Hod is right, it’s only over when they all stop trying. And for Malkuth, that time wasn’t coming soon if she had anything to say about it. Whatever Angela had planned with the light they were gathering, she would choose to believe that the dream of completing and undoing the damage of the White Nights and Dark Days was one that would see a happy end. For everyone. And, well, maybe Angela too. For all the awful things that she did, she deserved some kind of closure like everyone else in the Sephirah, right? At this point it was impossible to empathize at least a little…
“Hahahaha. No! I like listening to you talk, Hod! But… I wonder what Gebura would say if she was listening. Eh–” Wait, she wasn’t actually listening was she? Malkuth affords a moment to glance around the floor of Literature with a scrutinizing gaze before clearing her throat and looking back to the other Patron.
“Ahem. Where was I? Right. She’s experienced some of the worst sides of this city, after all. Born in the backstreets and climbing all the way to a rank of color fixer she’s definitely seen more than we have. A lot more than me. Compared to everyone else here I’m…” Useless. “Pretty normal! I’m not sure if I have any right to say what the people in the City right now do or don’t think about everyone else, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up or stop trying. But also, with all these books coming in and what they all say… ahhh. Maybe it’s all biased or something! The people come here are after something to begin with, a lot like us. That’s what I’m choosing to think!”
“Forgetting all that! We are in this together! And even if I can’t go back to the Nest I lived in before, even if I can’t be Elijah anymore, there’s lots of other places I’d like to see with you once this is over and we can get another shot at living with these bodies. I know I plan on taking better care of it. Clothes! Food! Maybe a different hairband?!” She giggles noisily, thinking aloud on the dream that Hod mentioned. Was this something that Angela had caused as well, somehow? They’d all been so resigned to a final sleep once the project at L Corp was completed after all. But now—
Some final emphatic humming as the last few books are slotted in and she hops off the ladder and brushes off her jacket, arms folded as she takes one of those deep breaths Roland had tutored her on doing. They really did a lot to keep her from sinking into that pit in her head, about what kind of effect she’d have on the world, and what she was capable of, and…
“…..pah! Okay! Good work, Hod! Lets get going. Hopefully we find that organizer and everything will be as it should. I’ve got some catching up in my notes to make already. And of course we can meet with Summer and the others if you want. I wonder if they would have anything they’d want to say about this? Ah, but– Harry would definitely gossip so that’s not a good idea. Not… that I was saying anything bad about anyone!”
Malkuth awkwardly laughs that off as she makes her way for the exit.
... She wasn’t listening, was she? To mirror Malkuth’s curiosity, her own head tilts and turns to glance at any of the nearby entrances to the floor, trying to spot anyone who may look like a tall woman with long, flowing red hair. None match the description, thankfully -- not that she thought this topic would be inappropriate, but after taking her words into careful consideration, maybe Gebura would be a tad miffed. After all - she is just another cogwheel in the gears that keep this city ‘functional.’ Another rank to file. Another casualty to disregard.
With a soft, somber sigh, Hod retains her attention with Malkuth. A plain smile works its way to her lips as she listens to Malkuth’s own rambling. “ I hardly think of you as ‘normal.’ “ She pauses, reconsidering her words. “ ... I mean that in a good way, of course. You and I -- I’d imagine we’re hardly any different from the rest of the Sephirah. Sure, Gebura might’ve once been the Red Mist, but who’s to say we also wouldn’t have made substantial life choices? “ She slightly adjusts her position so as to not bar Malkuth on her way down the ladder, once she’s done.
“ We’re both special in our own unique ways. It might be vastly different from your average Nest citizen, but I think that’s what keeps us closer together, like one big, weird family. Hehe.. “
It is funny to think about... how every one of the patron librarians -- the Sephirah - all feel like a huge found family. Not all of them get along, sure, but that doesn’t mean that when push comes to shove, they’ll have each other’s backs at the end of the day.
“ I definitely think of you as something like family to me, Malkuth. If you feel like you’re still normal -- then I guess we all are normal too, right? A nice, normal ‘family.’ “
As Malkuth descends from the ladder, Hod turns to meet her side as they both begin walking off to her floor. “ The sooner we can get your organizer back, the quicker we can end the day. I’d love to stay and chat with some of your assistants, if they’re also able to spare the time. I’m sure Harry would love to hear about today’s reception on the other floors. That wide-eyed expression of his whenever I do some storytelling is adorable. “
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