Know your Knowledge!

"Alright, got anything up yet?"

Janette waved her hand, scanning the numerous covers stacked side by side on the bookshelf. "Don't rush me, I don't do well under pressure. Why don't they alphabetize this stuff?"

Felix shrugged, selecting his own aisle to search through in the meantime. Perhaps he could be of assistance in several ways, despite the one major flaw in his decision to come along. He dragged his finger from side cover to side cover, feeling the different texture and material that contained each fountain of knowledge and stories and lineage. Best kept secrets hidden in the public eye, and yet so few arrive to see it. He too was at fault, keeping himself busy with labor and hard work even before he found KuliKuli. He swallowed, feeling a soft pinch of guilt in his chest before selecting a book at random and parting it open, exposing its dried ink writing to his curious nature. So many words, so much they had to say, these thoughts they shared. Perhaps some were fictional tales of adventure or mourning, of discovery of another world or one's self, or mythology made up or passed down as legends from one generation onto the next. So many ideas, so many predictions that the imagination may roam free and bathe itself in wonderful bliss and gratitude, to wonder that of what came before and that which comes ahead.

Closing the book and shuffling it back into its place, he felt a need to cleanse this curious desire within.

"Jay?"

"Yea?"

He cleared his throat. "You've read up on a lot of this stuff, right?"

"I mean, that's putting it quite vague but yes."

"Did you start when you were little?" He scratched his neck, feeling a bit queezy. Janette shook her head, reading through each book title as they spoke.

"Oh yes, I began reading when I was at my fifth year. Told my parents I wanted to know more, they pushed me into the city library because I asked so many questions that they had no answers for. I was a nosy little brat, very whiny and quite stubborn. Didn't like having to ask everyday to go, so they just let the maid take me there instead. She would already pick me up from school so normally I would request to make that detour before heading straight to home."

"Your maid picked you up?" She nods. "I didn't know, is she on vacation by chance?"

She smiled. "You can say that, yes. Should be a good one for seven years and counting. I imagine I'll find her once I grow tired too, maybe I can introduce you to her, she would certainly love to meet you guys."

Felix nodded, thinking to himself. "So, what stories did you read, what kind of stuff were you into?"

"Well," She shifted past him as they slipped within another aisle of books. "I don't know, all of them I guess. Obviously I wasn't allowed to read adult literature, although I managed to catch one by accident. Very sneaky title, Sitchi thought it was a fantasy read. I did too, until I really got into it."

"What was it about?"

"Ooof, can't recall by name. But it started off about a man and his wife travelling somewhere before discovering a pair of wanderers. They go with them since a storm is on its way, then naughty stuff ensues. Later on you discover that there is more to it then a cute erotica read, like it includes interesting mythology and fascinating twists in character writing. Certainly kept me busily reading for more, even in the chapters that had no sexy bits. Supposedly the author wrote another story, similar concept only with some next door neighbor or something, but I can't find it for the life of me. Hard to ask and look for when work keeps your feet locked."

"I can relate. Who's Sitchi?"

Janette placed a book back before moving her gaze to him. "My maid, my caregiver. Looked after me 'till I was fully grown, until I had to look after her instead."

"Oh, I hope she's better now?"

Janette smiled, looking down before closing her eyes and chuckling softly. "She's doing a lot better, thank the gods. So what about you, farmer boy, caretaker? What's your story, hm?"

"Oh, I didn't read much. I didn't get to know much myself, always wondered about silly stuff like where did we come from or why do monsters exists? I don't know if we have stories about that, I think we should. It would be nice to learn about that."

Janette paused, her index finger placed against the book she was searching for. Her attention had diverted, several questions roamed around until she was careful to select one to start. "Felix, do you know how to read?"

He coughed, laughing nervously and apologetically. "Don't get me wrong, I know enough words to read signs but I couldn't afford paying someone to teach me haha."

"Oh gosh, you're illiterate. You work all the time, how come you don't spend money to learn how to read?"

"It's not that I didn't want to, just when money isn't a guarantee and food is a scarce thing to reach, I kind of had to focus on achieving that first. Reading is like, the top of my to-do list once I have enough money to manage."

She pulled the book out and hugged it to her chest, thinking back to when his background was reference. Of course, he didn't read, to him reading is a luxury he could not afford. Labor rewarded him well with a fit body and a cute face, but life's struggles have kept his mind limited in exploring the treasures that surrounded them. "I'm sorry, it was rude to say it that way."

"It's fine, I understand."

She nodded, "I think... I think maybe I can teach you, once this whole thing is behind us, yea?"

"What? I-er, I would... you mean that? Empty-headed dunce like me learning how to read? I can't ask for that, you have a business to manage after all."

"Well then I won't teach you as a friend." He blinked, feeling like she had delivered a soft jab at his gut. "I will teach you as an employee instead, you know after this whole debacle goes away."

"Wha-" He stumbled for words, unsure how to respond to that offer. "M-Me work for you, you mean it? I-I-I don't know what to say..."

"You can start by asking what your schedule will be. I've been dreading waking up to open in the morning, so you'll cover for morning shifts. I'll train you through the day, you'll be beside me as an assistant and then once you can manage on your own I'll leave the shop to you."

"My own shop!"

"No! I mean to say you'll look after it for some days, and others I will for a turn instead. Would be a nice change of pace rather than to work everyday as is." She muttered to herself, he was a bit busy himself as he juggled the idea of employment in his head. Certainly an offer he couldn't refuse.

"A-Arigato! I mean, thank you so much!" He squealed, trapping her in a bear hug and giving her a quick spin.

"Hey, easy! Down boy!' She yelped before feeling her feet touch the floor. "Thanks, remind me to remind you to take a bathe when we get back home." She adjusted herself before clearing her throat and presenting the book to him. "Now back to business, I found it!"

"The book about Monster Hu-" He staggered as she cupped his mouth, silencing him effectively.

"No, and not so loud." She whispered before letting him go. "Even better, this was Sitchi's gift to me. Kept it hidden here as a favor, can't keep a magic book in a mansion and not announce yourself to be robbed after all."

"Whoa, magic?"

"That's right." She beamed, lifting it over her head. "With this book, anything and everything we may ask can be answered! Ssssssort of."

Okay so maybe not every question...