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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Sept 9, 2015 23:03:24 GMT
Lady Theolandra never shyed away from responsibility. That's why she strode so deliberately, albeit uneasily, toward the doors of the Etirath Library. The time had come to explain the disappearance of an overdue book. It was almost comical - the thought of a spunky little girl making the Lady's fingers twitch nervously. Children seemed to accept her well enough, but she had little experience with them as individuals.. until they came to visit her in adulthood, that is. They'd lost their innocence by then.. learned what she was..
"Forgive me, milady. Would you like me to open the door for you?" A young, dark-skinned attendee called Theolandra out of her thoughts. They'd been standing still for a few minutes in the midday sun, in front of the large oaken doors of the library, gathering a small crowd.
"No, Neala. Forgive me. I lost myself." Theolanda responded softly, turning to face the girl with a sheepish smile. Neala respectfully hid her smile with a quick bow of her head.
Once inside, the Lady took another moment of pause to appreciate what surrounded her. Shelf after shelf stacked enough knowledge and history to fill a thousand minds. Her history filled a few of the tomes - as short as they were..
"Hello," she said to the front desk. "How are you today?"
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#ed1717
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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
369
Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
annasiel
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Post by Annasiel on Sept 10, 2015 6:39:54 GMT
The front desk didn't reply, of course. Pieces of furniture tend not to do that. When you get magic involved, its possible, but that drags in the whole hullabaloo of table consciousness and personal rights that we really don't want to get into right now. Trust me, when you have a desk shout "I'm being oppressed!" just because you put coffee on it without a coaster, you know you're going to have a bad day. Disregarding the intricacies of sapient furniture ethics, the person behind the front desk naturally assumed the queen was addressing her.
Or maybe the queen was talking to her all along, and that was just a figure of speech. Sue me, I'm tired.
Story looked up from her tiny book, staring over her spectacles at the Very Important Patron before her. Clearing her throat, she began the normal routine for whenever a VIP (as she liked to call them) shows up.
"Please recall the library has rules, which are posted nearly everywhere. If you're returning a book, you better have your receipt. If you're coming regarding property damage or because of a lost or stolen book, realize you aren't above anyone else. Justice is equal, and will be dealt," the girl rattled off, almost as if she read it from a note card. Very Important Patron treatment involved reminding them to be less haughty. It seemed the more status someone held, the less regard they had for the orders of others. Story intended to remind them of the glaring error in their ways.
"Finally, if you want to check out a book, I'll show you the way. We had someone go looking for a book last week, and they still haven't returned."
Mental note to scrounge up a search party for the idiot.
"So... what can I do for you?" the junior apprentice head librarian concluded, tacking on a "My Lady" as a careful afterthought. Very Important Patrons tended to love their titles.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Sept 12, 2015 6:03:54 GMT
The tall greenish man behind Theolandra, her second attendee, had become hot with anger after listening to the little librarian's unimpressed introduction. In five years of service the man's quick-tempered fuse had hardly gotten longer. He took a step forward with his long hands clenched at his sides, knuckles paling under the strain of unnecessary defense.
"What disrespect! The parents of such an insolent child should be punished for their-"
"Calm yourself, Luga. We're in a library." Theolandra silenced his ire with a tilt of her head and a nonchalant gesture with her open palm.
"My Lady, this manner of beh-"
"Be still," she interrupted again. Luga could sense the authority in her voice and obediently retreated to his spot next to Neala, knowing that he'd earn a harsher punishment if he continued. "I apologize for his outburst. I have come to speak with you about defunct property. I have recently.. lost a book of poetry to circumstance. It cannot be recovered, I'm afraid."
Theolandra waited for Story's (and she had confidently guessed that this was, indeed, Story Burgess) response with her hands clasped and her eyes glued to the girl's rimmed glasses, eager to hear the blunt babe's idea of just punishment.
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#ed1717
2
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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
369
Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
annasiel
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Post by Annasiel on Sept 12, 2015 6:19:27 GMT
"Lost beyond recovery," Story echoed thoughtfully, staring down at her clasped hands resting on the desk. She sat in this pose for a few long seconds, mentally calculating the costs and setbacks such a crime entailed. The girl at last reached under the table, setting a massive binder down with a dusty thud. She ran a slender finger down the page, finally resting at a place near the center. Two eyes as piercing as a hawk turned away from the book and back to the queen.
"You aren't Arthur Midas," she scorned, voice dripping with accusation. "I suppose he couldn't bother to pay his own dues, so sent his queen on a little errand."
Story slammed the binder shut, the echoes scurrying off deep into the massive building. The action sent up another, larger cloud of dust, which only aggressed the headache the girl gained from dealing with utter incompetence. Massaging the bridge of her nose vigorously, an inkling of an idea popped into the tiny bookkeeper's head. In an instant, her entire demeanor changed.
"Don't worry, my Lady. I will need to see Mr. Midas, to sign some paperwork, but I understand the troubles you more important go through every day. If I was more than a side story," she paused for a chuckle at her pun, "I'm sure I'd be losing books left and right. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to notify me."
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Sept 15, 2015 1:56:43 GMT
The Lady watched the young lady shift from one emotion to the next, an expression of perplexed interest tugging the corner of her left eye into a squint. Something was off. This forgiving child was not the same rumored terror that circulated through the streets. It was all rather anticlimactic, and Theolandra wasn't satisfied. So, instead of leaving well-enough alone, she decided to push some buttons.
"Elementary deduction, Story Burgess. I am Theolandra not Arthur Midas," she said with a sweetness that was reserved for children and obedient pets. She felt so rude, but at the same time exhilarated. She turned to Neala with an open hand, which the attendee promptly placed a neatly folded receipt into. Arthur had told her she would need it.
"I am also the last person to possess your book, and as such the one at fault for this loss." Another attempt to undermine Story by reminding her of the obvious, as if she weren't aware of the way her own rules operated. After a pregnant pause the receipt was placed on top of the dusty binder. Arthur told her she would need it. "I'd be disappointed if the lawful librarian I've heard about - one who so strictly demands the equity of punishment when it comes to her books, status to the wind - passed over my crime with nothing more than gratitude."
Luga had lowered his head, shaking it side to side. Patrons on every floor gathered near the rails and banisters, temporarily lending their attention to the unusual exchange on the bottom floor. Would she do it? Would even the Queen of Etirath hold trial with the unforgiving eyes of the book keeper?
"Troubles and time are relative, but justice is equal, is it not? Or are the rules meant to be broken here?"
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#ed1717
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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
369
Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
annasiel
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Post by Annasiel on Sept 15, 2015 2:17:51 GMT
The nerve, assuming Story did not run the library well. No person accused her of slacking or disobeying order. Nobody called her 'elementary'. The rules of society were up for debate, but once a statute had been fully processed in her mind and found to be fair, it was as permanent as if carved into diamonds. The young girl's nostrils flared, her temper beginning to flare. She didn't care that this was Theolandra. Queen of the Realm, Slayer of Dragons, Tamer of Demons, Lady of the Wind... all was pointless in the child's eyes. In fact, it served to hold the woman to a higher standard, being a role model and a ruler. The old philosophers emphasized the importance of morality in a king or queen, and Story couldn't help but agree.
"If... if what you say is true," she replied, adjusting the collar of her shirt. Suddenly, the thick, formal blouse seemed impossibly hot and oppressive. "If you were the last one in possession of the book, and led to its loss, you will be punished."
The girl reached below her desk again, slowly and dramatically pushing her hand into the dark recesses beneath. Her eyes seemed to twinkle with sadistic delight as her grip found its mark, and she began to pull whatever devilish device she had found back up above the table.
"Penalized most severely. Law is law, my Lady, and I know you believe in its importance. I'm sure you have no regrets for what you deserve. In ancient times, pain was used as a motivator. Slaves that didn't do what they were supposed to were whipped, or beaten, or left without food. All in all, it was a good incentive, and kept the order."
Story lifted the massive, brutal metal tool from its shelf, holding it towards the queen with malicious menace.
"Thankfully, we've civilized since. Give me your library card." The girl knew full well Theo had no card; Story hadn't even implemented the idea yet, though she wanted to at some time in the near future.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Sept 25, 2015 17:38:05 GMT
[Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I THINK I'm dealing with an archaic hole-punch?]
Theolandra tilted her chin up curiously, eager eyes trying to peek behind the desk. The girl spoke about maintaining order, incentives from history that she shared no part of but appreciated. What an education she had. Then, when the metal contraption was revealed Theolandra drew her head back, lips parted. Neither gasp nor word came next, but Luga wasn't going to wait for one. The tall man stepped forward with his hands reaching through the folds of his cloak and tunic. He didn't know what the odd thing was but he was prepared to handle it if necessary.
"Give me your library card."
Library card? Theolandra had never heard of one, so could only stare at the tool in front of her and wonder how it was used to tarnish its value. Luga was not impressed with the child's game, growing more impatient with the Lady's tolerance and willingness to entertain it. He angrily released his grip on the dagger at his side and pointed a long green finger toward the youth.
"What a self-entitled child! Playing games with your betters. How-"
"Luga, please remove yourself." A hint of gentle agitation threaded Theolandra's words, but she didn't bother turning back to him. Luga knew that he had overstepped, not needing her gaze to remind him - in fact, hoping to avoid it entirely. The click of his heels echoed across the wooden floors as he made his exit, a gush of heated air sweeping in from outside the large doors as he left.
"Milady, perhaps it is a new record system? I don't even own one," Neala said, stepping forward to offer some guidance. She was aware that Theolandra had, understandably, little knowledge of smaller nuances that the public dealt with. It was no fault of her own. Neala knew that Lady Theolandra was very interested in them, which is why Neala had a job after all.
"Perhaps, but she knows that I own no such thing. Don't you, Story?" Theolandra looked forward undisturbed. "How may I acquire one? I cannot accept punishment without it, can I?"
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#ed1717
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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
369
Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
annasiel
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Post by Annasiel on Sept 27, 2015 5:44:48 GMT
[You are absolutely correct! ^_^]
"Perhaps, but she knows that I own no such thing. Don't you, Story?"
Story's stern face faltered at the queen's words, but the disapproving stoicism soon reappeared.
"If you don't own a card, I'll have to print you one. Everyone should have a card."
The girl was grasping at straws. She had expected the queen to act shocked, to at the very least be surprised, but now her plan was faltering. It wasn't a very good plan to begin with. Story had to come up with something better...
"But since you don't have a card, I'll have to resort to other measures," the preteen continued, her mind racing. She had an idea. "An archaic ruling, but destruction of property merits an hour in the stocks. Unless you're too noble for that?"
Checkmate.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Oct 1, 2015 15:22:44 GMT
[Don't judge me XD ]
The queen laughed heartily into the tense silence that had settled around them. Seeing this, the patrons that had taken interest in the exchange below started to shift and mutter, small smiles growing on their faces. It felt like a bell had been struck, its clear and inviting tone signaling the end of a trial or a match, and everything was swiftly returned to normal. Theolandra controlled her outburst and covered her smile with her sleeve. She had no intention of making the girl feel embarrassed; she was actually quite entertained by her intelligence and gusto. If this was the joy of knowing a child then the queen wanted more.
"Forgive me, Story." A moment later, after sheathing her teeth, Theolandra continued more earnestly. "I believe everyone is too noble for such measures, which is why such barbaric devices were destroyed with the tyrant who used them. That was- my, more than fifty years ago."
A nostalgic quiet fell over the onlookers like a heavy spell, as it usually did when such a traumatic time in history was mentioned. Even Neala - who'd only heard stories of the old days from her family - felt the weight of its memory pull down her eyes. The Lady wouldn't linger, though. She wasn't sure the preteen would know enough about it to share sentiment anyway, especially if she believed stocks were still used for punishment.
"Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. A new age has sprung up around your books. We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things," she advocated, more to the room than the individual. Then she leaned in just slightly and spoke softly so only Story, maybe Neala, could hear her. "You understand the power certain stations have." An eyebrow was raised to the girl - an obvious hint at the trick of power Story just tried with the library card. "Surely there is something you need, something you want to know, something I could do to make up for your loss?"
Honestly, the queen had no idea what kind of desires wandered around in the child's mind. Taking in what she'd learned about the girl's personality was her only clue. Wait, an idea. Alberto Beel had several unpublished findings that only served as clutter in his office. Why he seemed so uninterested in sharing the research, Theolandra didn't know, but maybe he'd be more willing after a visit from this delightful cup of tea? Two birds with one stone.
"I have books no one has ever read before."
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#ed1717
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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
369
Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
annasiel
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Post by Annasiel on Oct 2, 2015 3:49:14 GMT
Not a checkmate. The queen was smarter than she looked. Story internally cursed herself at the slip, mentioning stocks as if they still existed; she really needed to get outside more. But the regent didn't prove herself formidable through the overturning of that, oh no. Facts were knowledge. Knowledge and intellect are often confused for each other. One is the ability to retain what you sense, the other is the ability to mold said sensations into a coherent picture. As a metaphor, the knowledgeable have many weapons, premade by a crafter, while the intellectual can craft weapons for themselves. The knowledgeable always run out of tools, the intellectual constantly adapt, so never reach a limit.
Intellect is dangerous.
The queen was revealed as an intellectual when she took a situation in which Story was the authority, and turned the balance upside down. With a few well-placed words, a few expressions, the spectators were turned to her side. She inspired warmth and hope in a situation that didn't even have to do with it. And Theolandra knew Story's pitiful attempt at embarrassment was a ruse. She knew the library cards hadn't even been issued. She knew...
I have books no one has even read before.
...she knew how to play at heartstrings. Obviously, Story's curiosity was piqued, but the girl had to see just how much further the queen would be able to play.
"No one has seen," Story whispered back, her eyes widening as she leaned forward. "That would be fascinating. Can you show me?"
Not nearly as fascinating as learning how the regent could sway others so expertly. And that, Story thought, she will show me, whether she wants to or not.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Post by Lev on Jan 12, 2016 6:45:04 GMT
[Short. I know. I'm sorry. I'll beef it up tomorrow. ;-;]
A satisfied smile split Theolandra's lips. "I'd be delighted," she replied. "My attendant, Neala, will return tomorrow to speak with you and make it so."
When her name was mentioned, Neala bowed her head toward the preteen with a weak but polite smile. Theolandra took a step back from the receptionist, straightening out her shoulders that had been hunched over the desk. The onlookers above started to thin out after recognizing the end of the battle's more interesting moments, and returned to the shelves to continue perusing their options. Perhaps - now that Story's iron fist had shown signs of rust - they,too, could get away with their own discrepancies?
"Thank you again for your understanding," the queen said before turning for the doors. "Oh." Theolandra stopped short after a few steps. Neala halted promptly by her side, waiting. The queen faced the young receptionist again. "I think a library card system is a great idea. When you do put them to use, let me know," she said earnestly. "I should like to have one of my own. Would that be alright?"
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#ed1717
2
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Annasiel
At last, my peace. I found it in her eyes.
369
Aug 13, 2015 22:40:06 GMT
August 2015
annasiel
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Post by Annasiel on Jan 13, 2016 0:56:23 GMT
Great. Story had unwittingly arranged yet another distraction, this time with the queen's timid servant. Maybe she would have more luck asserting control over the handmaiden, seeing as she didn't have nearly the same presence as the Lady herself. And the queen wanted a library card as well, did she? The preteen would make sure well that happened. Maybe the cards could even cost a fee... to benefit the library, of course.
"That's fine," the girl assented. "I'll meet with your friend tomorrow, and you'll be the first to know when the cards come. But-"
Her eyes swept to the disbanding troops of patrons.
"-don't take this as a win, my queen, and don't any of you eavesdroppers think I'm growing lenient. The rules will be upheld."
A pitiful conclusion, for certain, but at least it got the point across. Laws had to stand, order had to be preserved, and Story would always preside over the judgement as long as she worked in her father's house. That was even more certain than the rules themselves.
[END]
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