There was never enough time in the day for Paola. Research demanded attention with half of the Guardians away in Yransea, but with them gone came additional responsibilities. Cornelious did his best to carry most of Storm and Anton's work, but Paola could tell that it was a heavy load, and perhaps saw the shadow of concern in his eyes from time to time. Now however, she had crawled away from her desk while the sun was setting and braved the cold snow to return to the Goddess Library.
In her short time as a Guardian, the library had become her home away from home. The musky scent was pleasing and familiar, the fireplace always bright and warm, and the addition of fond memories made it a place of warmth and comfort. Her steps were almost always the same nowadays, heading straight to her chair in the corner of the fireplace. It felt like her own personal study, though any passerby would have thought the piles of books were unseemly and rather unorganized. Still, Paola had a system for the piles of books, and eventually everyone learned to just leave her things alone and ask to borrow anything rather than removing it from a pile.
Once settled into her favorite position on her favorite chair, she grabbed the latest book, fresh parchment, and took a deep breath, clearing her mind of the daily nuances in order to prepare for the intake of new information. There were answers for the experience of her fellow Guardians in a new place - why some adapted better than others and why they couldn't manipulate the elements around them - it was just a matter of searching in the right places and knowing how to put the pieces of information together. But even with that simplicity, she was running into problems.
It felt like minutes, but it very well could have been hours, Paola realized that she wasn't alone. There was a faint buzz of murmurs around her, and she rubbed one of her ears briefly in annoyance. The conversation wasn't important, but when she took just one moment to tear her eyes away from her work and noticed that it was Devin and Kiara, her irritation dimmed and she returned back to her work.
Time never seemed to exist when Paola was studying. The present just expanded and was never-ending. Between that and her ability to block out everything else, it made it all too easy and inevitable to lose track of time. She learned to accept it long ago, and it was just a matter of time before those around her accepted it as well. Even Devin knew better than to try and interrupt to gather her attention, unless it was of great importance. When Paola finally decided to end her progress for the night, her legs were curled up underneath her, the fire was dim but still very warm, several sheets of parchments were spread on the small table before her, and her book was almost at the end. Stretching, she began to gather up her materials, before pausing. A carefully wrapped package was sitting by her papers with a gently scrawled note above it.
Storm sent word that the progress of the island is going well, though Renan and Celeste are still struggling. Don't forget to eat. See you at home.
-Devin
Surprised, Paola gathered up her things and the wrapped package before heading out of the library. A small smile appeared when the package held a hefty sandwich that required little work and could be eaten on her way home. She ate with less gusto than usual, musing on the progress across the realm and sea.
In her short time as a Guardian, the library had become her home away from home. The musky scent was pleasing and familiar, the fireplace always bright and warm, and the addition of fond memories made it a place of warmth and comfort. Her steps were almost always the same nowadays, heading straight to her chair in the corner of the fireplace. It felt like her own personal study, though any passerby would have thought the piles of books were unseemly and rather unorganized. Still, Paola had a system for the piles of books, and eventually everyone learned to just leave her things alone and ask to borrow anything rather than removing it from a pile.
Once settled into her favorite position on her favorite chair, she grabbed the latest book, fresh parchment, and took a deep breath, clearing her mind of the daily nuances in order to prepare for the intake of new information. There were answers for the experience of her fellow Guardians in a new place - why some adapted better than others and why they couldn't manipulate the elements around them - it was just a matter of searching in the right places and knowing how to put the pieces of information together. But even with that simplicity, she was running into problems.
It felt like minutes, but it very well could have been hours, Paola realized that she wasn't alone. There was a faint buzz of murmurs around her, and she rubbed one of her ears briefly in annoyance. The conversation wasn't important, but when she took just one moment to tear her eyes away from her work and noticed that it was Devin and Kiara, her irritation dimmed and she returned back to her work.
Time never seemed to exist when Paola was studying. The present just expanded and was never-ending. Between that and her ability to block out everything else, it made it all too easy and inevitable to lose track of time. She learned to accept it long ago, and it was just a matter of time before those around her accepted it as well. Even Devin knew better than to try and interrupt to gather her attention, unless it was of great importance. When Paola finally decided to end her progress for the night, her legs were curled up underneath her, the fire was dim but still very warm, several sheets of parchments were spread on the small table before her, and her book was almost at the end. Stretching, she began to gather up her materials, before pausing. A carefully wrapped package was sitting by her papers with a gently scrawled note above it.
Storm sent word that the progress of the island is going well, though Renan and Celeste are still struggling. Don't forget to eat. See you at home.
-Devin
Surprised, Paola gathered up her things and the wrapped package before heading out of the library. A small smile appeared when the package held a hefty sandwich that required little work and could be eaten on her way home. She ate with less gusto than usual, musing on the progress across the realm and sea.