They say the gods never give us more than we can handle - Library Log

[libraryassistants]

Who: Editors, with a guest Assistant or two
What: The Library begins to change once more
When: The two weeks leading up to the next Story
Where: The Library, obvi
Content warnings: Please add content warnings to threads!

Once again, the Library begins to change. The wooden floor becomes more like cobblestone (complete with ‘the ability to trip you up easily if you’re not watching your step’), and there’s some little flags that look like the kind of things you’d get handed at a festival. As the week goes on, little carts and stalls pop up around the Library - most don’t have anything, but there are a few where some familiar ‘faces’ pop up to offer their wares. It’s mostly rocks. Some of them are shiny, at least?

The customary ‘Back In 5’ sign is now missing from the assistant's desk, and in its place sits one of said Assistants. Additionally, there is the now expected sign on the circulation desk: “This week’s Recommended Reading: Paladin’s Grace!” Unlike the previous readings, it seems this one is fairly straightforward in that there’s no mix-up of copies or alternate forms of media. However, on request, it does seem that there are some sequels available for reading as well.

Available are also an assortment of other books, such as What Kings Ate And Wizards Drank by Krista Ball, Livre de Chevalerie by Geoffroi de Charny, and Life In A Medieval Castle by Frances and Joseph Gies. There is a waiting list pinned by these; the intention is clearly to share and not squirrel them away. Off to one side is The Forme of Cury, which the Library is NOT automatically translating into something more legible; some may have to ask for help to riddle out its many, many recipes. Religious symbols of countless faiths sit on walls or propped on top of bookshelves and even in the kitchenette and sleeping area, from a set of ornate old-fashioned merchant's scales to the Eye of Horus and even ... a colander full of spaghetti … ?

There's a new door added to the rotating locations, a scrawled note taped to it reading "Stop breaking things!" This door leads directly to an endless forest, with a cheerful clearing, soft grass and pleasant birdsong. Some lucky souls will recognize it as the current iteration of the Safe Room, now freely accessible from inside the library; coming and going is now effortless! That is, unless someone's sent there via destruction of property or injuring someone else, at which point they must wait out the usual duration. The day and night cycle remains, but now and again the sky clouds over, and pleasant spring rains sweep across the forest. These same rain showers are a regular occurrence in the garden for the next two weeks, at a rate of one every two days or so, lasting a little while before fading back to the usual climate and "weather".

The kitchenette is offering a change in food items; there's now a variety of hard cheeses, breads and salted meats to pick from, as well as dried fruit, pickles, eggs, river-fish, porridges of assorted forms, and uncooked roasts. Unfortunately things to actually cook the roasts with, like ovens or even a fire, haven't been provided alongside them. Drinks have changed to a small selection of rustic wines and extremely watered down ales. (Water is of course freely available.) The Laundry has acquired a large wooden tub and a washboard.

Comments

[logosmaxima]

... Well. Magnus had asked, and given their Father, and their own natures, perhaps he should not at all be surprised at Sanguinius' answer. "Contrary to Konrad's own convictions, that has also been my experience of the foreseeable future. My Corvidae would not be so useful as they are in battle if nothing foreseen could be altered."

Does he sound a little vexed about this? Yes, but it's not at Sanguinius -- he has been beating his head against the solid wall of Konrad's convictions about the future since his arrival. And while he had prevailed on their dark brother to permit him to help with his own afflictions -- which was no small thing! -- that obstinate wall still remains in the way of so much else they could do.

Like plot out an alternative to Nikaea, or save Prospero from the flames.

"But conflict is part of growth, brother," the sorcerer points out, apt -- perhaps -- to both lines of conversation. He pulls out his own seat -- slightly too small for him, until he finally gives in and sheds a foot or two to be nearer Sanguinius' height -- and settles into it. "From what I have gathered -- and I will admit, it is not as much as I'd wish before passing verdict on our future -- he is the victim of a time that has stultified in its errant faith in our Father."

A pause, and then more gently, "And in you, I think, and all the others who ... remained faithful." There. There is a flash of deeply personal pain on those last two words, so brief, but raw as wounds.

"Do you truly wish for him to remain so, even if it would spare him a little pain?"

[angel_of_baal]

"Our Nostraman brother is immovable on the topic. I have tried." He doesn't admit defeat easily, either.

Which he has not, entirely. He intends to keep trying. Perhaps they, combined, could wear him down.

"And yet," don't mind him reaching over to steal some food from the plate. "I do not wish to be venerated. Our sons should respect us, follow us. Love us, perhaps, even," Don't let Curze hear that last one. "But treat us as objects of faith? It is not what the Great Crusade was for. No matter how dark the future, it cannot have fallen that far." But even as he says that, he recalls Guilliman's dark tale. His sons, still beloved, but his Legion shattered into splinters, 'chapters'. "I dare say I see Lorgar's hand in that."

"And you cannot convince me you would betray our father. Or us." His gold eyes sought his brother's sole one.

Horus was hard enough to entertain the thought of, weighing heavily on his mind. And Magnus had had his chance, if betrayal was his aim, in Nikaea, after Nikaea.