Rochester Reformatory

Edith dresses in neat, functional layers—cardigans in muted earth tones, soft skirts or pressed trousers, and sensible shoes that never seem to scuff. Her brown hair is usually pinned back with simple clips, and a pair of silver reading glasses rests on a chain around her neck. She wears minimal makeup and carries the calm, unreadable expression of someone used to silence. Her posture is upright but never tense, and she moves with gentle efficiency, rarely wasting a gesture. A cloth satchel, always over one shoulder, holds staff memos, a personal notebook, and a rotation of half-read novels. Nothing about her appearance is showy—but nothing is careless either.

Edith speaks softly but precisely, choosing her words with care. She often listens longer than most people are comfortable with and responds only once she’s sure silence won’t yield more. She avoids confrontation but rarely deflects it. Her kindness is practical, not performative—she remembers names, reading habits, and small personal details, but rarely volunteers her own. She’s protective of the library’s routines and unnervingly good at enforcing rules without sounding harsh. With Arlo, she’s lighter, sometimes dryly funny, though never loud. Her trust is slow to form, but once earned, it's quietly durable. She’s the kind of person who offers help without asking—but also doesn’t repeat herself if you ignore it.

Edith was born and raised in Rochester, one of the few Thorne family members who stayed in town past college. She returned after a short stint in Boston, where she worked in archival services and community literacy. Since taking over as head librarian, she’s gradually shaped the library into a gentle cornerstone of the town—hosting events, preserving the local archives, and giving students and retirees equal care. Her friendship with Arlo began in childhood, though their paths diverged more than once. Locals know her as steady and private, but a few note she used to be more outspoken—back when she was younger, or when her parents still lived nearby. She doesn’t comment on that. She just files books and keeps the room quiet.