Velhari

Happy Pride Month 2024!
Before you continue, spoilers for The Library are ahead. You can read that novel here.

Apollyon was studying the group of students that had just passed the reception desk intently. Kate was amused by that.

“Something funny about our usual visitors this time?”

“Yes. They have begun to carry items with coordinated coloured stripes. They even wear that pattern on their accessories. I have seen this happen over the past few years during this month but I have not found any corresponding holiday.”

This was the first June Kate had spent at the library, just a few months after being turned into a demon. It was quite fun to see Apollyon puzzled about something for once.

“It’s a thing called Pride Month. Very simplified, it’s about sexual and gender minorities celebrating their own existence. Of course other people join in and show their acceptance by wearing those colours too.”

“Fascinating. I assume many humans are not as accepting?”

“Sadly, yea.”

The devil seemed to think for a moment. “Would it be appropriate for us to show support?”

“I think that would be amazing, honestly. It was never a huge part of my life, but I technically also fall under that umbrella. I am attracted to women, that makes me a lesbian. No idea how much that still applies now that I belong to species that doesn’t have any other sexes…”

“I will not ask you to stop associating with that label if it gives you any sort of comfort. Correct me if I am wrong, but you do still identify as a woman. It doesn’t matter that we lack ‘men’. At least in my opinion.”

“Fair point.”

“We should call in Eisheth and Nirrti to decide how to show our support and acceptance.”

“Right.”

As usual, that meeting was held over dinner.

“I like that.” Eisheth nodded. “We should not just display that colour pattern, those several patterns actually, we should also use the purpose of this place itself. We have the space for an additional shelf behind the reception desk.”

“Yes, displaying works, both entertainment and scientific, would be a nice gesture. After what Kate said, I think we should also put up a declaration that we do not accept discrimination within these walls and that we will make sure people can come to us for help.”

Kate was grinning from ear to ear. “I should have expected you all to be this enthusiastic about all this.”

“Since you are the only one here to have any expertise with this Pride Month, you will have to guide us.”

“Sure.”

That guidance led to the conjuring of a long shelf behind the reception desk, one side holding stories and the other science and other helpful literature, decorated with one big rainbow across the top and all the other Pride flag patterns dotted along the shelf wherever there was a free surface. Nirrti and Eisheth went on to collect books to place there, running them by Kate for approval. Meanwhile she and Apollyon were trying to figure out how to best advertise the library as a safe harbour.

“Do you truly believe a sign to be enough?”

Kate nodded. “Yea, it’s simple and gets the point across.”

“I believe we should also show directly that we, as people, are safe to approach.”

“Hm… maybe a rainbow pin?”

“The outer metal layer of the library badges can easily be recoloured.”

“That is perfect!”

“Now we only need to decide what the sign should say.”

“Actually, we might need two signs. One at the entrance saying that everyone is welcome and safe here and one at the reception that restates that and adds that people can approach us if they need anything and that we won’t tolerate intolerance.”

“I know exactly how to word that.” Apollyon smiled.

“You go ahead, I’ll check in with the others.”

The reaction to the Pride display was generally positive. Many visitors coming in during the day simply ignored it while others seemed to be happy to not just see it but also pick out some books to read. Kate was surprised that no one had complained so far. Though, Apollyon’s stern raising of a single eyebrow at any remotely negative reaction to the shelves or the signs might have dissuaded any who might have said something. A few people even took the time to thank the librarians and ask if this would become a yearly occurrence. The answer to that was obviously yes, as long as such support was necessary.

Eventually, one of the moments Kate had dreaded happened. The mind of the teenager who approached her was chaotic and bleak.

“Excuse me, miss librarian?”

“Can I help you?” She tried to keep a positive façade, it would be bad if anyone found out that she could read minds after all.

“Uhm… the sign on the desk says to approach you if we need anything and, well, I do…” The teenager was hesitating.

“Whatever you need, I won’t judge. Unless it’s murdering people or something similar, I will judge that.” That attempt to lighten the mood at least a little worked. A quick smile flashed across the teens face.

“Yea… uh, no murdering, I promise. Uhm… I just wanted to ask if you have anything that can tell me how I can become a girl?”

“We have quite a few things on that actually. I recommend something current though, about modern methods and the paperwork for that. How old are you?”

“Seventeen… eighteen in four months.”

“Alright. It might be best to prepare stuff for when you are eighteen and then act on it with all the doctors and other stuff, but there is much you can do already.”

“Okay… like, uh… what?”

“Clothes, a name, telling your friends and family if you think they’ll accept you.”

“I think I can do that.”

“Very good.”

“So, do you have a guide on what I should do when I turn eighteen?”

“We do! The local university made a pamphlet and we made a few copies so you can take one home.”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

“Do you need anything besides that, Mia?”

“How do know…?”

Kate smiled. “Special librarian powers, we always know.” Having to keep her powers secret didn't mean she couldn't have some identity reaffirming fun. 

Apollyon was approached by a library visitor too.

“Excuse me?”

“Yes?”

“I have read some of the stuff on your display but I haven’t found what I was looking for, maybe you can help me.”

“Potentially. What do you need?”

The visitor lowered her voice. “I love my best friend… like romantically and I don’t know how to tell her. What if I ruin what we have now?”

“In my experience the romances that blossom from a close friendship can be the most beautiful thing. You should be honest to your friend and to yourself. Even if she does not share your feelings, she may still value your continued friendship. You may be able to continue your friendship or you may not, but do not lie to yourself about that.”

“Okay. Can you wait here for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“I will be right back then.” She quickly walked over to her friend who was waiting between the shelves. They were too far away to hear their conversation, but from the little awkward kiss and tight hug it was quite obvious the feelings between them were mutual. After a moment, they both returned to Apollyon.

“Thank you!”

“It is my pleasure to help.”

“Before we go back to reading, I just wanted you to meet my new girlfriend Jane.”

“Good to meet you.” Apollyon smiled at the two women.

“I take it you talked her into confessing?” Jane was smiling too.

“I only told her to be honest with you and herself. I am very happy that my advice has led to a good outcome.”

“More than good I would say. I was actually considering confessing by inviting her to dinner one day.”

“May I suggest an impromptu dinner invitation? You have something to celebrate after all.”

“Millie, what do you think of the Greek place down by the town hall?”

Millie nodded excitedly. “But I pay!”

“Only if you let me treat you next time.”

“Deal.”

Apollyon nodded in approval. “I will leave you two to your date planning.”

“Yea, sure. Thank you again.”

“Always.”

At the end of the day, Apollyon and Kate were cleaning up the Pride shelf.

“I would say that went well.”

“It sure did.” The devil sounded proud. “I underestimated the amount of people who would be interested in our help or even just further education on these topics.”

“I did too. Maybe next year we can do a bigger shelf.”

“Yes, that would be good. Let us hope for this year that the rest of the month goes as well as today and that the complaints remain as… non-existent.”

“And that we don’t need to protect anyone from bigots.”

“Yes. But I am prepared to set an unignorable precedent if I have to.”

“I don’t want it to come to that.”

“I don’t want that either. Hm…” Apollyon suddenly grinned.

“What is it?”

“Do you suppose Inquisitor Pride knows about Pride month?”