Careful of the stacks - LIBRARY LOG

[libraryassistants]

Who: EVERYONE!
What: A bunch of Editors walk into a library...
When: October 31st - November 13
Where: The Unfinished Library
Content warnings: Please add them as needed in the comment titles!

Welcome to the Library, Editors.

As the new residents drop into the Library, they are bound to have questions. Unfortunately it seems no one (except perhaps someone on the phone) appears to have any answers. But there is a nice little cart with a carafe of too weak coffee, a pot of too strong tea, assorted creams and sugar packets, and what appear to be leftover boxed shortbread cookies. There’s a sign inviting people to help themselves but reminding them not to take any food or drinks into the stacks, or touch any of the books with their grubby cookie hands. But aside from this little display and the nametags they’re all given, which do reappear whenever removed for the first week (where do they keep coming from?), the Editors are more or less left alone.

The Library is eternal, or at least it seems that way, unbothered by its new inhabitants. It certainly does not seem like this is anything unusual within its operation. Are there other sections of the Library with Editors, tucked into a different part of the stacks? Have there been Editors here before, and the ones here are simply a replacement? It’s impossible to say, just that the Library seems quite prepared for them. The refrigerators are stocked with appropriate (if generic) foodstuffs, any tantrums in front of the circulation desk are completely ignored, and attempts to set the Library on fire fizzle out before anything can even catch.

However, after a few days, some of the scenery in the Library seems to be changing. Little singing bowls and white noise makers pop up on various shelves and counters, yoga mats appear tucked under the bunk beds (plenty for everyone, somehow), and some of the rooms have started playing relaxing, meditative music over unseen speakers. More confusingly, there are also small UFOs hanging by string from the lower ceilings of the contained rooms, which on closer reflection are revealed to simply be two paper plates glued together and painted silver. In the beginning they’re quite sparse, but by the end of the second week they are everywhere and impossible to ignore.

At the start of the second week, there is a possible hint as to why, for at least part of it. On the table by the circulation desk there is a sign: “This Week’s Recommended Reading: Invasion of the Body Snatchers!” Next to it, there is a sign up sheet: a waitlist to check-out the ‘reading.’ (There is no explanation or apology for it actually being a movie.)

[ooc note: The Library prompts from the TDM can be considered canon to the game. Remember any of the locations listed in the setting are fair game. Have fun!]

Comments

Jonathan Harker | Dracula

[holiestlove]

Dorms
It had been quite a few years since Harker had last had to share a living space in this style, and it certainly hadn't been both genders together. He left the orphanage younger than expected when he went to fully work for Mr. Hawkins. A modest living accommodation had followed with what he could afford of his pay. From there the closest he got was living with his wife and Mr. Hawkins once they returned to England, both before and after the man died so quickly after Jonathan's return. Travels and such might lead to close quarters, but nothing like this.

The bunk he had claimed as his own was on the bottom, which made it easier for him to kneel and shove the bloodied fur coat under the bed beside the yoga mat. It was flipped inside out to try to keep the blood from being noticed. That stain would be a nightmare to get out the longer it stayed, but he didn't care to distress anyone else with the sight of it.

Later, most nights, he can be found sitting on the bed, quietly writing in his journal, the kukri as well hidden out of sight as it got closer to bedtime.

Body Snatchers
Between the strange silver items that kept appearing in more places and the oddity of their new home altogether. Harker finally made his way to the circulation desk, signing up to find out exactly what this Invasion of the Body Snatchers was. It must be important.

"Have you ever read this book?" He asked whoever was closest. "I have never heard of it."

The Stacks
After a day or so, Harker moved silently through the stacks. The kukri at his side, not that he expected trouble. Still, one never knows. Looking over books and seeking doors to open and explore. Sure, he couldn't get home, but what was to stop him from trying to map the place mentally? Even if it wouldn't do much good.

Anyone he passed he would politely tip his head in greeting while pulling down another unfinished book to thumb through.

Wildcard
Feel free to make your own, or request for TDM threads to be continued!

Dorms!

[curzed]

Konrad would have been quite content to ignore Harker entirely, sitting on the floor between other beds and carefully cutting identical rectangles from scavenged cardstock, but the scent of blood is immediate and sharp to his senses. Not fresh, not the mark of a wound still bleeding.

Precious few here had arrived bloody. Harker is watched as he shoves the bloody fur coat under the bed, unmoving, scissors ridiculously small in his grip paused in their duty of cutting rectangles.

When he finally speaks up, he sounds dry, interested but passionless. It's curiosity and little more, for the moment. But so many people here wound up so compelling if he bothered to pay them much attention.. "You will ruin your coat if you leave it there."

[holiestlove]

Harker should have made sure no one was around before trying to hide the fur coat, but he assumed that Konrad was busy with whatever he was working on. Looking back when he heard the voice. A guilty look crossed his features before he shifted to sit against the bunk and face the other.

"I am certain it is already ruined. I have frightened some with it, though, and I do not know how to remove the blood." It was an expensive coat bought by a friend for the long chase, so he couldn't just trash it. He had grown up too poor for that.

"Did you see it, sir? I attempted to keep it turned inside out; I do apologize if so."

[curzed]

He's definitely working on something, he's got a couple dozen of those rectangles cut out so far, but Harker's more interesting. "I am not frightened by such things, fear not."

If it did, his line of work would become MUCH more difficult. "But it seems no-one else is about at the moment to alarm." He raises one pale hand and beckons slightly. "Bring it here. I know a thing or two about bloodstains, it may not be too late." Generosity and the Night Haunter do not necessarily go hand in hand, but it is a diversion from the monotony of this library of unfinished books.

[holiestlove]

One bright side of the horrors of the last few months? Harker didn't show any fear or distaste for the other, more curious about this strange new place he was in. "I am pleased to hear it. I would hate to upset anyone else."

Looking up to verify before he reached back, pulling out the nearly floor-length pale furred coat, lined with black silk. Standing, Harker carried it over, his own hand pale but not as pale. His wedding band stood out against his finger as he held it over. The stain was pretty bad, plenty of spots matted from Quincey's blood. "I would hope it is not too late, but I would be very grateful if you could help."

[curzed]

Happily, for all that Curze might resemble certain myths of vampires, he isn't one! His golden, winged sibling on the other hand-- "Ah, yes. My brother feels similarly. We can't frighten the mortals, upsetting our nominal allies would be rude.."

The scissors are set aside, in favor of reaching to take the ruined coat with surprising delicacy for something his size.

The ring is noted too. It's still a human custom, even in the thirty-first millennium. "It is not your partner's blood, is it?" A mild enough question, for all that Konrad's method of choice to test the age of the stain is to lick it. Hm. "Cold water and a gentle hand will do much. Dried is much harder against such a color, but this is still fresh enough.." He uncoils suddenly, rising to his feet in a sudden jerk that is utterly graceless, his small rectangles of cardstock left to flutter to the ground. It's been a while since he's bothered trying to get blood out of anything. "There may be trouble finding an appropriate conditioner for the skin here. We will make do."

Body Snatchers

[defyingreality]

The UFOs appearing had him slightly worried but he didn't think to actually check out the source until he saw others stop at the desk and thumb through the available items next to the Recommended Reading sign. Adjusting his glasses, he glanced at the childish decorations and then blinks at the sudden question.

"Book?" X frowned and ruffled his hair, looking up at the UFOs. The simplistic style really did not ease his worry.

"I know the movie. Kinda."

[holiestlove]

If only he had some idea of what the UFOs were he might have been more concerned, but at least he had enough concern to try and look into the recommended reading.

Looking confused for a moment at the answer. "A movie? I am not sure that I quite understand, sir." Cinema was pretty new in his time— moving pictures, yes. But that was still not quite the same. "If it is not a book, why would they recommend reading it?"

[defyingreality]

"Ah?"

He wasn't use to people being polite, especially when he still looked like a civilian. Doubly so since his every day salaryman persona was one that always ends up getting squashed in the subways and pushed around in the crowds while Heroes had their battles. But he shook off the surprise as he reached up for one of the UFOs.

"Oh, it's like a play that's recorded in a way you can watch it over and over again from anywhere as long as you have a copy." He taps the IFO, making it swing. "Maybe they adapted it to book format? They've done it before."

[holiestlove]

What a strange time the other man must live in to not be used to others being polite. It was good, proper manners.

Blue eyes tracked his hands as he reached for the UFO. Jonathan's hands were folded behind his back, listening intently.

"That must be quite the modern marvel." A touch of wonder in his tone. Photos were so expensive, so the idea of a play one could watch whenever they wanted to be sounded unbelievable. Or very expensive.

"Forgive so many questions, but are those odd decorations related to the story?" He asked before shifting to offer his hand the other's way. "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. I am Jonathan Harker."

[defyingreality]

"I never thought of them that way, but if you're interested I could show you the media room where they store a few movies."

China might have gotten rid of the caste system but it still plays by those old rules. He does have a slight advantage over most of his fellow workers thanks to being unremarkable thus keeping himself safe from worse bullying.

Not that he would allow it but still it was the thought that count.

He stops the swinging UFO by pinching the edge and tugs it down. "I believe so; these are called UFOs or unidentified flying objects. Some people call them flying saucers and as you can see -" he wags it before setting it down against the recommended reading sign "- these are the kind you find kids making out of paper plates."

Smiling, he accepts the handshake, giving a slight bow as he does so. "Nice to meet you, I'm X."

omg sorry for the doubleteam Dorms

[angel_of_baal]

The smell of blood attracts a slightly different kind of attention from his brother, Curze. It floats through the air of the dorm room, whetting the thin edge of his appetite.

Jonathan probably steps out to do something, so it's fairly awkward when he comes back, to find a large winged weirdo kneeling by the bed, just reaching under to pull out the coat.

He snatches his hand back, trying to come up with a good cover. "I. I dropped something." His dignity, maybe.

No problem! I am happy to have it!

[holiestlove]

Jonathan had stepped out for more tea or to take a stroll through the garden; either way, he returned in time to see a very large winged man kneeling by his bed. Blue eyes rather wide as he takes in the whole image of the other.

Is this an angel?

What kind of place is this?

"Not to be too forward, sir, but I must ask what you may have dropped under where I sleep." It was not angry, just a little sharp. Any panic was pushed aside for a bit of indignation. This was the part of living in shared spaces he did not miss. At least his kukri was still attached to his belt, not that he expected to use it, just not wanting anything to happen to it.

[angel_of_baal]

Sanguinius tears his attention away from the mattress, forcing himself to look normal. Totally normal, and with a smile that doesn't quite show all of his teeth.

The problem with being Sanguinius is that he is a terrible liar. Case in point. "It's...not there," because it's not real, "I'm sorry for intruding in your space. I understand mortals take great stock in privacy."

[holiestlove]

Despite being tall for a human, Harker was young. Only twenty-one and yet, he looked at the even taller winged man as if he caught a child with their hand in the cookie jar.

Hearing the word mortal from Sanguinius didn't send his nerves into a frenzy; he was more miffed at his privacy being breached. Yet, that lie was awful.

"Stop, it is quite alright." He shifted, his hands going behind his back folded together, his suit jacket half hiding the large knife at his side. Yet, he didn't even reach for it. "While, yes, I do take a lot of stock in my privacy. Something must have caught your attention." His hands moved again, this time offering one over to shake. "So let us start over. My name is Jonathan Harker, and may I ask what you were looking for, sir?"

[angel_of_baal]

It's why he didn't lie very often--risking embarrassment. If only the other had stayed away for...five more minutes? He would have at least sated his, uh...his curiosity.

"Sanguinius. Primarch of the IX Legiones Astartes, the Blood Angels." Surely the name and the red blood droplet motif on his armor was just, you know, a coincidence.

He has a feeling that his lie wasn't going to work a second time any better than it did the first. How about some tiny slice of truth? "I thought I smelled blood." Go on, tell him he's wrong!

Body Snatchers || Alas, our TDM thread must be noncanon

[extrasaltypotato]

“Hmn? As far as I know, it’s a film - a motion picture. Well worth seeing, if you’ve the constitution for extistential horror.”

The man who answered - and his deep voice proved he was a man, or at least an adult person, despite his gnomish stature - was dressed in robes, a tall conical black hat with a broad brim and a red mantle, with dragonfly wings to a scale with his body peeking out from under them; and his elfin ears came to a point.

“But if you’ve never heard of such, you’d be in good company. This place has many folk from out of place and out of time.”

Its okay, we will make this one even better!

[holiestlove]

"When you say motion picture? Do you mean like the cinematography?" Movies hadn't really made it that far yet in his time, not that he had been able to see anyway. Though with the rest he made a bit of an uncertain expression. "Alas, it may not be for me. I have had quite enough of horror of late."

Says the man who is supposed to be avoiding shocks and stress and, by all rights, doing an awful job at it.

Harker was looking down at the man whose voice was much deeper than his own. Curious about the other just from his looks alone. "So it seems I must be. A shame, that. I do hope to learn as much as I can while I am here, though. It could do no harm to at least try."

That’s the spirit!”

[extrasaltypotato]

“Cinema, yes. And I am glad I mentioned - and sorry to hear it. If it’s any consolation we are quite safe, beyond the circumstances. I trust you’ve found the amenities.”

He doesn’t need to strain his neck that far. Rather than offer his hand, he bows from the waist, with a sweep of his hand.

“Hikaru Aozora, late of Mundus, at your service. If you find an unfamiliar machine, I might know something about it’s functions.”

[holiestlove]

"It is quite alright; despite my words, I dare say I may still wish to see the motion picture. If only to say I had seen one." Looking on the bright side as best as he can. "I thank you for that. I do hope it remains true. I have indeed found the amenities."

When Hikaru bows, Harker tips his head respectfully in return. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Aozora." Assuming, but hoping to be corrected if he said it was wrong. "I am Jonathan Harker of Exeter, England. I will likely need to call upon your services, as I do not recognize much of what I see here."

[extrasaltypotato]

"Jonathan -"

He brightens, about to deliver well meaning words that will deeply wound him.

"I have heard of you by reputation. Your recent circumstances aside, you are a very lucky man."

Body Snatchers

[dreamquestion]

The man closest looks like an old professor, including the thin wire-frame glasses and the slight thinning on top, but he's staring at the title with some open concern.

"I confess I haven't either," he admits readily, looking at the younger man with a placid sort of concern. "Though while I've never encountered something of a similar description, I'm familiar with the kind, and therefore worried about what this place may be trying to tell us."

Sorry for the delay!

[holiestlove]

That might very well be why Harker spoke to him. The slight reminder of old Professor Van Helsing was a comforting one.

The white haired young man looks equally concerned back at him before back to the sign. "Perhaps it would be best to plan and be ready in case an attack is to come?" Jonathan spoke, looking to him again. "What do you know of the ones you are familiar with?"

Re: Sorry for the delay!

[dreamquestion]

"Inhuman in a way that I expect more than a fair share of our fellows here would be prepared to deal with, though the creatures on an individual level are less harmful than horrifying."

He sighs gently, adjusting his glasses slightly. "Those I am familiar with have a skill with technology yet to be rivalled on Earth, able to remove a man's brain without killing him and storing it indefinitely. Though my greatest concern would be their use of the reverse, restoring minds into bodies they may well be fundamentally unsuited for and driving them mad."

[holiestlove]

"Prepared, but perhaps not ready for such a fight." Horror was harder to fight than a physical being. A touch of worry crosses Harker's features as he listens.

Eyes widening. "They can remove the brain? But the man lives on?" He wasn't very knowledgeable about anatomy, but that didn't sound right at all. Certainly not a vampire. "So long as the body had the correct soul, it could work just fine, right?"

Yeah, he's not a student of science.