A faint dripping sound could be heard across the garden. It would repeat every few seconds, and was followed by the sound of light breathing. Sitting in a rickety swing was an Usul with a pale face. She swayed the swing back and forth, almost in a daze. The garden was quiet except for the faint dripping. She closed her eyes for a few moments, contemplating something very important. She needed to find answers that were jumbled in a mixed up puzzle. A strong wind blew and she opened her eyes, seeing a storm was brewing. She sighed and stood up with a groan, making her way to the house door.

Locking the door tight behind her, she proceeded through the dining room and into the lounge. Making her way up the stairs, a voice from behind was enough to stop her.

In a rush to stick your head into another book already?

And if I am? She responded.

You're not going to find the answers. Said the voice.

Why do you think that? She asked.

You're not smart like I am. The voice replied, and erupted with laughter.

She turned around, smirking to find her brother sitting on the banister in his poor excuse for a replacement body. Laughing, she prodded a finger at his forehead, feeling his presence in the doll.

Why do you think you're so smart? You couldn't even manage to find the answers when you could actually look for them.

He groaned in response, and she smiled at knowing she had won. She picked him up and carried him along upstairs. They reached the library portion of the room and switched on the light, revealing thousands of books lined across the walls and in neatly placed shelves across the room. Setting him on the table, she walked to a nearby bookcase, nearly four times her size in height. She pulled up a ladder that was conveniently left there by someone, and found a book that was sticking out a few inches. Plucking the book from the shelf, she hurried over to the large chair in the center of the room, next to the table her brother was sitting on.

She plopped down into the chair, and her dress was hovering momentarily. The book was covered in a coating of dust which she briefly wiped away. Staring at the title, she tried to figure out the message before opening the book. Of the Northern Winds. Shaking her head, she opened the book and skimmed the first page before actually reading it. A few pages in, she got a little bit antsy and craved for a conversation to break the silence.

Carl…? She said quietly, half hoping he wouldn't hear her.

What is it?

Why do mom and dad keep choosing such odd books? I'm not figuring this out at all. You're able to talk with them, aren't you?

I don't technically talk with them, so no. Maybe they expect you to figure it out.

She sighed but nodded and continued to read. She had her fingers crossed that she could somehow piece together the books she had to read, eventually...

Rise and shine sleeping not-beauty! Shouted Carl's obnoxiously loud voice.

Be quiet, Carl. Dira groaned and rolled over to find him on her nightstand in the dark room.
She looked at the clock which was blinking 5:13 over and over again. Her eyes got wide and the number flickered as it changed to 5:14. CARL, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! She shouted at the top of her lungs. THE SUN HASN'T EVEN WOKEN YET, LET ALONE, ME.

Dira stared at the unresponsive doll with an angry look. When it was evident he wasn't going to respond, she rolled back over in her bed and put the pillow on her head. I'm going back to bed!

Wait! Wait! Mom and Dad picked a new book!

What?! Dira shouted as she jumped out from under the blankets. Why didn't you say so sooner?! I haven't even finished the book they chose last night!

She practically jumped into her boots as she grabbed Carl and headed out her bedroom door.

Now you see, this is why you need to wake up earlier. Said Carl with a very amused chuckle.

Shut it, Carl. She hissed as she hurried down the hall.

She practically tripped over something left out as she made her way to the library. She knew better than to run in boots, and if she fell over something in the dark it would be the never ending laughter of Carl. She groaned, but kept moving at a slower than usual pace. Carl was snickering to himself, watching her misery.

She sat in place, back leaned against the solid stone archway. Her eyes were fixated intently on a piece of literature which was probably older than the ground she walked on. Her eyes scanned the pages delicately as she read line by line, earning more knowledge with each word that passed. There was not a sound in the garden aside from her light breathing and pages being turned every few minutes.

Taking in a deep breath, she let out a heavy sigh. Shutting the book, she placed it in her lap, sliding her fingers along the pages she read through. Standing up, she made her way through the vines growing across the stone path in her garden. Pulling on the rope of the garden door, it opened with ease, but did not make a sound until it shut tight behind her. She made her way up the carpeted staircase, slightly yawning as she reached the top. The hallways we very dim, except for a faint candle at either end.

She hushed the fire out on the melted wax candles, and then took a turn into a brightly lit room. The room was quite massive, and walls were lined with thousands upon thousands of books. Walking to one corner of the room, she slid the book into an empty slot; knowing exactly where it belonged. She then proceeded to the middle of the room, where a large cushioned chair was positioned next to a table with a brightly lit reading lamp.

Letting her body fall into the chair, her leg was relaxed comfortably on the arm of the chair. Shutting her eyes, she began to drift off for just a moment, before being interrupted.

That's not very lady-like. Said an obnoxiously loud voice.

Who are you to judge!? She responded.

She rolled over to see her brother and only friend, on the table, snickering. She sat up, and flicked the side of his head, causing him to fall lop-sided.

Don't pick on me! He said, I'm not the one who told you to collapse in the chair like that."

She snorted, and leaned back against the chair once more, expecting him to make more unnecessary comments. He kept quiet, to her dismay, as she was in the mood for an argument. She sighed, and picked up his mangled figure. She poked at the single red button sewn onto his face. The only thing she could use to represent his once green eyes. She let her eyes explore the room, searching for the next book she intended to read.

Take a break. He groaned.

You only say that because you're not the one doing all of the work, Carl.

You're not going to find the answer in a day; you've already gone through like eight books.

Nine.

Exactly my point! Take a break. I think you should just call it a day.

She shook her head, and contemplated for a few moments. Nodding after a few minutes, she decided he was right. Turning the table lamp off and standing up, she straightened the skirt of her dress out. She collected Carl and headed out the door, leaving the massive room completely empty. In her mind, she too already knew that keeping her eyes open for any longer would take more willpower than she had.

She decided tomorrow, she would read ten books, and then eleven the next day. She would find what she was seeking, eventually.