Goetia floated across the library with several books in hand. He had noted that Tomas had begun to increasingly stay out for longer periods of time in recent days. He suspected it somehow involved his other priorities which were not linked to his disguise.
Goetia's only complaint would be that it left him with more work. While he had little in the way of hobbies, he had noted that Tomas's ventures had been keeping him from further researching into Crests, purely because he was forced to keep busy.
"M-mr...Goetia?" A young voice called out, the tanned man froze middair. He didn't recognise this one. He looked over the balcony to see a young girl with purple hair enter the library. Her hesitance screamed of a lack of social interactions. "A-are you there?"
He levitated the books into their shelves and floated over the railings to the ground. Evidently the girl had yet to realise he was here.
"Well, he's not here Bernie." She sounded somewhat relieved "I guess I can just go back to my room and…" she trailed off as she clearly registered a presence behind her.
"Can I assist you, young lady?" Goetia called out, the girl went stiff and her breathing accelerated. For several seconds there was silence, then she released a high pitched scream of terror before spinning around and falling to the floor.
"Don't kill me!" She wailed and threw up her hands to protect herself from her mystery assailant.
"I have yet to make a habit of killing students entering the library." Goetia dryly remarked.
"Oh no!" The purple haired girl wailed "You're going to be his first victim Bernie!"
"I assure you, I am not going to-" Goetia was cut off when she flew into another rant of paranoid ravings. He quickly came to the conclusion that this girl was a social recluse to the extent that she would actively imagine the worst scenarios.
For her entire tirade, Goetia remained silent, merely stared at her in slight confusion how her claims became less grounded in reality and borderline delusional.
"Girl." Goetia spoke, his tone likely coming across far deeper than intended as the girl stopped talking instantly and stared at him, wide eyed and in terror "Calm yourself. I will neither kill you, nor turn your skin into new book coverings. What did you come here for?"
"R-right…" The girl slowly climbed back to her feet, although she pointedly avoided looking in Goetia's direction "I was...assigned to help out in the Library today…"
"I see." Goetia nodded and walked past her "Do you have any previous experience with such things?"
"N-no…" She hesitantly admitted.
"Unfortunate." Goetia simply replied, which was apparently enough for her to wince slightly and shake with an even greater amount of fear. Much to his minor annoyance.
"Are there any other students I should be expe-"
"There you are Bernadetta!" A rather boisterous voice called out, Goetia and the girl turned to see an orange haired young man strut into the library, a relieved look on his face "You ran off before I had a chance to speak with you about how best we may prepare for our assignment." he stopped and took notice of Goetia standing next to her "Ah, you must be the new assistant librarian. I am Ferdinand Von Aegir, legitimate son of the Aegir family, the Empire's most foremost house."
"...Goetia." The tanned man replied "Assistant librarian, I shall assume you and the young Bernadette are here for the same reason?"
"That is correct my good man." Ferdinand announced, a wide smile on his face "We have been instructed to assist you in your role as Librarian, ordinarily we would aid Tomas, however as you are here and he is not, it falls to you to organise us."
"I shall assume you are also inexperienced with the assortment of shelves in a library." Goetia withheld a sigh when Ferdinand shook his head. Minor annoyance was an emotion he had found himself experiencing more recently. The downsides of no longer being governed by pity.
"Come." He gestured for the two to follow him "For how long are you to assist me?"
"Professor Hanneman informed us that we would assist you for at least six hours." Ferdinand replied, Bernadetta just squealed slightly when Goetia turned back to the pair.
"I see." He hummed in thought for a few moments "The section on magical research from Imperial year six-hundred to Imperial year eight-hundred must be re-organised according to date of publication within a ten year timespan and author." he looked at Ferdinand "That will be your task."
Ferdinand nodded, Goetia then turned to Bernadetta, who tried to shrink away from him "As for you...the fiction section regarding 'Romance and Fantasy' is in need of logging." he walked over to the desk and began to sort through several parchments before he found the one he was looking for "This is the catalogue of all books in that section of the library." he handed it to her, which she hesitantly took "It is archived in alphabetical order. Ensure that all copies of the books on that list are accounted for, any discrepancy shall be brought to my attention."
He looked back to the pair of them, still staring at him "You may attend to the tasks I have given you." he looked at the clock on the wall "Your first break shall be in one hour, which shall last five minutes. I shall alert you when you may rest."
"I shall ensure this task is fulfilled as perfectly as to uphold the Aegir family name." Ferdinand announced then walked off.
Bernadetta fidgeted when Goetia turned to her "I-I'll...m-make su-sure all the books are here." she dashed off to her corner.
While Tomas's ventures were none of his concern...there was a small part of him that wondered how the disguised man truly felt about these menial tasks.
________
Bernadetta was, for lack of a better word, somewhat…
Okay, completely, terrified of the new librarian. It wasn't like Tomas, who was just some kindly old man.
No...Goetia floated...Floated...around the Library like some kind of ghost. For the few hours she was assisting in the Library, she could never tell where he was.
She couldn't hear his feet and sometimes she'd freeze when they made eye contact. His red eyes were a little unnerving to her. He looked like a villain from a story book! Red eyes, missing arm, sinister sounding name! He was there to get her.
She just knew it!
She sorted through the books in a terrified silence, she'd occasionally hear the rustle of clothes when he floated towards the back of her. She'd always freeze whenever he did that, it was likely he was studying her...just waiting for the perfect moment to-
"I'm not going to kill you. Stop panicking." Bernadetta squealed as the voice of her murderer echoed throughout the library.
"L-liar…" She muttered quietly, more for her own ears than his.
"If I wanted you dead, you never would have seen me." Which he still heard, if his dismissal of her fears was any indication "Regardless...your fear is...unjustified." he said again. Bernadetta didn't respond, merely shook on the spot.
"Hmm…" Goetia hummed "You have done...adequate work thus far." with that, he floated away from her, leaving the stunned girl alone in front of a bookcase.
______
Goetia had a thoughtful look as he left the girl. Her primal fear of everything was…pitiable. He disliked feeling that word, yet her reactions around him. Her fear of everything he did, every move he made, every time he even looked in her direction.
That was no way for a person to live. She acted how he had envisaged humanity should act when confronted with their own mortality, afraid of everything that would cause them harm. Yet humans rarely acted in such a way, Fujimaru Ritsuka...Mash...they both held a fear of the end, yet they wanted to live. They strove for their life so desperately instead of being consumed by their fear of death.
This girl...lacked that same strength...and that was pitiable.
"Von Aegir." Goetia called out as he approached the ginger student, the boy spun around and gave a brief nod of acknowledgement towards him.
"Ah, Goetia." He smiled, staring back at the shelves in pride "I am pleased to report that my work in re-organising the shelves as you instructed is coming along nicely." he turned back to the Librarian "Was there something else you needed?"
"The girl...Bernadetta." Goetia began, Ferdinand frowned slightly "She is...unusually alert to my presence."
"Ah...yes." He shook his head "I am afraid that Bernadetta is...shy...when it comes to meeting new people. I am honestly surprised that she showed up to begin with." he then held up his hands in a placating manner "Not that I mind her of course! It is just that she is always like that."
"I see." Goetia simply replied, then looked over the shelf Ferdinand was working on "Adequate work. Continue." then turned away and returned to the desk at the end of the Library.
The girl had an irrational fear of everything. How unfortunate.
_______
"The work the pair of you have done has been acceptable." Goetia spoke to the pair as their task for the day ended "If you assigned to such a position again. See to it that your results are consistent."
Ferdinand gave a proud smile and nodded, Bernadetta awkwardly nodded her head and looked like she wished to be anywhere else apart from the Library.
"Young Bernadetta." The girl froze and her eyes went wide at being addressed "The results of your task are pleasing. Take pride in this achievement." he turned away from her, before suddenly stopping and turning his head back to her "On another topic. I have been told that animal companionship is good for those who suffer from social anxiety. On that note, there are many stray cats around the monastery. I suggest you begin caring for them to alleviate your stress."
Bernadetta allowed her confusion to show on her face.
Did the evil librarian who looks like a story book villain…
...Just tell her to get a cat?
______
Goetia justified his advice to her as being that her personality was so pitiable, it was becoming hurtful for him to look at. Such blatant terror at every shadow was more at home in a wild animal than a human being.
Perhaps Fujimaru had raised his bar on what he expected were the base expectations of people? If the girl wished to fear everything, he would not stop her...he just wanted it not to be so visible to him.
Goetia's gut rumbled. He remained blank faced as the familiar sensation of hunger found its way into his being. He looked to the time. It would appear it was fast approaching dinner.
Were they serving Tomato soup again? He would admit to himself that out of all the foods he had tasted since his arrival. Tomato soup was he preferential choice.
________
"Mr Goetia! I do not believe we have entered the dining hall at the same time yet, have we?" The tanned man shook his head at his green haired companion, then gave her a small glance out of the corner of his eye.
"I believe I told you I prefer being addressed as Goetia, young Flayn." He commented as they continued through the queue.
"I will call you Goetia, if you call me Flayn." She puffed her chest out and smiled at the blank face she received.
"As you wish, Flayn." The girl's smile seemed to get wider as she then nodded her head.
"Thank you, Goetia." She then looked at the menu "Oh! They are serving fish for dinner tonight! That is my favourite."
"You are partial to pescetarianism?" Goetia asked as he studied today's menu. Then frowned "They do not have Tomato soup…"
"That is Saturday's special." Flayn commented, then looked at Goetia quizzically "I assume it is your favourite."
"It is preferable." The frown faded into a straight face "However, it is not the only thing I am capable of eating…simple the easiest."
"I see." Flayn nodded, then got an idea "Have you ever tried fish before, Goetia?"
"No." He replied "Fishing is task which typically requires two hands. I could supplement my missing limb with magic and simply levitate the fish from the water. However...I was told that was the wrong way of doing so."
"Well, then!" Flayn grinned "Perhaps this is an opportunity for you to be introduced to the wonders of fish!"
"...You are going to have me eat th-"
"I am going to have you eat the fish, yes."
"...Very well." He stepped towards the counter and looked up at the menu, then stared down at the chef "Fisherman's bounty."
"Sure." The man replied, then spun around "One Fisherman's bounty!"
"Of course." Goetia raised an eyebrow as Dedue walked out from the kitchen wearing a chefs hat and apron, holding a trout.
"I did not know Dedue could cook." Flayn blinked in surprise next to Goetia, then tanned man cast her a glance.
"I knew of many warriors who were capable of cooking, despite it not being expected of them." Goetia shrugged his shoulders "The boy is allowed his talents, odd as you may find them."
"I did not mean it in an offensive way...I am just surprised." Flayn admitted "Although...I do find myself curious as to how good it will taste."
"It is food." Goetia replied "Provided it is edible, I care not."
Flayn frowned at him "Goetia. You should enjoy the taste of food, the sweet aroma of fish wafting through the air...the delicious taste it brings when you put it in your mouth. That is what makes me happy."
"Consuming dead animal meat." Goetia monotonaly remarked, Flayn narrowed her eyes at him.
"I have the distinct impression you are making fun of me."
"I am merely stating the facts of the situation." Goetia gave her a blank look "Whether or not you consider that to be a remark at your expense it entirely up to your own perspective."
Flayn huffed "We shall see if you are still saying such things after you are welcomed into the wonderful world of fish."
"I have no intention to take up swimming."
"You are doing this on purpose now."
"I'm afraid your suspicions are unfounded."
Flayn stared at him in an accusing manner while they waited for their meals to arrive, her stare continued to pierce the side of his head even when they collected their trays and sat down.
"You intend to eat with me?" Goetia asked, staring at the green haired phantasmal girl now sat opposite him, with a raised eyebrow.
Flayn nodded "Food always tastes best when eaten with company." she then grinned "I also wish to see how you will react when you taste your first fish."
"Hmph." Goetia grunted an acknowledgement as he picked up his spoon and scooped up a small amount of the stew. It looked edible. He didn't see why it ultimately mattered taste wise.
He placed it in his mouth and chewed, Flayn staring at him the whole time.
He continued chewing as he became to take in the flavour…
He swallowed his bite of the stew, Flayn staring at him expectantly "Well?" she asked after a few moments "How was it?"
"...Its good." He said as he went for a second bite. Flayn apparently saw all she needed to as her smile became more smug.
"You're smiling." Goetia froze, he set the spoon down in his stew and reached up to his face.
The corner of his lip was tilted upwards. He instantly corrected the movement and thinned his lips.
"It was a nice smile." Flayn lamented, then took a bite of her own stew and froze. Chewing hastily, her surprised expression never faltered as she swallowed her mouthful and stared at the stew, then across the dining hall at Dedue and then back to her food.
"Is there an issue?" Goetia asked as he took another bite of his stew.
"No!" Flayn virtually shouted at him "This is the best fish I have ever eaten in my life!"
Goetia simply swallowed the mouthful he was currently chewing.
"I...I must learn from him!" She announced, Goetia said nothing as she exclaimed her plans to attempt to cook food.
"Are you sure that is the best use of your time?" He asked as he stopped himself from taking another bite.
"Absolutely!" Flayn replied, brimming with determination "If I can acquire even half of his skill in making such delicacies, then I shall be content!"
"That is not what I meant." Goetia replied, at her confused look he elaborated "You need not learn advanced cooking skills. More importantly, would you not feel it more beneficial to pursue more...practical talents? An advancement in healing magic perhaps?"
"I am not doing it to be practical." Flayn replied with a frown "I am doing it because I will enjoy it. Cooking is something I enjoy." she then frowned "However...Seteth used to have me avoid the kitchen...most peculiar."
"Perhaps you lack cooking talent." Goetia supplied, Flayn narrowed her eyes at him.
"Are you suggesting I cannot cook?"
"I am suggesting that either Seteth was possessive of the kitchen...or you could not match the basic criteria for edible food." Goetia took another bite out of his stew.
"Nonsense!" Flayn immediately denied "I am sure it was just my brother being overly cautious about the knives." she convinced herself "In which case, all the more reason to learn all I can from Dedue and make up for lost time in the kitchen!"
"You still haven't answered my question, surely you would not devote yourself to the challenge of learning to cook simply because you enjoy it?"
"Well…yes." Flayn replied "That is what a hobby is Goetia...we do things like that because we enjoy it." she then tilted her head to the side and looked at him with...pity? "Do you...not have something you enjoy doing?"
"If I do something it is because it needs doing." Goetia remarked to her "Enjoyment of the task is secondary."
"That is no way to live." Flayn's face grew more sombre "Surely you must have something you do because you enjoy it?"
"I…" Goetia went to speak then furrowed his brows...he'd never actually enjoyed anything. Not truly "I do not see the need for a hobby. I would rather not waste my time with frivolities."
"Is that so…" Flayn frowned and raised an eyebrow "Because I hear that a certain girl from the Golden Deer house has been frequenting the Library as of late."
"You speak of my tutoring of Lysithea." Goetia raised an eyebrow in reply as Flayn smirked "You suggest that to be some form of hobby?"
"Is it not?" Flayn tilted her head "You are not being paid to tutor her are you, you do not need to do it and you seem to have no problems in humouring her."
"It benefits myself as well." Goetia countered "I am curious to see if a native of Fodlan could utilise the branches of magic that I was familiar with."
"Curious yes." Flayn admitted "But you did not really need to do it...did you?"
He furrowed his brows in thought "I…" and trailed off. He didn't need to do it, it wouldn't have impacted his life in any meaningful way if he had ignored that idle curiosity and kept his mouth shut when they first met.
So why? Why did he teach her?
"I see." Flayn nodded and smiled "It seems you have found your hobby. Magic and research."
"That is…" Goetia began only to freeze "Not...inaccurate…"
"Not a terribly interesting hobby." Flayn shrugged "But it is yours…although I would not be averse to helping you find another one."
"Such as?"
"Well." She pursed her lips and hummed "Have you ever thought of painting?"
"Painting?" Goetia raised an eyebrow "You suggest I utilise my time in painting?"
"Why not?" Flayn suggested "I believe that there is a market in the town at the base of the Monastery which sells art supplies. We could have you try at the very least."
Goetia sighed "You are determined, are you not?"
"I believe I explained as much in the library when we first met." She smirked, Goetia scoffed at her.
"So you did…" He looked her in the eye, Flayn found it unsettling how it seemed to look right through her, a mixture of disbelief and...envy? "Your perseverance is very...human."
"Well." Flayn shrugged "If I'm going to put my mind to something, I want to see it through to the end."
"Perhaps you should be more concerned with your attempts at culinary training before you concern yourself with me well-being." Goetia pointed out, then withheld a sigh "I also believe you should be more concerned with your attempts to govern your own house than attempting to sneak up on me, Von Riegan."
"Damn." He heard a chuckle "I swear, you and Teach have got eyes in the back of your head." he sat himself down next to Goetia "You mind if I sit here?"
"You are free to sit where you wish."
"Thanks." He grinned, then flashed a look at Flayn "You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all." Flayn smiled "I was just telling Goetia that food always tastes best when in the company of others."
"Nice saying." Claude agreed and nodded his head "Also, you two don't seem to be the type to judge me on my eating habits."
"Judge you?" Goetia raised an eyebrow at the boy, Claude nodded his head as he put his tray on the table.
"Yeah, some of the other Nobles I sit with are kinda stuffy when it comes to manners and what not. Its why I like eating with Rafael, Ignatz and Leonie. They aren't really all that fussy when it comes to stuff like that."
"You do not intend to eat with your fingers do you?"
"Goddess no." Claude chuckled "I might not eat like most Nobles, but I'm not some savage." he picked up his fork and broke off a portion of his fish "So what were you guys talking about?"
"I was discussing getting Goetia a hobby." Flayn said, Claude blinked at her then flashed Goetia an intrigued look "It seems he is rather...lost, when it comes to free time."
"What's this?" Claude chuckled "And here I thought Lysithea would be taking up all your time with questions and books and stuff."
"She is adequate when it comes to learning magic." Goetia said as he scooped up more stew "In truth, she is making great progress in her learning of Runes."
"Runes?" Claude raised an eyebrow "She's not gonna go into fortune telling is she?"
Goetia released a huff that could be either described as one of annoyance or amusement "Not quite so advanced. Besides, runecraft which could foresee events was abandoned long ago due to its vague nature. Even Primordial runes could offer little more than suggestive themes as to future events."
"I was joking...that's an actual thing?" Claude blinked in surprise, as did Flayn who now looked very interested.
"You mean like palm reading? I think there's a person down in the town who does that sort of thing." Goetia raised an eyebrow at Flayn and shook his head.
"It baffles me how despite being Seteth's sister, you can remain this naive." Claude snorted and looked away when Flayn flashed him a shocked look "The individual in the town is likely a peddler of falsity."
"A...peddler of falsity?" Flayn parroted and looked to Claude, the boy biting his lip in amusement before deciding to enlighten the poor girl.
"He means that the guy is a scam artist." Claude explained "He's probably doing some mumbo jumbo and calling it 'fortune telling' just get some money out of poor saps."
"How awful!" Flayn looked appalled "To think that someone could prey on people like that!"
Goetia and Claude stared at her with slightly raised eyebrows before the pair looked at eachother.
"I see what you mean." Claude whispered to Goetia, the tanned man nodded his head "So...off of that slightly depressing topic...you were looking for a hobby?"
"Flayn suggested a hobby, she seems determined to find something for myself to do when not occupied with the Library or with tutoring Lysithea."
"You got any suggestions?" Claude turned to Flayn, the girl shook herself out of her thoughts on the previous conversation before giving a thoughtful look.
"I did suggest he try his hand at painting." She then looked down at his missing arm and blanched "I-I didn't mean-!"
"You lack the capability of aggression." Goetia cut her off "Regardless...I have never attempted to paint."
"Painting, eh?" Claude scrunched his eyes at Goetia as he put his food in his mouth and chewed. After a few moments he swallowed then frowned "I don't see it...what about bird watching?"
"Bird watching?" Goetia parroted "You suggest I spend my free time observing the avian wildlife?"
"We, I'm just spitballing here." Claude shrugged "You seem to be kind of...intellectual, yet you aren't a teacher…" he hummed and tapped the table "Quite the conundrum…"
"Well, what did you do back home?" Flayn asked "Surely you did something?"
"I never had any interest in hobbies." Goetia replied, taking a small bite of his stew "I was instructed to carry out my duty and that was all that was required of me."
"You don't seem to be doing it much now though." Claude pointed out "I'd say you've been doing duties long enough, try and live a little!" he finished with a grin as he pat Goetia on the back.
The glittery haired man frowned "Live a little…" he remained, confused and yet...he was slightly intrigued.
Live a little.
There was potential in this endeavour "As you wish." Goetia eventually replied "What do you have in mind?"
"There we go!" Claude grinned "Trust me, for the rest of the tomorrow we're gonna be taking you to do all sorts of stuff!"
"Do you not have lessons, Von Riegan?"
"...Damn…" Claude winced "I would skip...but Professor Manuela would likely chase me down…" his eyes glinted with an idea "Say...how do you feel about school?"