It's a nice library, especially for such a small town, with plenty of everything, but a focus on science and poetry, a well-appointed children's' section, a nice selection of music and holovids, and comfy chairs offering varying amounts of privacy.
Right now, though, it's closing time; the announcements have been made, the final checkout rush handled, and now the librarian is making one last check before she locks up for the night.
"Mmhmm. It's hard to really explain; it'd be easier to show you. But it's - part of the world, part of physics; like gravity, a little. And it connects us all, everything that's alive, like gravity connects everything. That's how I can tell what you're feeling; I'm paying attention to that connection, and it shows me."
"Oh," he says, frowning slightly down at his hands, thinking. "I- could you show me? Please?"
"I could, but it's not the best idea, yet. It's almost impossible to stop someone who can see the Force from using it; I'll still be able to help you keep your fire under control, but I'll be helping you, not just doing it myself, and if you panic I won't be able to stop you."
"-Oh," he says quietly - sounding slightly disappointed. But he nods his agreement. "I- that. That wouldn't be good."
"Yeah." She offers a hug. "I don't think we'll need to wait very long - I think seeing it will help you, too, and your fire isn't that dangerous here. But I want it to be good for you, not something you have to worry about."
"...It's fine? Safer this way." Pause. "Don't want to hurt- damage? Daisy or Nine. Or you." (Or anyone, really, but they were the only ones around right now.)
"It's not really fine. But safer, yeah. You're a good kid, Nova."
He doesn't understand why it isn't fine. (Anything that means he doesn't hurt someone or get in trouble has to be fine.) Or why that seems to have caused the assessment that he's a good kid. But he doesn't ask - they'll get tired and irritated by him constantly asking why.
She's not reading his mind, but she can tell he's confused. "It would be okay if you didn't want to wait, and it would be okay if you were angry at me for making you. You're entitled to your connection to the Force - all of it, not just what Forceblind people have; it's not really right that I'm keeping that from you. It would be okay if you thought that that was more important than us being safe. It's nice that you care about that, but you don't have to."
He blinks a couple of times. And then: "But it would be bad to hurt you? And- and you're only doing it so I don't mess up?"
"Well, yeah. But that's not the only important thing, and it would be okay if you didn't think it was the most important one."
"...but it is?" There's a sense there that he can't understand why that wouldn't be the most important thing, although it isn't clear whether that's because he still not entirely sure his preferences matter, or because that is his genuine preference.
He's still not sure about why that is, but it still gains a shy smile and a flicker of pleasure at the praise.
"And I don't think it will be long. A week or two, maybe, if we're lucky. You really are doing well."
His smile widens a little, and he ducks his head, shyly. "I- you- you explain things? That...helps."
He shifts slightly so he can twist his fingers together. "Always just...had to know before."
"Yeah. A lot of things they did weren't right, and that's one of them."
She chuckles, but there's no mirth in it. "I'm not sure there's anything they weren't wrong about."
He doesn't seem to actually have a response to that. (Vaguely he feels like that's wrong, but- But also doesn't want it to be. He prefers how things are here. Would prefer it if those were right.)
"We can talk about it, if you want. Whenever, I mean, not just now - Nine needs to figure that out, too, what kinds of things he thinks are and aren't okay, so I expect it'll be coming up a lot, really."
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