Art by  crux, who also helped to bring Kedar to wonderful life!

***

Venti ducked under the doors, gripping the doorframe, seemingly unsure about going inside. The library was quiet, with a few people seated at the tables. He didn't see the chow anywhere, and took another look before he finally entered the library, nervously tugging at his robin's-egg blue tie. The creases and folds of the shirt were still as new as they were when he bought the shirt a week ago and he made sure the creases of his pants were sharp as if they'd been bought a week before.

So far, so good, thought Venti. The day had been perfect for him. Nothing had gone wrong, which made his apprehension grow. Murphy's Law was bound to take effect soon.

A short raccoon stood at the front counter, checking in books. approached and said 'excuse me,' softly, then continued. "I have an interview with Mister Lacrosse."

The raccoon looked up at Venti's stomach, then all the way up to his head, eyes wide with surprise. "Uhm...oh! Kedar!"

"Yes, Quinn?" came an answering voice from the inner office, and a large chow dog came out, ducking as he passed through the doorway. "Might I remind you that this is a library?"

The raccoon's ears flattened against his skull. "Yessir. This gentleman here has an interview with you."

Kedar looked up at Venti, appraising him momentarily. "I can see why you made such an outburst." He gestured to the office. "Please step into my office, Reginald. Or do you prefer Venti?"

"Venti'll do just fine, sir."

"Please, call me Kedar. I dislike titles, no matter how properly I speak." He stepped into the office, Venti following close behind. Kedar sat down, folding his hands on top of his desk as the jackal sat down. "Usually I have potential applicants fill out an application before I interview them, but we can indulge in a reversal of the process, yes?"

"Whatever you say, Kedar. You're the one who thinks I'll make a good librarian."

"For purely selfish reasons that shall most assuredly feed your ego."

"An ego? Me? I've never even heard of the word."

Kedar smiled. "Then I shall teach you the definition before this interview is done."

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