Boy About Books
Boy About Books
Basil walked with an eagerness in his step. Nothing would get in his way. The full knowledge of the Orion archive would be at his fingers today.
The first time he'd set foot inside, he could only stare. He just couldn't bring himself to touch a single book. The respect this collection deserved… He would learn the location for every genre he could. Research the authors. Walk the rows, the floors, the collections until it really felt real. Until he felt at home within the forest of pages.
This whole situation was still a bit over his head. All he wanted was a place to study and learn comfortably. Maybe a mentor to show his progress and ask for feedback on a regular basis. Only a couple months ago, he was struggling to win the favor of any craftsman/inventors he'd visited, desperate for someone to give him the time of day- Someone to acknowledge that his work actually had potential. There were those who seemed vaguely interested but no one was prepared to take in a boy of 15 who had barely any history.
“Who did you study with previously?” They asked. “We should arrange a meeting with your guardians to discuss your educational achievements.” Basil resisted and tried to ensure these experts that his ideas were enough to show he was worthy but time and time again, Basil was turned away, and his discouragement grew.
Upon a visit to Fenugreek’s home last month, the aging man surprised Basil with the opportunity to learn at the notable Orion Keep situated in the heart of downtown New London. Arcturus had never occurred to him, he had no connections with the guild and only heard offhand about the select few who could find their place there. But Fenugreek had connections with none other than the head of Arcturus - Cardamom, and after a one on one meeting with her, she welcomed Basil to study and use the resources Orion had to offer.
Basil was unsure at the permanence of this situation. He was surely not the youngest he'd seen study here but… he was new and for the most part unguided. What if he did something wrong? What if they found out he truly wasn't welcome here and took it all away? He felt like an imposter among all these great minds, distinguished and hand chosen for their hard work and expertise in their fields. He understood he was young and had a lot to learn but also felt greatly disadvantaged. Surely the other youths here had been to the Academy or found specialized teachers to mentor them greatly past anything Basil had managed to learn in his personal study efforts. Basil resigned himself that- it didn't matter if he didn't belong and if the whole of Arcturus found out- He was GOING to become familiar friends with this library before then. His personal goal was to read at least 500 texts by the end of the year. He himself only had a small collection at home and with Fenugreek, but most didn't pertain to scientific theory or engineering. Both subjects he'd already found expansive shelves upon shelves upon rows of books for at the Archives. Today was the day he'd read his first book, and hopefully a few more after that.
Basil made his circuit around the multiple floored library, noting each section “Anthropology...Social Sciences” until he came to the one he'd come specifically to tackle today. “annnd Scientific Theory”. He felt a mixture of anticipation, determination, and giddy excitement as he set down his book bag at a table near to his section.
For just a moment Basil stopped, taking everything in. Sunlight streamed in through tall windows, the city peeking in through the panels, seeming curious as well to seek knowledge in this place. The ceilings were tall to accommodate the expansive collection, each shelf reaching high, and through on to the next floor and to the next. Upon seeing the long ladders reaching up each shelf, He knew he'd have to get to know the archivists here. Basil didn't for one second trust he could climb up with just the one arm and feasibly grab the books he needed. Basil had some anxiety about asking for help but also felt lucky. If anyone could help him, surely these archivists could recommend some of the best editions to align with Basil's interests.
The texts on the shelves were all unique, varying sizes, simple to complex designs, some were unbound, papers yellowed with age, and some crisp obviously recent additions to the collection. Maybe I could add to this someday. The thought struck Basil and it made his eyes water and heart flutter. If this could last, he could make his mark. Make a difference and share his own knowledge.
Basil shook the overwhelming thought away and stepped towards his chosen shelf. Gingerly he touched the spine of a book, and another, and a few more, still apprehensive. He knew if he couldn't choose he'd be wasting precious time.
He paced the aisle, took a deep breath, closed his eyes and reached out, carefully resting his hand on his first text. Opening his eyes he found it was of decent size. He might barely be able to finish his first read of it today. The binding was simple yet elegant and seemed well cared for despite its age. Pulling it off the shelf, Basil opened it, feeling the fragile pages and breathing the unique scent before reading a single word. He'd remember this smell forever, he decided then and there.
With a smile, he flipped to the beginning and walked over to the desk he'd picked, sitting - eyes already glued to the words within.
A shuffle and a gentle but exceptionally close laugh from his right wrenched him from the pages. He gasped aloud, startled out of his chair. The girl had sat herself at the table in his few minutes of absence and it was quite easy to gain some amusement at this gangly boy, who'd barely noticed he'd sat right beside her. “Ah sorry miss” he stumbled and looked around- seeking another table for to sit.
He'd barely made eye contact with the girl but she watched him now with curious eyes. While Basil had found his curiosity in the pages here, she found it most inherently in other people. She was somewhat small in stature but was by no means tiny. Basil plainly looked frail in comparison, and she looked maybe a couple years older. Her hair wafted in loose brown curls about her, and portrayed a lively yet gentle spirit. She smiled and patted the table “Please don't leave on my account. You are more than welcome to sit here. I saw you place your bag and just hoped maybe I'd find a study partner of sorts”
Basil shifted awkwardly. “A- Are you sure? I'm not ah-”
Rosemary peered over at the book he'd left open next to her “Oh wow! Alchemical Reduction : Theories and Practice ... Never read this one. The alchemic theory texts are quite confusing if you don't have a handle on the rules. I surely don't.”
Basil felt a slight comfort. She was here to learn just as he was. She wasn't a threat, he tried to ensure himself. “I ah- I had the opportunity to read a few through some inherited texts of mine.. They definitely took some puzzling out. Each one has it's differences too.” He moved closer and approached now from the other end of the table, taking a seat now across from the girl instead of right beside her. Pulling his book over, and setting it down in the middle where they both could see, he pointed to some of the symbols on the first page “I've seen this specific code once before but there's this runic key that is completely new to me. I'll probably be pulling a few other books before too long just to figure it out.” He mused.
“Ah I won't be much of a study help then, all of my books are mostly anthropological studies… but if you do need a second pair of eyes, don't hesitate to grab me.”
Basil nodded thinking in particular about the ladders that stretched so high, “I might have to take you up on that”. Settling in for a long read, he situated the book neatly and front of him, and produced a notepad and pen from his book bag.
Just as he began to lose himself again in the material, the girl spoke “What's your name?” Basil tensed. Feeling a pang of worry he responded shakily “I- I'm Basil Genovere. And I am just realizing how rude I've been.” Basil sat up and reached his arm across the table. She reciprocated, grabbing hold of his slender hand but taking care to do so gently. She was surprised to feel his grip held purpose and intent, this wasn't a typical casual handshake among friends. It felt official and important and she made note of it.
“Rosemary. I'm excited to learn more about you, Basil.” She withdrew her hand and returned to her stack of books, happy to have made a new connection.
Basil blinked and rolled his neck, trying to relieve some of the tension. Introductions were often a little difficult. He looked down at his book again, focus somewhat lost to the anxious feeling that'd started to grow in him. Contrary to his hopes this book wouldn't be finished today.