In Which the Gretija Library Receives a Visitor

On a cloudy afternoon in mid spring, the Gretija Library received a visitor. This was not particularly uncommon, but most visitors were there for the library, not the Library. This visitor was definitely there for the Library. He had that air about him.

After walking a ways into the stacks where no one could see him (except, of course, the Library itself,) the visitor bowed his head and quietly said, “Good mourning, Library.”

“And fine grievances to you, visitor,” the Library responded in a voice quiet as the turning of a page, “I am at your service, if you wish it.”

The visitor sat down against a shelf, letting out a deep breath. “I won’t find what I’m looking for in a book. I’m trying to find a family tree.”

The Library rumbled. Family trees were tricky for demons. “I can see why you’ve come to me. If I had a name, I could likely find something. If I can’t, I could always call in a Favour.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that. I’m Dirt,” said the visitor, “I have no contact with my sibling. Our predecessor’s name was Cor Dór.”

The Library knew that name. “I should have some records of your line. Cor Dór was a friend of a friend. We were not close. I didn’t know he had passed.”

“Mm,” Dirt hummed, “Twenty-three and a half years ago. It does not surprise me that you didn't know. I barely know his name.”

The Library hummed in return. As it pulled a few papers out to get a better look at them in the archives, though Dirt could not see that, it asked, “Why do you look for trees, I wonder?”

Dirt blushed. “It’s... an embarrassing reason,” he said as the Library’s main eye stared down at him from the shelf, “It... I have a crush on a host, see, and the Other people get weird about blood family, so I thought I’d be more confident if I knew I wasn’t related to her visitant?”

“Ah, romance. So foriegn to me,” the Library said, laughing. “I can check the visitant’s tree too, if I had another name.”

Dirt looked hopeful. “That would be nice,” he said, “Her name is Bertha Lones.” The Library laughed. “What? What’s so funny?” Dirt asked flatly.

“I know the Lonea well. I practically raised their predecessor, who was Divine. They hold no ties to you.”

Dirt deflated. “Oh.”

“I think you’ll be a good fit, from what I know of Suzie.”

“Thanks. Can I...”

“Feel free to come back anytime, Dirt. If you need something from me or not.”

“Thank... Thank you.”