Tori walked up to the front desk of the school library, holding her favorite book close to her chest. Reading about Splatlandian architecture, both modern and ancient, was something she would never get tired of. She had each line in that book memorized by now.
It was too bad no one wanted to listen to her talk about it. Not even Lady Squall.
She tapped the bell, and Mrs. Recluse emerged from her shell, putting on her glasses. "Ah, Tori. What do you have today?"
Tori set the book down on the table. "I want to check out this book."
She frowned. "Don't you want to read something else? I'm happy you're reading something, but a little variety doesn't hurt."
She shook her head. "But I want to read this book!"
"Alright, alright." Mrs. Recluse took the book and scanned it. "But promise to choose another book next time, okay?"
Tori lowered her head. Why did she have to read another book? What was wrong with reading her favorite book over and over again?
But if an adult said so, she will.
She nodded. "Okay."
Mrs. Recluse didn't give her the book yet, though. "What do you say when you make a promise?"
She squeaked and nodded again. "I-I promise!"
A smile returned to her face. "Good, good." She handed back the book. "Now, don't go breaking it. It is a promise after all."
"I won't!"
As she darted away, Mrs. Recluse called, "Don't forget to bring it back next week!"
And bring it back the next week she did.
Mrs. Recluse didn't say anything about their promise, but as soon as she stepped foot into the library, it was all she could think about. She didn't want to break it. She didn't want to see Mrs. Recluse mad. She's heard stories of the librarian trapping people in her shell forever when she got mad, only to throw them out to sea when she got a new one.
Tori didn't want to be thrown out to sea. Inklings and water do not mix together–it was a warning she's heard many, many times.
Tori found herself wandering into the nonfiction section, staring down the section she found her favorite book in. The other books in the section were of similar topics–architecture in specific time periods, architecture in Inkadia, architecture in other countries, et cetera.
Mrs. Recluse only said not to read her favorite book. So, she scanned the bookshelf for another book she had read before and took it out. This one specifically was about some ancient ruins in the northern Splatlands. Through this book, she could see the ruins as if she was standing there herself.
She wished she could see it in person. But it was so far away! The adults would never take her there! So, she had to resort to imagining herself exploring the ruins, running her hand across each and every brick.
When Tori took the book to the front desk, however, Mrs. Recluse wouldn't take it.
"Tori," she crooned. "Did you forget about our promise?"
Tori's heart sank. "But this is a different book!" She didn't want to be trapped in Mrs. Recluse's shell forever! Then she would never see anyone ever again!
The librarian chuckled. "I meant for you to read about something other than architecture, Tori."
She slammed the book down on the desk, shaking her hands as Mrs. Recluse recoiled. She didn't say that! What was she going to read now? She didn't want to read about anything other than architecture!
"Calm down," she warned. "I don't want to have to send you to the principal's office."
Tori grabbed her hands, heat flushing her cheeks. She didn't want to go to the principal's office. More than she wanted to read about architecture.
Mrs. Recluse's expression softened. "Now, don't cry. I can help you find a book."
Tori lifted her head. "You…can?" she croaked.
"Yeah. It's my job, after all."
Wiping her eyes, she nodded. "Okay."
Mrs. Recluse scurried out from behind the desk and headed towards the rows of bookshelves, with Tori not far behind. Her classmates watched as the librarian made her appearance, curious eyes scrutinizing every single inch of the pair. Her shoulders bunched up as she noticed their gazes, wishing they would go away.
Mrs. Recluse ignored them, though. They headed into the fiction section, each book marked with different stickers designating their reading level. Tori didn't care about fiction–she wanted to read about the world.
Nonetheless, Mrs. Recluse pulled a book out from the shelves. "How about 'The Sea Dragon's Palace?' It's about a sea dragon who gets help from the creatures of the sea to build his own palace."
Tori shook her head, and she proceeded to grab another book. "What about something from 'The Great Magical Reef' series? It's about twin clownfish who go to different places in time via a special coral reef."
She shook her head again, flapping her hands. She wanted to read nonfiction! Not fiction!
"Tori?" Mrs. Recluse put the books back. "What are you doing?"
She grabbed her braids. Didn't she see she didn't want to read fiction? Was the fact that she only wanted to read nonfiction because something was wrong with her?
She wished something wasn't wrong with her. Then she could be like all the other children and not get yelled at for something she didn't know she was doing wrong.
Mrs. Recluse frowned. "Tori, I won't know what you want unless you use your words."
She forced herself to speak. "Nonfiction!"
With a dip of her head, she started to lead her back to the nonfiction section of the library. Tori didn't notice when she stopped, bumping into the back of her shell. She staggered backwards, gritting her teeth as Mrs. Recluse turned around to look at her.
"You know, Tori, why do you like architecture so much? If I knew why, maybe I could find a book you'd like."
Tori's jaw went slack, her eyes wide. She wanted her to explain why she liked architecture? No one's ever asked her that before.
With a nod, she launched her spiel. "I like to see how they build things. And, um, look at how good they look. Um, I like seeing different styles too. Like north and south Splatlandian style–south Splatlandian style uses adobe and cob bricks because–"
"I get it," Mrs. Recluse interrupted, holding up her claws. "I think I know just the perfect book for you."
While she moved to a corner full of books, Tori dropped her head. Her cheeks growing hot, she tugged on her braids. Why did no one want to listen to what she had to say? There wasn't anything wrong with it, was there?
Maybe it was another hidden rule to not speak too much. But adults spoke a lot all the time, didn't they? She didn't understand.
Mrs. Recluse returned with a book depicting some kind of gun. "How about this? It's about how ink-based weapons work."
Tori winced, shaking her head as fast as she could. Why would she even suggest such a thing?
The hermit crab simply blinked and adjusted her glasses. "Why? There's nothing wrong with it."
"Lady Squall would get mad if I read that."
"It's just weapons. I doubt you'll be able to get your tentacles on one any time soon."
"You use them in turf wars, and turf wars bring Chaos."
"Chaos? Is that really what you think?"
"It's what Lady Squall said."
"Ah, of course." With a frown, Mrs. Recluse put the book down. "I'd hate to get on her bad side."
Tori found herself nodding again. Lady Squall really was scary when she was mad.
Mrs. Recluse scuttled back over to the bookshelf and grabbed a different book. "How about this, then? It's about the six simple machines."
This time, Tori didn't object. She took the book from her hands, and now that she was satisfied, Mrs. Recluse led her back to the front desk.
As she scanned the book, she said, "Now, if you don't like this book, you can always get another one, alright?"
"Alright."
She gave her back the book. "Good. Now, I hope you like it, Tori!"
"Okay."
Mrs. Recluse shrank back into her shell. "Well…goodbye!"
Tori walked away without another word, holding the book near her chest, just like she did with any other book. Upon reaching the rug in the center of the library, she sat down and opened the book to the first page. Mrs. Recluse wanted her to read this book, so she had to start reading it now, right?
The longer she read, the faster her eyes flew across the page. The contents of the book grew more and more interesting with each passing minute. She couldn't finish it before the bell rang, so she stuffed it into her backpack and carried it along. When recess arrived, it was too cold to go outside, so she ended up taking it out of her backpack and devouring the contents like it was a book on architecture.
Soon enough, Miss Magno was hovering over her, confusion written all over her face. Tori squirmed in her seat, tipping the book down so she couldn't see the contents.
"Why don't you play with everyone else?" she asked.
"I want to read this book," she replied. "Mrs. Recluse said I have to read this book."
At her answer, Miss Magno laughed. "You have until next week to read that book. It's not like if you put it down now, you can't finish it."
Heat flooded her cheeks. "But I want to read this book."
"Aren't you lonely, though?"
Her voice grew louder. "I want to read this book."
She stepped back. "Alright, you can read it. Don't say I didn't warn you, though."
As her teacher returned to her desk, she found herself staring at her. Warn her about what? Was something bad going to happen?
Tori shook her head and started reading her book again. She was halfway through it now. The examples of simple machines' use in more complex ones were just too fascinating. They were almost as fascinating as all the architecture she has ever seen!
Almost. She didn't think anything could ever be better than architecture.
When the bell rang, she only had one simple machine left to read about. She closed it and put it back into her backpack. Before long, it was time to go home, and as soon as she was on the bus, she had it out on her lap again.
The bus bumped along the road as she reached the last page. She closed it shut and turned around to look at the cover. She could identify each and every machine on it now—the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw.
A smile on her face, she began to kick her feet. She couldn't wait to tell Lady Squall about them! She really hoped she would listen this time.
When the bus arrived at the orphanage, Tori didn't put her book back in her backpack. Instead, she ran straight off the bus, up the stairs, and burst through the front door. Lady Squall sat behind the counter, her stern expression unwavering as Tori slammed the book down in front of her.
"Lady Squall!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down. "Lady Squall!"
"Settle down, Tori," the older inkling directed. "Some visitors will be arriving soon."
Tori stopped, her hands falling by her sides. "Oh."
She began reaching for her book, but Lady Squall got to it first. She didn't say anything as she studied the cover. What was she going to say?
Tori tried speaking up. "So there's the lever, the—"
Lady Squall raised a hand, cutting her off. "Head back to your living quarters." She slid the book back to her. "You need to be on your best behavior when they arrive."
Whatever hope within her flickered away. "Yes, Lady Squall."
She snatched the book and started to walk back to her living quarters, her head drooping. Lady Squall still didn't want to hear about what she had to say. She knew a visitor was coming, but she still couldn't help but wonder…did she do something wrong? Was that why Lady Squall didn't want to listen to her?
When Tori reached her bed, she sat down and opened the book back up. She wanted to read it again. After all, she had a week before she had to return it. She doubted she could finish it before the visitors arrived, but she still wanted to read it.
So, that's what she did. She took in each and every word on the page, absorbing the information inside and imagining ways the six simple machines could be used. Maybe she could make a bunch of simple machines at school and combine them one day!
Eventually, though, she reached the end of her book. Lifting her head, she looked around. No one else was in the room with her. Where was the visitor? Did they not come in here? Or did they not show up at all?
Tori flipped back to the first page. She should read the book again. Like her favorite book on architecture, she wanted to memorize each and every line. Then, she could use her knowledge to make something new. She just needed to know what she wanted to make.
She didn't get very far into her third read of the book before she heard Miss Swallow's voice. "Children! It's time for dinner!"
In the blink of an eye, she shut the book, put it in her backpack, and ran over to the butterflyfish. "Miss Swallow! Do you know about the six simple machines?"
She raised an eyebrow, staring at her. "I'm sorry, Tori, the what?"
"The six simple machines! There's the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw. The lever is a rod that you use to—"
Miss Swallow brought a finger to the inkling's lips, shushing her. "Now, now, Tori, I don't have time to sit here all day, and neither do you. We both need to eat."
Tori froze, grabbing her braids. "Oh," was all she managed to squeak out.
Miss Swallow didn't want to listen to what she had to say either. None of the adults did.
She wanted to talk about it, but no one would let her. Maybe she should just keep her words to herself.
She thinned her lips as she continued on towards the dining room, swinging her arms in wide arcs. She wanted to talk about the simple machines in her book. She wanted to read more about machines and talk about that, too.
But no one would listen.
A/N: So, I'll be the first to say it: this was not the original Chapter 16. The original Chapter 16 was reworked into this chapter, but it's still pretty different-pretty much the only thing they have in common is that they start in the school library. I figured the things that happened in the original chapter would be better conveyed differently, in a later chapter-you'll see soon enough. That's why I'm posting this chapter on a Tuesday, of all days. Well, it could've been Monday, but yesterday was quite busy with the eclipse and also Splatoon 1's shutdown :(. I did finish this chapter yesterday, and I wanted a day to sit on it before going through and editing it.
So, because I ended up posting this on a Tuesday, I'm almost certain there won't be a chapter this weekend. There's something else I need to write, too, and I really want to give this next chapter the time it needs instead of rushing through it. The next chapter should be posted around when Springfest starts, now that I think about it. Well, as always, we'll just have to see what happens! See you then, and Branchwing, out!