Alainna arrived early, as was her custom. Those few, swift, precious moments allowed her time to gather her thoughts and to prepare for whatever would come their way that day.
Early and dependable, Tina was the first to arrive and begin without a word to prepare the library for a day.
The phrase busy as a bee could have originated with Tina as onlookers might observed at her work. Small in stature and swift, she moved from place to place quickly and efficiently, just like a bee.
Alainna grinned as she looked up and watched Tina for a few brief moments. She never had to tell Tina what needed to be done. Tina just knew. She had an innate instinct to know just what needed her attention.
There is so much more than her dependability that Alainna appreciated in Tina.
At her heart, Tina's gift was the care and keeping of ancestral information and knowledge. This trust was well established ages ago and became not only a gift but an integral part of Tina's being. Care and kindness flowed through her and from her every action and her every word.
Next to arrive was Zarah. She flowed into the office her wavy hair floating about her as a beautiful cloud still with the touches of the sun's ray upon it. A heart of gold. Everyone would say of Zarah. She was the closes to rival Tina in kindness. But, she was also the strongest of them all when it came to traits. Zarah had her convictions and stood firmly on them. Her viewpoint and beliefs were impenetrable - they were her fortress.
In appearance Tina and Zarah were complete opposites. Tina's petite, compact stature was emphasized by her beautiful espresso skin. Pure and lovely with her short, ebony hair. Her eyes glistened with joy and happiness.
Zarah flowed in every way. From the top of her curly hair to her selection of clothing and manner of walking. Her fair skin was accentuated by her medium brown-golden flecked hair with tendrils that danced in the breeze.
Tina and Zarah greeted one another and began a conversation that from afar appeared to be as melodious as a tune one might be familiar with.
Alainna stepped from her desk and picked up a stack of books. These books were well loved and well read. These books were not originals, but were carefully and painstakingly recreated to house pages handwritten and illustrated. These pages were made from a material that one would find difficult to describe. These pages weren't smooth or firm as other book's pages. These pages when touched seemed to have a pulse as if the one who formed them left a bit of themselves in their work..
These books were precious to them all, especially to Zarah. As strong as she was in her beliefs. She knew and appreciated the value of these books. She had nearly put to memory each word, each drawing and each stroke. They all were poetry to her.
To Tina, these books were the very heart of everything she knew and believed. Tina was the keeper of all things related to their ancestors. Her first duty was to care for these books to ensure that their condition remained clean, pure and alive.
Alainna handed the books to Tina who turned immediately to take them to the stand that was specially made for them. She laid them down, paused, closed her eyes and ran her hand over them. She did this every time she returned them to their home. In her heart she felt a deep connection with the words and illustrations on the pages of the books. Ancestral care flowed from her every being as independence, and romantic expression flowed from Zarah.
The heart of Zarah's mission was to minister. She instinctively knew in word and deed just what each one of the guardians needed. Her words were carefully chosen and woven together to provide just the right nourishment to the hearts and minds of the others. Words and expression were her gift.
As Tina was returning the books, Zarah gave Alainna an exasperated, knowing look. In all of her being she knew when something was not right. She gazed at Alainna for a few moments before speaking as if she attempting to read from Alainna's posture information to explain the sense of an approaching storm. That was it. That was what Zarah felt. She felt the change in the atmosphere. She felt the shift of the winds and the change in the angle of the light. Something was definitely not quite right.
"So, are you going to tell me or am I going to have to figure it out for myself?", Zarah inquired.
Alainna turned her gaze from Tina's swiftly disappearing back as she resumed her busy as a bee activity. Alainna took in a deep breath, held it and considered. Timing as she knew, was everything. She knew that it just wasn't quite the time to share what she knew and still some of what she only surmised.
"Not quite yet, my friend. You always know when something is about to happen. But, it's not quite time yet. Believe me, I will share as soon as I know exactly what I can and should share and only then," she finished with a firm look in her yellow-green eyes that were now deepening with intensity. Zarah's eyes widened. When Alainna's eyes turned this shade of green, she knew it is more than a storm approaching. This had the smell and the feel of an event.
Alainna's eyes softened and lightened as she tilted her head and smiled at Zarah. She began what now seemed to be a habit to mindlessly stroke the Dragonfly's wings holding the keys. This action drew Zarah's attention. She knew better at the moment to ask any further questions. But questions she did have and a plenty of them.
Zarah nodded and turned to pick up her things to put away then to prepare for the day. The day was cooler than normal. There was definitely a change, a shift in the atmosphere. There was a certain fragrance to the air as well. Not completely unpleasant, yet. But it was distinctive and lingering.
These brief moments passed quickly and whatever was on Alainna's heart and mind would remain there. The three were ready to open the library's door. Each were all smiles and light ready to greet the first guest.
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