The Anthropomorphication of Awe

Aoife stepped into the library.

She was immediately struck still by awe. “Ow,” she said. “That hurt.”

“Sorry,” replied Awe.

Socrates hurried out of the room. “I’m so sorry about that, Aoife,” he said. He turned to Awe. “What have I told you about anthropomorphising in here?”

“Sorry,” said Awe, beginning to look crestfallen. “I just wanted to meet your new friend.”

Aoife began to feel sorry for her. “Hey, that’s ok,” she spoke softly, soothingly, trying to creep forward to have a better look at the creature.
“Stop that,” said Socrates crossly, swiping at Awe.

“What are you doing?!” cried Aoife, distressed.

“Trying to get her to de-anthropomorphise,” Socrates replied as he waved his arms in the air, as if swatting a particularly enthusiastic fly. “If she doesn’t go back to normal, then she’ll be stuck like that.”

“But she’s so cute,” said Aoife, following Awe around with her eyes. “Can’t we keep her?”

“We? What we? You’ll be going back to your time, soon, and then I’ll be stuck here with a miniature fairy who periodically attacks people. No, no, forcing her back to her own form is the only way!” and with a particularly vicious swipe, he startled Awe back into a non-entity. He wiped a drop of sweat from his brow. He looked back at Aoife. “Perhaps you could just give me a minute,” he requested. “Just to get this place cleaned up a bit?” and he gestured towards the bits of parchment and quills on the floor, and broken bits of pottery which he had damaged while fighting with Awe.

“Oh, sure, no probs,” said Aoife. “I’ll just go look around?”