He asked her if she was good, and it was with such a genuine concern that Willowâs heart ached with affection. âYes, Iâm okay. Iâm not alone, there are other people that help keep my Quackertâs safe,â she assured, reaching out to give Ozâs shoulder a reassuring pat. It was true that sometimes Willow felt like the other workers at the library didnât care quite as much about the safety of the books as she did, but one worked with what they had. She prayed vehemently that Quackert remained equally safe because she didnât doubt for a second that the male would be devastated, that his heart would be hurt.
OH. OHHHH. She vaguely remembered Percy telling her about an extra weird customer interaction. Willowâs eyes widened and she gave a delighted laugh. âOh I know Percy, sheâs my friend. She likes fish alright but much more when theyâre cooked and they donât still have eyes.â She realized he probably wouldnât understand her sentence as it was, that they were going round and round in an unproductive circle. A mermanâŚthatâs what she was looking at. Her grandpa had sworn they existed, but sheâd never thought sheâd see one. âNo, no I donât speak Mermish on my own,â she admitted, friendly smile and her body language light as she headed for her desk. âBut I have a special tool that might help.â
Magic was imbibed in a lot of technology and tools within town. Willow gestured for Oz to take a seat in the computer chair at her desk, letting her own frame claim the desk as her perch. She began rooting through a drawer, letting out a triumphant sound as she straightened, an old school tape recorder in hand. Willow wasnât sure what that meantâŚold schoolâŚbut the item had been heavily magicked to understand and adapt to languages and provide translations. âSo if this works rightâŚitâs going to take my english words, and then play them back to you in Mermish. And then itâll play anything you say back to me in English.â
Pointer finger settled on the red record button, pushed hard, microphone pressed to her lips. âI donât think Mermish has been spoken in this town in a long town, if ever, so Iâm not sure if the device will catch onto it. But if this works, if you understand me, youâll take this into your hands, push down on the red button while youâre talking, and then let go of the button when youâre done.â Anticipation and curiosity mingled in her gaze as she stopped recording and then hit the play button, eagerly watching Ozâs face for signs that the words were being translated for him.
Oz furrowed his brows with concern and motioned around them quizzically. âMore.. hoomans.. help?â He asked and found himself trying to peek around for any other souls helping keep her Quackerts safe. Â The mermanâs mouth opened and his jaw slacked as if he hesitated trying to figure out the appropriate words. âI help? Quackerts?â The manâs eyes travel from them to Quackert and then to the books. He just had to make sure no one took them from their chains? He could do that. He did guard a prison at one point, even though.. he didnât do a very good job at that. Still the question was practically glowing across his forehead. Â âWHO?;â
The man stared at her blankly, blinking rapidly at her comment. She knew Percy! This was perfect! âAhh Percee yes..â He tried to soak in what Willow had told him, but the only thing evident was the growing wrinkle between both of his brows. âShe like fish? I ah.. make madâŚhow..sorry Perceee?â He asked and tilted his head curious how to right his wrong. Since he hadnât seen Percy in such a long time, but then again he didnât really go to the coffee place anymore. The few times he did venture he hadnât caught the familiar sight of the woman. The full lips drop down into a pout when she seemed to say she didnât speak Mermish.
He followed her unsure of what he would find. The items behind the desk were mainly foreign to him. One finger extended to poke at the computer screen, and then softly knock on it. Quackert let out a challenging squeak so Oz leaned over and set him down atop of the desk with Oz. The little terror had become occupied pecking and chasing a pen across the desk. Closely he watched when the tape recorder was set on the desk. He moved his hand and pointed down to it riddled with fascination. âMermish?â
After she hit play though. It registered on his face. Some of the words were gibberish, but not all of them. Oz stared wide eyed from the contraption to Willow. Then he carefully hit the red button and repeated back in Mermish, âIt works a little bit. What is this?â He let go and grinned excitedly hoping it translated back correctly.