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People often told Robin how jealous they were of her job. “A librarian? You must read a lot! It’s probably so nice and quiet.”
Well, those people didn’t realize that a public library could easily become very chaotic. Especially in a town as energetic as Romance Dawn.
People arguing about late fees, teenagers trying to pull pranks for social media, a certain pair of brothers shaking every patron down with questions about their baby brother…
The Romance Dawn Public Library was rarely quiet.
Still, Robin wouldn’t change her career for the world. She loved helping people find what they needed. She was always warmed by the sincere thanks she would receive after helping patrons with the printer or fax machine. And yes, she did use plenty of her desk time for reading. It was a great job.
Not to mention that it made it easier for her to track the goings-on around town.
Patrons were not quiet. They talked very loudly and it helped Robin’s growing knowledge of local gossip.
“Did you hear?” She heard a woman say to someone over by the computers. “That Luffy is apparently dating a doctor!”
“I heard he was dating Zeff’s kid.”
“From the Baratie? No way! He’s so head over heels for that red headed girl!”
Robin bit her lip to hold back her laughter. She had been privy to the relationship between Luffy and his partners for quite some time. They weren’t exactly subtle about it. She was surprised people were so shocked to learn about it.
“Hey, Robin!”
Robin smiled at the newcomer. “Nami! Hi! How are your summer classes going?”
“Pretty good,” Nami said, leaning against the counter. “How’s your day been?”
“Good, you and your boys are still the hot topic around here.”
Nami sighed. “This is why I tried to tell them to be subtle. Should’ve known Luffy probably doesn’t even know that word.”
Robin laughed. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
Nami adjusted the messenger bag on her shoulder. “Are any of the study rooms open? I’ve got a calculus lecture to attend and a thermodynamics project to work on.”
“Yeah,” Robin said, pulling the key from her desk. “I’ll write your name in the log. Just follow me.”
Nami smiled wide. “Thanks, Robin! You’re the best!”
—
“Oh ho! Good morning, Robin!”
“Good morning, Brook,” Robin smiled up at her friend. “What brings you here today?”
“I’m working on a new song!” Brook pushed his sunglasses up into his afro. “I want an absolute jam for the concert you’re letting me do in your garden.”
“Oh please, you’re the one doing us a favor. Everyone kept asking if we were going to have another free Soul King concert this year.”
“Yohoho! Well I need to make sure I live up to all of the excitement. By the way, can I see your-“
“Absolutely not,” Robin quickly answered with her smile still in place. “And I’ll tell Yorki you’ve been asking again.”
Brook deflated. “Oh well, it was a worth a try.”
“No it wasn’t.”
—
“Zoro.”
The young man grumbled in his sleep.
Robin sighed before leaning down and pinching his ear between her fingers. Hard.
“How many times do I have to remind you that the couches in our quiet reading room are NOT for sleeping?” She asked with a threateningly calm tone.
“But they’re comfy,” was Zoro’s answer.
“Are you in trouble with your father again?” Robin said, releasing Zoro and crossing her arms.
Zoro rubbed at his ear. “It was Perona’s idea to throw the stupid party. I don’t see why I have to do so much yard work.”
“You know you’ll only have to do more if you keep sneaking out.”
Zoro shrugged.
“Why don’t you hide out at Luffy’s place?”
“Can’t. His brothers want me dead right now.”
“Ah yes,” Robin smiled, “I do remember how tense they were when they were hunting for Luffy’s secret lover. They can be quite ferocious when it comes to their darling baby brother.”
“Tell me about it,” Zoro muttered before he yawned and stretched. “So can I go back to sleep.”
Robin smiled at him. “No.”
Zoro sighed and stood up. “Cook’s it is then.”
—
“Robin!”
The sound of her favorite patron’s voice lit up Robin’s day.
“Hello, Chopper,” she greeted the short teen, “what brings you here today? Working on your school projects?”
“Nope!” Chopper said with a big grin. “It turns out that Dr. Hiriluk once cured Traffy of a disease with no known treatment. I’m here to look through his records and compare them with what’s known about the disease!”
“How interesting,” Robin said, “an incurable disease with one known survivor? Sounds like your research will be fascinating.”
Chopper grinned. “I’ll share whatever I find with you! I already promised Traffy I’d let him know what I figure out!”
“Please do,” Robin smiled as she pulled up a list of the available computers on her screen. “If you want a quiet spot away from everyone else, computer 16 should be open.”
“Thanks, Robin! You’re the best!”
“Any time, Chopper.”
And if Robin snuck Chopper a lollipop out of the staff’s secret candy stash, well nobody had to know.
—
“Hello,” Mihawk greeted as he approached the reference desk. “I’m looking for books on water gardens and patio ponds.”
Robin smiled politely as she searched on her computer. She took a sheet of scrap paper and wrote down the number. “635.9674. I assume you already know your way to the 600s?”
“Of course,” Mihawk said as he took the paper. “I have another question for you. Have you seen my son?”
Robin’s smile remained unchanged. “No, why?”
“He’s supposed to help me with the lilacs bushes today.” He leaned a bit closer, gold eyes staring her down. “Are you sure you haven’t seen him?”
“I haven’t,” Robin’s smile turned devious, “but I did hear people say they saw you and Shanks at Makino’s bar.”
Mihawk’s eyes narrowed. “There is nothing suspicious about a drink with a friend.”
“Of course. And there’s nothing suspicious about you getting all pouty while he declares his undying love for Buggy.”
Mihawk stood up straight. “Thank you for your help, Miss Nico.”
“Any time,” Robin told his retreating back.
—
“Oh, hello, Traffy,” Robin greeted with a pleasant smile.
Law sighed. “Is everyone going to keep calling me that?”
“Most likely. Now, what can I help you with?”
“Uh, Luffy said you guys have comics.” Law’s cheeks were a bit pink and he tugged on the brim of his hat.
“Why yes, we have a decent graphic novel and manga section. Are you looking for anything in particular?”
Law pulled his hat down until she could no longer see his eyes. “Do you have any of the Sora comics?”
Robin smiled and opened the catalog on her computer. “Let me check.” After a moment, she turned back to Law. “Yes, we do. We also have some volumes of the Germa 66 comics. Would you like me to show you where they are?”
“Please,” Law mumbled.
Robin smiled as she led the man to the right area. Honestly, no wonder Luffy insisted Traffy was hot and adorable. Though, Robin would keep this particular interaction to herself.
—
“Leave.”
Sabo smiled at her as he quickly closed his laptop. “Hi, Robin. Wonderful day we’re having, huh?”
Robin smiled back at him. “You know you still have a week left on your ban.”
“Oh, really,” Sabo laughed pleasantly, “I thought it ended yesterday.”
“No, that was Ace. You have another week. And Luffy will not be allowed back until next month.”
Sabo leaned in close to whisper. “Come on, Robin. You know I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
“Crocus and Clover have told you several times that you are not allowed to use our services—including wi-fi—for illegal purposes. That includes vigilantism and espionage.”
Sabo sighed, smile still on his face as he began to put his things into his bag. “Well, I suppose I’ll see you next week then.”
Robin walked with him to the library’s entrance. “I will see you then. Also remind your brothers about our public disturbance policies.”
Sabo laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to work.”
Robin laughed along with him. “No, I suppose it won’t.”
—
Robin watched with amusement as Crocodile glared at the fax machine. He had been trying to get his documents to go through for the last ten minutes. Robin greatly debated leaving him to his fate, but a look from Crocus at the circulation desk convinced her to do her job.
“Need help?” She asked as she approached.
Crocodile’s glare turned to her, his teeth grinding in obvious desire for a cigar. “The fax machine’s not working.”
“Let me have a look.” Robin took the documents from Crocodile’s hand, briefly skimming the pages with her eyes as she inserted them. “You are aware that our services are only intended for legally sound purposes, correct?”
“Of course,” Crocodile scoffed. “These are just business documents. Perfectly above board.”
Robin looked at him with a knowing smile. “Of course.”
They were silent as they both watched the machine scan the documents. Robin was perfectly happy with that.
Then Crocodile cleared his throat. “So,” he began, obviously faking nonchalance, “are those rumors about Luffy true?”
“What rumors?” Robin replied, smiling at the man’s obvious discomfort.
“You know. The polygamy thing.”
“I thought you didn’t care about what Luffy did.”
“I don’t,” Crocodile huffed. “Dragon called me about it.”
“Oh?” Robin’s interest was peaked. “I thought you’d have him blocked.”
“And changed my number. Apparently so did he.”
The machine beeped as it spat out the confirmation page. Robin laid it on top of the documents as she handed them back to Crocodile. “Well, you’d have to ask Luffy about that. Here are your papers.”
“Thanks,” Crocodile grumbled as he took the pages from her. He turned and walked to the door without another word. Robin was just fine with that.
—
“Hey!”
Robin smiled at the familiar voice. “This is a library, Franky.”
“I know that!” Franky said, voice still just as loud as before. “After all, I’m here to checkout the most super librarian around!” He lowered his sunglasses to wink at her.
Robin could hear the grumbles and giggles of the surrounding patrons. She stood up and began to gather her things. “By the way,” she said, “have you heard from any of the crew today?”
“Yeah! Luffy wants to take Traffy on one of Shanks’s boat tours! He invited all of us.”
“Sounds like fun,” Robin said, waving to Clover as he came to take her spot at the reference desk. She walked up to Franky’s side as they headed to the door.
“Yeah! We’re going to show Traffy a super good time!”
Robin laughed as she entwined their fingers. Franky smiled even wider at her.
Robin debated spilling all of the little secrets and stories she’d gathered throughout the day, but decided to keep them to herself. After all, old habits died hard.
And who knew if/when her little tidbits of knowledge might prove useful?