| Warm, soothing goo surrounds your body. It's so hard to move, and impossible to think. You may not realize it yet, but you have been selected for the Crew of the Vesmir. Oh, sure, you may not be capable of anything good or wholesome, and fine, you not even know what space is, but that doesn't matter to your moon-sized captor. You have been chosen, stolen from the only home you have known, and are now forced to suffer the indignities only a ship of kobolds can provide. Perhaps it's not as serious as all that. Somewhere between the crystal spheres and the endless void of space drifts a giant, living, silent ship. The Vesmir. Home. Once you log in, this annoying block of text goes away: |
| Day 1.8.2: Discovering the Library | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 8 2009, 06:21 PM (83 Views) | |
| Time And Space | Apr 8 2009, 06:21 PM Post #1 |
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The Universe
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* Ozymandias_Crow enters the room at a jog, looking about desperately for signs of The Tome. * GM_Gnark sets mode: +o Setting * +Bell walks in apprehensively, scowling at the nearest lizard * @Setting - The Library, once inside, is massive. Massive. MASSIVE. It stretches taller than the eye can see, and ends in a domed ceiling of what looks to be sunlight over a white cloud. It's bright in here, skin and faces etched out in real detail. There are easily 80 kobolds sitting in seats to big for them, at tables that could be boats for their little body, but they write uninterrupted. They wear... * @Setting ...small overalls or tiny tunics, scribbling with pens. More. * Ozymandias_Crow scuttles up the nearest aisle, looking over tiny kobold shoulders at their writings <@Setting> The seating area is about the size of a cafeteria. There are stacks of books all around, and a dozen more kobolds running around with trundle carts, piling and re-piling books, moving them from desks to carts. There are more, beyond that, up another set of stairs. Sorting, filing.. * Ozymandias_Crow spins about a bit, whimpering at the confusingly vast space like someone utterly lost. * @Setting But most impressive are the shelves. Each as wide as a bed, they straight impossibly tall up into the sky till they are tiny points of darkness against the dome. And they go farther back, back back, until they meet in grayness, blurred, down past the end of your vision. most remarkably, you're struck by the RAINBOWS.. There is a strip of red, the green, then yellow, shelf after shelf in... * @Setting ...beautiful color, like a stripy scarf that could wrap the whole of this room. It's beautiful. * @Setting - The kobolds don't really seem to notice your presence much at all, so obsessed as they are in their task. <Ozymandias_Crow> ...maybe I should talk to the librarian? * Eugen_Metzger (~chatzilla@n235-190.mtholyoke.edu) has joined #vesmir2 <Eugen_Metzger> (oh I forgot I was supposed tobe here) <Ozymandias_Crow> (Doh!) * Ozymandias_Crow gulps at the chaos of scale. * +Bell , avoiding the lizards as best she can, wanders along the shelves looking for something remotely familiar <Ozymandias_Crow> roll 1d10 to detect dewey decimal system <Random_Chance> Ozymandias_Crow rolled 1d10 to detect dewey decimal system --> [ 1d10=6 ]{6} * Eugen_Metzger spends a moment taking in the scene. After quietly piecing together his thoughts, he advances to Crow. "Perhaps we ought to find the Librarian?" <Ozymandias_Crow> I just said that. So, it might not be a good idea. * Ozymandias_Crow stares at Eugen for a moment, blankly. <Ozymandias_Crow> Still! <+Bell> roll 1d10 to find something with pictures <Random_Chance> Bell rolled 1d10 to find something with pictures --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9} * Ozymandias_Crow strides further into the library and pokes the nearest trolly-weilding kobold in the shoulder. It got a good reaction last time! <@Setting> As the party wanders into the stacks, up the steps and away from the scribes, a little tunic figure runs over to them, panting and wheezing. "Stopstopstop, No no no, No touch, no touch!" * Eugen_Metzger watches in detatched horror. "I'm sorry could you help us?" <@Setting> STOP TOUCHING. TOUCH NOTHING. NO NO. * @Setting - The trolley kobold FLEES. <Ozymandias_Crow> Rats. * Ozymandias_Crow wheels on the Obvious Librarian. "Ahaaaaa! Ahahaha! Yes. <Eugen_Metzger> ...perhaps we ought to do as the creature instructs? <@Setting> Just got section in order. Just fixed. No messing up. <@Setting> No touch, shh, shh. <Eugen_Metzger> *whispers* Can you help us find a book? <Ozymandias_Crow> "I WOULD LIKE TO BORROW A BOOK." he says, in the most carefully pronounced 'talking to a foreigner' voice you ever heard. * @Setting The Kobold strokes a few books with a clawed hand, protectively. he has not noticed Bell. <@Setting> Borrow? No no, books stay. Stay safe until we read them, yes? No no. * Eugen_Metzger rolls eyes. Clearly this creature was dumber than he had thought * +Bell pulls out a book with pictures of flowers, sets it on the floor, and starts leafing through it slowly <Ozymandias_Crow> Ah, but this one, you are not allowed to read! Because it's mine! I must know if you have it! <@Setting> *Seems completely unfazed by the big people* All books here belong to Vesmir. Engineer knowledge! <Eugen_Metzger> One of the books might have been stolen. I mean, I know for sure zat my copy of Grey's anatomy has been taken <@Setting> *blink* A.. new book? <@Setting> *blink blink* ... <@Setting> *blink blink blink* <Eugen_Metzger> Maybe. It was taken from me. * GM_Gnark is now known as GM_Engineering <Eugen_Metzger> I need it back <@Setting> Crew? You.. more crew? <Eugen_Metzger> Yes. * Ozymandias_Crow does not seem to echo Metzger's yes. * @Setting The Kobold jumps up! "Crew! More crew! Big strong crew help me move books, not help bugmen!" * Eugen_Metzger taps his foot, seeming increasingly upset over the whole matter. Who was in charge of this awful ship. Anything to get what he wanted back * Eugen_Metzger shakes head. "Zat is not what we are here to do. We came for some books." <@Setting> I am Sorts-By-Light! I am Senior Engineer of Library! <@Setting> I will help! Yes yes! <Ozymandias_Crow> I'll carry your books all you want, on one condition! <@Setting> Yes! Carry! Help! Books! * Eugen_Metzger smiles at Crow. He knew what he was doing. <Eugen_Metzger> Good zhen. Help Professor Crow first; my request seems to be far less urgent than his own. <Ozymandias_Crow> No. On one specific condition! If the condition is not met? I'll make sure none of us tall things ever carry a single book, except to put it in the wrong section! <Ozymandias_Crow> I need to find a single book. If you help me find it, then I will help you in return. <Eugen_Metzger> Don't threaten the librarian, you'll get us thrown out. * +Bell gets bored and wanders to a different shelf, leaving the flower book on the floor * @Setting Sorts-By-Light bristles. "Sorts by Light HELPS! Meep!" He listens, after mumbling to himself, but happily. <@Setting> Yes, a book. What book? What size? What color? <@Setting> You write book? Yes? You writer for book? Need to finish write? <Ozymandias_Crow> I own a Book. One of a kind. Ancient beyond understanding. The Book is bound in thick, grey-green leather, sturdily clasped with bronze. The pages are not paper, but velum. * @Setting As Bell wanders off, a trolley kobold runs by, slots it back into place with a sulky look, and wheels away, mumbling something in a language you cannot understand. <Ozymandias_Crow> It is slightly water-damaged, and filled from cover-to-cover with inky-scrawlings which you may or may not understand. <Ozymandias_Crow> Now, I have no idea how I come to be here, or even where here is, but if this book has come along also, it MUST be found. * +Bell slowly walks up to a lizard, looking unhappy, but not saying anything. <@Setting> Gray.. green.. *tilts head, taps claw to chin* No damaged books. We writers! We write! We write damaged book new, yes? <Ozymandias_Crow> Have any of your workers gone horribly insane, clawed out their own eyes, or grown a mouth full of tentacles?! * @Setting - The little girl stares at a lizard sorting through a small stack of books. It looks up at her, meeting her stare and looking just as frightened. <@Setting> ... * Ozymandias_Crow asks, deadly serious <@Setting> We -writers-. Engineers, yes, but writers. No scary. No *conspiratorial look* L-words. * Ozymandias_Crow squints at the kobold, not following. <Eugen_Metzger> Have any of your people just started on a new "damaged" book? <@Setting> Scary stuff is *he waves a hand dismissively* elsewhere. Books safe, yes? Sorting books less safe, yes? But are not hurting. <Ozymandias_Crow> Have you ever got a paper-cut? * +Bell coughs slightly. "Um...do you have any books with...more pictures? Or easier words?" * @Setting - Sorts-By-Light points to a stack of books the wheely lizards keep adding to. "Damaged book there. Pile was big as light, but small now. We good writers." He nods. * @Setting Sorts-By-Light looks at his clawed hands. "Paper.. cut?" * Ozymandias_Crow looks over at the indicated stack. "Yes, a paper cut." * Eugen_Metzger walks over to the stack and looks for a book that would match that description <Eugen_Metzger> roll 1d10 to search for book <Random_Chance> Eugen_Metzger rolled 1d10 to search for book --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2} * Ozymandias_Crow wanders over to the stack, almost dreading success. * @Setting - The Lizard by Bell gives her a blank look. "Eee-zy wer-lds? mmng.." It looks very nervous. It breathes deep, and taps its skin awkwardly, as if mimicking someone. "Peek..tours.. ..." Its face contorts, and then brightens up, and scampers away, * Eugen_Metzger turns to Crow, dejectedly, "Its not here." * +Bell makes a sour face as soon as the lizard is no longer looking at her, and contemplates making a run for it. * @Setting - The lizard, before Bell can run, is back with a small red book. Inside, it is a fairy world. Literally, a fair world, pictures of beautiful plant filled cityscapes made of flowers, small green skinned people with large eyes a big smiles, and little descriptions about the wonderful city of Thhhratal. The kobold smiles with little teeth. "Peektours. Good. Good." It points with one claw,... * @Setting ...nodding and nodding. * @Setting Sorts-By-Light wanders offer, sauntering. "Is not your writer book?" * +Bell takes it, careful not to risk touching the lizard. "Th...thank you!" she says, then does run away. <@Setting> Is many books. We find one just as good. <@Setting> Yes? <Eugen_Metzger> Wait! Our books aren't here. We need the original for Professor Crow. * Ozymandias_Crow thinks carefully. <@Setting> *shrug* When we find library, books many destroyed. Engineers made them hole, made complete, sorted in beauty, yes, colors? Many many years go into this. <@Setting> Sort-By-Light knows whole library. Is like back of hand. * +Bell takes her book and runs to engineering. <Ozymandias_Crow> How often do you find...new books? <@Setting> New? *more chin scratching* No find new books. Make new books. Is write books new! <Ozymandias_Crow> So, in all your peoples years in this...library, not one book has been brought in, from outside the library? Yes? Just books IN the library being repaired and transcribed? * @Setting Sorts gestures to the Kobolds scribing. "Must keeps safe, yes? Write when get old. Is write. Has everything, everything since Vesmir." * Eugen_Metzger shakes his head, "Have you gotten any books to write recently that aren't on this pile? <@Setting> No. *frown* Sorts-By-Light likes tall ones, but library has no new book. * Ozymandias_Crow visible relaxes <Ozymandias_Crow> That is something of a relief. * Ozymandias_Crow turns to the Doctor. "If the book had been here long enough to be with the existing stock of books, we would not have woken up. Simple as that. If the book wasn't here then, then it isn't here now. <@Setting> Is other book I give you? <Ozymandias_Crow> hmm? <@Setting> Whole library new. Sorted fresh. Give me color, size, and I find you any book! ^-^ *He beams* <Eugen_Metzger> What makes you think that, Professor? * @Setting gestures, proudly points, and is ignored. He mumbles, "Other crew so better with books.." <Ozymandias_Crow> Well, my colleague here wishes for a copy of Henry Grey's Anatomy of the Human Body. First published in the United Kingdom in 1858. I do not know what colour you have it filed under, however. <@Setting> A... <@Setting> ... <@Setting> ... <Eugen_Metzger> The most recent edition if you please <@Setting> *looks confused* Is.. book.. With.. pictures? Words? * Eugen_Metzger shoots a dirty look at Crow. He was trying to believe the other man about his "book" <Eugen_Metzger> Both <Ozymandias_Crow> Of the internal workings of us tall-things. <@Setting> ... <Eugen_Metzger> *sighs deeply* I would like one so I can stay on top of fixing tall things <@Setting> Ah.. You give Sorts-By-Light one second? <@Setting> One moment. <@Setting> Please? <Eugen_Metzger> Sure <Ozymandias_Crow> "Doctor," he whispers "if these simple creatures had access to the Tome I am looking for, their society would have torn itself apart at the very least, under the terrible weight of it's dread knowledge. had any even begun to understand it, far worse would have happened. If it's not here, we may be safe?" <@Setting> *Runs off to a kobold, steals the book on its lap, and it meeps quietly, pouting suddenly, as Sorts returns. he thrusts it upwards, above his head, showing you two after he flips a few pages* What is book saying? Words saying? <Ozymandias_Crow> roll 1d10 to read. <Random_Chance> Ozymandias_Crow rolled 1d10 to read. --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8} <@Setting> *his voice is very nervous, and his tiny clawed hands are shaking. The ship's garbled, chopped font drifts on the page.* * Eugen_Metzger nods sagely at Crow and turns to see the book. He wasn't sure if he saw entirely what the other man was saying, but it was fine for now. <Eugen_Metzger> roll 1d10 to read the book <Random_Chance> Eugen_Metzger rolled 1d10 to read the book --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9} <Eugen_Metzger> ((why am I illiterate)) <Ozymandias_Crow> ((Me Read Gooder dan Yu.)) <Eugen_Metzger> Hrm, no this is for fixing time pieces. Machinery. I'm looking for something about fleshy things. <Ozymandias_Crow> It is about Clocks, Mr Sorts. Something like that? <@Setting> ... <@Setting> ... <Ozymandias_Crow> Possibly timekeeping in general. <@Setting> ... <@Setting> ... <@Setting> ... <@Setting> ... <Ozymandias_Crow> You can't read. <Ozymandias_Crow> Can you? <Eugen_Metzger> Gott im Himmel noch mal. <@Setting> ..meep. *curses, in any language, and begins screaming in kobold, when he returns to speaking ship, he is glowing and screaming, kobolds are getting up, tossing books aside, and running voer* <@Setting> YOU CAN READ <@Setting> IS READ <Ozymandias_Crow> Fascinating. <Ozymandias_Crow> It explains it all, of course. Unfortunately, This means the Tome may be here, anywhere, Doctor. * Ozymandias_Crow sinks, slightly. <Ozymandias_Crow> Yes, my little friend. We can, somewhat. * Eugen_Metzger allows himself a single choice swear, "Fuck." * @Setting While the big people talk, and horde of about 100 or so kobolds is closing in on them, giggling and reaching up to touch them. There are shouts, too. "IS READ. IS SPEAKING WORDS!" * @Setting Sorts-By-Light Launches himself and begins hugging the doctor's leg. "WORDS MAKE SENSE, WORDS MAKE SENSE!" <Eugen_Metzger> GET OFF OF MY LEG! * Ozymandias_Crow giggles uncontrollably. * Eugen_Metzger shakes ineffectually and begins to shake. He feels physically ill... <Eugen_Metzger> P-please get off. I don't want you to touch me. <Ozymandias_Crow> All these books, lovingly transcribed, for generations, and not a single one understood. * @Setting Sorts-by-Light nuzzles his leg. "VESMIR BOOKS ARE OURS. YOU READ. YOU READ!" * Ozymandias_Crow feels impossibly small. <Ozymandias_Crow> I would be honour to. As soon as you calm down, and perhaps fetch something for my friend here to sit on. He looks peaky. * Eugen_Metzger starts to feel faint, "P-professor? A bit of assistance if you would." * @Setting Tiny hands pet the two men, and the kobolds are singing, cheering, mostly in Koboldian. <Ozymandias_Crow> You must understand, Doctor. * @Setting Sorts-by-Light hangs on tighter. "You are best friend! Crew best friend!" <Ozymandias_Crow> Their entire lives, dedicated to these books! <Ozymandias_Crow> Books they cannot understand, but value as the gold-dust that they are! <Ozymandias_Crow> Astonishing. <Eugen_Metzger> I'm...I'm impressed by their dedication, its just that their touching me like this is making me feel quite ill. I'm s-sure we'll find all manner of things here. <Ozymandias_Crow> You have never been to calcutta, or northern africa I take it. * @Setting The crowd pushes the two men, pressing hard, happy, laughing, toppling them onto the (soft, harmless) claws of a hundred happy kobolds. The men are lifted from the ground. <Ozymandias_Crow> One who shows a little generosity is similarly mobbed by begger children. <Eugen_Metzger> I've been there. But ah, with guns and such. * Ozymandias_Crow continues to talk, almost absently. "The guns would lessen their enthusiasm, I suppose. * @Setting The Kobolds begin to carry off the two men, forcing them to crowd surfing. <@Setting> READ <@Setting> READ <@Setting> WORDS <@Setting> WORDS * Eugen_Metzger tries to relax, "Well some of them seemed interested enough." <Ozymandias_Crow> A chair, Sorts, and I will read for you. <Eugen_Metzger> And perhaps a glass of brandy, for me * Eugen_Metzger is engaging in some powerful wishful thinking * @Setting Sorts-By-Light, still hanging onto the Doctor's leg, bound calf style, responds "CREW! Crew! Celebrations now!" * @Setting The crowd of kobolds, passing the Doctor and Professor from one set of hands to the next moves them down the hallway, and into engineering. <@Setting> And into Channel 1. <Ozymandias_Crow> Excitable little fellows, aren't they? Edited by The Vesmir, Apr 9 2009, 09:25 PM.
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7:03 PM Jul 11