Not all research [[Kaine]]

[adifferentlife]

The library has turned into a wonderful resource for Sybil. Always an avid reader, she's discovered the books there are the best way to catch up on all that has happened in the years since her own time and the time most people in Darrow are from. Her choices that day aren't all for research, copies of the first two Anne of Green Gables books, A Princess of Mars (which had a rather scandalous cover), and The Primrose Ring. All books of her own time and all for comfort, to help offset the history books she has piled up on a table.

Her true delight was discovering that the library has phonograph records. She looks through the titles recognising so few. Finally she pulls out Gershwin and Billie Holiday almost at random. American composers and an American singer. It suits, she thinks, with all the Americans here.

Content with her finds, she settles back in at the out of the way table she's picked, determined to skim through the 1940s and 1950s before the library shuts.

Comments

[adifferentlife]

That she's misread him is clear, stepping back from him with confusion and concern in her eyes. "Maybe someday then."

[badtotheclone]

Great, now I've upset her. This is why I shouldn't talk to people, because they care about me and I hurt or upset them without meaning to. She'd be better off away from me.

"Don't- Look, I'm sorry. Just forget it, I- I'm not good with people."

[adifferentlife]

Sybil's sense of propriety is truly engrained, and won't allow Kaine to claim this as his own fault. "Don't be. I said too much. It isn't my place."

Still, she must try to salvage the situation somewhat. "Thank you for walking me home. It's kind of you."

[badtotheclone]

"I don't mind you asking I just- I won't answer a lot of things."

I should just tell her she's right, it's not her place and she should just leave me alone. I'm pretty sure that would be useless though or even worse just make her more determined.

"And you're welcome. I'll walk you home whenever you want."

[adifferentlife]

"I shouldn't pry," Sybil is quick to assure him, imagining the scandalised tone Mary would have taken if she'd heard some of Sybil's questioning. Never mind her mother or father. "You've no need to tell me everything. I'm not your confessor."

Sybil nods, pulling her books to her chest. "Thank you," she repeats, unsure if he has made the offer out of politeness or because he means it. "I should go, I work early tomorrow."

[badtotheclone]

"You're not. We're friends. You're allowed to ask about me."

I actually wasn't sure about that. I probably wouldn't pry into someone's life like that but Sybil had good intentions, I can tell. Maybe someday I'd tell her about part of my life, at least how it started. Some of the things in between... those were better left out.

"And I mean it. Don't let me find out you've been walking around by yourself too much," I said, trying to give her a smile to show I was joking. Mostly. I imagine the smile didn't look all that natural or convincing.

[adifferentlife]

Sybil leaves the first alone, knowing she has pushed too far today. "Next you'll have me chaperoned everywhere. Worse than my father, I believe."

It is said with a smile and a teasing note in her tone. "I finish work most days at four if you are that concerned."

[badtotheclone]

"I'll keep that in mind," I say.

I wonder if she's just joking or if she wouldn't mind if I showed up. It's not like I've got a busy schedule or anything like that and unless I'm in the middle of stopping a crime or something I can probably make it. Maybe showing up every day might get a bit weird but nothing says I can't do it every once in a while.

[adifferentlife]

"Do," she smiles at him, feeling terribly daring before turning to head into her building. Sybil pauses at the door to wave, hoping that he doesn't see the flush of her cheeks as she ducks inside.