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

[cahooted]

[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.

Comments

[motherserpent]

I did not know that! Who certified it if it was the first?

[cahooted]

It happened at the end of the 13th century when he transferred the residence from San Giovanni in Laterano to the Vatican area. It was for cultivating medical plants originally. The concept grew from there. [SEE WHAT HE DID THERE.]

[motherserpent]

Would you say it blossomed and proliferated?

[cahooted]

[A grin.]

And flourished and thrived.

[motherserpent]

And sowed the seeds for many more to come.

[cahooted]

[He chuckles. Oh, he likes you, Tess.]

Until it stood in full bloom.

[motherserpent]

And spread its branches across the civilized world.

[She can do this all day!]

[cahooted]

[Instant friend!]

Its roots spreading out and under the land.

[motherserpent]

Sending up buds here and there....

[cahooted]

... and had everyone stumped with its glory.

Clearly we should update their brochure.

[motherserpent]

Clearly! And then you can add it to your library.

[cahooted]

It's a deal!

[motherserpent]

[She sucks in a too-sharp breath -- but there's no clap of thunder. Of course there isn't a clap of thunder. They didn't really make a deal, and anyway he's mortal and it's just a bunch of silly stuff about a plant brochure anyway.]

Of course, you're the expert on it. Prime brochure-writer material.

[cahooted]

That's me. [But the strong reaction isn't lost on him and Flynn tilts his head.] Everything alright? You look a little pale there.

[motherserpent]

Yeah, I'm -- I'm fine. Just thought of something I should probably be doing right now.

[Or...something she should not be doing.]

[cahooted]

Oh.

[He blinks.] Sorry, am I keeping you from something?

[motherserpent]

It's alright, don't worry about it. Just, you know. Stuff.

[cahooted]

Right.

There's always stuff around here, isn't there?

[motherserpent]

Always. Listen, you...keep warm, yeah? That's what the cool kids say around here, right?

[cahooted]

So I've heard.

See you around, Tess. It was very nice meeting you.