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[cactusy]

[Luckily, it doesn't take quite that long, though it's enough walking that Shaw is glad she's not in heels!]

Okay, Finch. What's next?

[ornithologist]

[ That it doesn't take her that long to follow up is a good sign for the length of the catacombs. Harold, of course, answers promptly. ]

Make a second mark where you just came out of -- traditionally an X -- and double back. The X means you won't turn down this route again.

When you return to the last intersection, pick an unmarked route if possible, and one with a single mark if not.

[ Yes, this could take a long time. But it is foolproof. ]

[cactusy]

How the hell does this place not have a real map.

[grumble grumble grumble GRUMBLE]

By the way, I'm bringing a friend home from school.

[ornithologist]

[ He assumes she isn't looking for a real answer to the grumbling, which means he instead says blandly, ]

Doesn't that imply you've made a friend in the first place?

[cactusy]

Okay, fine; I'm bringing a guy I just met back to the library from the catacombs.

[If you really want the ACTUAL WORDS instead of the punchy euphemisms.]

[ornithologist]

[ A pause. Oh, she's really serious. ]

Who would that be?

[ In the deeply regrettable absence of his usual information-gathering methods, he's been trying to familiarize himself with everyone here on at least a basic level, so Harold might know them already. ]

[cactusy]

A guy named Carver. He's looking for something to do.

[ornithologist]

Ah. Mr. Carver.

[ Another pause. ]

I'm willing to speak with him. He's agreed not to commit violence in the library.

[cactusy]

That's generous; even I've never committed to that promise.

[ornithologist]

[ With maximum dryness: ]

I should say, he's agreed not to commit violence in the library against me.

[ Not a promise he ever felt he needed to get from Shaw. ]

[cactusy]

Guess that's why he still has all his limbs.

[ornithologist]

Oh, please, [ he grumbles. He would hardly want John to take off anyone's limbs for him.

But he recognizes when someone is teasing him and says crisply, ] Let me know if you require further assistance, Ms. Shaw.

[cactusy]

Copy that.