervous, "is there anything I can do to help?"
Rhajat ceased her inspection after witnessing the hopeful expression on her boyfriend's face, stopping to process his proposal.
"Well, if you really wish to be of service, there's a similar book on hypnotism that I would not mind indulging in again. If you could retrieve it, I would very much appreciate that." She gestured towards further down the aisle. "It should be under 'R' for "Revelaunt."
"Righto, a book on hypnotism – got it!" Percy announced confidently before placing his fists on his hips, speaking in an exaggerated dramatic tone. "Fear not, citizen, it shall be done!"
Rhajat stopped abruptly and watched her boyfriend eagerly make his way to where he was directed. His comical announcement and mannerisms brought a small smile to her lips as she rolled her eyes with amusement.
No sooner than when she had resumed searching did Percy return, visibly shaking with excitement.
"Rhajat, check out this awesome book I found!"
Inspecting the book he presented, Rhajat raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"And?" He asked in disbelief. "Look, it's a book about helping dragons recover from sickness and injury!" He swiftly opened it and eagerly turned the pages. "Golly, I wish I had this when Ace was feeling unwell."
Suddenly, the young man closed the book and stared at her in astonishment. "Do you think they have any more books on dragons?"
Rhajat stared incredulously. "Yes, this is a library."
She watched as Percy's eyes widened with excitement. "Wait here" he announced anxiously, "I'll be right back", before eagerly retreating towards the front counter again.
Rhajat could only watch with bewilderment as the young man excitedly inquired further about their stock on dragon books before being directed politely by the elderly librarian towards the children's section in the corner. Upon making his way towards there, he stopped by the entrance to their aisle and waved eagerly to Rhajat before disappearing.
Shaking her head with astonishment, Rhajat returned to her inspection. "Just where he belongs" she whispered to herself.
No later than when he left did Rhajat find the item she was searching for. Nodding assertively, she exited the aisle and began to make her way back to the counter. Still embarrassed, she elected not to in the direction of the children section, fearful as to what trouble the young man could be up to.
Approaching the desk, she politely handed the librarian her book.
"Woah, check this one out!"
Rhajat recognised the excited exclaim and exhaled, shutting her eyes with humiliation. "I apologise for him" she whispered remorsefully, "he's…he's easily excited."
Rather than a scolding, Rhajat was treated to a soft laugh from the librarian, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's quite alright, love – he's absolutely no trouble at all."
Rhajat observed curiously as the librarian gestured towards the children's section, prompting the young woman to inspect. There, sitting on a stool surrounded by a group of children, was Percy – reading a book on dragons for his attentive young audience.
Astonished and overwhelmed, Rhajat could only stare in amazement from the display.
"That brother of your's is quite a treasure, isn't he?"
The librarian's innocent remark brought a small smile to Rhajat's lips. "He's not my brother", she corrected, "he's my boyfriend."
And if the mountains should crumble / Or disappear into the sea
Not a tear / No, not I