Getting to him had felt like pushing through an ocean, and-- maybe that was right. To someone outside this moment of awakening, she was still in a crowded hall. "Y-yes, of course. You're welcome."

There was a sound like a distant church bell, tolling the time. A connection, however brief. From somewhere, a memory-- "I shall freeze, so long as they are safe."

Reality re-imposed itself. Even someone as unflappable as Natalia Koutolika would need a minute after such an obviously unreal experience, and, composing herself, she said, "-- You're the librarian, yes? Do you need help with those books?"