Chapter Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine - The Little Cheese of Airship Inspections

Chapter Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine - The Little Cheese of Airship Inspections

Chapter Three Hundred and Ninety-Nine - The Little Cheese of Airship Inspections

Wow! I said. Ive never met someone like you before.

The little person from Pedlington Academy glared up at me and put his hands on his hips. I can tell youre not local, he snapped.

Is it because I dont recognize you? I asked. I realised that I might have been a little insensitive. Im sorry. Lets start over. Im Captain Broccoli Bunch of the Beaver Cleaver. Thats this airship right here. You said you were from Pedlington Academy?

The others from the academy were mostly done catching their breath by then, though I noticed a few red faces still. They were two boys and a girl, and all three were humans, maybe a couple of years older than me and most of my friends.

The little mouse-person puffed out his chest. Im assistant-adjunct professor Cornelius, he squeaked. And Ive been sent here to inspect your vessel for contraband. Ill have you know that judging someone like me based on height alone is the height of insult.

Oh, I didnt mean to insult you, I said. Would it help if I was closer to your size?

He blinked. Are you mocking me? he asked.

"No, no I just want you to be comfortable!" I grinned. "Watch this, it's neat!"

I stepped closer, crossing from my ship and onto the dock, then distorted my proportions mid-stride, aiming to be as small as I could. The rough wood surface of the dock rushed up into my field of vision as the world towered up around me, the three humans taking an uncertain step back.

That still wasnt quite as small as Mister Cornelius. He was about as tall as my (normal) handspan was long, and at my shortest I was still about as tall as my knee (again, my normal sizes knee) so I was still almost three times his height.

Cornelius still had to look up to meet my eyes, but not nearly as much as before. I grinned, then grabbed the floppy ear blocking half my sight with both hands and flung it aside.

I almost toppled off the edge of the dock with the momentum.

One day, Id figure out how to make my ears and tail change size when the rest of me did. As it was, my tail was making my skirt ride up in the back in a way that was downright improper, but fortunately all the academy people were in front of me. Hows this, then? I asked, my voice a bunch squeakier than usual.

Cornelius blinked a few times, then adjusted his glasses. I will admit that I am intrigued, he said.

Whats intriguing you? I asked.

How did you become... smaller? he asked.

Oh, its a skill, I said.

Yes, Id gathered that much, he said. What a bizarre skill.

It can make me bigger too! I said. Ah, but it doesnt last forever. Im only gonna be small for a couple more minutes. Its hard on my mana.

Interesting, interesting. Would you like to come to the academy? I can think of a few professors that would like to study the skill. Youd receive a stipend and room and board for a week or more!

I blinked. Um. No thanks. I think Im independently wealthy? I glanced back to Amaryllis, who shrugged and made a so-so gesture. And I have a place to live already. Besides, were only going to be here for a little bit. Were planning on taking off tomorrow at the latest.

Ah, right. I suppose thats fair. In any case. He cleared his throat and pulled out an itsy-bitsy clipboard from a satchel hanging by his waist. Were here to inspect your ship for outgoing contraband.

Outgoing? Amaryllis asked. Not incoming?

We dont care what you bring here, he said. We only care for items you might be smuggling out of the city.

But we just arrived, I said. When would we have time to get things to smuggle out?

You might have contacts within the longshoremans union, he said.

Library books! Cornilius waved his clipboard in my direction, but it was too small and moving too quickly for me to read. It looked like a list though. A list of books? Do you have any idea how difficult it is to track down an overdue book once its outside of the citys limits? Its impossible!

Uh, I see, I said.

No offence, captain, but I truly doubt it, he said. We have been on the case for some books for years. Not even the most stringent regulations will stop some ne'er do wells from sneaking their way out of the city with a book.

Wow, I said. Thats some dedication. Is your library the biggest in the city?

He turned his face away and mumbled something that sounded a lot like certain collections of ours are the largest. In any case, he said after clearing his throat with a squeaky cough. We arent just looking for books from our academy. If we find books from one of the others then we will return them to their proper place. Of course.

Just like that? Amaryllis asked.

During the monthly book-hostage exchange, yes, he said.

That sounded a lot more serious than anything book-related Id ever seen. The most complicated book-thing Id participated in was a bookfair, and that was mostly me walking around looking at all the nice erasers and stuff I couldnt afford.

Well... maybe we can let them look around? I dont think well have any books that are theirs, I said.

Im voting no, Amaryllis said. I dont need strangers rummaging through my stuff.

Are we putting this up to a vote? Caprica asked. If so, I suppose I dont mind. As long as they are supervised and we can inspect them before they leave. Trust but verify.

I dont care either way, Calamity said. But Im leaning towards no.

Id really rather not have strangers poking around the engine room, Awen said, her voice muffled by the glass ball of her turret.

I counted on my fingers, which was easy since there was only five of us. Thats three no and two yes, I guess that means that were not going to let you inspect the Beaver today. Sorry. Maybe try again when were about to leave? Its not like weve had time to grab any books to steal since we landed, anyway.

Not steal, merely... have overdue, Cornelius said. Or bring out of the boundaries of the city. There are clear rules, and a test for anyone that wants access to a library permit.

Wow, this place took their books really seriously. Oh! I said with a quick clap of my hands. Maybe you can help us, actually. We were thinking of visiting the city once the rest of the crew comes back from their leave. Were going to go shopping for a wedding gift.

A wedding gift? Have you considered paying for the bride or grooms tuition?

Um, I was thinking of a really nice book. The groom is a bit... size-challenged, and the bride owns a bookshop, so I think theyd both appreciate something special.

Cornelius rubbed at his chin. Pecorinas your best bet. Shes an academy-neutral bookseller in the city centre. Its a small shop, but she has a lot of specialty goods. Pecorinas... fiercely independent, but seeing as youre not Academy recruiters, you might have a better chance with her than I do.

Oh, that's kind of you, thanks, I said. I looked at Cornelius, then at the three students behind him. Will you need help getting to the ground? We have a winch.

Cornelius crossed his arms. Well be fine walking. Thank you very much, he said.

I pretended not to notice the slumping of shoulders behind him.

Well, in that case, have a safe trip back! Did you want some water before you go?

Well be fine. Thank you, Cornelius said. He narrowed his eyes at us one final time, then scurried back to one of the students who dutifully scooped him up.

Bye-bye! I said with a friendly goodbye wave.

That mouse is gonna be trouble, Amaryllis said.

Ill say, Caprica said. Then to my shock, she reached down between her legs and pulled up Orange. Shed been squishing the spirit cat between her calves the whole time? I hope there arent too many mousefolk in town who want to visit the Beaver because I wont be here to catch this lady every time.

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