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

ASSISTANTS' LINE

[libraryassistants]

There's a phone sitting on the circulation desk, with a simple note reading "Assistants' Line." Give it a call?

[curzed]

[He's still not impressed by something so incredibly archaic as a phone. Why a phone. There isn't even a pict option. But he does know what it's FOR at least.]

Hello. There is no directory attached to this vox; who answers?

[libraryassistants]

[The voice on the other end sounds amused, quite possibly at Konrad's expense; it's masculine and bright, with a clear edge that would do quite well carrying across a number of troops.]

This is the Assistant's Line, so you can probably guess that you're calling the Library's Assistants.

[no he does not give his name.]

[curzed]

I know who I am calling, I wished to know who would answer. Often those who respond are not the ones meant to.

[An annoying quirk of dealing with mortals, sometimes whoever's on hand grabs it instead of who it's meant for.]

The 'recommended reading'. Is there more information to be had on these invading aliens? We can work with what we've given but more is always helpful in ... [How to put this diplomatically.] .. Avoiding collateral.

[starandhope]

Mina knows what a telephone is, though she’s never found herself in a situation to actually use one. They are not widespread - still more of a newfangled novelty, as compared to the telegraph.

But she picks this one up, and says “Hello?” rather loudly into the receiver. Does she need to yell for the person on the other end to hear her? Guess she’s about to find out!

[libraryassistants]

There's a quiet snort of laughter, a bit away from the phone, as if someone pulled the received away from their ear at the volume.

"You don't need to yell," the masculine voice says, sounding cheery even though she definitely just shouted at him on accident, "Speak at a normal speaking volume and it'll do the rest. How can I help you?"

[starandhope]

“Oh, I beg your pardon!” Her voice quickly drops to her inside tone. It’s strange and yet miraculous, to hear this voice as though he were standing right next to her.

She takes a breath, gathers herself.

“I know it would be pointless to ask to be returned home,” she begins. “But is there any reassurance you can give me, as to the safety of my husband?”

[tsunatos]

[ After watching a few other people to see how the phone works, Thanatos picks it up in his non-gauntleted hand and presses it to his ear. (Upside-down.)

Aware that it may be an exercise in futility, he nonetheless asks: ]

Why aren't my abilities working as they should?

[libraryassistants]

Can you be slightly more specific?

[Unsurprisingly the voice is muffled, given that it's coming out near his mouth.]

[tsunatos]

…

[ Thanatos turns the phone right side up. ]

I should be able to shift anywhere I choose. Why can't I?

[defyingreality]

X doesn't want to bother another worker so much but he has a few questions that he hopes there were easy answers for.

"Hello, sorry to bother you, but is there any chance for there to be a gym or a training area? Also is the food sources limited to whatever is grown in the garden and what is provided by the staff lounge?"

[libraryassistants]

The voice that answers will be familiar - it's the same crisp, polished guy who spoke to him last time.

He hums thoughtfully.

"Hello again. I appreciate your decorum - would you mind spreading it to some of the others? I daresay a lesson or two on manners is sorely needed."

He's clearly griping, the way one colleague might to another.
There's the sound of rustling paper. Then:

"There could be opportunities to... make some adjustments." He sounds sceptical of the idea. "By and large, the lot of you will need to develop the skills to stand on your own. What exactly do you have in mind?"

[defyingreality]

"I can do my best, but some times people just feel the need to be angry and don't think about who they're being angry at."

He feels so sorry that he couldn't do more to help but maybe he can try a little. It can't hurt, right?

"I was thinking like a gym - treadmills, free weights, maybe a small area for aerobic or dance. Generally the kind of exercises that could prove useful in the long run; after all, if we spend all our time sitting it could make the staff unfit in case of emergencies."

[aetherweaver]

Oh, he can't resist. He picks up the... receiver? He's pretty sure it's a receiver of some sort - and speaks a little awkwardly into it.

"Ah, hello there? I have a few questions, if you don't mind." At least he's not yelling?

[libraryassistants]

The voice that answers is crisp and polished.

"Hello," he greets genially, though a bit stilted. "I suppose there isn't a way I can get out of it, is there? Go on, then. I'll answer as best I can."

[aetherweaver]

Oh, good. It's a bit like a linkpearl, then. He holds it more confidently to his ear.

"There are those of us who are... more inclined to fighting, as you are probably aware. However, I would hate to damage the books in this place. Might there be some designated area where we could practice? I assume you brought fighters for a reason, and they tend both to not want to get rusty and have extra energy to burn off."

in the right place this time lmao

[angel_of_baal]

The whole object is bizarre to him, and thankfully, the receiver at least has the sorcery of this place, and grows so that it's not entirely absurd in his large hands.

Don't mind him trying (and probably failing) to pitch his voice quietly. He's trying to be subtle. hahahah just checking things out not asking a question that's so serious it's been occupying his mind almost since his arrival.

"Well met with honor." Uh. That's how he'd greet one of his sons, so...good enough? "I have a resource concern." That's nicely diplomatic, right?

[libraryassistants]

"Good afternoon," a crisp voice answers. He seems pleased with the greeting, a bit chuffed. "I suppose it is my responsibility to hear your concerns. What seems to be the trouble?"

[angel_of_baal]

One should always use one's best manners especially in, well, delicate matters. "Oh, there's no trouble. Yet. I...am trying to keep it that way." Ah very clear, right?

"I have a." A pause while he looks around to make sure he's not being listened to. "unique. Dietary requirement."

[unsheathedfromreality]

Illarion doesn't sound upset, exactly, when he picks up the phone a few hours after he arrives. He doesn't sound much of anything.

But there's a certain urgency to his words, and of course he foregoes a polite greeting because as far as he's concerned this is still a battlefield situation. "Whoever's on the other end. Is the King of Eyes here?"

[libraryassistants]

The voice on the other end (masculine and clear) snorts. "God, I hope not, if only for the name," it mutters, "Give me a second."

There's the sound of rustling paper and generally the noise of someone rifling through documents for a minute or so. "No, it doesn't look like it. Hopefully it stays that way. Seriously, who the fuck would pick that kind of name?"

[unsheathedfromreality]

"Stars and Saints," Illarion breathes. There's no relief in his voice despite the oath. Because--

"He can't reach me here, can he? I'm free?"

Give him a moment. He'll have his own opinions on the King's Domain once he's sure of a few things.

[hellandbackpack]

[Just gonna hop himself up to sit on the desk and pluck that phone up.]

Good news! It’s me! Bad news… it’s also me.

[A faint, awkward soft of chuckle following, a beat of silence after before he's continuing on.]

I, uh, had a request if you’ve got a tick?

[libraryassistants]

[There's a snort on the other end- sounds like he got Phillip again.]

Sure, whatcha need?

[hellandbackpack]

Oi, howsit Phillip?

[At least they've got a bit of a rapport already. Makes this a bit less harrowing to ask about when all's said and done.]

So I know you can't just send us home, got the whole cryptic job 'description' and all, seems like it's kinda on us innit, the whole 'unfinished' part of things seems to play on it-

[Hold up.] Sorry, gettin' off track here-

Even though we can't go back as it stands, is there a way I could... check on a couple people back home? Or even just one?