"Are you sure he's going to wake up soon?"
That was the thought Powder voiced out loud as she leaned over the slumped form of Roland across the chair he was sitting on, her tongue sticking out as she poked and prodded his unmoving body with a single finger. It was truly amazing to see what Angela was capable of with the Light, being able to regrow and even tinker with a man's limbs so easily like it was nothing…that sort of technology must've been practically nonexistent, or at least very rare, back in Runeterra. Mechanical replacements, sure, but full-blown new limbs? This City both impressed and terrified the Zaunite the more she learned about its technologies and laws.
At least the Light also meant they wouldn't have needed to bleach the ground to get rid of the blood puddle he left on the ground of the Library's entrance. That was somewhat of a relief, even if it didn't make Powder feel any better about basically torturing a man until he was unconscious.
From behind her desk, Angela looked up over the stack of papers around her, "I can assure you that our newest guest is fine and will awaken soon. No need to worry too much."
"Can't help it, considering you ripped off the man's limbs. You know what we called that back in Zaun?" The younger girl turned to her caretaker, pointing an accusatory index and resting her other hand on her waist.
"A crime?"
"Well, no- I mean, yes, but that's not the point. The point was that back in Zaun, cutting off someone's limbs meant killing them, Angela! Honestly, is this going to be a regular thing here? Just, cutting off people's limbs? 'Cause, okay, I think I can get used to it. Maybe." She added the 'maybe' under her breath. "But I just…I dunno. I don't want you to have to push the limits of right and wrong or whatever those Literature Floor books used to say about moral lines." She shoddily concluded, crossing her arms and looking into her caretaker and sometimes-friend's eyes, although the latter seemed less struck by her remark and more…amused? What?
"Now, now, Powder, I assure you that anything I do will be something that's already common in the City. I'm not going to invent any new cruelties myself, and I'll make sure the guests know the dangers of coming here." Angela assured her youthful protégée, her tone serious, even if her promise was too vague for Powder's liking, but still…she knew the Library Director for years now. She trusted her enough to believe what she was saying. "And besides…why would you care about such things, Powder? Could it be that you're the one who's…what was the description you gave to me a little while back? I believe it was sof-"
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Powder grumbled, rolling her eyes as her own trick was used against her yet again. "My own spell against me, how dare you, Angela!" She added a posh tone to her reprobation, putting a chin up to empathize the fakeness of her mock accent. "But seriously, the guy's still sleeping like the dead. For all I know, he could be dead. You sure he's okay, Angela?"
Angela raised a thin, artificial blue eyebrow at this show of concern, "Yes, yes I am. If I truly wanted him dead, I would have gone for the head the moment I had him in my sights. But then again, that would end his usefulness right then and there, wouldn't it?
"Usefulness?" Powder repeated, tilting her head to the side in confusion, narrowing her eyes a little. "What do you mean by that?"
Before the Library's Director could give a proper answer, a heavy groan interrupted her. At the noise, both Powder and Angela both looked toward the stirring form of Roland on the chair he was on.
"Who…? Wha…?" Ah, well, that answered Powder's concerns. It seemed that his 'Roland' was healthy enough, at least in the physical department, considering he was slowly getting up, his eyes unfocused as he moved aimlessly for a second before stopping. Sure, he was probably scarred for life in the psychological department, but as Vander always liked to say: what could only make you cry wasn't that bad.
Probably. Maybe. Hopefully.
Alas, she didn't have the time to say that to his face, as she dashed to Angela's desk while the older woman got up from her seat and walked to the suited intruder, letting the Zaunite crouch under the desk, keeping an ear out to listen to what he would say; if he had any tricks up his sleeve, one of them needed to be able to observe from a distance to strike, lest he catch them both in one blow. Powder didn't exactly like her caretakerandkindofmaybedefinitelymore thanherfriend's way of handling their first ever visitor, but that didn't mean she didn't share Angela's caution when it came to strangers - especially ones that entered a place like the Library all of a sudden without an invitation. At least Powder had the excuse of the Hextech bomb transporting her, what excuse did he have?
…Hopefully not a very convincing one, otherwise his treatment would've been a tad awkward to justify.
"Ah, it seems you've finally decided to join us." From her hiding spot, Powder could already tell Angela had taken the lead, remaining silent to try and notice if anything was going awry. "Wake up." Still, the golden-eyed AI's orders only elicited a cacophony of gasps and grunts, as if the suited trespasser was suddenly assaulted by a barrage of information, which, in all honesty, he probably was.
"Ah! Bu- my legs! My arms!" Oh, yeah, he was definitely mentally scarred. Well, Powder supposed if someone cut off her limbs, she'd have…probably died, but she'd have also been quite panicky should she survive. "...Wait, they're all intact again?" Roland's voice calmed down a little, though his breathing was still a little erratic.
"You should be able to swing your arms and walk again." Again, Powder knew that this was simply how Angela behaved around strangers, she herself had experience to boast such knowledge, but that monotone and cold tone of hers probably didn't help comfort the older-looking man. "And I made a few readjustments to your body to make it a bit easier to use." She continued her explanation, unabated by what must've been an incredulous stare. "Although you did trespass on my Library, I also took away your limbs without consent, so I'm giving you these as an apology." Well, that could've certainly gone better in terms of apologies. Powder didn't really know if taking someone's limbs with consent would've really been much better, but hey, it was more than she had personally expected. "I'm quite patient and generous, you see." Aaaaand there went any goodwill that Roland could've given her. Powder really should've told her that her boasts can pass off as quite arrogant to outsiders, heck, they came off that way to her sometimes.
"...Patient, my ass." Roland sighed, stretching his new limbs as he got up from the chair he was placed on. Well, he was certainly a brave fellow for saying it to Angela's face like that. Maybe he had a sense of humor, in the end? Whatever Angela meant by 'usefulness', maybe that'd have helped him have some grace from the golden-eyed former secretary. Or just earn her ire faster. "Am I really supposed to be thankful for this? And, uh…" He suddenly hesitated a little, apparently noticing the tone with which he was speaking. "...your warning isn't in effect anymore, right?"
"Nope, not anymore. I had a few thoughts while you were knocked out." Angela responded, almost too politely, something that Roland seemed to also pick up, given the way his body suddenly tensed up ever so slightly. "And here's my conclusion: You'll help me out here. I decided that I have a use for you, Roland."
"A use for me?" The black haired man repeated sardonically, black eyes staring in disbelief at the mechanical woman in front of him, equally as shocked as Powder was from her hiding spot., "Forgive me for sounding so… doubtful about that, but I just finished up this kind of arrangement with a few people who used me like an old sock, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm not too interested in doing so again so soon with whatever Syndicate or Office you lead."
"And does this place look like either one of those things to you?" Angela responded wryly, lifting an arm in the air and sweeping high up, "Because I do not believe anything in the City can be compared to my Library." Her tone harshened a little, and Powder heard her take a step that echoed throughout the Floor. "And besides, you're not exactly in a position to refuse. Your new arms and legs are a testament to that." She reminded the trespasser, tapping the ground with her high heels.
Roland scratched the back of his head in annoyance, "Heh. I guess I can't say you're wrong about that, now can I? Gah, is this what Wings do nowadays? Just kidnap people off of the streets and have them slave for them? I heard a colleague of mine got into a situation like that and somehow managed to gain teleportation powers…" He grunted, sighing at the memory before looking up and straight at Angela, right in her golden eyes, "What exactly are you expecting of me, eh Miss…?"
"Angela. Just Angela. I'm the Director and Head Librarian of my role's namesake." She answered sharply, before continuing on, "And as for your job here? I would like to put you in a very important position here in the Library."
"Oh, great. Just, great. Well, it doesn't really matter, does it? Whatever it is that'll happen here, I'll just be forced to work and get experimented on here, right?" Sheesh, for someone who just had his limbs painfully torn off, he had a heckuva lot of sass. Powder didn't know whether to despise or admire such resilience.
"The first part is correct. However, I have no intention of experimenting on you; I do, after all, need you to be healthy so that I may figure out how you entered the Library; sending you out without figuring out the reason would pose a danger to me and my Library, after all." Angela explained, pointing an accusing index at the intruder, who didn't flinch. "Secondly, as it would seem that you are a resident of the City, it would be wise to keep someone around to provide information as I enact my plan; knowing the littlest details is always useful, after all." She continued her explanation, not sounding the least bit fazed. In truth, it was a little curious how little the man in front of Powder's caregiver seemed to care about his situation. Perhaps this jaded attitude meant he had a lot of City experience to help?
"Yeah, right…I'll just be slaving away under a different name." He scoffed, and Powder could practically feel him pocketing his hands. Goodness, if she had a quarter of that confidence, she'd have gone places as a kid…or she could've been killed, too, and Angela's tone didn't exactly convey a whole lot of happiness as she spoke:
"Well, whether you like it or not, you're going to be here until you help me reach the One True Book, and I would advise you against any sort of rebellion you may think of; I took your limbs once, and I won't hesitate to do it again." The Library Director firmly stated, and it seemed her tone had convinced the suited intruder to not argue back, instead asking the logical question:
"The one true what?"
"The One True Book." Angela repeated, her tone somewhat irritated. "It is an object which I desire greatly. Using the power contained within this Library with the knowledge it shall give me, I will be able to fulfill my greatest desires and eventually leave this golden cage." She briefly answered, not giving him any more of an explanation than she did. Powder couldn't help but feel the slightest bit privileged; she wouldn't be telling him about the story so quickly, though Powder's time with Angela had given her the honor of being the AI's little secret keeper.
"...Are you sure this isn't some Syndicate or Office business? Maybe even a Wing? It sounds so vague and obscure, it might as well be a mission assigned by them. How're we even supposed to find this One True Book or whatever? Are we- don't tell me I need to sift through all of this." Once more, however, it seemed all Roland had were complaints, pointing with incredulity at the Library's endless bookshelf halls.
"No, rest assured, I have a much more direct plan; using my Library's powers, I shall invite various guests from the City by inviting them to a duel with an enticing reward. Using the potential which remarkable individuals hold after defeating them, I shall build up the power necessary to manifest the One True Book, my ultimate goal, and finally take control of my life once and for all." Well, after hearing it dozens of times, the plan had been familiar enough to Powder at this point, although now that she thought it over, it did seem rather illogical to anyone who wasn't in the know.
"...So you're saying we're going to kill people and use the 'power' we get out of them to get a book?" Still, Roland's harsh and skeptical tone made it difficult to find him sympathetic, especially to Angela.
"The One True Book." The Library's Director and owner corrected harshly, scoffing at the insolence Roland displayed.
"Er, yeah, that…look, lady, I'm sorry if I'm about to disappoint you, but I don't know who you expect to do all that fighting." There was a silence, unbroken by any of the Floor's current occupants, with Angela apparently confused by what he said. "I don't know if you have some weird fantasies about Fixers or something, but I'm a Grade Nine. I'm on the lowest point of the Fixer ladder, and I don't want to put you down, but even if I scrape out of the first few fights, there's no way I'm not going to kick the bucket in one of these fights." He elaborated, scratching the back of his neck and still keeping a discontent tone as he spoke. Grade Nine? Angela hadn't mentioned that in her talk about Fixers…perhaps the City held more secrets than even she knew.
"...Not to matter; even if you somehow fall, I can always bring you back using my powers, and I assure you that the Library will offer you new ways to attack and defend against our future guests." Despite the new information, Angela regained control of the situation as quickly as she possibly could've, her tone unshaken by the new revelations she heard. "Besides, using a system of Invitations which I personally delicately and carefully made, and they shall bring us guests that we are capable of facing against, thus, I hope we do not need to resort to raising you after you fall too many times." She spoke far too casually about the many deaths expected out of her new servant, and it seemed he wasn't all too pleased about the fact.
"Excuse me?! Falling?! What are you trying to say here?! And…this Invitations system, you sure you know how it works? It almost seems too eas-"
"It works because I know it works." Angela interrupted his objection, her tone strict even if she didn't raise her voice, her thi patience growing thinner than a spider's thread. "Allow me to remind you that the way this works is none of your business, and what you cannot change should not concern you, hm?" Powder heard her caretaker take another step forward, apparently trying her earnest to intimidate the trespasser into submission, and for a moment of silence, the twintailed girl thought she might have succeeded, though it wasn't long before the silence was broken, this time by a lamentation instead of an argument.
"...Of course, the one time I'd be stuck in a place like this, I cannot die." Roland emitted something close to a laugh, though it lacked its soul, instead seeming the corpse of what once was a laugh. "God, my luck is just the worst. It's just slaving for a Wing-like structure under a different name. One day, you'll get sick of me and just experiment on me only to turn me into a pop-corn machine…"
"If you keep that attitude I might just do that." Angela's patience broke. Her voice raised for a moment, and Powder recognised genuine anger in her tone. "Let me remind you: You are not in charge here. Whatever I say goes, capiche? I'm sick of listening to useless mumblings and idiocy that only you understand, as such a thing will be detrimental for the position I have in mind for you." and if you keep saying things like that, I might just let you discover what life could be like as a pop-corn machine." This time, the silence her threats created endured for a while, and for an instant, Powder thought that Roland was desperate enough to forsake it all and try seeing what living as a pop-corn machine would be like, but instead, he gave a single chuckling before answering.
"...Of course, Ma'am. I guess I'll have to stick around to see how this turns out." He finally submitted, if only outwardly, sighing. "I guess, in a way, giving someone an Invitation they can refuse is a lot fairer than the things that usually happen in this City. So what am I supposed to do, Ma'am?"
"Hmph. It only took a threat before you learned basic courtesy." Angela's reprobation seemingly fell on deaf ears, considering she earned no reply. Well, it was better than him arguing back. "As for what you'll do, I will tell you once an Invitation has been sent. In the meantime, however, I shall bestow you with a position during your time here. Consider it a token position, considering I'm not so sure it's recognized in the City, but it shall denote your work here until I finally find the One True Book." Powder slowly poked her head from behind the desk as she heard Angela speak, furrowing her brows. She hadn't told her of what she had planned for Roland, but she didn't expect he'd get a position so soon, if at all.
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting good dental insurance, either. What's the position that you're offering, anyway?"
"A Patron Librarian."
"A what?"
"A WHAT?!"
Both Angela and Roland jumped up in surprise at the sudden and all encompassing screech that came from behind Angela's desk, Powder, springing from her hiding spot - because the element of surprise be damned! - as she ran and skidded to a stop right in front of Angela, eyes wide in disbelief and both arms stretched out far and wide to help express the emotion she was feeling.
"Good grief, did we already start?! I don't even have a weapon! Am I supposed to bludgeon-" Roland's questions were interrupted by the younger girl's stomps as she adjusted herself in front of Angela.
"Angela, have you completely lost it?!" Powder shouted directly in front of the older bluenette, causing spittle to land on the AI's perfectly built face and making said face grimace, sighing at the explosive emotional reaction. "You know how important that position is to you getting what you want! You know, the One True Book and all that! And you're going to entrust a guy you just met that mysteriously entered the Library and got his arms and legs torn off by you?!"
Calmly, Angela lifted a hand to her face and carefully wiped off the saliva on it, taking a deep breath before answering her ward's question, "No, I have not lost it, and yes, I am aware of the circumstances that brought us to this exact moment. What is with you and questioning my perfectly logical decision making today?"
Powder stared at her with blue eyes that were questioning her sanity. Now, of all times, she jokes?! "This is what you call perfectly logical? I mean just look at him!" The teen cried out, jabbing a finger towards a clearly confused Roland with his hands in his pockets. "Black eyes that like they belong on a zombie, skin as pale as a patient in a hospital, hair that looks like it belongs to a bum on a street, and a suit that just screams 'I kill people for a living'! And THIS is the man you wanna trust to help you get the One True Book?! How can this in any way, shape or form be a good idea?!"
"Hey! Who gave you the right to talk about me like that?" Roland shot back, clearly offended as he looked at his suit. It was a perfectly normal set of clothes, thank you very much! "Who are you, even?! And…uh, should I be seeing this? Is this a family matter or something? Should I just…go outside? Buy some HamHamPangPang and-"
"Shut up!" Powder snarled at the older man, hoping the heat in her face was only because of how quickly her heart was thumping and not because of his insolent, stupid 'family matter' remark. "You only speak when Angela tells you to!" She threatened, hoping the strictness would make him keep quiet, although he only blinked at her, looking between her and the taller woman.
"Uh…I can go somewhere else if this is-"
"...You know, when you put it like that, you are making it sound as if I do not know what I am doing." Angela's eyes suddenly narrowed, tapping the wooden ground with her sole. "You're not saying such a thing, are you Powder?"
"I never said that. Don't go putting words in my mouth." Powder replied back quickly, nearly snapping at the taller woman for laying such an accusation at her feet so suddenly; she trusted her more than she trusted anyone in her life except Vander and Vi. She was just worried about her decisions and their consequences. "And don't think I didn't notice you answering my question. Angela, please, you're giving him a position I only got after seven years of living here! You gotta give me the method to the madness at work here, or else all I'll see is the madness. And is that going to end well for either of us?"
"Powder, Powder, Powder…" Angela almost seemed relieved, prodding a finger at Powder's forehead and poking her, letting the latter emit an insincere 'Ow'. "Is that what this is all about? Goodness, it's good to know that you're so careful, but I only gave him the title, not the other privileges." The former secretary explained in a much warmer tone, and the Zaunite's expression slowly became blank.
"...Oh."
"Yeah, oh." Angela almost smirked, crossing her arms. "Of course, a trespassing stranger with a past and goals unknown to me at the moment wouldn't be given everything that comes with being one of my Patron Librarians the moment we met. That would simply be, What did you just say? Mad, correct?"
"You two do know I'm still in the room, right? I've been insulted in the past five minutes more than I was in the past five years-"
"...Yeah, I guess so." Powder put two fingers to her forehead, sighing. "I guess I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions so quickly."
"Well, perhaps not. But still, I'm glad you were so cautious to recognise that giving such powers to an intruding-"
"Okay, okay, I think everyone gets it!" It was Roland's turn to interrupt the two bluenettes, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. "Roland has every negative quality in the world and he won't get any privileges in the Library. I think both of you have the message loud and clear considering I got it." He huffed, muttering something inaudible under his breath before pointing vaguely to the caregiver and care-receiver in front of him. "So, uh. What's all this about?"
"What?" Angela tilted her head, unable to grasp the suited man's point. Powder remained quiet, almost immediately figuring out what conclusion he jumped to, freezing as she hoped with every fiber of being he was wrong.
"You know…this. What's happening here? Are you this girl's…no, you seem much younger to be that. Are you two cousins or something? Sisters?" He carelessly spouted, and Powder expended every molecule of her being, every cell in her body, and every last bit of strength she had to not blush at the insinuation.
"I am simply her caretaker, nothing more." Angela answered smoothly, causing Powder to internally flinch with an uncertain emotion. "This is Powder - the first visitor of the Library that came here before you did seven years ago. She is also a Patron Librarian, specifically, of the Floor of Psychology, and thus, your peer in making sure things go as smoothly as possible for the opening of the Library and what comes after, although she, as you noted, has more authority than you will for the foreseeable future." She pointed at the shorter bluenette, walking beside her and putting a hand on her back.
"Great, ten minutes in and I'm already facing discrimination. Where's HR when you need the suckers?" Roland snickered at his own joke, even if no one else seemed to get it. He 'tsk'-ed at the tough crowd before waving aimlessly at the Zaunite. "Well, shoot. I guess I'll be working with you here. Not like I have much choice." He grumbled that last part under his breath, regaining his regular tone afterwards. "Heya."
"...Hi." Powder stated lamely, giving a small wave at Roland, not knowing what else to do or even say at the moment.
What? This was the first human being she's interacted with in seven years! Give her a break!
"Right back at ya, kid." Roland responded robotically, not even paying his greeting much attention. "I'm sure you already know this, but the name's Roland. I hope we get along in whatever fucked up journey this place is going to take us. Who knows, maybe you won't keep describing me with every degrading adjective in the English language as we progress."
He put out a hand - a clear offer for a handshake. Powder stared suspiciously at the hand, as if a trap of some kind would spring out of it the moment she made contact. It wasn't until she felt her caretaker's hand push her forward that she took the hand into her own.
"Same here…I guess." She tried returning his kindness, even if seemed rather forced, shaking the hand extended to her a little too firmly before withdrawing, instead standing next to Angela, still giving a suspicious stare to Roland.
"That'll have to do for now." Roland shrugged nonchalantly, before turning to face an amused looking Angela, "So, what now boss lady? Is there anything in particular that's next on the list? Want me to grovel on the floor or sift through the endless bookshelves while making pop-corn?" He pocketed his hands once more, avoiding giving any indication that he was dismissive or bored, although he earned another glare.
"Perhaps I will, given how much unneeded sass you insist on giving, especially when this one already gives me my fill on a daily basis." Angela nudged her head toward Powder, who simply formed an impish grin on her face.
"And yet I don't see you giving her pop-corn machine threats." Roland grumbled, and it seemed he had once more stepped on his new employer's toes, for she seemed beyond offended by the mere notion.
"Roland. I would advise you to behave better if you wish to keep these threats as threats." She warned him once again, not leaving Powder's side, making him slump his shoulders.
"Oh, the humanity, how will I ever live with so much discrimination?" His attempt at humour earned no laughter - well, not outwardly anyway, in Powder's case, but she wasn't going to let him know it - and so he let out a heavy sigh, stopping his sass. "Alright, alright. Tough crowd. So, what exactly is my job going to entail here?"
"As Patron Librarian." Angela reminded him pointedly, "Specifically, of the Floor of General Works, which we are currently on. you will essentially do all that which I ask of you, from fighting and giving me information to sorting books and making sure the overall status of the Library is at peak efficiency at all times. Or at the very least, as much as possible whenever possible."
"Sounds like a lot of work for an average worker like me." The black haired Fixer stated flatly, licking his lips. "Don't library owners usually have assistants to help with that kind of stuff or is this yet another exception of the norm when it comes to this place?"
"Actually, speaking of library assistants…" Without another word, Angela opened the book in her hands, its pages suddenly being flipped through without a hand moving them, before suddenly coming to an abrupt stop. "As a matter of fact, throughout this Library, the various Agents of the former Lobotomy Corporation rest. Unfortunately, I do not have the power in the Library to awaken all of them just yet, although with the Light I possess right now, I have the power to offer you two an Assistant Librarian each. Of course, I don't control who they are, but they should be able to facilitate your work here." She directed her speech to both of her Patron Librarians, Roland strangely relaxed with his hand in his pockets and Powder straightening up her posture in attention respectively. "As the amount of Light we gather grows, so will the amount of Assistant Librarians you will have under your command and watch, alongside the other Patron Librarians who will awaken as the time passes. But for now, you two will have to make due with these for now, understand?"
"The two? Wait, who are these two assistant whatevers that you're giving us? And what're they going to help…uh, Powder over here with? Is she going to be fighting as well or…?" Roland's questions and curiosity were going to be the death of him one day, Powder was sure of it. In fact, maybe that day was particularly close, with how irritated Angela grew with every question of his.
"Well, those are all things that you can figure out later, Roland, no? Don't ask questions that don't need to be answered, am I understood?" Faced with the Library Director's sharp tone, the Fixer could only mumble something under his breath before nodding in submission, not arguing any further. "Very well. I do not know exactly who exactly shall join you as the first of your assistants, I am merely drawing from the Agents that had once worked in the Lobotomy Corporation. I'm sure their work experience will be of use, even if they won't know much about the Library. Prepare to welcome them."
Even before Roland or even Powder had a chance to object, two balls of light, both blindingly right, came forth from the book. After floating around for a moment, each one stopped right next to the two Patron Librarians: the white one next to Roland and the pink-blue one next to Powder.
Slowly, the two balls of Light assumed a more human form, the one next to Powder eventually forming a puffy, violet-haired and older looking woman with skin the color of a peach, wearing a light-blue and pink outfit that eerily mirrored the bluenette's own suit with white gloves, standing completely still next to her, with the one manifesting next to Roland, a younger looking man with a hairless head and tanned skin, having a more elaborate outfit - one that was almost identical Roland's own, though with a much more prominent white shirt under his black coat, completing the set with his own white gloves.
After a tense moment of waiting, two pairs of unfocused eyes opened up, one black and one dark green, as if they were just awakening from a deep sleep.
"Uh…Angela?" Powder began uncertainty as she walked around her so-called assistant like a cat inspecting its new home, observing every single inch of the foreign presence now under her care. "Is she okay? Is she even… you know, here with us right now?"
"Give them a moment or two." Angela responded flippantly as she closed her book, "Their minds just need a bit of time to boot up after spending so long in slumber. Don't worry too much about needing to tell them of their mission; I already implanted the information directly into their minds." Angela paused for a split-second before murmuring under her breath: "Though, maybe that's what made them so dissociative right now- Well, not to worry, I'm sure they'll be quite fine." At least, she hoped.
Before Powder could voice any more worries, just as she finished her personal inspection and stood right in front of her assistant once more, the light within the black-haired woman's eyes returned.
"What…? Where…?"
These were the first words spoken by Powder's first Assistant Librarian as she blinked rapidly, holding a hand to her head as her brain fully processed the information planted within it.
Powder positively preened at this.
"She's alive!" She shouted in joy, causing the taller woman in front of her to jolt away for a moment, stilling as the information continued seeping into her mind, "Glad to know all your mind bits are intact and fully functioning! Thought not that I actually doubted you'd be up and running properly since Angela's the one who brought you back from where ever you were, though she can be really, really when she feels like it-"
"I'm right here and can hear every single word you can say."
"- but nevertheless, I am as happy as can be to have ya on the team, miss…?"
"Suho." The taller woman answered quietly as if she was reaffirming something to herself before speaking louder and steadier with her next words, "Just Suho."
The newly named Suho found her gloved hand grabbed and shaken up and down heavily.
"Nice to meet you Suho! The name's Powder, your new boss! Now, for some basic ground rules!"
Meanwhile, Roland was still carefully approaching the other assistant; for all he knew, it was a new way to torture and humiliate him. The shaved assistant seemed less confused or flabbergasted than Powder's, instead almost looking…bored? His eyes were tired, his hands mindlessly searching for pockets on his outfit and checking his body as if he was looking for any and all parts that may be missing, though otherwise seeming entirely unfazed. Perhaps that was a sign of danger; a sign the assistant knew too much already and was planning to strike.
"...And who might you be, then?" He asked, hiding his tense tone and clearing his throat as he approached the seemingly nonchalant assistant, though the latter merely turned his head to him, his expression conveying a complete, utter, and absolute boredom, merged with a hefty amount of laziness. Roland needed to be an expert at deciphering tones and meanings.
"Bob."
The answer he got was so flat and uncaring, that the Fixer thought his new assistant was just fucking with him. When another moment or two passed by without the other shoe dropping, Roland realized that he wasn't.
"Alright. Bob what?"
"It's just that. Bob." The so-called Bob replied without a single care in the world, his tone entirely indifferent to everything that ever existed, it seemed.
"Uh. Well, what's your story, Bob?"
"Do I have to have one?" Was the bland response, the bald-headed man grabbing his tie to loosen it, "Can't I just be one of your faceless goons or something, so don't have any crazy expectations placed on me from now, and until the day I actually bite the dust?" He shrugged. "I worked for the Lobotomy Corp and didn't die. I guess that's something."
"Buddy, if your looking for something resembling a normal life, then you were born in the wrong place and time."
"That's what I tell myself every damn day." Bob looked around for an instant, his eyes landing on Suho. "Wow, of all of the possible assistants and you're stuck with me?" He tutted with something that resembled pity. "That's rough, buddy."
"Well, my boss here thinks you have enough value to be one of the first L. Corp employees to be brought back, so that's something, right?" Roland shrugged while gesturing towards Angela, who had what seemed to be an amused expression on her face, but it was hard to truly tell with her. "Who knows? Maybe you and I can make something worthwhile come out of this." Once again, Bob merely coughed, uninterested.
"Yeah, yeah. Just so you know, I'm on break until I need to fight something."
"B-Break?! But you were literally just-"
"Look, do I look like the kind of guy to do anything in life?" Roland looked over his assistant again, and for a moment, he let his honesty take over.
"Well…not really."
"Exactly."
"...It's just my luck to be stuck with you." The Grade 9 Fixer lamented, walking away from his 'assistant' and walking over to Angela, pocketing his hands. "Lovely assistant over there. I'm sure I'll adore him."
"Love you too, boss man." Roland's eye twitched, practically hearing the sarcasm dripping from each word.
"...Well, I'm certain that you'll be luckier on the next assistant you meet." Even Angela couldn't deny how unmotivating Bob's attitude was, her golden-yellow eyes moving towards the other Assistant Librarian in the room, looking absolutely overwhelmed by her patron's rambling combined with the teen still shaking her gloved hand up and down rapidly, to the point that her whole arm was being moved up and down while Rose was doing her best to not lose her balance. "Hopefully that one will prove to be more to your liking."
"...And rule #20: if you find me asleep on my tinkering bench, do not wake me up! It'll cause me to lose my inspiration for my current project, and then I'll have to scrap the whole thing." Suddenly, something lit up within Powder's blue eyes, as if she was just reminded of something, "That reminds me! I need your help with something, so let's get you properly associated with the Floor we'll be working on! Angela, Roland!" Powder turned her head around to properly address the two, "Me and Suho here gotta take care of something, so we'll be on the Floor on Psychology if you need us! Later!"
With that, Powder rushed towards the way to her personal Floor, dragging along a completely bewildered Suho with her.
"On the bright side, your assistant won't object to what you say." Angela noticed the unamused expression on Roland's face, clearly envious of the fact that Powder got a more accommodating human being to assist her while he got a vegetable that pretended to be a human.
"He won't do any of what I say, either." Roland countered, and Angela raised an index to reply before she lowered it, not having a defense.
"Well, it won't change your duties much regardless. All this complaining will get you nowhere, Roland." Angela chided, ignoring the glare she got as a response, though the suited newly-appointed Patron Librarian knew better than to tempt her wrath. "After all, we will start inviting and receiving guests starting now. I hope you can get used to your assistant soon, the both of you." She turned to the retreating forms of Powder and Suho with that last note, vaguely hearing the teenager still bombarding her new assistant with information.
"So we'll start like this? Unprepared, uninformed, and unsure of what we'll do?"
"I'm sure you'll pick things up quickly, Roland." Angela flicked her wrist, a slightly bemused tone in her voice.
"...Whatever you say, Ma'am." He finally relented, sighing as he tried accepting his new role as Angela's servant. This was necessary in order for him to fulfill his dark heart's truest desire, or so he was told.
He could hold out for just a bit longer, regardless of whatever the Library entailed him to do.
"Whatever you say."
Suho did not expect herself to be here in this current situation at this point in her life.
It wasn't always like this. Back when she was in her branch of the Corporation, she used to have a stable life. Of course, 'stable' didn't mean 'good', but she had a routine, knew the people she worked with, and went to bed at the same hour every day unless the Manager decided it was movie night.
She also died, so that was one downside to her job.
And yet, despite the fact that she willingly gave her life for others to survive, she was brought back to life once more. To serve the same AI that completely upended the cause she happily got herself killed for her own self-centered ends.
"Suho?"
Well, more like serving the one who serves that AI.
"Mmm?"
"You stopped moving all of a sudden. We're almost done, so is something wrong?"
Suho, slowly and robotically, blinked at this question, her mind returning to the current situation she found herself in.
Before her was a wide mirror, big enough to completely reflect back Suho's entire body and the task she was working on: helping her Librarian Patron with her hair doo. Well, it didn't risk her life like her work in the Corporation, but it was a tad humiliating to go from a well-respected Department Head of L. Corp's Information Team to a hair styler.
"N-Nothing." Suho shook her head slightly, "Just reflecting on the circumstances that brought me to my present task at hand."
"Yeah, I can relate to that." Powder chirped back from her seat underneath, an open book in her lap, "I tend to do a lot of that when I'm tinkering. Lots and lots of questions just start bouncing around my head, the kind of stuff that doesn't involve building up or improving my machines, but the things that make a gal question her place in life and all that junk." Powder sniffed distastefully, "Like, seriously bad for focusing."
"Understandable. I've been through that sort of thing more times than I can count." Suho admitted. "Though I must ask why you want to switch from twin pigtails to a single French braid."
Indeed, Powder's signature twin tails have been undone and reshaped into a forming braid in Sudo's hands, one that would end up being long enough to reach Powder's lower back when it was finished, a process guided by the book in Powder's lap that she took from the Floor of Art, titled in big bolded letters "Hair Styles For Dummies".
"I got a professional job now, Suho! A true and tried Patron Librarian of the Library!" Powder exclaimed proudly, taking care to not move her head too much, lest she undo the progress they've made, "I can't go walking around with little kiddie pigtails like some kind of little brat without a care in the world! I'm representing something bigger than myself now, and I gotta get a new look that shows that from now on!" Even if the twin tails were, admittedly, pretty. But she wanted to help Angela, and she needed to dress the part, as her caretaker had told her.
"I can see the logic behind that thinking. Though why'd you choose to go with this look in particular?" The violet haired woman questioned as she finished up her work.
"...It looks good. What else were you expecting me to say? It's also less easy to get yanked by potential enemies, so there's the strategic side of things."
"And needing me to do it?"
"This isn't something I can do on my own at this point in my life and I don't trust Angela's hands to do this kind of thing with ripping a piece of my hair out. You're also my assistant, and it's nice to know what ordering assistants around is like instead of being one for once." Powder paused, before adding: "Don't tell her I said any of that, capiche? This is just between you and me." She tried adding a threatening tone to her voice. She had nothing against her new helper, but she couldn't exactly let that information flow freely. She'd lose their 'softie' wars forever!
"Er…well, okay, Ma'am." Suho replied quietly, still working on the blue hair in front of her. Well, it was definitely more humiliating, but it also came with the added bonus of not being attacked by ruthless Abnormalities and other monsters that would make most of the Cityfolk sleep under five different blankets if they merely thought about them.
"Ma'am?!" Powder choked out, stricken with disbelief. "Don't make me feel so old, geez! Just Miss will do, Suho."
"O-Oh. Apologies, Miss."
"And you don't have to be so formal, either. I'm not Angela, you know. I won't chop off your limbs." Well, that could've definitely come out better, but to someone like Suho, to whom losing limbs was a daily threat, it was reassuring enough. "I said something about bossing you around, but it's honestly just nice to have human presence around- besides Angela, of course."
"But Director Angela is-"
"She's human to me, Suho." Not even needing to hear her subordinate's argument, Powder shot down the objection swiftly.
"I…see. Well, Miss Powder, I'm glad we seem to be capable of getting close to one another."
"We'll see if that stays that way."
A blanket of silence covered the two for about a minute before Suho finished tying the last knot in Powder's blue hair.
"All done, Miss Powder." The violet haired former department head announced softly, taking a step back to take a good look at her finished work as Powder did the same, turning her head left and right and vice versa to properly inspect the French braid before nodding in satisfaction.
"Great job, Suho! Way better than anything I could have done on my own! You sure you weren't a hair stylist before coming to the Lobotomy Corporation?"
"I can assure you that if I knew I had a talent for this kind of thing, I would have changed job careers back then." The former L Corp employee stated almost bluntly, "Then again, I heard the horror stories people tend to have when the specifics of their hair designs aren't met."
Powder snorted at that.
"Given where you ended up, glad that didn't happen, now did it?"
"Sure, let's go with that. What's next?"
"Next, I give you THIS!"
With great fanfare, Powder turned and dramatically presented a wide-eyed Suho with a pair of goggles that looked recently painted pink and blue.
"This is… for me?"
"Don't look so shocked now; it's just a pair of goggles I made on the fly. I don't know if it's going to help us fight anything, but they've got an adjustable zooming feature, heat-vision, and a few dozen other things I can't remember right now, so we'll figure that part out as we go!" The teenager proudly proclaimed, far too confident for someone who just said she didn't know what her goggles were fully capable of doing.
Not knowing what else to do, Suho carefully took the goggles into her hands, staring down at them with an unclear expression before looking up back at her Patron Librarian.
"Thank you for the gift." Sudo bowed her head slightly before looking back up at her beaming bossing, "What happens now?"
Powder's eyes twinkled with clear mischief and anticipation for what was to come soon.
"Now we wait for Angela to give us the order to welcome our guests. The suspense is going to be a killer, don't ya think?"
So… did you know that the setting of Lobotomy Corporation and Library of Ruina goes beyond video games?
Like seriously, I only recently found out that there's a cafe based on this franchise in Korea! Why can't the U.S. get stuff like that?!
On a more serious note, yes, this is the same Suha from the WonderLab webcomic. And no, she won't be the only one that'll appear in the story in this capacity.
So did you like the chapter? Disliked it? Leave a comment and/or review and tell us your thoughts!
Until next time!