Daydreams and Disasters

Between Death and Dawn

Between Death and Dawn - Kane Joins the Library Ghosts

She doesn't want to scream but waking up to a ghost sitting on your chest is enough to scare anyone, even someone who is used to the invasions of those who exist in the Beyond. The young man is staring intently at her, as if she is a curiosity, and Nancy groans, rolling over and through him. The clock meets her bleary vision, a neon pink 4:50 AM reminding her that she has to get up in an hour and a half to make sure the library is ready. She's probably going to be forced to get up now though, and she regrets that her patrols have blessed her with 2 hours of sleep tonight.

"Alright, pal, I just got to sleep. What's the big idea."

He does not look like he should be dead, smiling at her in a manner which puts her at ease. Dark hair falls into luminous blue eyes, and he couldn't have been much older than her when he passed. The depressing thought sinks in that he could be a recently deceased and that she was going to have to help him pass while in her goofy donut pajamas at the crack of dawn, but she's dedicated to helping spirits no matter the hour or state of dress.

"I found your library on accident. I thought it would be nice to hang around for a little while. The other ghosts told me that you can see us, and I thought they were pulling my leg, but here you are, staring at me. How freaking cool is that?" She blinks at the speech, and groans, pulling a pillow over her head.

"Do you have a name, so that when I throw this pillow I have a name to scream at?" She is muffled but he understands her perfectly.

"Name's Kane, nice to meet you Miss Solo." He is incredibly polite and she sighs, pulling her head out from under the pillow.

"Likewise, but I have to ask, Kane. Why here and why now? Also, you're like my age. Don't call me Miss. Name's Nancy." He nods floating off her bed to explore her bedroom. Minutes stretch in the predawn darkness and Nancy finds that she's almost asleep again when he speaks from somewhere over near the large oval glass window that lets in the gold streetlights.

"I've been wandering for a few years, trying to find a place to belong. Something about your Library felt right. So here I am. I hope you're not upset. I can leave if you are."

Nancy flaps a tired hand at him. "Listen Kane No-Last-Name, you are more than welcome to live in my library. I keep really weird hours and my not-boyfriend ex-fiancé is a supervillain who pops in way too often for a guy I'm not dating. Also the other Librarians are a Demon from the 9th level of Dante's Inferno and a Fallen Angel seeking redemption at a positively glacial pace. All I ask for is a little privacy. Bedroom is off limits after tonight. Shower is too. Otherwise, I literally do not care." She pauses, realizing that sounds harsh and she has lack of sleep to blame it on, "Welcome, really. I hope you love it here and that the library gives your afterlife some of the joy it seems you were looking for."

He smiles broadly, the lamplight glimmering though him, and Nancy realizes that all things aside, Kane is kinda cute and he's forgiven her lack of manners at this ungodly early hour. She really does hope he stays.

"You're just as nice as they said you were. I think I'll like it here." He nods decisively, "Good night, Nancy. See you later!" He floats through the wall before she can point out that she was trying to get a good night when he woke her, but settles in comfortably. The Library is many things, but it's never lonely.