libraryassistants: (Default)
Unfinished Library Mod & NPC Account ([personal profile] libraryassistants) wrote in [community profile] unfinishedlibrary2025-11-14 08:20 am

It's a beautiful day in the village - TAKE A LOAD OFF, LOG 1

Who: Readers and Actors
What: Beta Story Start - At the start of any particular Story, characters will be drawn to a section of the Stacks. Those inclined to resist will find themselves there anyway, through the shifts and changes inherent to the Library's structure. The Story manuscript will be laid out neatly on a side table, its pages lit by a faint aura that draws focus and beckons insistently to the Editors. Touching it will bring them into the Story.
Characters can either voluntarily touch the Story to enter it, or the Librarian will eventually sweep them in. Regardless of how long it takes them to enter, everyone will arrive at the same point in time.
When: November 14- November 27
Where: Woodhurst (UK) and the SS Radiance (in space!), 2019
Content warnings: Please tag warnings in comment headers!

In Woodhurst

It’s another Monday morning in Woodhurst, and as is often the case for the United Kingdom in the fall, it is raining. It is, all in all, a rather typical Monday morning. People shuffle off to work, dropping by the various cafes and shops for their morning caffeine. Polite (if meaningless) greetings are exchanged, vague comments about the weather are made. Heads down, trudging along, just keeping things going.

By midday, it’s clear that this Monday is a little bit… different. There are some people who seem especially cheerful and helpful. Perhaps you’ve just been served a free upsize of your morning coffee. Or a stranger held an umbrella up for you. People keep talking about the benefits of yoga? And it’s not just a bunch of people seeming to be having an especially good day and paying it forward (that would be strange enough). Some of your friends and loved ones aren’t acting like themselves, aside from being remarkably cheerful. They don’t seem to remember basic things, don’t know their normal rituals, and are generally just very off. You think one of them might have blinked sideways? Whatever it is that’s happened, it doesn’t seem right.

As for those ‘friends and loved ones’… The novices from the Interstellar Group are largely inexperienced with such a thing as covert operations. Fresh off the ship and with no frame of reference, their human disguises may have a few significant flaws.

However many fingers it is they have, they’re keen to help - perhaps a little too much so. Whatever it takes to make these human lives easier, whatever they can do to help them relax - the Group are on it! Hopefully they’ll catch on quietly.


On the IMW Group Supply Ship: Radiance

No plan survives contact with the enemy, is how the saying goes. But within the Interstellar Mindfulness & Wellness Group, the concept is usually applied to patients. Patients are, almost entirely across the board, unpredictable creatures - and while the science behind wellness is robust, there’s simply too much individual variation for a standardised approach. That being said, this particular plan seems to be going… rather more poorly than expected. It starts to break down once the word ‘kidnapping’ is brought up. It’s such an ugly word to use. The Group tries to avoid it. But in some of these cases, the humans need the Group’s own facilities! The idea was to convince the humans to follow them to a very not suspicious space capsule, or to get them to touch this particularly strange teleportation device, and they’d be on their way to recovery. However, most if not all the humans seem to be reacting… quite negatively to that. It’s almost like they don’t understand that this is for their benefit!

The ship is very nice, and perfectly designed to relax and comfort (--for the species the Group are familiar with, at least). Soothing music plays along the spaceship’s halls, which are lit in a soft violet glow. Potted plants are artfully displayed, though none of them are recognisable as any species found on Earth. For those with a sensitive nose, the flowers give off a bright, delicate scent; not unlike that of lavender and lemon myrtle. An entire stretch of glass is dedicated to the view outside, the Earth looking so serene from this distance; stars shining in the space around it.

For those Aliens aboard the mothership, maybe you’re delivering this hour’s yoga session. Maybe you’re leading a group chant or meditation. Are you perhaps talking humans into resting in the healing spa, or - for those so inclined - are you delving deeper, forming a connection, and really getting to know these humans? For the humans… well, at least the spa looks really nice, right?

[Space Spa Features:
Yoga - you’ve been herded into a room where a flexible alien encourages you to breathe deeply; holding it in your stomach and feeling your heart beat before letting it out in a big sigh. The routine is not very different to yoga on Earth, except… well, if you can’t find your proboscis, maybe that particular pose won’t work for you.
Sauna - the heat promotes circulation, but the temperature in here seems to be a little off.
Spa - you know what a spa is. Or, you thought you did. It looks like the aliens aren’t quite on the same page. Where there would normally be cucumbers, there’s a strange pink fruit. Where you’d expect water, there’s… a viscous fluid, gently rotating through a myriad of colours, that seems to soften and soothe your muscles as you soak in it.
And Others - the aliens have no shortage of remedies for what ails you! Since this is their first time experiencing humans, results may vary.]


Optional prompts (player-run):
An alien adrift, unsure what task to complete? Seek guidance from your leader.

In Woodhurst, unnerved and skeptical? Drop in at your local seedy bookshop to chat with some alien enthusiasts.

[Have a plan to drive the Story direction? Let us know, and we’ll add it to the list!

Info post can be found here.]
starandhope: (013)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-22 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
"We're not forcing them, though," Min'a says, frowning slightly. "I would never make anyone do anything against their will. As you say, it wouldn't even work. We're merely offering the opportunity to help them, help themselves."
aetherweaver: (surprised)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-11-22 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes, but you took them without their consent, did you not?" He tilts his head and looks up at her. "I know I wasn't asked if I wanted to be helped. Of course they're going to be afraid."
starandhope: (011)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-22 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm certainly doing my best to reassure them - you - that no harm will come to you," Min'a says. "It is a conundrum, however. So many of you so desperately need help, but if we merely offered, you would say no - or worse!"
aetherweaver: (concerned)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-11-24 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
... Would he have accepted help? He's not sure if he would. "It's just... you have to show people they need help if they're not willing to accept it initially." He hunches his shoulders.

"And some people feel that others deserve it more than they do."
starandhope: (027)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-25 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Everyone needs help at times," Min'a says, confused. "It's not about deserving. It's true of everyone."
aetherweaver: (running)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-11-25 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
"But surely there are some cases more urgent than others?" He tilts his head a little as he looks at her. "I've seen people in despair. It's not..." It's not like the slow cracking weight of pressure that's been weighing on him for years and years.

He takes a breath. "... Yes, everyone needs help sometimes. But some do quicker than someone like me."
starandhope: (024)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-25 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
"And so when will it be your turn?" she asks carefully. "When everyone in the world you think is worse off than you has been fixed?"
aetherweaver: (turn away)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-11-25 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
"... Maybe." He looks away from her. He doesn't need to be taken care of, but it would be nice to not have this weight on his shoulders for just a moment. But then... the guilt of relaxing while people need help. ... This is something he usually pushes away with a laugh, but when someone makes him stop and consider it...

"... I don't know. I just... I want to help people. Helping myself feels like a waste."
starandhope: (025)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-25 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
“A waste of what?”

Min’a tilts her head at him curiously. “What makes you less deserving of help than someone else? What makes you think that in order to help others, you should suffer?”
aetherweaver: (frustrated)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-11-29 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Vaguely he wants to walk away, but he’s aware that probably won’t help anything and in fact might make things worse. He takes a deep breath and tries to consider what she’s saying. “It’s not that I think I’m less deserving on the whole, it’s just… I’ve been holding together all right for some time. Other people haven’t. Don’t you think those people should get hep first?”
starandhope: (025)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-29 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
"I can't help all those people," Min'a points out. "They're not here, and I'm not there. You are here, now, and I can try to help you. I can only help the people I come into contact with."
aetherweaver: (Default)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-11-29 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
“… I mean, I try to do that too…” He feels very small all of a sudden, like he’s a kit again. “I don’t even know what would be helpful.” He wants to be free and adventure again - but he can’t ignore people in need.
starandhope: (010)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-11-30 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Then it's a good thing you're here, because here we have many options for you to explore," Min'a says simply, with a smile. "A spa treatment, an art class, yoga or meditation or talk therapy. It's all available to you."
aetherweaver: (turn away)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-12-07 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
"... I've tried a few of the spa treatments, but while they help physically I'm not certain that they are helping much. ... The talking is..."

He's not certain. He looks away. "... Difficult."
starandhope: (018)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-12-10 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Talking about one's feelings is often very difficult," Min'a agrees. "But, it can also be rewarding and very helpful."
aetherweaver: (frustrated)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-12-10 06:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's hard to explain my situation. ... But it's equally hard to try to understand this idea of needing to rest. After an injury, yes, but..." But not for days at a time... that just feels wasted.
starandhope: (025)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-12-11 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
"Is your mind not also part of your body that needs to heal after a damaging incident?" Min'a asks. "What about your heart?"
aetherweaver: (turn away)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-12-12 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"... What about it? We must continue on, for those who cannot." He lets his shoulders slump slightly as he tries to not stiffen up too much.
starandhope: (004)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-12-13 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Is your heart not also a part of your body, that might need healing from time to time?"
aetherweaver: (tilted up)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-12-13 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
He wants to start in on a lecture about corporeal versus other aether, but now isn't the time or place. "I feel like it's a bit different... but your colleague has made it clear that he thinks I'm to rest as well."
starandhope: (026)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-12-13 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm sure the means by which one heals are going to be different, just as treating a broken leg is different than treating pneumonia," Min'a says easily. "But they all need treatment, from time to time."
aetherweaver: (Default)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-12-13 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
He rubs his face. He can't be angry at these people who are trying to help. "Perhaps. But when you have no real clue as to what will even help... just generic 'rest' seems like it's not much of a good idea. If I'm resting, I can't really... do much."
starandhope: (026)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-12-14 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Resting is important for everyone," Min'a points out. "And we would have a clue, if you would talk to us about yourself, your situation and what you might need."
aetherweaver: (turn away)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2025-12-14 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
A bitter laugh tears itself from his throat before he can stop it. "I'm trying. But there are things that simply don't translate well. Not in a literal sense, mind you - metaphorically."
starandhope: (023)

[personal profile] starandhope 2025-12-15 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
"You're not human," Min'a says after a moment's pause. "We were only expecting to have humans to treat, here. Earthlings."

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