New City, New role

I stood on the balcony of the inn, clutching the golden Fool's card. Its warmth was a reassuring presence, easing the panic and horror that had gripped me all night. I had faced the dead and survived, confronted the supernatural, and come through it all. Now, I needed to focus on moving forward.

The morning air was cool against my skin as I took a deep breath and started walking. The city was already alive with activity—people rushing about, going about their daily routines. My mind was still tangled with the events of the previous night, but I forced myself to concentrate on the present. I had to stay grounded and figure out how to navigate this new reality.

I realized I needed money to continue my investigation and survive in this unfamiliar place. Finding a job was my top priority. I spotted a small café and decided to have breakfast. The smell of fresh bread and coffee was a welcome distraction from the thoughts racing through my mind.

After eating, I bought a stack of newspapers from a nearby vendor. I found a quiet bench in a park and started sifting through the job listings. There were plenty of ads—manual labor, clerical work, and more. I read through each one, marking the ones that seemed promising.

One ad stood out: a clerk was needed for a shipping company down by the docks. It wasn't glamorous, but it offered a steady wage and potential connections. Another listing was for a research assistant at a local library. It appealed to my curiosity and could provide access to valuable information.

Other ads included a night watchman position at a warehouse, a delivery driver, and an assistant at a bookshop. I weighed the pros and cons of each job—considering the skills required and the benefits. After some thought, I decided to focus on the clerk position at the shipping company and the research assistant role at the library. Both seemed like good starting points that could lead to more opportunities.

With my mind made up, I folded the newspapers and stood up, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The golden Fool's card was still in my pocket, a constant reminder of the strange forces at play in my life. But for now, I needed to focus on the practical task of finding a job. I took one last look around the park, the morning sun casting long shadows across the grass, and headed toward the docks.

As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. The memory of last night unsettled me again, but I pushed it aside. I had faced the supernatural and lived to tell the tale. Now, I needed to face the real world and find my place in this new city. The path ahead was uncertain, but with my skill in machinery and knowledge as assets, I felt ready to step into the unknown.

---

I was set on the library job. It offered a chance to be close to information, which would also help in gather more information about this city and nation I'm in. Determined, I made my way toward the library, the morning sun warming the city around me.

The library was an impressive old building with a stone façade covered in intricate carvings and tall, arched windows. It radiated a sense of timeless wisdom, promising secrets waiting to be uncovered. I climbed the stone steps and pushed open the heavy wooden doors, stepping into the cool, quiet interior.

Inside, the library was vast and dimly lit, filled with the musty scent of aged paper and leather. Tall shelves lined the walls, packed with books of every kind. A few patrons were scattered around—some deep in their reading, others quietly browsing the stacks. I walked up to the front desk, where an elderly librarian sat, peering over her spectacles at a thick tome.

"Good morning," I said quietly, trying to match the hushed atmosphere of the room. "I saw the ad for a research assistant position. I'm here to apply."

The librarian looked up from his desk, his eyes sharp and inquisitive. "Good morning. We've been expecting a few applicants. Do you have any experience with research or working in a library?"

I nodded. "Yes, I've done quite a bit of research in various libraries before. I'm meticulous and detail-oriented."

"Excellent," he said, sliding a form across the desk. "Please fill this out, and we can discuss the position further."

I took a seat at a nearby table and began filling out the form. As I wrote, my mind wandered back to the events of the past few days. The golden card in my pocket seemed to hum with a faint warmth, a constant reminder of its presence and the protection it offered. I felt a strange sense of reassurance, like the card was guiding me towards the right path.

The form asked about my previous experience with research and library work. I filled in my answers carefully:

- **Previous Experience:** I mentioned having worked as a research assistant in several libraries during my studies. It wasn't entirely true, but I had spent enough time in libraries that I felt comfortable stretching the truth a bit.

- **Skills:** I described myself as detail-oriented and skilled in cataloging and data retrieval. I might not have been an expert, but I was certainly competent and quick to learn.

- **Availability:** I stated that I was flexible and could start immediately. It was partially true; I needed work urgently, but I had some room to negotiate my start date if needed.

Once I finished, I returned the form to the librarian. He skimmed through my responses, nodding occasionally, and I held my breath, hoping that my answers would be convincing enough to get me the job.

"Very well, Mr. Hargrove," he said, glancing up at me. "We could use someone with your skills. The job primarily involves assisting with research projects, organizing materials, and occasionally helping patrons with their inquiries. It's not glamorous work, but it's vital to the functioning of the library."

"I understand," I replied, trying to keep my enthusiasm in check. "I'm eager to start."

"Excellent," he said, rising from his chair. "Let me show you around."

He led me through the winding aisles of books, pointing out various sections and explaining the library's organization system. We passed rows of neatly arranged shelves and I tried to soak in as much information as I could. He introduced me to a few other staff members, all of whom greeted me with polite nods and friendly smiles. I felt a growing sense of belonging as I took in my new surroundings.

When we reached a small office at the back of the library, cluttered with papers and stacks of books, he said, "This will be your workspace." He gestured to a desk piled high with documents. "We've got several ongoing research projects that could use your attention. You'll find everything you need here."

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Thank you. I'll do my best."

He gave me a reassuring smile. "I'm sure you will. Welcome to the team, Mr. Hargrove."

Before he left, he paused and added, "Oh, and the position offers a salary of five gold karkass per week. Your working hours will be from twelve to five, Monday through Friday."

Satisfied with the details, he then asked, "Could you tell me a bit more about your background? How did you come to be interested in library work?"

I smiled and replied, "I've always had a passion for research and history. My studies involved a lot of library work, and I found I really enjoyed the environment. It seemed like a natural fit."

"That's good to hear," he said, his eyes scrutinizing me thoughtfully. "And what motivated you to move to this city?"

I hesitated for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "I was looking for new opportunities and heard great things about the city of Babel, As for choosing this library, that's because, I wanted to be part of a place that values knowledge and learning."

He nodded, seemingly satisfied. "And what do you hope to achieve in this role?"

I answered, "I'm looking forward to contributing to the ongoing projects and learning from the experienced staff here. I hope to grow my skills and make a meaningful impact."

Satisfied with my responses, he smiled again. "I'm sure you'll be a great addition to our team. If you have any questions or need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

As he walked away, I felt a strange mixture of relief and tension. I had managed to navigate the personal questions with just enough truth to be convincing. With the Fool's card tucked safely in my pocket, I turned my attention to the cluttered desk and prepared to dive into my new role.