Jigano smiled at the mention of a 'book boss' but held his laughter back, not wanting Peter to think he was laughing at him instead of finding simple delight in the alliteration of the title. "I think Loren, the Launceleyn lad, once styled himself as such," he admitted with a shrug. "But it seemed... well, a bit arrogant, since he wasn't even from here. The Loreseekers are simply caretakers of a priceless resource that belongs to everyone from the Hollowed Grounds. Some of our members have been outlanders and others are naturals and it's something we can all work together and agree on. I wish we had more people to help us with it," he admitted wistfully, "but... we do the best with what we have." It might as well have been the motto of the Hollowed Grounds.
He smiled more warmly as he glanced over the helpers, most of whom were regulars of the library for their own reasons. "It is," he agreed proudly. "All most people need is a little push, such as for someone else to do the organizing, and then they're happy to show up to help." Maybe that was being overly optimistic about people in general, but the local book-lovers were willing to defend their refuge from the difficulties of the Hollowed Grounds - something Jigano appreciated immensely, being one of their number.
The fight against the mud was a frustrating fight as their progress slowed again on the lower stairs, but Jigano was pleased by Peter's curiosity, and he smiled encouragingly at the stumbling questions. "Each member of the Guild has their own areas of special, personal interest," he explained, always cheered by talking about his colleagues and vocation. "Things that they focus on more intently, yes, but we gather whatever information we can find that we think could be of use to people, now or in the future. We write it down, if it isn't already, and we loan books out, but we also teach things." He grinned a bit, thinking of Maea and Adam. "We teach reading, for instance, and writing. Practical lessons on flora and fauna for newly arrived Outlanders, so they know what to watch out for. I've taught the basics of rapier combat before, and simple medical knowledge and first aid as well." Perhaps Peter would like to learn something as well, at some point? At least he would know the option was there now.
At the other man's hesitance on what he did for a living, Jigano simply nodded sympathetically. "It can be hard to get your feet under you, here," he agreed. "If you'd like I can try and help you find a place that could use an apprentice, if you're looking to learn a trade that will be useful in this world. What was the place you came from like?" Because it seemed probable that the shy man was an Outlander, if he didn't already have a farm or shop to tend to, and didn't seem to know much about the Atheneum.
He smiled more warmly as he glanced over the helpers, most of whom were regulars of the library for their own reasons. "It is," he agreed proudly. "All most people need is a little push, such as for someone else to do the organizing, and then they're happy to show up to help." Maybe that was being overly optimistic about people in general, but the local book-lovers were willing to defend their refuge from the difficulties of the Hollowed Grounds - something Jigano appreciated immensely, being one of their number.
The fight against the mud was a frustrating fight as their progress slowed again on the lower stairs, but Jigano was pleased by Peter's curiosity, and he smiled encouragingly at the stumbling questions. "Each member of the Guild has their own areas of special, personal interest," he explained, always cheered by talking about his colleagues and vocation. "Things that they focus on more intently, yes, but we gather whatever information we can find that we think could be of use to people, now or in the future. We write it down, if it isn't already, and we loan books out, but we also teach things." He grinned a bit, thinking of Maea and Adam. "We teach reading, for instance, and writing. Practical lessons on flora and fauna for newly arrived Outlanders, so they know what to watch out for. I've taught the basics of rapier combat before, and simple medical knowledge and first aid as well." Perhaps Peter would like to learn something as well, at some point? At least he would know the option was there now.
At the other man's hesitance on what he did for a living, Jigano simply nodded sympathetically. "It can be hard to get your feet under you, here," he agreed. "If you'd like I can try and help you find a place that could use an apprentice, if you're looking to learn a trade that will be useful in this world. What was the place you came from like?" Because it seemed probable that the shy man was an Outlander, if he didn't already have a farm or shop to tend to, and didn't seem to know much about the Atheneum.
