Of words and circuits

Ever since the move from Ilada, Arjean's anxiety only got worse. They knew of their problems with being always on edge, but this was a new place with new people. Strange people. Some looked wholly human but then turned into dragons or other things, and some were wolves that could take the form of humans. Arjean had never seen anything like these people before. It was hard to be comfortable when everyone was not who they seemed and had powers they never thought people could have. Their feelings of sticking out were not helped by how they were only one of a small group if oricenta in the island, meaning a lot of kids at school would point out their differences, ask them long questions, or tease them for stuff they thought was common knowledge and ordinary.

Sliding a hand through their hair, Arjean visited the aisle dealing with electronics, specifically, games. Their mommy Ade loved gaming recently, and sometimes Arjean would just sit in her room listening to her rant as she played Overwatch, Mario, Splatoon, and other games Arjean learned they were not good at when they tried to play with her. Despite their difficulties at playing video games, they enjoyed listening to and watching her, wanting to learn more about what she did as a technician and video game fanatic.

The library was Arjean's safe space. A place full of knowledge to sate their hunger to learn and make their imaginary worlds more vivid and real. Where people would not approach them and point out their large wings, fur, elemental scent, and other traits they did not think were such a big deal. Not usually, anyway. It was the place Arjean visited many times, and now they were here to find books about modern technology and gaming to impress Ade. Sliding a gloved hand over the books, Arjean traced the words with a finger once in a while, trying to decide on what they should skim through and rent. That was halted when they noticed a tall boy standing nearby, looking in their direction. Did they do something wrong? Arjean looked around, thinking he must have been looking at someone else, but they there was only them.