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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 22:00:04 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 15, 2017 22:00:04 GMT -5
"That's sounds wonderful."
Her smile widened. "Glad you think so. I was pretty excited myself when I found out." Hoot had a pep to her step as the two made their way to the library. It was really great to find someone who appreciated books and the wonderful information they held. And well, there were also wonderful books that took you to far away places. Those had to be some of her favorite books.
"I'm sure you'll find several books to read." Hoot glanced over at Critter, eyes sparkling happily.
Her worry was gone for now. She wouldn't worry... just had to wait a few days before she would really worry. So now was time to enjoy the moment with a new friend.
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 22:21:13 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 22:21:13 GMT -5
"Glad you think so. I was pretty excited myself when I found out."
Critter was surprised by how much she had in common with Hoot. How had she gone so long and never become friends with the younger newsie? It almost felt too late now, with how old she was getting. She would be leaving soon enough.
"I'm sure you'll find several books to read."
Critter nodded in agreement, making her way inside the large library, the books stacked neatly along all of the walls on their shelves. "Yeah... I've gotta be able to here." She grinned. She really did like reading, especially when it came to a subject that she was particularly interested in. Making her way briefly around until she found the correct section, Critter began scanning the book titles, looking for something interesting.
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 22:32:16 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 15, 2017 22:32:16 GMT -5
"Yeah... I've gotta be able to here."
Hoot smiled. "They have soo many books! I'm really glad that they decided to expand the library more." Her smile softened as she ran her fingers along the books. "It's really nice that you like books."
She turned to the older newsie. "Not very many newsies like to read or can read." She sighed softly. "It's sad... but," she brightened."I'm working on helping some of the younger ones learn to read as well as some others." She stood next to Critter, scanning for a book on owls that she knew was nearby. "Perhaps you'd like to join me sometime? You don't have to do a thing," she assured, not sure if Critter liked teaching or helping out with that sort of thing. She really needed to get to know her better. "But you're always welcome to help if you like."
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 22:36:20 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 22:36:20 GMT -5
"They have soo many books! I'm really glad that they decided to expand the library more."
Critter nodded quickly in agreement. More books were never a bad thing, from what she could tell.
"It's really nice that you like books. Not very many newsies like to read or can read."
She frowned, "Really?" She hadn't been aware. Many of the newsies seemed to be able to at least read a headline, although she trusted that Hoot had paid more attention than she did.
"I'm working on helping some of the younger ones learn to read as well as some others."
That was definitely something that Critter thought was admirable. It was definitely different.
"Perhaps you'd like to join me sometime? You don't have to do a thing, but you're always welcome to help if you like."
Critter bit her bottom lip softly. That sounded like fun. She may have to see once or twice how Hoot was doing it, but once she figured that out, helping sounded like it could be a lot of fun. Plus, it would help her fill up some of her free time. "Yeah... I'd like that. That'd be fun."
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 22:45:43 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 15, 2017 22:45:43 GMT -5
"Really?"
Hoot nodded seriously. "Mhmmm. That's why alot of newsies make up so many stories to get their papers to sell."
"Yeah... I'd like that. That'd be fun."
She grinned as she pulled her book off the shelf. "That'll be great! We meet outside the library twice a week around the selling of the evening edition. If the weather's nice, we go out to the park. But right now, we stay at the library." She held her book against her chest. "We don't have alot joining us, but I'm hoping in the spring more people will want to join."
She loved helping others and sharing her passion for reading. It would be so very wonderful if her little study group grew.
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 23:04:36 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 23:04:36 GMT -5
"Mhmmm. That's why alot of newsies make up so many stories to get their papers to sell."
Now that she said it, it all made much more sense. Critter had never thought much about being able to read, since she had learned so early on in her life, although it was good to feel like she knew more about what was going on now.
"That'll be great! We meet outside the library twice a week around the selling of the evening edition. If the weather's nice, we go out to the park. But right now, we stay at the library."
Critter nodded, doing her best to take mental notes on everything that Hoot was saying. "Right, gotcha."
"We don't have alot joining us, but I'm hoping in the spring more people will want to join."
Another small nod was sent Hoot's way, a small smile tugging at her lips as she pulled out a book about cats. Perfect.
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 23:31:29 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 15, 2017 23:31:29 GMT -5
"Right, gotcha."
Hoot was beaming. It was great to know that the older girl was interested in her work. Sometimes it could be quite frustrating how the other newsies looked down on her efforts.
"I'll be looking forward to seeing you join us," she said happily, looking for some more books to read. "On Saturdays, I like to do a story hour with the younger kids."
She turned to face the other girl. "You're definitely welcomed to join then. Maybe you'd like to help me pick out some books for them?" She quickly added, "Once you've found your books of course!"
Hoot didn't want to burden the other girl. She was just excited to find someone who liked books. She knew she could be a bit too pushy and vocal at times...
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 23:36:23 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 23:36:23 GMT -5
"I'll be looking forward to seeing you join us."
Nodding slowly, Critter couldn't help but chuckle at how enthusiastic Hoot seemed to be about everything. She really seemed to be passionate about it, and that was admirable in itself.
"On Saturdays, I like to do a story hour with the younger kids. You're definitely welcomed to join then. Maybe you'd like to help me pick out some books for them? Once you've found your books of course!"
Critter smiled, "Yeah, sure. I don't really know which books are best, but I can try."
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 23:48:19 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 15, 2017 23:48:19 GMT -5
"Yeah, sure. I don't really know which books are best, but I can try."
Hoot couldn't be happier. "Oh don't worry about that one bit. Just think of books you would like as a kid. Most of the kids don't care what kind of book I choose. They just enjoy having someone take the time to read them."
And she certainly enjoyed doing that for them. After all, not everyone had had kind parents who read to them. Her parents had read so many wonderful stories to her when she was young, and she wanted to somehow share that with others. Life wasn't always fair, but it could give opportunities that made up for the unfairness. Or that was how Hoot saw things. She liked being optimistic.
She gave the older girl a smile. "I'll be in the children's section, okay? Just pop by whenever you've found all your books."
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Routine
Jan 15, 2017 23:52:47 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 15, 2017 23:52:47 GMT -5
"Oh don't worry about that one bit. Just think of books you would like as a kid. Most of the kids don't care what kind of book I choose. They just enjoy having someone take the time to read them."
Of course, that would most likely be easier said than done, although she was willing to make things work. As a child, she hadn't read too many books - most of them had been read to her, and she had long since forgotten the names. All that she remembered were the stories themselves, some even word for word after all those years.
"I'll be in the children's section, okay? Just pop by whenever you've found all your books."
Critter nodded. Picking out a few more books that seemed interesting - including one on owls, just in case - she made her way over to where Hoot was and began searching through the books for anything that made sense with some of her favorite childhood stories.
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Routine
Jan 16, 2017 0:09:32 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 16, 2017 0:09:32 GMT -5
Hoot hummed happily but softly as she scanned through the books. She was excited to have a new friend. It was always great reaching out and meeting new people, making new friends. She wished she hadn't waited until something happened to meet Critter, but no time for regrets. She would just make up for that lost time.
She picked out a few books she had remembered her parents reading to her before moving on to browse the new books section. The kids always liked the newer stories coming out after all. She looked up to see that Critter had finished picking out her books.
She waved and smiled. "You found everything you wanted?"
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Routine
Jan 16, 2017 0:16:39 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 16, 2017 0:16:39 GMT -5
"You found everything you wanted?"
Tearing her eyes away from the titles in front of her, Critter flashed Hoot and small smile and nod, gesturing briefly to the books in front of her. "There were these books that I used to get read when I was younger... I don't know what they were called."
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Routine
Jan 16, 2017 10:10:31 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 16, 2017 10:10:31 GMT -5
"There were these books that I used to get read when I was younger... I don't know what they were called."
Hoot smiled. "I might be able to help with that. Do you remember what the stories were?" She started picking up a few of the books off the shelf. "I've read almost all the children's books, so I know the titles very well," she admitted, slightly embarrassed.
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 19:20:34 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 21, 2017 19:20:34 GMT -5
"I might be able to help with that. Do you remember what the stories were?"
Critter had to pause for a moment and think about it. "Well... There was one about a duck. I remember that. It was what made me love animals so much." She grinned. The duck had grown up being told that it was ugly, and then one day, it had grown up. Everything had changed. Critter could only hope that the same thing would happen to her one day.
"I've read almost all the children's books, so I know the titles very well."
She grinned, "That's good! I'd love ta hear some of 'em again. It's been a real long time..."
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 21:34:05 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 21, 2017 21:34:05 GMT -5
"Well... There was one about a duck. I remember that. It was what made me love animals so much."
Hoot nodded thoughtfully and smiled. "I think there are a few stories with ducks in them." She grabbed several books off the shelves. "It may be one of these."
She held up the book entitled Little Duck Learns to Swim and then another book entitled The Ugly Duckling. "Do you think it might be one of these?"
"That's good! I'd love ta hear some of 'em again. It's been a real long time..."
She couldn't help but grin back. She was so excited to help Critter find old stories that she had loved as a child. Those were the best and most treasured stories of all.
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 22:05:05 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 21, 2017 22:05:05 GMT -5
"I think there are a few stories with ducks in them."
Critter frowned. Was there even really a chance of them finding the stories that she missed so much, if there were so many of them? It didn't feel entirely great, although she did her best not to allow the disappointment to show on her face.
"It may be one of these."
Watching Hoot pull out the books, Critter took a moment to scan over the titles, her eyes lighting up at the title of the second book.
"Do you think it might be one of these?"
"That's it!" She squeaked, reaching out and carefully taking the familiar book. It was older, the cover torn up in some of the corners and some of the pages having rips so that they stuck out a bit, but it was the most beautiful thing that Critter had ever seen. "The Ugly Duckling... My papa used ta read it to me..."
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 22:25:34 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 21, 2017 22:25:34 GMT -5
"That's it!"
Hoot was sightly surprised when Critter squeaked but immediately grinned, sharing in her excitement. It was always great when you were able to find an old story you loved and just couldn't remember the title.
"The Ugly Duckling... My papa used ta read it to me..."
She smiled softly. "It's a very good book." She returned the other book to its shelf. "My mama liked it alot..."
She sighed softly, but quickly shook her head. She would move on from sad thoughts. "Would you like to borrow that book first?" she asked kindly. "I can always wait to read it with the kids some other time."
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 22:30:28 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 21, 2017 22:30:28 GMT -5
"It's a very good book. My mama liked it alot..."
Critter bit her lip. For most of the newsies that she knew, thinking about their family could be something difficult or even painful. She didn't want to hurt Hoot in any way. Not when Hoot had been nothing but nice to her so far.
"Would you like to borrow that book first? I can always wait to read it with the kids some other time."
Her wide brown eyes lit up at the thought, "Really?" It would definitely be nice to have something back from the life that she had lost, especially when it was still a moderately fresh wound. She really missed her family. "You'd let me?"
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 22:53:14 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 21, 2017 22:53:14 GMT -5
"Really?"
Hoot laughed softly. "Of course!" She smiled softly. "I can tell this story means alot to you."
"You let me?"
She nodded in affirmation. "Like I said, I can tell it means alot. It'd be my pleasure to let you read it first."
Stories were meant to be shared not kept to oneself. Hoot was determined to let Critter have a chance with the story.
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 22:57:05 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 21, 2017 22:57:05 GMT -5
"Of course! I can tell this story means alot to you."
Critter practically felt her heart swell with happiness. She held the book close to her, although her grip was gentle. It was like having a piece of her family back, and she wasn't ready to let it go yet. "It does. It really does."
"Like I said, I can tell it means alot. It'd be my pleasure to let you read it first."
Shooting Hoot a bashful smile, Critter nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground once again. "Thanks, Hoot... It really means a lot."
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 23:22:00 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 21, 2017 23:22:00 GMT -5
"It does. It really does."
Hoot felt her heart warm. So she was right. She was very glad she was able to find that story for Critter. It made things so much sweeter.
"Thanks, Hoot... It really means a lot."
She shook her head, still smiling. "It was nothing. It's the least I could do for you after you helped me out with my secret."
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Routine
Jan 21, 2017 23:24:50 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 21, 2017 23:24:50 GMT -5
"It was nothing. It's the least I could do for you after you helped me out with my secret."
Critter was beaming. The smile on her face was undeniable, and it brightened up her usually sad looking features exponentially. "Always. Anything for a friend."
It was strange having someone that she could really call a friend. She had people like Cloud, and a few other girls that she could loosely use the term with. Then there were the people that she knew in church and other places because of her parents and stuff, but they were all much older, or in some cases, much younger. She never really knew anyone her age that she could really connect with. Hoot seemed to have a lot in common with Critter, and she liked that a lot.
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Routine
Jan 22, 2017 12:48:01 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 22, 2017 12:48:01 GMT -5
"Always. Anything for a friend."
Hoot's grin widened. "Friends," she agreed happily.
It was always nice to make a new friend, but this friendship definitely was very special. She felt like Critter was one of the first girls who really understood her. She was definitely looking forward to growing their friendship. She really was going to like being friends with Critter.
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Routine
Jan 22, 2017 12:54:30 GMT -5
Post by Critter on Jan 22, 2017 12:54:30 GMT -5
"Friends."
It was nice to know that there was someone out there that Critter could really relate to. There had always been a kind of stigma surrounding her, especially due to her friendship with animals. That was just the way that things were. She had friends, but they never got too close. The term 'friends' was only ever loosely applied.
Now that she had Hoot, things were a lot easier. They could bond because they loved animals. She had never gotten anything like that going with anyone before, and she was pretty excited about it.
"So's there anythin' else that we need while we're here?"
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Routine
Jan 22, 2017 13:03:49 GMT -5
Post by Hoot on Jan 22, 2017 13:03:49 GMT -5
"So's there anythin' else that we need while we're here?"
Hoot pursed her lips thoughtfully then shook her head as they went to check out their books. "No, I think I got everything I need here." She smiled over at Critter. "Is there anything you would like to do after we take the books back to the lodge?"
She was eager to bond with her new friend as soon as possible and in whatever ways Critter wanted. After all, friendship was two-sided. For her, they went to the library. For Critter? They would find out in a moment.
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