Carmela had come to Aurum Library in search of a book. Not just any book, not just her usual books of fantasies and fairy tales, but a book that had been found and given to Aurum Library as part of a historic preservation process. Rumor had it that it was a book of human stories. Carmela knew that the Aurum Library had some human history books located in the farthest, most hidden corners, but many of those books only wrote about specific human cultures, none of which her mother was a part of. From what Carmela knew, her mother, Lilah, was part of a small, stateless culture that was ancient by human standards. There were no current books on it. Thus, Carmela could only go by what her mother had told her years ago.
Long ago, her mother had given her a book that told her of her mother’s world. There were some stories and songs, or chants, or whatever her mother had called them, Carmela could not remember well. She just knew that it had been lost during the war, and she had not been able to recover it. As soon as she heard of a book about a human culture not previously documented by the fae, she dragged her human servant Daniel with her to the library. She knew that if Daniel was good at anything, it would be finding rare books.
Carmela had been about to ask the front desk for information on human books when Daniel pulled her aside.
“I know where it would be located,” Daniel said.
“Have you read much about fae records of human cultures?” Carmela asked, both curious and bewildered by how little she knew of Daniel’s hobbies.
“Yes,” Daniel confessed as he escorted her up the stairs.
“How did I not know this about you?” Carmela asked, clinging to the human’s hand.
“Because you don’t pay attention, that’s why.”
Daniel guided Carmela to a set of bookshelves hidden behind several study rooms. Carmela had perused many shelves tucked in the hidden corners of the library, and yet, never in her life did she think to look through this area.
“What does the book look like?” Daniel asked. “Do you remember?”
Carmela nodded. “It was a small book. I think the cover’s got to look awful by now. The writing isn’t in our language either. I’m not sure I can read all of it.”
“This must be it,” Daniel said, pulling the book from the shelves.
Carmela held the book in her hands, recognizing the foreign lettering. She flipped through the book’s pages, refreshing her memory on the book’s contents. Stories and songs that she vaguely remembered were all in there. One story, she realized as she read through the pages, was about slavery.
Carmela and Daniel turned around to see a Sidhe fae asking them about the book. A little surprised, Carmela clung to the book more tightly.
“This is a recovered book,” Carmela stammered. “And… it is in another language anyway.”
“A human language previously undocumented by the fae,” Daniel said, his odd mannerisms making his own clumsy humanness more obvious. “We’re going to check it out right now and bring it to a human interpreter.”
Cora had spent the majority of her life living amongst the Seelie but her views on humans and halflings had never changed; the views her parents installed in her still clearly imprinted in her mind. Aside from memories, it was all she had left of them. She certainly didn’t have anything physical like a trinket. Even if her parents had been able to afford such a thing Cora would never have been able to risk bringing such an item with her. She never actually encountered the abominations her parents told her about until arriving in Wisteria. They had them in Belladonna but it was different. They were pets, here they were allowed to walk freely. Almost like equals.
During her many years as a spy, Cora had almost perfected the art of concealing her true feelings and emotions. Even in the rare occurrences her facade did slip it went unnoticed by most, if not all. Usually, it was her anger, anger in response to those who killed her parents, that occasionally flickered across her face. At times, however, it was disgust and right now it was a look of disgust that Cora was having to hide behind a friendly smile. It was obvious that standing in front of her was not just a halfling but a human as well. Just being this close to them made her skin crawl.
She glanced towards the book that she hadn’t realised was a human book. “It would be of little use to me then,” Cora replied in a charming and gentle manner. “I had no idea of its contents, the unique look of the book attracted my attention. Now I know why it looks so different.” She made sure to offer the girl a kind smile who seemed rather nervous. “I think I’ve heard of you around court, although, I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting you before. Forgive me if I’m wrong but it’s Carmela, right?”
Cora made an effort to learn everyone’s names and remember little tidbits about their family or work. Such a simple act meant that most warmed up to Cora immediately and think of her fondly. She had heard the halfling’s names mentioned on a few occasions, just being what she was made her stand out not just to Cora but to many other fae. “Don’t worry, I’ve only heard good things,” She continued reassuringly. “I’m sorry to say I don’t know your friend's name but if my memory serves me I’m guessing this must be your human servant.” Cora made sure to look at the human and offer him a smile as well.
The words that flowed from Cora’s lips came with ease even if they did go against every fiber of her being. It was almost too easy sometimes acting like the good-hearted and gentle lady in waiting most the Seelie thought she was. “Is the book important to you?” Cora inquired, noting how the girl clung to it.
