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

[persequor]

Why don't you just grab one off the shelves?

[cloakand_danger]

[He explains as he continues swinging the net] I can find unmoving books anywhere. Flying books, on the other hand, are pretty much nonexistent where I come from, so I'd like a closer look at what makes some of them fly, as opposed to the ones on the shelves. Once I've got one of these, I'll get one from a shelf for comparison.

[persequor]

But they're all moving about.

[cloakand_danger]

But at different times. And did you see the one that flew down to get written in? It seems like when they fly, it's because they're changing somehow, and I want to see what that means.

[Without climbing a rickety ladder, he doesn't say. He will if he has to, but it seems like asking for trouble.]

[persequor]

[ Arya takes a few steps to the nearest shelf. It doesn't take long for one of the books to fly out. She bats it down with her broken net pole, quick as a snake, and it falls open. She picks it up. ]

They're journals.

[cloakand_danger]

All of them? [Forgetting his efforts at catching one from the air, he steps over to a shelf and pulls one off at random, scans the inside, checks another.] ...Amazing.

[He looks up at the rows and rows of shelves above them.] ...Is this world where things go, when residents go home?

[persequor]

I guess? They have names. [ She drops it unceremoniously and grabs another one. She reads the name. ] I know him!

[cloakand_danger]

Do you? What's his most recent entry? [Yuan is looking over her shoulder now.] Does it mention people going missing?

[An idea is beginning to form...]

[persequor]

Um... [ She flips to the end. Balancing the journal on one hand, she passes the empty pages until finding the last thing recorded. ] It's a prayer. To find lost souls! Do you think it's about us?

[cloakand_danger]

Well, we are lost right now. It's certainly possible.

[His eyes narrow thoughtfully. He picks up his net again and heads straight for the nearest ladder, a clear sense of purpose in his bearing.]

...Would you mind holding this steady for me while I climb? It doesn't look very stable on its own.

[persequor]

I can do it.

[ She hurries past him to take hold of the ladder. ]

[cloakand_danger]

[And he clambers up it as quickly as he can without jostling it too much, intent on one of the pedestals. When he reaches the top, he starts swinging the net again.

At the quill pen.]

[mirror_mod]

[The pen isn't nearly as agile as the books themselves and the ladder is actually quite steady, as if it's meant to be used. He catches the pen rather easily.

At the same time, there is another book, much smaller than the others and a with a bright red cover, flitting just over the top of your head...]

[cloakand_danger]

[He reels in his prize, intent on his plan, but that little book looks interestingly unusual. Not one to ignore the obvious signs, he'll grab that one while it's hovering close, then make his way back down the ladder.]

I have a pen. Let's try writing in one.

[mirror_mod]

[The tiny book seems almost docile and is easily grabbed. The words on the cover aren't a name though...

[SEE ICON]]

[persequor]

[ Having already realized Yuan's intent, Arya is almost bouncing on her heels when he comes down. ]

Let me!

[ She snatches both book and pen intent on writing a message to her family (and the others still at the castle too she supposes). ]

[mirror_mod]

[What will you write, Arya?]

[persequor]

People in the castle

My name is Arya. I'm with the group that was taken from the castle. We're safe. We're in a place that looks like the city but weird. We're in a library right now. We're trying to find a way back. If anyone can read this please answer.

:D

[mirror_mod]

[Please continue all further communications via journal HERE.]

may i threadjack, lovelies?

[whathedoves]

I do not mean to interrupt, miss - by all means, you must first contact your loved ones.

Perhaps after that we should ask what evidence there is remaining at the castle of our disappearance? If someone hasn't, already, that is!

If they have been worried about us it would seem it is not as though we've only gone home, like others.

[He would come perch on her shoulder, but that would be rude, so he'll just try to glance surreptitiously instead.]

[persequor]

Give me a minute! There's not been an answe--

Someone answered! Someone answered!

[save_the_souls]

[Initially Allen was standing in the back wondering what's with the talking bird and if that's part of the scene- but then Arya answers]

Really?! They did?!

[persequor]

It's...Zelos, that idiot.

[save_the_souls]

[He just makes a face; ugh ugh not him]

Anyone else....?

[persequor]

[ Preach, Allen. ]

Not yet.... Oh, here's someone else. I don't know him. Connor too! And...my mother. [ She feels tears bite her eyes. ]