The day was surprisingly quiet in the library. Though, most would probably argue that that was a good thing. A library should be quiet and, normally, he would agree, but Booker was a little put off by how quiet it was. Usually there were at least a few sounds of life. People talking under their breath to one another, the of books being set down on tables, even the footsteps of librarians echoing in the massive, marble halls were an inviting sound on occasion; but today, there was just nothing. That’s how it was after the holidays. Christmas time, New Years, who really wants to be in a library, studying or researching unless you were completely dedicated to your field? And, even then, there weren’t many of those people.

All it added up to was the fact that Booker B. Bookman was just...rather bored.

Sitting behind the reference desk for his shift, Booker sighed as he looked through his computer at tasks that he should be doing but kept finding his mind wandering. He loved spending the holidays with his family and friends but that time was over and he was now in his second favorite place of all time -- his job. Yup, Booker loved his job but on days like this he could see why people gave him a hard time. When there were people to help, fires to put out, it was exhilarating and amazing all together! But when there was just silence and emptiness, it could be rather depressing.

Eventually Booker turned his attention to his phone, tapping out a few texts to both Nessa and Juliette before he slipped it back into his pocket. As much as he wanted to kill time by playing a round of Pissed Avians, he knew that was a big no-no. Librarians were supposed to look busy and important behind the desk, not playing games on their phones! But, with a glance around, at this point who would give a damn?

Booker continued to struggle with his duty and his need to be stimulated. He glanced into the book drop and noted that there were still only three books in there. Shameful, really. A true sign that no one had been turning in their books. He had hoped that by some strange twist of fate that the books would have spontaneously reproduced and formed even more books for him to put away. Sadly it seemed that his mad theory simply didn’t work out the way he wanted as there were still only two books in the crate.

How dare they defy him.

But, Booker knew that if he stayed behind that desk that he was going to go absolutely out of his goddamn mind. So, a quick glance to make sure that no one needed his help (surprise, surprise, no one did) and he stood up.

Booker cut the impressive figure. A regular workout routine would do that for you. His large physique was accented by his height, an envy for most men, and yet the librarian still managed to thumb down his appearance with his attire. Black slacks adorned him from the waist down while a button-up shirt of the lightest, powder blue wound around his chest and arms. Over that was a vest of black, and all of it was pulled together by the nerdiest of gamer bowties that displayed gaming heroes from the pixel era. Truly this was a man who enjoyed his fandoms and didn’t care who knew.

Moving away from the desk, Booker moved out on the smaller, half-carts closer to him where he placed the duo of books that needed to be put away. What was worst was that they belonged directly next to one another! UGH! They could have at least been separated by a span of shelves, but nooooo. A grumble on his lips and Booker wheeled the cart around the edge of the desk and started to make his way towards the stacks. Anything had to be better than falling asleep behind the counter.

His hand reaching up to scratched the scruff of his lightly colored five o’ clock shadow that adorned his chin and jawline. Fingers then brushed through his short hair as he walked, before then covering his mouth to hide a yawn. Emerald eyes blinked as adrenaline tried to push its way back through his system, the movement only waking him up in the slightest. The the ‘tick-tick-tick’ of the wheels as they glided across the floor, Booker eventually made his way to the shelves though he tried to make the journey as slow as possible.

Finally, upon reaching the shelf, she sighed as he glanced down towards the pair of books. ”You know, you both could have worked harder to be more challenging.”

Their silence was damning all on its own.

Ever since meeting Jay, Zoe had been thinking about dogs and other canines more than she had ever thought about them. More than she had thought about dogs when she had first learned how to talk to them. Thinking about their physiology, behaviour, what scientists thought about how they communicated. There was so much she wanted to look into, get the science behind it to compare with what she had heard from Jay. So she’d know what other questions she wanted to ask Jay the next time that she saw him.

Zoe had started with her old textbooks, but she honestly hadn’t done much regarding dogs or other canines. Then she went to the internet, but everything she was finding of interest she couldn’t access without subscriptions. Memberships and subscriptions she didn’t have because they didn’t relate to her animals at the zoo.

So on her next day off, Zoe made her way to the library. Knowing that she was going to be there for hours, Zoe had dressed for comfort in a pair of fitted but worn jeans and a grey t-shirt. Plus she had her laptop and notebook in a bag over her shoulder. She had a list of journal articles and books to check, but just like every time she walked into this library, Zoe initially felt overwhelmed.

Slowly, Zoe made her way further into the place, past the empty reference desk and into the stacks. The smell of the books washing over her. She couldn’t hear anyone else around, the library was almost deafeningly silent. Deciding to take a few moments before she actually started her search, Zoe closed her eyes and walked slowly, just revelling in the smell of the books.

Then Zoe heard a voice breaking the silence, and she jumped, her eyes popping open. Reaching the end of the row, Zoe turned and looked down the next row to see a man talking to a couple of books. ”And here I thought I was the only one who talked to things that can’t speak back,” she said with a grin.

Booker loved his job but right now he desperately needed something interesting to happen. The holiday lull always made it so difficult to be at work. Without much to do, there was only so much that Booker could sit and admire the scenery. Yes, the library would always be an amazing part of his life, something that he would be thankful everyday of his life for, but at times like this he actually felt a bit bad for the place. It was a reminder that the world was moving forward, was shifted away from the physical books and into the digital age. But e-books didn’t have the scent of old parchment and certainly didn’t feel like nice, crisp pages.

He sighed. He knew this was an argument he always had with himself whenever he was stuck in quiet times like this. He just had to make it another week or so for when school was back in session and he knew then that the building would be bursting at the seams with people, all eager to check out books and ready themselves for the coming school year. Just a few more days, he just had to keep telling himself that and he knew that he would survive.

Still, he couldn’t help but grumble at the disobedient books for refusing to mate and produce more tiny book babies! Really, what the hell? But now wasn’t the time to descend into the madness of boredom, no matter how logical it was starting to sound. Rather he would complete his task of putting the two lonely books away and maybe make another sweep of the shelves. Surely there must be something that needed to be adjusted or fixed. No library was perfect, after all.

But just as Booker collected his two books, still a little upset with them, he stopped when he noticed someone else standing nearby. He looked up, spying a lone blonde who seemed to be getting ready to conduct some studying of her own judging by the bag that was sitting across her shoulder. God he hoped she needed help.

>>”And here I thought I was the only one who talked to things that can’t speak back,”

He stopped, momentarily confused as to why she would say such a thing but then realized what it was she was referring to. Given how quiet it was in the library, he was sure that most of his mutterings were probably heard. Embarrassed, he chuckled a bit and awkwardly ran the palm of his hand over the back of his head.

”Ah...caught that...did you?” He sighed and just smirked. ”Who’s to say they don’t talk to me?” he added with a bit of a mysterious look, accentuated by the mystical waggle of his fingers. ”Didn’t you know? All us librarians has special powers that allow us to hear what books are thinking.” He smirked as he hefted up his two books, walked into the woman’s aisle and busied himself with looking for the spot where they belonged. He stopped long enough to glance at her again. ”Did you need help with anything?”

Apparently, Zoe had surprise The man with her comment. But then he retorted, and she couldn't help but the playful grin that came to her face. ”No, I didn't know that,” she replied. ”Are you sure you were supposed to tell me that? With how much time I've spent in libraries, that must be done sort of secret because I've never heard that before.

“”But hearing what books think?” Zoe asked. ”They must have some amazing things to say. Much better than animals, at any rate.”

Booker could be considered quite witty. He was highly intelligent and people always say that sarcasm and wit were a byproduct of it. There were often times when he was dating someone that his humor would either be met with praise or with confusion. It seemed like the young woman next to him was part of the former category as her smile broadened at Booker’s mention of his ‘super-secret-librarian-powers’ and the conspiracy that was attached to them. Good, conversing with someone who actually got his humor was always a plus.

He busied himself with looking the spot where the two books belonged, moving down the shelf, his eyes looking for the right call numbers. The easiest way to spot where a wayward book belonged was to find and investigate the gaps in the lines of books. More often than not, that would be where your book belonged. But, in some cases, such as this, the shelves were too compact with other items for any gaps to be noticed. He would have to make a mental note of this for the shifting project that was coming up.

>>”No, I didn't know that...Are you sure you were supposed to tell me that? With how much time I've spent in libraries, that must be done sort of secret because I've never heard that before.”

He chuckled. Again, the woman certainly could keep up with his humor so that was appreciated. Already he could feel himself waking up a bit after his dull morning. He stopped, turned to face her when she spoke of the dangers of telling her such a secret.

”We’ll just have to keep it our little secret,” he grinned impishly.

His attention had turned back to the shelves. His eyes roamed the spines, looking for the correct spot for his two books. When he finally found it, he reached up, slipping the pair of books into their positions and nodded happily. He dusted off his hands as if he had been working in the coal mines all day when it had only been a couple seconds in the book stacks. Still, it was a job well done in his eyes.

He turned back when the blonde continued...

>>“”But hearing what books think? They must have some amazing things to say. Much better than animals, at any rate.”

”Well, most have quite a stories to tell,” he smiled cheekily. Get it? Cause books? Stories? Stories are usually in books? Haha...ahhh...yeah he was being ridiculous right now. Still, it didn’t escape his attention what the other woman said about animals. His mind didn’t immediately jump to super amazing super mutant powers, but instead stuck around something far more realistic. ”Oooh, you work in the animal field? Lemme guess…” he took a second to eye her, crossing his arms over his chest. ”Animal therapist? Veterinarian?”

Zoe’s playful grin just widened when she heard the man reply. Since when were librarians funny like this? Well, she supposed that some librarian, somewhere in the world had to be funny, but Zoe had never met one. Until today, that was.

”Well, for my own safety, I won’t tell anyone else that little secret,” Zoe joked, though by this point the librarian had already turned back to the shelves. Though it didn’t take long for him to find where the books he held belonged. And then he dusted his hands off as though it had been hard work. Zoe simply raised an eyebrow at that; she knew that books could be heavy, but his cart was empty and he had been holding just two books.

Then he spoke again, and Zoe’s eyebrow only lifted higher. ”Ah, but the question there is how many actually have good stories to tell?” she questioned. And as far as Zoe was concerned, it was a fair question; there were far too many bad books out there. But this was far more fun and entertaining than anything Zoe had thought she would experience that day, and she laughed slightly.

And of course, he caught her comment about speaking to animals, but like with just about everyone else, mutant was not the first thing the mind jumped to. Zoe shook her head to his guesses. ”Nope, trainer at the zoo,” she replied. ”Which sounds a lot fancier than the reality most days.”

There! That was a job well done. With the books put away, balance was restored to the universe and Booker could return to his desk...desperate for something to do. Bah! He would just have to take his time heading back to the desk. A sweep of the shelves would probably be in order too, just in case something had been misplaced or laid down without being put back in their appropriate places. Normally Booker could complain that people didn’t know how to put things back on the shelves, but he was almost willing it so this time.

But before he could consider making this move, he actually found himself in conversation with a patron. Normally talking was discouraged in the library but Booker would allow it this one time, so long as their voices were actually kept at a manageable level -- which seemed to be the case so far.

>>”Well, for my own safety, I won’t tell anyone else that little secret,”

”Good. I would have hated to have to put your through our witness relocation program.”

He gave her a grin and a nod of his head. He, of course, had just been joking about the secret cult of librarians with superpowers, but it was fun enough to play along with the discussion, especially when he had a willing partner. Crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned his back against the shelf as he gave the blonde his full attention.

She asked how many books actually had stories to tell and Booker couldn’t help but jump in with his own comment about that. It was a cheesy joke, yes, but it was the truth. Every book had a tale just ready for anyone who was willing to read it.

>>”Ah, but the question there is how many actually have good stories to tell?”

A look of faux-indignity flashed across his features. Comments like that, made to a librarian, certainly was living dangerously. As much as people hated certain books, the truth was that no book was every necessarily bad, it just had the wrong audience. After all, there were people who burned books because they didn’t like the messages that they conveyed but, in the end, they still managed to survive the test of time. Of course there is a complete difference between those books and something like “50 Colors of White”. He doubted he could defend that one well enough.

But, being a true librarian, he had to defend the honor of books everywhere.

”I’ll have you know that all books have good stories,” he grinned. ”So long as it goes to the audience.” Truly a sage-like, librarian answer.

Aside from the tales of books, the woman seemed to find interest in the make-believe power that Booker had suggested he had. She found listening to the thoughts of books far more interesting than, say, the thoughts of animals. Her comment puzzled up but, after a second of thought, he wondered if maybe she was just hinting at her job. Pet psychologist? Veterinarian? The possibilities were endless. But, given what she said, it was the most educated guess he could come up withj.

>>”Nope, trainer at the zoo...Which sounds a lot fancier than the reality most days.”

His eyebrows raised. Now that was interesting. ”Wow that really does sound impressive.” He paused though, as a chuckle came to his lips. ”But now all I picture is you wear a safari hat, holding up a chair and a whip in front of a pair of lions.” He eyed her suspiciously. "Wait, you all still don't do that kind of animal cruelty, do you?" Yes, he knew that was a cliche, and completely outlawed, but his imagination didn’t always know the difference of what was politically incorrect and what wasn’t. Besides, it was funny.

Zoe grinned as the librarian continued joking around with her as they stood among the stacks of books. She so rarely found someone to talk with for this long who didn’t think that she was weird because they had seen her having a conversation with a bird, or dog, or some other animal. But even more than that, he seemed to be having just as much fun joking around and teasing as she was.

”Wait,” Zoe said, holding a hand up as though she were shocked and wanting further explanation. ”You guys have a ‘witness relocation program’? I figured you would just lock people in the archive room and they’d never be seen again.”

Yes, it was a little ridiculous, but hadn’t most of this conversation been ridiculous? And that’s why Zoe was enjoying it so much.

But her question about how many books had good stories to tell caused the librarian to give her a look. One of those looks, though based on the look in his eyes, Zoe was sure that he was still joking around.

A fact that was proved when he actually answered her, giving her a grin as well. ”Fair enough,” she said, giving a slight nod. ”There’s a reason I’m not the one who works here, I guess.”

And he did think that her job, at least based on the job title, was far more glamorous than it was. And he thought...Zoe laughed at the image of her with a chair and whip in front of some lions. She laughed, and then covered her mouth to try and stifle it because she couldn’t outright stop right away.

”Of course we don’t!” Zoe exclaimed once she had gotten her laughter under control. ”Not that I have anything to do with lions. I ride the zebras around the zoo to herd the tourists.” she finished with a wink.

>>”Wait, You guys have a ‘witness relocation program’? I figured you would just lock people in the archive room and they’d never be seen again.”

He dismissed her comment with a wave of his hand. ”Bah, that’s just an urban legend,” he started. He then grinned, a quasi-wicked looked pulling at the corners of his lips ”We save that pleasure for the people with really big fines for unreturned books.” he nodded his head in slow confirmation.

The truth was that he was just kidding. As much as he wanted to lock people away for not returning books on time (seriously! how hard was it?) the library didn’t take actions like that against their patrons. Which was a shame because there were definitely those people who needed to be taught how to respect books and the policy of the library. One of the things that easily got under the man’s skin were those students who believed that the library was just a giant, free bookstore and that they could take absolutely whatever they wanted, no matter how many times it had been recalled because others required it.

But, alas, the library didn’t have the authority to reign such punishment down upon the populace. There were days he wished it but the last thing he wanted was to make the library unappealing. People needed the library, but the library also needed people if it were going to continue to function as a gateway to knowledge. But those were philosophical thoughts for another time.

Once his books were put away, he had turned back around to continue conversing with the young woman. She seemed to think that not all books had good stories but he was quick to point out that that was only a matter of perspective. He wasn’t trying to sound egotistical about it, but it was a fact. Books all had stories, it just depended on the right person.

>> ”Fair enough...There’s a reason I’m not the one who works here, I guess.”

He smirked. ”Yeah. Trust me, there are some materials even I would disagree with, but” he straightened up, puffing out his chest proudly. ”It is my job as the gatekeeper of knowledge to provide it!”

His chest unpuffed as he smirked at his own antics. Really he knew when he was being a bit extra but he couldn’t help it. It really was just his personality to be a walking ray of sunshine and to make others smile.

The conversation eventually moved to what his new friend had done for a living. As she couldn’t be trusted to be impartial when it came to books, she revealed that she, in fact, worked as an animal trainer for the zoo. To him that sounded absolutely amazing! She was insistent that it wasn’t as glamorous as all that, but Booker couldn’t help but feel a little in awe of the woman who gets to spend all day with big animals like that. However, he couldn’t help but point out the humorous thought that crossed his mind that was wholly inaccurate.

She laughed. She laughed heartily at his comment and had to cover her mouth to keep from getting too loud. Shaking his head, he followed suit, covering his mouth as the both of them quietly laughed about the preposterous idea. His vision was better suited for an 19th century carnival than a 21st century zoo. But at least she wasn’t entirely offended by his comment, which was a plus.

>>”Of course we don’t! Not that I have anything to do with lions. I ride the zebras around the zoo to herd the tourists.”

He chuckled again. Normally he would have to shush her for being too loud, himself too, but with how few people are in this library, it was hardly necessary. Still, they managed to get themselves under control, even with the image of her riding around the zoo on a zebra, herding people who were straying too far from their paths.

”Haha, that certainly sounds effective,” he chuckled. ”There are days where I feel like I would have to employ a similar tactic.” Shaking his head, he sighed. ”Even if you are lying about that aspect, it still sounds like an interesting job.” He blinked, though, as he realized he still didn’t know her name. ”Apologies! Where are my manners,” he held out his hand to shake hers. ”My name’s Booker. If you need help finding something, please let me know. I should at least attempt to do my job as the reference librarian.”

Zoe put on a fake shocked look on her face when she was told that the archive room was reserved for those who didn’t return library books in a timely manner. ”I will make sure that I bring everything back on time. Cross my heart,” Zoe said, lifting her hand to draw an X over her heart.

Then she grinned. She couldn’t help it, this was just too enjoyable and fun for her to not grin.

But at least he wasn’t trying to pretend that he liked every book out there. Because Zoe knew that there were some really horrible books out there. But the puffing up of his chest, trying to look all important, Zoe couldn’t stop the smile and slight laugh.

”Well, Mr Gatekeeper,” Zoe said, bowing slightly to the librarian. ”The world of academia thanks you for your sacrifice.” Grinning once again, Zoe shook her head as she saw his chest deflate from its puffed up posture.

He felt that something along the lines of herding tourists would be useful to him as well, and she shook her head. ”It really only works when they run the same way,” Zoe told him authoritatively. As if she really knew and did these things. ”When they all scatter in different directions, it makes it quite difficult. You have to decide which way to go.”

Zoe made a show of looking around where they were in the library, at the many multitude of shelves. ”You’d have the same problem here, I’d guess, only it’d be harder because you can’t move between the shelves, only going around them.”

But then he was introducing himself, and as he was saying his name, Zoe was kind of shocked that they had bantered back and forth for this long and yet didn’t know each other’s names.

”Booker?!?” Zoe asked, very shocked. ”You can’t be serious. Or did your parents just know you were going to work here?

“I’m Zoe, though.”

>>”I will make sure that I bring everything back on time. Cross my heart,”

The look of surprise on her face when Booker had said that they reserved locking people up for late books was pretty funny. Though he knew that she was just kidding around, it was still funny to imagine if someone had thought it to be a real crime. Oh, of course the librarian fantasized about such a fate for the people who bothered him, but he wouldn’t make a suggestion like that to the head librarian. He was certain that would get him fired.

Booker found chatting with the woman to be surprisingly easy. She was engaging enough to keep him from falling asleep and, really, that was what he needed most right now. His shift was going to be a long one that any break in the monotony would be useful. It made it sound like he was just using the poor woman but...well...okay so maybe he was just a tiny bit, but there was nothing nefarious in it.

Eventually their conversation had shifted to their occupations and Booker was surprised to learn that she was a zoo trainer. Of all the occupations in the world, he never would have guessed that for her. Not because she was a woman and didn’t seem capable, but purely because the job title would have never crossed his mind. How many zoo trainers does one actually get to meet face-to-face in their lifetime? The statistics must have been mind boggling.

However, for as cool as her job sounded, she seemed to think it wasn’t a bit deal. He snorted a bit at the description of her job duties, imagining her riding on a zebra to herd the tourists into the correct areas. With how much he had seen incidents happening at zoos because of careless people, he wouldn’t be surprised is such actions were taken. After all, if the people weren’t going to watch over themselves, it made it pretty clear that the businesses would have to -- no matter how idiotic the patron.

A glance around the library and Booker agreed that it was a tactic that could certainly be put into practice here. The woman would disagree as to its effectiveness, though...

>> ”It really only works when they run the same way, When they all scatter in different directions, it makes it quite difficult. You have to decide which way to go. You’d have the same problem here, I’d guess, only it’d be harder because you can’t move between the shelves, only going around them.”

”Well darn,” he said with a snap of his fingers and shrugged. ”I guess we’re just going to have to continue using random patrols and lassos to rein everyone in.”

Seriously, though, that would be helpful.

It suddenly occurred to him that he still didn’t have a name to go along with this woman. He tilted his head, watching her for a second before he offered her a smile and his name. The look on her face was not unexpected as it was a look that Booker had gotten so, so very familiar with. That’s what happens when you have a name like his so he just braced himself for the onslaught of questions that would follow.

>>”Booker?!? You can’t be serious. Or did your parents just know you were going to work here? I’m Zoe, though.”

Zoe. Finally he had a name to go with the blonde. He smirked a little, letting her surprise ring through in her voice. Most people would have probably been irritated to have to explain the origins of their name to every person they met in life but Booker, well, he could hide it really well. He just smiled, nodded, and waiting for Zoe to finish her spiel about if he were serious and if his parents knew his future before he did. He just chuckled and shook his head as he leaned back against the shelves.

”I am serious,” Like practice, he pulled out his employee I.D. to verify. And there, in clear letters, was the name BOOKER B. BOOKMAN. Sure it was possible to falsify a work I.D. but why go through the trouble to just sound interesting? He wasn’t a hipster. He slipped the I.D. back into his wallet before continuing. ”My parents owned a bookstore and have a sick sense of humor, I guess.” He snorted. ”At least it worked out. Because I really do love the library.”

He seemed to accept her word that zebra riding wouldn’t work very well in the library. Not that any of it was serious. But then he said something about patrols and lassos, and Zoe got an excited look on her face. ”Really?” She asked, that same excitement leaking into her voice. ”Can you show me? I’ve never actually seen someone use a lasso.”

Apparently, he was used to this sort of thing, because he pulled out his work ID to show her that his name was…

”Booker B. Bookman?” she asked, turning surprised eyes back up to Booker’s face. ”What does the ‘B’ stand for? Barnaby?” Did Zoe actually think that’s what it was for? Not at all, it was just the first odd sounding b-name she could come up with.

”Well, I have to say it must have been nice to grow up in a bookstore. I hope they at least let you read whatever you wanted.”

Oh there were a variety of times that Booker wanted to unleash a little justice on the patrons of his library. Sometimes they way that they left things...ugh! He knew he was supposed to be there to help people but it really should be a give-and-take relationship. At certain times, he felt like he was in an emotionally abusive relationship with the public, who just took and took and took and never once bought him a nice dinner and said he was pretty.

Okay, time to get off that train of thought.

>>”Really? Can you show me? I’ve never actually seen someone use a lasso.”

Zoe seemed to express interest in watching him lasso a few unruly patrons. The librarian scoffed, narrowed his eyes, and looked to his left and right. He almost looked as if he were about to pull out a special librarians-only lasso from the back of his belt, but instead just straightened up and shrugged his shoulders.

”Sorry lil’ missy,” he said in a really bad impression of a western accent. ”No unruly folks ta lasso taday. May ‘nother time.”

He may have not been the best at impressions, but what he did he was still proud of. Eventually, as always, the subject of his name came up. That was his own fault for introducing himself to her. However, being a librarian, he was naturally inclined to introduce himself to patrons who needed help. It was just his way. The second he saw the look in her eyes, he knew that she wouldn’t believe him. Few people believed that anyone would be a librarian named Booker B. Bookman and be serious. Surely it was fake or at least legally changed to that from something else.

But it was none of those. It was his god-given name and, yes, maybe it was a little ironic that he worked at a library, but he didn’t care -- he loved it. The library was, and always will be, his second home.

>>”Booker B. Bookman? What does the ‘B’ stand for? Barnaby?”

He snorted. ”Nope. And I’m not telling,” he said with a grin. ”You could be a crazed stalker. Can’t have you knowing my full name, can I?”

He offered a little of his past, an explanation for his rather unusual name. Mostly it was his parents faults as they owned a bookstore and didn’t think of the irony of naming their son “Booker”. Or maybe they did think of the irony and just didn’t care. In either case, it was one of the only things that they did right -- other than making sure he always had a steady supply of books. It was what helped him become the man he is today; one he was proud of.

>>”Well, I have to say it must have been nice to grow up in a bookstore. I hope they at least let you read whatever you wanted.”

”It had its ups and downs,” he offered mysteriously. ”But yes, books were in steady supply.” He confirmed this as gave her a grin. ”Now, I can’t be the only one sharing today, Zoe. Please tell me that you were raised my animals, hence why you are so good at training them?”

Booker looked like he was playing along with the lasso, reaching behind him as though he had one hooked to his belt at that very moment. But then he stopped with a shrug.

And then spoke with a very bad western accent. Zoe couldn’t help it, she giggled, then actually laughed a bit, trying to stifle it, when she thought of a solution to Booker’s little ‘problem’ with showing her his lasso. ”Well, next time I’ll make sure to bring someone with me,” she said with a grin. ”I’m sure he will make enough of a ruckus that you’ll want to lasso him. And then I’ll get to see it!”

Yeah, that was a good plan. One Zoe was sure she could talk Jay in to.

But his middle name wasn’t Barnaby. Well, that was probably a good thing, Zoe thought. She didn’t think it was a very good name. But she pouted at Booker’s words. ”But, if I were a stalker,” Zoe said, the pout still on her face. ”At least I’d be a fun stalker.”

Booker went on, saying it wasn’t fair if he was the only one sharing at the moment. Zoe shrugged. He was the one who started the sharing, at least in her mind, but she supposed it was fair. Maybe he’d tell her more if she said something.

”Oh, I wish!” Zoe said, a wistful expression overtaking her face at this point. ”Wouldn’t it be awesome to be raised by wolves or something like that? But no, completely human family, except for my pet cat, of course.” Zoe shrugged as she paused a moment. How was she supposed to explain this part? ”I just listen to the animals. I guess they like that, so they listen to me.”

>>”Well, next time I’ll make sure to bring someone with me...I’m sure he will make enough of a ruckus that you’ll want to lasso him. And then I’ll get to see it!”

Booker chuckled. The only thought that came to mind when Zoe threatened to bring someone with her the next time was some wild animal from the zoo. What would she bring? A zebra? A lion? Maybe a hippo to go lumbering between the shelves, knocking things over as it walked? Booker smirked, shaking his head and trying to imagine, well, any of that. He doubted his bosses would have liked it and, quite frankly, it made him nervous as well. But surely she wouldn’t be using her powers as a zoo trainer for evil. He chuckled.

”Let’s focus on not destroying my library, please,” he laughed. ”The last thing I need is a band of gorillas running through and climbing over the shelves. I’d certainly be fired by that point.”

Introductions were called for! Booker introduced himself and, of course, his name had earned him a bit of questioning from the young woman. People always wondered what his middle name stood for, some even walking away in frustration because they couldn’t figure it out. It didn’t really bother him as his middle name was his secret to keep. The only person who knew was Nessa and even then, he swore her to secrecy years ago. It was the one secret she would actually keep.

Zoe didn’t care for not knowing, but teased him and the stalker status he figuratively assigned to her.

>>”But, if I were a stalker,...At least I’d be a fun stalker.”

The librarian shook his head, chuckling at the young woman. She was surprising, to say the least, and certainly wasn’t boring. She managed to make good conversation, something that Booker could always appreciate. Sadly that didn’t budge his resolve in keeping his middle name to himself and he just grinned.

”I can’t deny that,” he laughed. ”But a true stalker would find out information like that on her own.” He nodded.

But all this was beginning to get a little one-sided. He wanted to know more about her. So, shifting his footing, he inquired after her. How was she so good at training animals? He offered a small tease, joking that he hoped it was because she was raised by animals, a kind of Tarzan, King of the Jungle situation. It was doubtful, but he couldn’t help but imagine it.

>>”Oh, I wish! Wouldn’t it be awesome to be raised by wolves or something like that? But no, completely human family, except for my pet cat, of course...I just listen to the animals. I guess they like that, so they listen to me.”

Booker nodded, impressed as he listened to Zoe talk. Interesting. She had stated that she merely listened to animals and that they reciprocated. Anyone could have taken this as merely poetry dialogue, people trying to add a bit more flare to their narrative. But Booker was having a sneaking suspicion that it was more than Zoe merely being an animal-whisperer. What if, in actuality, she was being literal? Huh. That wouldn’t be strange in New York. Hell, his own girlfriend absorbed and discharged sunlight!

He chewed his lip in thought before he offered her slightly suspicious eyes. His voice lowered a bit, seeing as he didn’t want to state anything too loud since A.) some mutants like to keep their lineage a secret, and B.) this was a goddamn library. So, he closed the gap between them by only a step or two, still plenty of space for their personal bubbles to not touch. He asked the obvious question…

”Like...literally?” he asked. ”You have an extraordinary connection with them?”