<TIAMAT> *Anyway. It's early afternoon some week or so after Kender's parents left, and the library is a popular place at this hour; there're a lot of students milling around, many reading or looking for books, and a couple of groups off in a corner studying together. The library itself is considerably large and probably spans at least two, maybe three stories high, with entrances on each of the floors.

<TIAMAT> *Roary is in the alchemy section, looking for a book with a certain formula in it that he doesn't happen to know. He eventually finds said book and wanders over to a table by the wall and plunks down to study said formula.

<JETMODE> *Eventually a willowy old woman wanders over and flops down across from him -- posture surprisingly unold-womanish. She's holding a delicate-looking scroll in her hands with a fairly grumpy expression on her face.

<TIAMAT> *Roary glances up when she sits but, seeing the expression, doesn't say anything, opting to continue his research instead.

<JETMODE> *Ignoring her's all fine and good 'til she starts muttering to herself -- then finally flings the scroll down in disgust, crossing her arms and tapping her foot on the floor. She's sure not acting like an old woman -- well, a sane one, anyway.

<TIAMAT> *Roary's kind of been watching her out of the corner of his eye, especially when she started muttering, and though he's definitely nervous about her being around, he isn't about to up and walk off lest she get mad at him, too. ^_^

<JETMODE> *She finally turns to him, looking plaintive. "All the research in this damn library, Roary, and they don't have a thing on what I'm looking for!"

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks up from his book with a start when she says his name, trying not to stare wide-eyed. "Hu--I mean...er...I'm sorry, have we met?

<JETMODE> *She blinks at him. "Well, of course we ha-- oh." She looks a bit guilty. "I suppose you wouldn't recognize this body. I'm Alpha -- remember?"

<TIAMAT> *Now Roary really is staring, like just maybe he thinks she's crazy. "... ... The Alpha I know is a little girl about 12 years old.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> Correction! The Alpha you met was temporarily in the body of a 12-year-old. *smiles a wrinkled smile* Oh, this is silly. Come with me.

<JETMODE> *She stands, looking at him expectantly.

<TIAMAT> *Roary isn't moving. He's still staring, though! "Uh, no, wait -- where're we going? And I still don't know who you are--

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *impatiently* I don't want to show you here -- okay. We met in the library a few months ago when a girl named Genoa collapsed in the hall. You panicked and ran in here and saw me reading a book. Am I right so far?

<TIAMAT> *Roary's stare turns to one of surprise. "Er..

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *satisfied look* Since there was no one else there -- if I'm not Alpha, I at least know her, so will you please just play along 'til I can prove it?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Uh ... yeah, okay ... *he gets up slowly, still looking wary.

<JETMODE> *Alpha -- or the old woman who might be Alpha -- looks thoughtful. "This way. Not many people go in the back rooms."

<JETMODE> *She leads the way to a very dusty back corner that contains some of the older, drier history books.

<TIAMAT> *Roary follows, thinking about how creepy this place -- the arena, not the library -- can be.

<JETMODE> *Once they reach the back, Alpha stands with her hands on her hips, looking a little bit depressed. "This.. is gonna be pretty weird, all right?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary: As if it hasn't been already. *shakes his head* All this place IS is weird.

<JETMODE> *She laughs. "Then maybe it won't shock you too much." Then she closes her eyes, a look of concentration on her face -- and grows younger. Much as if someone were running a video in fast-backward. Moments later, the twelve-year-old that Roary should remember is standing here.

<TIAMAT> *Roary yells in surprise -- and probably fear -- when she begins to shift, but he can't seem to take his eyes from her. By the time she's done, he's looking rather pale.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *smiles at him* You all right? See? *spins* It's me!

<TIAMAT> *Roary: ... Alpha..? What...was that?

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *crossly* It was me before, too, you ninny. *shakes her head* .. but all that aside --

<JETMODE> <Alpha> I don't know why, but I change. I don't have a set age -- I don't know how old I am.

<JETMODE> *She shrugs. "It's convenient sometimes, but mostly.. I wish I knew why."

<TIAMAT> *Roary: ... So basically, you can become whatever age you want?

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *nods* I guess it's a pretty unusual talent. I haven't met anyone else who can do it.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> I mean, we have people who can turn into animals, people who can talk to animals, undead..

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Weeeird...

<JETMODE> *Alpha looks hurt.

<TIAMAT> *Roary looks guilty. "I didn't mean it like that! I mean ... well ... it IS unusual.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> Yeah, I know. *she drops into a crouch, running her finger through the dust on the floor* But we're still friends, right?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Huh? Of course we are, why wouldn't we be?

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *sideways glance* Just checking. *she hops to her feet and grins*

<TIAMAT> *Roary blinks at her and smiles back, a little more sheepishly, still feeling bad for hurting her feelings. "So, er, what were you looking for back there?

<JETMODE> <Alpha> In-for-mation! About my condition -- or whatever it is. There's nothing to be found, though. I even checked back here. *gives the history books a dirty look*

<TIAMAT> *Roary scratches his ear. "Have you tried asking anyone? Some of the mages here have dealt with some pretty, uh, out-of-the-ordinary stuff..

<JETMODE> *Alpha scuffs her shoe on the floor, looking a little guilty. "Well.. ... not really." She looks up desperately. "It's hard to find anyone who won't look at me like some kind of experiment, you know?"

<TIAMAT> *Roary frowns a little and looks away. "Yeah, I guess that's true..

<JETMODE> <Alpha> I may have to just give up and ask someone.. *pause* I really interrupted your studying, didn't I?

<TIAMAT> *Roary laughs a little. "Oh, that's okay. I was just looking up a formula, I can always recheck it later.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> If you say so.

<TIAMAT> *There's an awkward pause, then a shuffling sound and suddenly an old esper is standing bent in the doorway. You might recognize him as Lastor, owner and maintainer of the library (he also has a little bookstore nextdoor on one floor) and most who frequent the library would not only know him, but know that he's often grouchy.

<TIAMAT> *He eyes the two suspiciously. "What're you two doing back here, eh?

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *sweetly* Just talking! We were about to leave. *she attempts to sidle away*

<TIAMAT> *Lastor hrumphs. "Libraries are for reading and studying. Kindly take your conversation elsewhere, if you please. *he steps aside to let them past, still eyeing them.

<TIAMAT> *Roary follows Alpha out, looking nervous.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *mutters under her breath* Stiff-necked old fart.

<TIAMAT> *Lastor glares slightly as they make for the door, but doesn't say anything, though he mutters something about noisey kids as he shuffles off.

<JETMODE> *Alpha sniffs loudly. "I really can't stand him."

<JETMODE> <Alpha> I mean.. he ought to appreciate people even coming to his musty old library, don't you think?

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Yeah, well, he's really, uh, devoted to the library and all...and a lot of people use it, so... *small shrug* Hey, you know, he's actually really something, if you get him on a subject he knows about...maybe he could help you with your ... condition.

<JETMODE> *Alpha groans. "I knew you were going to say something like that. I guess I really should.." She frowns. "But he's so.. cranky."

<TIAMAT> *Roary: Yeah...well, keep looking, I'm sure you'll find something eventually. ... So, uh, you've always been able to do this? Don't you remember anyone who could tell you about it? Parents or...or something?

<JETMODE> *Alpha shakes her head. "I don't remember anything. At least.. nothing really from before.." She concentrates a moment. "I wandered from town to town a lot before I came here, but that's all I know."

<TIAMAT> *Roary gives her kind of a sad smile. "Someone's got to know something. Don't give up.

<JETMODE> <Alpha> *laughs suddenly* I won't. I have all the time in the world.