Zira smiled. He reached over and patted her hand, a soft, unassuming gssture of comfort.
"I was one of the first made, you see. And I was trusted the task of guarding the Eastern Gate from intruders. No one counted on a Snake Slithering in under the rungs, you see. And after I botched that gig, I was Assigned to live among Man, from the very humble beginnings."
He paused to sip his tea. "I dare say, I had a hand in the very invention of writing, such as it was back then. And the first Book to be put into print. I've always had a passion for words, you see. My bookshop, as it were, was a glorified store room, for my precious belongings. A rather impressive collection, if I do say so myself. I'm rather distressed, that I've been Assigned this new career, and my books are nowhere that I can find."