snowblindrpg | [network] @librarian; Evening 309; video/text [open]

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[network] @librarian; Evening 309; video/text [open]

[Flynn would actually prefer to keep this text only but his disdain for touchscreen applications and his love for talking out loud get in the way, as per usual.]

So I hope everybody is doing okay, in a more or less okayish manner or some variety thereof. We had a bit of a difficult time lately with the memory twists and confusion and, you know, usual side dish of general horribleness going around. I'm just gonna assume that the demand for distraction is high and I am happy to announce that there have been some new additions to the library, especially our somewhat scarce fiction section.

Hello to all our newcomers, too. You have already received the important guides and information at this point, I'm sure. For those of you I haven't had a chance to speak with yet, my name is Flynn Carsen and I'd like to add some of the more leisure-oriented material to your reading list – but please, put a particular emphasis on your immediate survival, thank you.

As you will soon realize the evenings after lockdown can get long and tedious and there is not much going around in terms of entertainment, so: There is a joint effort to compile an e-library of reading material people have found during their travels or have brought with them into the city.

[He switches to text at this point, if only for convenience's sake.]

You can access the current collection here.

Among our newest additions are:

A story about a seagull. Very post-modern, very disjointed symbolism. For fans of Ulysses, House of Leaves and Dadaism, not necessarily in that order.
A novel about two rivals, seeking the fountain of youth to claim immortality and infamy. Predictable but fun.
A story about a haunted house coming alive. Might hit a little close to home in this deathtrap of a city but the writing's of decent quality. Don't read when you're traveling alone.
A bunch of manuscripts from an unknown Norfinbury author. Particularly happy about this one. There's even some screenplays in the mix. Some are already up, more will be added over the next couple of days.
A billiard magazine. Lots of pictures. A little depressing, the rooms are very nice. Good for a cry if you miss spacious lounges, velvet couches, scotch tumblers or being rich.

I'm also happy to announce an original tale by our very own Hans Christian Andersen about a [cannibalistic animal murder mystery] badger.

As per usual, stay safe and warm and and try not to die.

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Thank you! I was looking forward to that, that's definitely next on my list.

[He thinks he remembers having read it in their fake future but the memory is blurry and faded and Flynn hasn't retained any of the book – which makes him all the more curios.]

Hah, you got me – yes, it's very exciting. It's great to have all these big names adding to the collection and see it grow. I know it's not contributing to getting us out of here but it's still nice to build something, you know?

And yeah, the fountain is a fun read, light adventure material. I mean, it's not Shakespeare but definitely nice if you just want to unwind a little.

[ He switches to video too, just following suit. He's smiling as he turns it on. ]

Hey, you never know- if it's keeping some of the explorers from getting too down, it actually might be helping out with getting us out of here. That's part of the reason we just hit the grocery store- we really need things to keep our morale up. Be it pie or books. I think it's great.

[ He's personally been devouring nearly every book in the library and loving that they're available. ]

I usually do like textbooks more, but right now I'm really hankering some light reading. Looking forward to it. The manuscripts too, honestly. Didn't know there'd been a writer in town.

But are you sure the horror story about a house that comes alive isn't the thing that should have House of Leaves next to it? Seems like kind of its thing.

[ And yeah, he won't be reading anything with that attachment, not unless he gets way more desperate for books than he is now. ]

[He can't help but pipe up there.]

You guys have pie? Like, actual pie, the real deal?

[Maybe he should stop hanging around in the bleaker parts of town and go visit the... bleak parts of town at some point.]

Yeah, there's no information on him, as it usually goes, and I don't think these were ever published. I haven't had a chance to look at them in detail so I can't say anything on the overall quality of it but... it's still nice to get a little bit of variety in there.

And the house... you might have a point, though that one had more of a Stephen King vibe to me.

Well, Stephen King-ish it is, then. I'd probably rather read him than Danielewski, given the choice here.

And no- we don't have pie yet.

[ He sounds remarkably positive about this, and leans in towards the tablet as if he's telling a secret. ]

We're going to try and bake one. We've got a cast iron skillet and everything we need for an apple pie. Gotta head right back to the high school, but just a week away was good, honestly. I've been plotting out where the actual baking's going to happen.

[Flynn's jaw drops because that he didn't expect. When Gabriel leans in to the screen he mirrors the action, drawing closer as if to conspire.]

You're going to bake a pie? That's amazing!

[It's ridiculous how excited the prospect has him but that's life in a post-apocalyptic city for you. The sugar cubes Nicole had shared with him had already lifted his spirits through the roof and learning about the pie baking plan he can't help but grin broadly.] Keep me posted, you have to let me know how it goes.

[ Gabriel has noticed that this pie discussion has had the same effect on everyone, including himself. Maybe it should be sad that its so exciting, but he personally just gets caught up on the exciting part. He hasn't had a break from Prophet Cult happenings in months.

So he easily grins back at Flynn. ]

I will. It's probably not going to be much of a pie- the first attempt, anyway. But I'll keep going until there's a good one. Maybe it can end up a recipe for someone.

[ He realizes something and chuckles. ] You know, I never thought this would be the end result of my collecting way too many things, but- that's fine. Still so very worth it.

[What an end result indeed. But hey, if it keeps morale up and gets them through the days? He'll take it.]

Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you guys. And I'll reserve a spot for your Norfinbury recipe at the library, of course. Maybe we can make it into a series. "Cooking for the Apocalypse".

[ That gets a chuckle from Gabriel, and he nods. He debates mentioning the mysterious cook traveling with House right now as a contributor, but- House was keeping him under wraps for a reason. He'll hold onto that until he meets that 'shy' guy himself. ]

It'd be a big hit, I bet.

[ And here he reaches forward and turns the video to private. It's practically tradition by now. ]

How are you managing, after all those memories? I'm still sorting mine out- think a lot of people are. You holding up okay?

Edited 2017-12-23 13:46 (UTC)

[Flynn sobers almost instantly and he glances away from the screen, his entire demeanor shifting into something restless and avoidant.]

Yeah. I mean, yes. Yes, I am.

[He licks his lips briefly, rubbing at his forehead.] Which I guess is really convincing. I don't know, still sorting, I guess, same as you. Or anyone, really?

[ And he ruined the mood. Oops. He rubs the back of his neck for a moment. ]

Yeah. Bad question, I guess. You probably need distraction as much as anyone else.

[ He is not good at this 'showing concern' thing, but he's been trying to figure it out. ]

[That... kind of reminds Flynn of himself and his struggles of asking other people what they have been up to, how they were holding on, and the smile returns to his face.]

No, it's okay. Really, it's just... well, you know. But I'm working on it. Thanks for asking.

[Not a lot of people did. Which might also have to do with Flynn making it a point to beat them to it.]

How about you? Are you alright?

[ Before Gabriel was a serial killer, he was a huge nerd. Talking to people about their feelings has never been in his wheelhouse, so he appreciates Flynn's reassurance. ]

Better than the other timeline versions of myself, yeah. I'm just not sure whether I should feel lucky about that or not.

But give it a few days, and I'll have refocused. So I'm working on it, too.

You know, honestly? I'm just hoping we get enough time to process this before the place hits us with something else.

[ That's actually become a concern, unfortunately. ]

Yeah, I know what you mean. That would be nice for once, wouldn't it?

[It's a bit overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like the only way they are dealing with stuff is to stop dealing with stuff because something new to deal with just hit them and took over...]

Well, I hope our new additions can help just a little bit with that.

[ He huffs a small laugh at the last part. That's right, the distractions are important. ]

Yeah, I think they'll help more than a little bit. They're not even mostly porn this time. That's pretty nice.

I still can't believe you got Andersen to write you something.

I know, isn't it great?

And yeah, I was as surprised by the offer as you are. I guess he's not so bad if you look past all that grumpy exasperated strangely blue-haired exterior.

It's fantastic.

[ He'd read the harlequin books if there were nothing else at all, but they are definitely not his preferred genre. ]

I've always liked him- he's clever. And he does try to help everyone, even if he grumbles the whole way. Gotta have something he's long-suffering over, I guess. It probably did him some good to write again, too.

I hope so. That way we all get something out of it.

[He grins a little mischievously.]

And hey, maybe I can get him to write a little more.

Maybe. We'll both work on it.

[ Yeah, he's grinning too. ]

Okay, guess I'll let you get back to your library. Promise I'll keep an eye out for more books- as always.

[He laughs at that.] Maybe you should let Andersen know how much you liked his story. That might get him to write more!

Thanks, Gabriel. Take care, alright?

I'll definitely let him know.

[ Except Andersen will die before Gabriel gets the chance, but let's not worry about that right now. Gabriel is just glad he didn't completely shut down this conversation when he made it more serious. ]

Yeah. You, too, Flynn. Stay warm.

[RIP Andersen your grumpy face and never to be written stories will be missed.

For now Flynn just digs the idea and the friendly conversation. It's good after all the craziness of the past couple of days, something stable and, well, almost familiar about his chats with Gabriel at this point. When did that happen?]

And you. Catch you later!

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[network] @librarian; Evening 309; video/text [open]

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