The honorific and the deference makes sense now that she knows how rare wizards are she isn't quite sure what to think about it though.

"Mostly, I was looking for a reference on how much things cost but it makes sense something like that doesn't fit in a library since it probably changes a lot."

Bwittertree thinks for a moment.

"No, I don't believe we have a reference of that kind," they agree. "I would check with the Merchants' Association if I were interested in historical prices, I think. If you just want to know how much things cost currently, the market is probably the best place to find that kind of information."

"That makes sense. So, do you have the list of books you wanted copies? And is that something the library can pay me for?"

Bwittertree nods, and points down at the list on the desk.

"It is, yes. We're prepared to offer you 6,000 resh per book for a general rate, and 10,000 resh for the ones I've marked with a star. Our budget for book preservation is only 78,000 resh right now, which, if you do books in order, will take you down to the line I've marked there. If you want to copy more books than that, or turn around and give any of that money back as a donation, we would be grateful, although of course you're not required to."

"I'll need to check how accurate your special talent is, as well," they add hesitantly. "But if the first chapter is correct, I can offer you an advance, pending verification of the rest of the books."

"Unfortunately, my only real reference for how much a resh is, is that the person at the entrance told me ten thousand resh was about their weight in bread and I don't currently have a talent for knowing the weight of things. Do you know how much more ordinary meals or staying at inns is likely to cost?"

"I mostly buy small meals, so my estimates might be a little off," Bwittertree cautions. They think for a moment.

"But I think a cheap human-scale meal goes for about 50 resh, and a fancy human-scale meal is about 800. A night in a cheap inn is about 1,000 resh, and a night in a fancy inn is about 2,600. Stays at inns usually include one meal a day, but it varies. Water is generally 5-15 resh per human-scale bottle, depending on how recently we stopped at a lake. Right now it's on the high side."

"Thank you. I'm willing to copy the books at let's say a third of what you said. I'm not really worried about having enough money and my ability means it won't take very long so it feels a little weird to charge a lot for it. And not giving it all to me right away is fine."

Bwittertree nods.

"That's very kind of you. Thank you. Do you mind going and getting the books off the shelves yourself? I would do it, but ..."

They wave a hand at their height.

"Or I can send for the junior librarian to round them up for you."

"Sure, I'm guessing you want me to bring the copy on the shelf and mine so you can be sure you have two of each book at the end?"

"Yes, please. And once you finish copying the first book, it should probably take me about 20 minutes to check the first chapter. We should have all the copies checked by tomorrow, so you can stop by anytime then for the rest of your payment," they explain.

"Okay, I'll be go do that." She picks up the list and starts walking towards the first location. Once she's out of view she pulls a canvas bookbag out of her pocket. One big enough to plausibly hold fourty books. She also creates it with dividers so they won't all be jumbled together.

Is it hard to find the first book?

Not at all; the books are laid out and labeled in a most orderly fashion.

The first book is a fiction book. A romance of some kind, judging by the title. It's well-worn, clearly having been much read.

Oh... it's well worn. Somehow she expects the librarian thinks she'll be producing copies in good condition. Actually can she do that?

She places the original into her bag and then reaches in intending to pull out a less damaged copy.

The result is better than the original but not exactly mint either. The binding is in better shape and the pages are mostly uncreased, but she notices one passage where the words are smudged and that smudge is reproduced perfectly in her new copy.

She places the book back in her bag and then returns to her list. She can continue in this vein for the rest of the books. She does want to get to other things today so she refrains from paying much attention to the other books.

The other books are also well-read, but if she's not paying attention to them there's not much more to say than that.

Bwittertree greets her with a wave when she returns.

"Hello, here's the books you asked for." She gently lays out all fourty books on the desk.

"Ah. Hmm."

Bwittertree scratches their head.

"Well, it will extend their circulation life, anyway," they mumble to themselves as they fly over to the first pair of books.

They shove the covers open with a heave, and start flitting back and forth to compare the title pages.

"This is a very accurate copy," they conclude, looking up at her. "If you give me a few minutes, I'll compare the first chapters and get your advance."

"It would actually be a lot harder for me to make a less exact copy. And sure, I'm happy to wait."

Bwittertree nods distractedly, and then returns to comparing the two volumes.

As promised, a few minutes later they dive behind the desk and come back up with three stacks of five coins each. It takes them three trips, but more because of the relative size of the librarian and the stacks, then because of the weight.

"3,000 resh," they pronounce, gesturing at the 15 coins. "Which should be more than enough for a room for the night; I'll have the rest ready for you in the morning."

A trumpet blast sounds from the direction of Terrance's head.

"Ah, you might want to hold onto something," Bwittertree advises.

She grabs a hold of the desk and spreads her legs a bit for easier balance. The turtle is about to move more dramatically isn't he? "Thanks."

There's a sensation like a rapidly dropping elevator, and then a gentle rumble that reverberates through the city, shaking the buildings and people. It's not particularly strong, but it's jarring enough that it makes sense to warn people.

Once the rumbling dies away, the almost imperceptible background swaying of Terrance's steps is gone.

Bwittertree glances out the window.

"It's still pretty early, so I would guess that we've made it to a lake," they diagnose.

"Is there anything else I can help you with, today?" they ask, turning back to her.

Yep she was right. She wasn't quite expecting the dropping though. The lack of movement is also a little weird. It's surprising how fast she's gotten used to it.

"I don't think so." She takes the coins and puts them into her bag. "Thank you for your help."

"It was my pleasure, ma'am."