Angela relaxed behind her desk, bookshelves already shifting into a protective shell of privacy all around. She sighed loudly, hoping the gesture would trigger some kind of atavistic relief response, but no such luck.

The library was developing along nicely, with new floors opening up and new Patron Librarians taking up their duties at a steady pace. The guests arrived, they fought, they died, and their Light was harvested. Still, it wasn't a stress-free endeavor, so Angela indulged in these few rare moments of peace and relaxation.

She also used these occasions to engage with her pet project.

"Are you there, Snaust?" she asked out loud, already knowing exactly where he skittish creature was hiding. There weren't many nervously quivering piles of books with a poorly concealed snail's shell sticking out of them around, after all.

"Um, hello Miss Angela" the creature eventually spoke as it emerged from under the pile "Snaust was just reading the way Miss Angela showed Snaust, but then all the bookshelves started moving and Snaust fell again and-" it rambled on, sounding quite embarrassed, and Angela couldn't quite hide her smile.

"It's okay, take it easy" Angela told the little creature "Why don't you come over here and we'll read something together?" the snail-like being visibly perked up and started sliding towards her at a hastened pace

"Snaust would love that Miss Angela!" Snaust said, before moving forwards at a speed that was a rapid sprint for the creature, but a slow walk for anyone else. It arrived at the foot of her seat, and made to climb up onto the desk, before hesitating "Um, could Miss Angela help Snaust up?" it asked

"What's the matter?" Angela questioned back "You should have no problem climbing up the desk by yourself"

"Snaust knows that!" it sounded almost offended "Snaust knows all things Snaust knows after all!" I proclaimed with pride, as if stating some profound wisdom, before visibly deflating "It's just... Snaust likes it when Miss Angela holds Snaust close when we read..."

"I see" Angela replied, doing nothing for a few moments, making the little creature nervously quiver in uncertainty and fear of rejection "Very well then" she finally relented and picked the little thing up, eliciting a squee of happiness in response before placing it on her lap.

"What are we going to be reading today, Miss Angela?" It asked with an excited look in her eyes.

"How about we continue where we left off?" the director proposed, and her bookish companion nodded eagerly in response.

Soon this area of the library was filled with sounds of Snaust's slow enunciation as she struggled through the novel, Angela helping out with some of the harder words and correcting some mistakes every now and again. Time flew peacefully as both of them sunk into a pleasant and relaxed peacefulness.

All the time, she slowly stroked the small creature's soft and fluffy hair, her own fears and worries melting away in the presence of the simplistic creature's earnest efforts.


Snaust's Diary

Snaust is making great progress in becoming a scholar! Snaust almost can read by herself now! Miss Angela was a big help of course, and she's very warm and kind to Snaust! She's also very smart! Sometimes Snaust thinks Miss Angela might be even almost as smart as Snaust is!

Snaust really likes reading together with Miss Angela. Snaust never had a friend, or anyone really, especially not in the Cold Place. Snaust doesn't remember anything before the Cold Place, but Snaust knows she shouldn't remember in the first place so it's okay.

Snaust really likes it when Miss Angela holds Snaust on her lap and helps Snaust in reading. Snaust doesn't really like Miss Angela messing with Snaust's hair all that much, but Miss Angela seems to really like it, so Snaust allows it.

It's what a good friend would do, this Snaust knows!