Day 3

[mirror_mod]

Eventually the group finds themselves in a new part of the city. The stone is cleaner, the air is brighter, and everything seems far better cared for. Whether this is illusion or truth, it’s hard to mistake the trickling sound of a fountain ahead, drawing you into view of a massive open courtyard. Rising out of the middle of it is a tall building with a strangely crooked spire, topped with a globe like a watchful eye.

Closer, it’s easy to read the carved sign above the doorway.

LIBRARY

Perhaps there are answers here.

LOWER STACKS | RESTRICTED SECTION | OBSERVATORY

Comments

RESTRICTED SECTION

[mirror_mod]

A spiral staircase leads upwards to a higher floor. The books here seem a little older and far more silent than the busy tomes below. Stretching out far over the dizzying head of the tower, across a narrow bridge to a floating platform, is a single massive volume on a pedestal and surrounded by a gilded cage. Even from here the word on the cover can be read – CAIR PARADISA.

oh god why you guys I don't even.

[perfectisnteasy]

[CLU doesn't HAVE to breathe, but if he could, he'd stop once he saw this. as it is, he just freezes, staring. that's it. that's the key he's been looking for. what he needs. he turns and .... does the one thing you probably shouldn't do in a library in the middle of a creepy magical world.

he raises his voice]

EVERYONE, COME LOOK AT THIS.

yes lets get all the loud ones together

[honorinflames]

[yeah, that's right where he's headed, jogging over. yelling in a library is the best idea]

What is it? [calling out before he reaches him]

/facepalm

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

Typically you're supposed to be quiet in libraries. [He chuckles] not that this is a typical library.

[He makes his way in their direction, an amused smile on his face.]

What did you find, CLU?

[persequor]

[ Arya follows in Flynn's footsteps, looking around him to see what the fuss is about. She had expected more strange creatures or even the doorway they wanted. Instead it's a book. The cage and the reason for its existence interest her more than the tome itself. ]

Does it have a lock?

[demontobeloved]

Well, that's helpful.

[And have one (1) demon wandering rather nonchalantly over to the group.]

Anyone got any ideas?

[cloakand_danger]

[Hearing the commotion, Yuan joins them.] ...It looks like a trap to me. [Offering them a book presumably full of answers, set aside, emphasized, and clearly labeled? Yuan doesn't like it.] ...But it might be one we can't risk not entering.

[youhavebeenflynned]

What's the matter, mate? [Strolls up]

[demontobeloved]

If there ever was a more obvious trap. [Cole nods to Yuan.] But Yuan is probably right.

[And he turns to Harry.] Gilded cage, book with "Cair Paradisa" on it. Trap, yes?

[honorinflames]

Let's find out.

[he's so got his attention fixed on that gleaming prize, trap or no]

[persequor]

[ These people planning on setting off on a trap? Arya will be backing away now. ]

[youhavebeenflynned]

[Looks over to Cole with a tense expression]
If something is in a cage, it's usually because people shouldn't take it. Might be wired. Too bad I don't got my lock-picks with me.

[demontobeloved]

Hey, hey, woah.

[Yeah, no.]

No setting off the trap. It could destroy the book, and we don't want that.

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

If anyone can figure out if it's going to go up in our faces I might be able to break it open.

[He pulls the disc off his back, spinning it between his hands.]

[honorinflames]

We should at least go up there and get a look.

['we' meaning himself]

[youhavebeenflynned]

I have to agree with Cole on that. [Nods]

I have some experience of traps. [Traps being ancient deadly traps in old ruins...]

[Looks over to the guy with the weir Frisbee] You got lock-picks?

I s'pose a look can't hurt.

[demontobeloved]

Looking won't hurt. I'd recommend not touching anything until we get an idea of what the anything is.

[Listen to your elder, people. This guy has a good few years on mostly everyone here, the exception being the angel.]

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

Lock picks? No. [He chuckles. With touch he activates the disc, it hums as of the blade edge lights up.] I meant that in more the literal sense.

But taking a look so we know what we're dealing with first is best. Any volunteers?

[honorinflames]

[he raises his hand. he's a good ninja.]

[youhavebeenflynned]

Oh. Haven't seen one of those before. [Gives the disc an curios look]>/small>

[fredless]

[She pulls up close, out of breathe from trying to capture the books but still determined]

If you're looking for more help...

[hellshaped]

[Preferring action to sitting around reading all day, Hellboy was immediately drawn to this small congregation of people, who look like they're actually going to do something!! Shock of shocks.]

My money's on trap, too. But it might give us a better clue than flying books.

[He nods toward the bridge and whoever's going to cross it!] Be careful.

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[He deactivates his disc and replaces it on his back.]

Something you'll only see on the Grid, I'm sure.

[Smiling at Fred and Hellboy] There's a good chance it is a trap but you never know. Sometimes the dangers we envision in our own minds are more intimidating than the real ones.

[He nods to Zuko] Thank you. Why don't you take a closer look for us.

[perfectisnteasy]

[using the disc was the first thing CLU thought of, too, and he has it in hand as he moves behind Zuko] Need some cover, man?

[youhavebeenflynned]

[Looks over to Kevin]

The Grid?

[Looks over at Zuko] If you're up for it then sure, go ahead.

[He then looks over att the big red guy... he has never seen anybody like that before.]
I agree, mate.