[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

[snowblindmods]

Welcome to Norfinbury. The time is E̛̬̞͖͖̫R҉͖̯̬R̼̻͉̰͎̳̙O̩͓͔̫͇͈̯R and the date is E̛̬̞͖͖̫R҉͖̯̬R̼̻͉̰͎̳̙O̩͓͔̫͇͈̯R. This network has been provided for your use. Please interact politely with everyone else on this network.

Comments

[bookofnope]

You are a sweet innocent.

[slapthelibrarian]

Sweet? Depends on who you ask. Innocent? Not likely.

Based on our conversation, he doesn't seem that bad.

[bookofnope]

I will give it to him that he's harmless. Endearing even, if you're into that kind of thing. Are you into that kind of thing? The people will want to know.

[slapthelibrarian]

You make that sound like it's a bad thing. And what people? Do you mean yourself?

You really can't be that interested.

[bookofnope]

Oh, I'm certainly not. But the network hungers for gossip and banter. It's all that keeps us going half the time... the other half is unsafe self-experimentation.

[slapthelibrarian]

Oh, does it now? Well, I suppose the same is true here, even though here, we're dealing with snow, bad weather, and surviving the elements as well as each other. One might think such things would fall by the wayside, but experience tells me otherwise.

Unsafe self-experimentation?

[bookofnope]

One would think. But apparently constant mortal peril interspersed with periodical mental ad physical torture gets so dull, we must have the occasional town-wide drama. Or condom auction.

And yes. Everyone's favourite winter sport. House still holds the town record I think, but Rhys and I are catching up, what with the magical stabbing.

[slapthelibrarian]

You're not serious, are you? You can't be serious. I understand being hard up for fun, but condom auction? Really?

Town-wide drama I might be able to understand, but not that.

Magical what?

[ Beckett, you are just full of mind-boggling statements, it seems. ]

[bookofnope]

I am abominably serious. And I hear they even use the condoms after. Scandalous, isn't it?

Magical stabbing. Or perhaps stabbing as a means to avert magic. We're still figuring it out, but the stabbing was not the magical ritual's intended outcome, so my theory is that the ghosts do not like their fundamental reality messed with. Not that it stops anyone doing it to us.

[He likes being difficult. It weeds out the people who stop trying to keep up.]

[slapthelibrarian]

Well, all I can say is that the people here need to pick up some new hobbies. Surely there's something else they could possibly do besides auction off condoms and then use them when they're done.

What was the ritual's intended outcome, then? And when you say ghosts, are you talking of actual ghosts, or something else?

[bookofnope]

The ghosts are an ongoing mystery. Well, one such mystery. I theorize 'actual' ghosts, as in spirits of the deceased, but my esteemed colleague @hotstud_xxx maintains that they are some form of animated nanomachinery. And then they may not be dead at all. Quantum mechanics, or something.

We've tried a few rituals to different ends. Being stabbed was the only result, but I'll take any result over none. Do you have any magickal expertise?

[slapthelibrarian]

In terms of sounding far-fetched, I'd say both of those theories qualify, but both have some element of fact. Or at least, some element of the possibility of being fact.

What is the significance of these ghosts? And I do, to an extent. I'm aware of the existence of magical artifacts and magic in general, although that hardly makes me an expert.

[bookofnope]

A positively wise attitude from a neonate. How do they say - keep an open mind, but not so open that your brain falls out?

The one fact about the ghosts we all consider indisputable is that they are, in some form, remnants of the town's original residents. They interact with us in various ways, offering records and the like. It's generally well-advised, if you are in a house where a task appears incomplete, to lend a hand.

[slapthelibrarian]

Oh, is that what those of us who haven't been here for very long are called? The official title, I assume? And I don't know about you, but I would prefer it if my brain stays firmly where it is.

Right. Always lend a hand to any ghosts I encounter. But you said it's generally well-advised. Are there situations when lending a hand is not recommended?

[bookofnope]

We don't do official very well here. The term is from my own world, but I suppose it fits. Vampire neonates are also naive, confused, and permanently hungry.

Don't assist the Prophet cult. Mostly this means not touching any eye symbols, except to desecrate them - it doesn't do any good, but it's very satisfying - but also don't help in any ritual torture. In case that needs saying.

[slapthelibrarian]

No? I suppose it makes sense, in a way. There's enough going on without needing official rules and official titles. Does that make you a vampire as well, then? Or are you simply speaking from experience regarding vampire neonates?

I don't plan on assisting any cults, Prophet or otherwise. Where I'm from, cults are rarely good news. But noted, thank you.

[bookofnope]

At this point I almost forget not everyone knows. I am a vampire. We're not normally very upfront about it, but where are you going to find a torch and pitchfork here?

[One day, Beckett, someone really will go for the torch and pitchfork, and You'll Be Sorry.]

I've never known a cult that was good news. But there may be compulsions. Temptations. Note to fight them.

[slapthelibrarian]

Right, and I work for a library that houses some of the world's most dangerous magical artifacts. Still, I think I'd rather take your word for it, than ask you to prove it. Being turned into one of you isn't something very high up on my list of priorities.

Temptations and compulsions. Got it.

[bookofnope]

That's rather specific, especially as a counter. Does it also house books? Or are the books the dangerous artifacts? Don't worry, I can't turn you anyway, and even if I could, I'm not the type.

[slapthelibrarian]

Well, you were honest with me about being a vampire. It does house books, and dangerous artifacts on top of that. And that's good to know, thanks.

[ Although, she is curious about what sort of type he is, if not that. ]