libraryassistants: (Default)
Unfinished Library Mod & NPC Account ([personal profile] libraryassistants) wrote in [community profile] unfinishedlibrary2026-03-27 07:21 pm

so good night unto you all - LIBRARY RETURN

Who: The Editors, one and all
What: The fight is over, the pieces remain... and the Editors head back 'home'
When: Dawn of the Final Day Sunrise after the attack
Where: Leaving Montica, back to the Library
Content warnings: Please make sure to put CW in headers!

By the time morning comes around again, the fires are beginning to die down, thanks to the many efforts of the citizenry to keep them under control. The rebel vampires too have been largely dealt with. These two seemingly insurmountable obstacles were only possible thanks to a combination of factors: the Umbra not being as blind to their human servants as their opposition would have thought, defectors from the Orlocks who were able to counter-act some of their magic, the following Amalia gathered and deployed from Laurelthirst, some suspicious (though welcome) help from suspiciously new arrivals, and of course, House Guildulf throwing their own into the fray to ally with the vampires for this confrontation.

A unity the likes of which Montica has never truly seen.

As the sun rises, there are few left who are able to fight at all; the rebels are beaten, and even the forces built up by both the vampires and werewolves are exhausted or diminished, leaving no one able to take advantage. Citizens of both sides flee indoors, and the remaining rebels are forced to vanish into the woods once more, weakened and unable to strike again any time soon. But there are still repairs to be done, physically and otherwise. Will this unity last beyond tonight? Will young love and youthful hope prevail? Those are the questions that settle over a weary Montica, as light pours into the city once more.

And then, the world begins to fade, static taking over the senses, as the Editors return to the Library.

Welcome back, Editors

It looks much the same as they left it, though the makings of a masquerade are no longer arranged as finely, a few scorch marks here and there, and for some reason there’s some amazing optical illusions on the floor panelling that makes them look like actual manhole covers. Alas, no sewers lay beneath. It may still take Actors a bit of time to shake off the old-new memories, and for some reason the fluorescent lighting seems harsher on the skin than it has any right too. Good thing that the stacks cast long shadows.

The customary tea cart is set up in the Lobby again, and it seems some improvements have been made. The coffee still isn’t strong, but’s far more drinkable than it has been, and there’s an added decaf option now! The tea has still been overstepped, and the stale cookies have been replaced by scones that are hard as rocks, but clearly someone’s getting the message that there are improvements needed. Clearly the tea cart was the place to start.

If someone for some reason doesn’t want stale scones, there’s also a child sized food truck in the lobby, with a sign out front boasting a variety of tamales, including: black beans and cheese, birria, chicken, fire scorpion, man suffering to death via battle wound, and beef. Upon approach, what look like fuzzy puppets pop up to… take your order? They don’t say much, or rather, they make a single noise over and over that seems to be them communicating, but the tamales are good. Just… don’t try to look in the truck. They’ll screech, vanish, and then no tamales for you.

Meanwhile, the bulletin board has a cheerful sign decorated with colorful blocks, declaring: “Join us in the Children’s Area for Lego Club!” Upon locating the room in question, Editors will discover boxes among boxes of legos of various shapes and sizes. There are some ‘how to’ guides for various builds (including a ‘research space ship’ and a ‘vampire’s castle’), but also plenty of encouragement for people to make their own creations! Unlike normal creations, these will actually stick around for a while after they’re finished, and there’s a nice little table where people can display and share what they’ve made.

The Assistants, it seems, are nowhere to be seen: the ‘back in 5’ sign is still in place at the help desk. Still, even without their ‘helpful’ guidance, some facets of the Library may come more easily to some in the aftermath of Montica’s troubles.

[Due to the resolution of the Story, any skills tagged Archivist in the skill tree cost one less skill point (minimum of 1) until the next Story. This can stack with a normal Archivist bonus!]
bashasasdemon: (Kai [Talking])

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
He's watched by, the black veil not bothered with him- so it's the pitch black of the demon's eyes looking back. "It's not an easy title to get used to," he says wryly, sounding very much like he knows from experience. He made himself get used to the idea, quickly; it was a war, and his ability to kill and not be killed was his greatest asset. Likely the main reason many of the Arike leaders let him stay around, even with Bashasa's trust of him.

Kai's family is entirely found, even if he doesn't really know that phrase. He knows what an odd little family they make- two Witches, a small child, two Immortal Blessed, and a demon. And that's not counting the other Witches in Avagantrum, Ziede and Tahren's children. His demon family is still alive, but other than his Grandmother... well. His mortal family needs his attention more. And wants it more. "Even so, you still need to learn to take a damn break," Kai mutters, giving him a hard poke. He can tell a bit, what Nara'a's thinking of there. Of the exhaustion they've talked about before. He's... not particularly eager to let the man walk back into that without help.
aetherweaver: (surprised)

Endwalker Spoilers

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2026-03-29 12:31 am (UTC)(link)
"I was supposed to have a break, but every time it turns into saving the world." That previous answer is still noted, but for now he just huffs in (mostly) feigned annoyance. "I'd like some things to not be a crisis."

The poke earns him a low growl, and Nara'a moves to grab the other's hand and kiss the knuckles. "Sometimes I just want things to be fun. And also to be me, rather than The Hero." For a moment, his mind flashes back to somewhere on the edge of the universe, with blades flashing and his life on the line - but no one else's.
bashasasdemon: (Kai [Sad])

Re: Endwalker Spoilers

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Kai was about to respond, but then Nara'a growls and kisses his knuckles and his breath hitches a little. Ignore that. His brain didn't briefly short circuit or anything, it's fine. He definitely remembers how to handle small bits of affection. ...Even if this is going to force him to reevaluate his rationalizing if it keeps up.

"I understand that," he says quietly. He'd like to not be the demon, or the Witch King, or whatever else he's call sometimes. He'd like to have not gotten thrown into a major Rising World Scandal and had his last body killed. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much of a better answer for Nara'a. "Is there no where you can be that?"
aetherweaver: (smile)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2026-03-29 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
"... Sometimes I go off into the wilderness and mine and gather plants, but aside from that..." He nuzzles the other's hand, ears flicking a little bit. "Occasionally I'll go to taverns. ... It's not as if most places have much in the way of appearance-recording technology, so most people don't know what I look like. ... Some people expect me to be taller."
bashasasdemon: (Default)

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Oh no. Nara'a stop that. He's trying to pretend you aren't just running over his brain here and that's hard when you keep making it not work right. ...If his hand is near an ear, he might wind up gently rubbing it with his thumb.

"I can see why that's not enough," he says after a moment, "Your friends can't help?"
aetherweaver: (tilted up)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2026-03-29 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"I mean..." He shrugs a little bit. "They have their own things to deal with. We don't tend to do much together in terms of... entertainment."

Even the fighting tournament he thought was going to be fun... it's now a race against the clock.
bashasasdemon: (Default)

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
Kai gives him a little bit of a look at that, but he doesn't say anything. "What do you like do?" he asks quietly, "What would you do, if you were able?"
aetherweaver: (eh?)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2026-03-29 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
"... Kai, I don't know. I've been dealing with one crisis after another for seven or so years. ... I take some time in between, but I usually end up traveling, crafting, or gathering materials."
bashasasdemon: (Default)

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
Kai's quiet again, and maybe he plays with Nara'a's fingers a little as he thinks. "Maybe you can try some things here," he says after a moment, "When we're ourselves, anyway." Maybe they can make something good out of this.
aetherweaver: (tilted up)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2026-03-29 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, this is nice. He lets his shoulders drop a little. "I'd... I'd like that. It would be nice to try things and not... worry about a crisis."
bashasasdemon: credit <dw user=thisisalex> (Kai [Laugh])

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 01:54 am (UTC)(link)
Kai gives him a little smile. "Then... let's try it. There's definitely a book in here somewhere about whatever you might be interested in."
aetherweaver: (smile)

[personal profile] aetherweaver 2026-03-29 06:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Okay." He nuzzles into his friend again, starting to purr. No, he's not a cat - but there's still feline traits. And he can't help it when his friend is so sweet and cute.
bashasasdemon: (Default)

[personal profile] bashasasdemon 2026-03-29 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh no. Help. There’s something very comforting about that sound, and Kai can’t help but melt a little. They wind up sitting there for a bit, curled up in the chair next to each other with Kai’s head resting on top of his. Even if Nara’a really just needed the company, this is nice. He’s allowed to enjoy it while it lasts.