xp_logs | Tabitha and Topaz (Backdated) (Reply)

Topaz finds Tabitha asleep in the library. Somehow it doesn't seem as strange as it should. Backdated to May 25.

Topaz was poking through the bookshelves, trying to find something new to read. She wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings...

Until she turned a corner and found the librarian passed out at a table.

There were times when all the coffee, B-vitamin complex, and energy drinks in the world would stand up to sleep deprivation. Tabitha had found that time.

Actually her head had mysteriously found a lovely table that served quite adequately as a pillow.

There may have been drool.

...Is she dead?

It probably said something that that was Topaz's first thought upon finding Ms. Smith asleep. She watched for a moment to make sure the woman was still breathing, then blinked a few times, trying to figure out what to do. Leave her? That looked like a very uncomfortable position to sleep in. But would she be mad if she tried to wake her up?

She couldn't leave her like that...

"Um...Ms. Smith?"

Tabitha leapt to her feet, the table between her and Topaz. She blinked groggily a few times before she realized she was a student, and probably not trying to kill her. She focused on Topaz and smiled weakly. "If it isn't my favorite library lurker. Did you need help with something?"

"No...just making sure you were..." alive, "okay. Are you?"

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes. How long had she been there? "Oh, yeah. Must have just dozed off." She caught sight of the drool-puddle and felt herself blush.

"I'm guessing the coffee didn't help today?" Topaz asked raising an eyebrow.

Tabitha pulled several tissues from a box and attempted to clean up the mess without looking like a complete idiot. A glance outside showed her how late it was. "Must have missed my mid-morning dose," she said easily.

Honestly, Topaz wasn't judging. She understood sleep deprivation, though Ms. Smith did seem to be taking it to a new level. "Have you ever thought about getting sleep?"

Tabitha straightened indignantly. "I sleep." Occasionally. "I think I just need a new mattress." Sure, that was why other people's couches were better than her own bed.

"Okay." Topaz held up her hands quickly, taking a step back. She hadn't meant to offend the librarian.

She raised an eyebrow. "Just because I make bombs with my bare hands doesn't mean I'm going to start tossing them around here, kid. Think of the books."

"I wouldn't think you'd put them at risk," Topaz commented as she looked at the bookshelves surrounding them.

"See? Perfectly safe here." Her blush didn't fade. "Er, sorry, I'm just a little embarrassed. Sleeping on the job, y'know."

"Secret's safe with me, if it helps," Topaz assured her, rubbing the back of her head. Wasn't like there was anyone for her tell anyways.

Tabitha attempted to recover her dignity. "Here for another day of avoiding the world?" Well, nothing like asking the uncomfortable questions to make herself look like even more of a goober.

"Same as every day." Topaz decided to give her a hand, returning her attention to the bookshelves instead of focusing on the disheveled librarian.

"How are you going to keep yourself occupied once school's out?" She attempted to discreetly pitch the tissue into a waste basket.

"..." Topaz stopped her browsing for a moment, looking back at Tabitha. "Does the library close over the summer?"

Tabitha raised an eyebrow at the teenager. "Noooo, but there's this whole outside experience that's all the rage during hot months, didn't you know?"

"Heard of it, never had a chance to experience it myself," Topaz deadpanned. Unless one counted hiding in the bushes in the dead of night watching a house. She didn't.

She warmed to the subject. "Oh, yeah, the woods around here are awesome for avoiding all human contact. Just keep an eye on where you're going so we don't have to send out a search party."

"Yeah?" She raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I'll have to give it a shot sometimes." Maybe it'd be nice to get outside for something other than training with Mr. Haller.

"Don't forget sunscreen, though. I don't care if there are trees, the sun is evil and will hurt you." She nodded sagely.

"I'll remember that." Though honestly, compared to the rest of her classmates she was probably one of the least likely to burn. But she'd sort of learned to go along with the things Ms. Smith said.

Tabs' eyes narrowed. "And now you're giving me the "if I just smile and nod maybe she won't hurt me" look." She snorted with laughter. "I'm going to go reshelve books so you don't sprain something."

It was actually more of a "I'm definitely talking to Ms. Smith right now" smile. Yes, she had one of those. "Right then. I'll just wake you up again if I find you asleep in a pile of books?"

She rubbed her hands together gleefully and nearly skipped away. "Such a good minion!"