+Cearon+

“Indeed I do,” Celestia told him. “There’s just something wonderful about being able to escape into another world so different, yet also somehow alike, our own. The journeys that the characters go through, the hardships they face, and even despite their differences, how much we can relate to those characters, how we can see ourselves in their shoes, which can be quite inspiring. Though all books are great, of course,” she added. “Are there any particular books that you’ve read that stood out to you?”

Cearon looked thoughtfully into the soft stream of light that illuminated the space; there were dust motes dancing in it like sparks from a campfire. “A few,” he said. “I remember there was one – I’ve forgotten the title, but I think it was something like Light In the Clouds – which was very inspiring. I liked its theme of friendship overcoming obstacles, and the idea that helping others can be the answer to your own problems. Other than that, there was one called Dragonstorm which I only remember vividly because it was exciting…” He laughed. “Have you read either of them?”

seeing if this message makes Amethyst’s comment show up!

-Celestia-
Cearon gazed at the streak of sunlight thoughtfully. “A few,” he said. “I remember there was one – I’ve forgotten the title, but I think it was something like Light In the Clouds – which was very inspiring. I liked its theme of friendship overcoming obstacles, and the idea that helping others can be the answer to your own problems. Other than that, there was one called Dragonstorm which I only remember vividly because it was exciting…” He laughed. “Have you read either of them?”

“I’ve heard of Light in the Clouds, though I haven’t gotten to reading it yet,” Celestia replied. “As for Dragonstorm, I don’t believe I’ve heard of it, but I’m sure that it is in this library somewhere.” She glanced around the towering bookshelves that lined the walls, colorful leather that was only slightly dusty in the corners – Aquila regularly used magic to dust off the books. There were likely up to millions of books here, if not more. “There are books from numerous authors here.” She paused, glancing back at Cearon, and asked, “Have you ever thought of writing your own story?”

*Starlight*
“No, not really,” said Liza. “In fact, I haven’t really explored much–perhaps I ought to go walk around. Do you have a favorite part?”

“I’ve always loved this floor, especially the myth section, the history section, and the poetry corner, but I also like the second floor,” replied Starlight. “And the cafe is great, too.”

“I’ve been thinking of going to the cafe for lunch,” said Liza. “Would you like to join me?”

“That would be wonderful,” Starlight answered. “Let’s go.”

~Liza~
“That would be wonderful,” Starlight answered. “Let’s go.”
They made their way through the library to the corner with the cafe. The cafe counter opened right onto the atrium, with the hanging chalkboards on which the menu was written visible from across the room. On top of the counter were a couple of bell jars, which contained several tasty-looking pastries with little signs on toothpicks in them. Behind the counter, there was an iron stove, which helped heat the room as well as cooking food, a washbasin, and several cabinets in which the ingredients were presumably stored. No one was behind the counter at present to take an order; Liza and Starlight made their selections anyway. Liza thought that she would try one of the pastries (there were both savory and sweet ones; she couldn’t decide between the cheese and spinach and the apple and almond), and maybe also a cup of summerlily tea.
“What are you having?” she asked Starlight.
“Their soup is delicious,” said Starlight. “And I quite like the lemon-fizz.”
Since they both knew their orders, Liza decided to ring the little bell that sat on the counter next to a sign which read Please Ring for Service.

*Starlight*
They walked over to the cafe. It was quite cozy, and Starlight thought that Aquila certainly had an eye for decorating. Starlight gazed at the chalkboard menus hanging from the wall, then examined the pastries set on display on the counter. There was usually a special item on the menu, though Starlight still preferred to order her go-to, the famous pumpkin almond soup and the lemon-fizz drink that reminded Starlight of a refreshing summer day.
“What are you having?” Liza asked.
“Their soup is delicious,” replied Starlight. “And I quite like the lemon-fizz.”
Liza rang the little bell next to a sign which read Please Ring for Service, since no one was present at the moment to take their orders. After a few moments, an oriole flew in from the open window, then transformed into a human in front of their eyes.
“Ah, hey! What would you like to order?”
Starlight gazed at the oriole-turned-human for a few moments, who now had light golden brown hair and was wearing a nametag that read Sunny. Starlight assumed that Sunny was one of the many friends that Aquila had made throughout her travels.
Starlight said, “I would like a pumpkin almond soup, please. And the lemon-fizz.”
“Ooh, great choice! And for you?”
Liza ordered a pastry and summerlily tea, in which Sunny replied with, “Of course, right away!”
They paid for their food and waited at one of the tables. Starlight asked Liza, “Did you ever explore the other floors of the library?”

+Cearon+

“I’ve heard of Light in the Clouds, though I haven’t gotten to reading it yet,” Celestia told him. “As for Dragonstorm, I don’t believe I’ve heard of it, but I’m sure that it is in this libary somewhere. There are books from numerous authors here.” From looking around the library, her gaze returned to him, and she asked, “Have you ever thought of writing your own story?”

Cearon raised an eyebrow at the question, looking up and around at the shelves surrounding them. He’d never properly considered the possibility of having his own words kept within one of those alluring, elegantly bound books, though in a way he supposed it would be interesting. “I imagine at some point I must have vaguely thought about it,” he remarked, “but never seriously. I don’t think I’d be very good at it, to be honest. Perhaps a nonfiction book on traveling, someday?” He smiled at her, enjoying the novelty of having a small, low-key conversation about things that didn’t really matter. Or if they did, it wasn’t in a threatening way. “That’s probably the topic I could cover best. But what about you?”

Okay, question for those who know more about Kyngdom than I do (and also sorry for the lateness of this post): Are hybrids (like Starlight and Aquila) usually forthcoming about the fact that they’re hybrids, or do they prefer to hide this?
————-
~Liza~
Starlight asked Liza, “Did you ever explore the other floors of the library?”
“No, I haven’t,” said Liza. “I hear that the second floor contains stories written in the languages of animals, and the third is an archive. Is that true?”
“Yes,” said Starlight.
“I’m afraid I don’t speak any animal languages,” said Liza, “but I’d like to learn some.”
“I know one,” said Starlight, “so I’ve been up there a couple of times. I’ve never been to the archive, though.”
“What’s in the archive?” Liza asked.
“Well, lots of things,” said Starlight. She looked around and lowered her voice. “It’s where the Resistance keep their files.”
“Oh,” said Liza. In an even quieter voice, she added, “Do you work for the Resistance?”

@Seadragon, personally, I don’t really know (I don’t have much Kyngdom knowledge) but I assumed that hybrids are more forthcoming among animals and Resistance circles and travelers, but less so around for example Catastrophe soldiers and typical Nobyls. That’s just what I assumed, though, so. (unless Amethyst knows?)

-Celestia-
Cearon raised an eyebrow and glanced at the surrounding shelves. “I imagine at some point I must have vaguely thought about it,” he commented, “but never seriously. I don’t think I’d be very good at it, to be honest. Perhaps a nonfiction book on traveling, someday?” He smiled. “That’s probably the topic I could cover best. But what about you?”

“I’ll be honest, I’ve never really thought about writing books other than just to write down information for my own reference, but after befriending more people like Aquila, and other travelers as well, I’ve been thinking about it more lately,” replied Celestia, tilting her head towards the direction of the front desk, where Aquila was reading. “And often, being around the library for a time and reading about all sorts of information and stories makes you wonder what kind of books you could come up with on your own.” She returned his smile, and added, “I’d love to read your book on traveling if you ever write one.”

*Starlight*
“No, I haven’t,” said Liza. “I hear that the second floor contains stories written in the languages of animals, and the third is an archive. Is that true?”
“Yes,” replied Starlight.
“I’m afraid I don’t speak any animal languages,” said Liza, “but I’d like to learn some.”
“I know one,” said Starlight, thinking about her wolf form, “so I’ve been up there a couple of times. I’ve never been to the archive, though.”
“What’s in the archive?” Liza asked.
“Well, lots of things,” said Starlight. She pondered for a moment. Liza did not outwardly appear to be of any particular alignment, but for some reason, Starlight felt that she could trust her. Perhaps it was her intuition, telling her that she was safe. She glanced around to see if anyone was around to potentially eavesdrop. Luckily, the cafe was mostly empty besides Sunny. Nevertheless, she lowered her voice before saying. “It’s where the Resistance keep their files.”
“Oh,” said Liza. In an even quieter voice, she added, “Do you work for the Resistance?”
Starlight shook her head. “Not actively. But…I do sympathize with their cause. What about you?”

Thanks, @Moon Wolf.
——-
~Liza~
“What about you?” Starlight asked.
Liza looked around and then decided to whisper in Starlight’s ear, although no one was around. She knew she could trust Starlight, but a large part of her Resistance job relied on her anonymity. “Sometimes,” she said. “I sympathize with them, but I don’t have a permanent job, not being in a permanent location. They find me when they need me and I do them…” She searched for a way to describe her work. “Favors.”
“Like what?” asked Starlight.
“Well, if they need me to bring something to someone, I’ll do that, seeing as I look like an ordinary traveler. Or if they need me to spy on somebody, follow somebody, ask somebody questions…I suppose I’m their errand-girl, of sorts.”
“Have they given you the password to the archives?” Starlight asked.
“No,” said Liza. “I’ve never needed it, you see.”
“Ah,” said Starlight.
At that moment, Sunny called to them, “Your food is ready!”

Oh also I think I might change Starlight’s pronouns to she/they (it matches their character more), if that’s alright :)

*Starlight*
Liza glanced around furtively, then whispered in Starlight’s ear, “Sometimes, I sympathize with them, but I don’t have a permanent job, not being in a permanent location. They find me when they need me and I do them…” She paused, then finished, “Favors.”
“Like what?” asked Starlight, intrigued.
“Well, if they need me to bring something to someone, I’ll do that, seeing as I look like an ordinary traveler. Or if they need me to spy on somebody, follow somebody, ask somebody questions…I suppose I’m their errand-girl, of sorts.”
“Have they given you the password to the archives?” Starlight asked.
“No,” said Liza. “I’ve never needed it, you see.”
“Ah,” replied Starlight. They supposed it was because Crossquill Library was only one of several Resistance meeting spots, and it was relatively new, at that. But if necessary, she was sure that the other Resistance members would inform Liza of it, if not the librarian or Starlight themself.
But before she could say anything more, Sunny called to them, “Your food is ready!”
Starlight walked over to the counter with Liza, smiling as the familiar scent of pumpkin almond soup wafted over. They carefully took the soup and drink which she had ordered, and went back to the table, sitting down, as Liza sat down shortly after.
Starlight took a spoonful of the soup, gently blowing on it, before drinking it, the delicious warmth reminding them of a cozy autumn day. After Liza had taken a bite of her pastry, they asked her, “How is it?”