The door to the library was barred from the inside. Dull thudding sounds occasionally rang through it as the zombie hoard attempted to break in, but it would hold firm.

This wasn’t the first zombie infestation it had weathered.

Inside, Raven was at a loss. She had just been visiting VC, intent on consulting some works on the Shroud in the main library. Instead, she was locked into this branch, her guide run off to either deal with or hide from the zombie outbreak. Raven wasn’t sure which.

At least she had some company.

Raven stared at Willow with an intensity that she didn’t really feel, almost as if she were subconsciously trying to memorize everything she saw. The other girl’s wood-like skin was lighter than the dark oak of the bookshelves, with red freckles just under the skin of her arms and face. She wore knee-high socks, though one had slipped down to mid shin, and her skirt was weighed down by the countless clips, keychains and keepsakes that dangled from her belt. Her eyes were the colour of tree sap and her hair a barky brown with green highlights. It was styled to resemble a pixie cut in the front, but in the back it was gathered into a single cinnamon bun swirl pressed against the back of her head.

“Raven?”

“Yes?” The Tengu examined the other girl for several seconds longer before suddenly jerking her gaze to somewhere near Willow’s eyes.

“Are you okay?”

Raven scrunched her brow and tilted her head. “Yes. Wh-why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know” admitted Willow, sounding slightly lost herself. “I just didn’t know if the current situation was bothering you. You seem pretty distant.”

“I’m always like this.” She paused for a moment. “The zombies are pretty annoying though.” Raven sighed audibly and closed her eyes.

“No questions about that. I’m getting pretty sick of them myself. I might need to do a freebee and track down the demon who keeps starting these outbreaks for Deus.”

Raven opened her eyes and stared at the other girl again. “Why not auction it off?”

Willow raised an eyebrow and beckoned Raven with her hand. “Go on”

“...Veneralia is probably not the only one who wants that information. I don’t know who else you could sell to, but would any of them keep it private?”

“No. They wouldn’t.”

“Then no matter who has it, the problem will stop and you still make a profit from the information.”

“Raven that’s a great idea!” Willow moved in to hug Raven, causing the other girl to jump. Her eyes went a little too wide from the contact, but the Tengu girl managed to accept and return it without incident.

”Attention Faculty. The incident starting in the Artemis building has been resolved. All janitorial staff please report IMMEDIATELY to the affected areas. Students should remain in classrooms until cleanup is complete, with special permission for Student Council members to help with and supervise cleanup.”

“Finally!” Willow smiled at Raven. “Sorry you’re day was ruined, but I’m glad we got to talk. Let’s do it again soon, okay?”