[Late Night Meme from @eldritchsign for Prof Brian Barnaby.]
โWasโฆwas that an owlโฆ?โ ------------
"Yes." Thera didn't look up or break her stride, but there was no hesitation. She was aware of the owl, just as she was the bats likewise taking wing, the pigeons roosting in the lower eaves, and the assortment of suburban wildlife in the gardens and trees as they passed by. The awareness was faint, like a radio playing softly or some other kind of low white noise, but there.
The University grounds weren't very hospitable even in daylight, and with the approach of evening they took on a different air. Thera wouldn't call it sinister or aggressive so much as watchful - as if to be sure anyone about didn't wander where they shouldn't. To herself, Thera hoped the library didn't count as 'shouldn't'. Or that the creatures around would give her warning if she was about to mis-step.
She walked with Professor Barnaby along the cobbled path, spared the perpetually nervous man a glance. "Thank you again, Professor, for indulging me so late." Her initial plan had been to arrive in the mid afternoon, but her train had been delayed and by the time she'd found her accommodation and made it to the University it was already growing dark.
Thankfully, he had been the faculty member she'd run into, and he was goodnatured enough to escort her where she needed to be. If, of course, he didn't scare himself to an early grave along the way. "I'll be as quick as I can, I promise." Although Barnaby might not have been the only one she was reassuring. "I just need to take a look at one book ..."
