The girl with the bowler hat appeared to be the least, uh, intimidating of the students I had yet to meet, so I approached her next. My assumption was quickly proven wrong, however, as she turned on her heel and pointed at me with her… cane?
Honoka
You there! Name and talent!
Timaeus
Oh! Um! I– Timaeus Woodworth, Ultimate Librarian!
Honoka
Hmmmmm… I was hoping for a more athletic talent. But I’ll find something for you!
Timaeus
Ahaha, y-yeah I am not athletic in any sense of the word, Miss, uh… wait, find what for me?
Honoka
Honoka Ueda, Ultimate Tap Dancer! And I mean to find a role for you! We all have to work together, right?
Timaeus
S-so you’re the one in charge, eh?
I guess she thought I was sassing her, because her cheerful demeanor cracked for a moment.
Honoka
Is there a reason I should not be in charge, Librarian?
She thwapped me on the shoulder with her cane– ow!
Honoka
I’ll have you know I have years of experience directing my troupe with military precision! And I don’t see anyone else stepping up! If we’re going to get out of this awful place we need organization!
Timaeus
I-I didn’t mean it like that sorry! I’m not doubting your capabilities or anything, I-I’m just not sure what there is we can do, y’know…
Honoka
And that’s where you’re wrong! Librarians should be good with information and analysis, right? We need to learn as much about our surroundings as we can! Why don’t you make a map?
She thumped me on the shoulder again, a little less forcefully this time.
Timaeus
A map…?
Honoka
You heard me! Maybe if we can see the layout of this place, we’ll learn something new. This definitely isn’t your usual four-corner building… I don’t know what that means but I’ll darn well find out!!
Timaeus
W-well I haven’t found anything to uh, write with yet, but… Yeah! I can do that! Yes ma’am!
…Wait, why was I saluting? I guess she was rubbing off on me.
Honoka
Good to hear! Hop to it, Librarian!
She twirled her cane and strutted off, her shoes click-clacking against the metal floor. Tap dancer, right. Not Ultimate Drill Sergeant.
A map! Finally something I could do to help make sense of things… once I found a pen and paper, of course. I’d look for them after I met the rest of the students. Just a few more to go now…
Honestly, as commandeering as she may have been, I was glad there was someone taking charge.
