Video Post || 001

[the_head_librarian]

[All bookmarks expand into a screen tablet as the communication goes live.]

Welcome to the Central Library. I know that many of you are confused and do not understand why you are here... so I will briefly greet you and give the answers I can for this point in time.

[The accented tone is even, but most of his face is covered by the dark fabric of his hood. However, he gives pause, allowing his audience to orient themselves.]

What you see around you, is the most extensive and thorough collection you have ever seen... or will ever again. Do not simply see them as books. They are far greater than that. As some of you may have noticed, it has fallen into disrepair and slowly it is dying.

[He lets the word linger a moment, his own voice drifting with a note of sadness.]

You have been brought here, because the Central Library needs your help to survive. Things will never be as they seem here... and you will encounter much strangeness during your stay. Be wary... the deeper you go into the decay, the higher the risk is. I will say no more on this for now. There are rooms to the end of the main hall on either side of the main door. Those smaller doors have some living space to accommodate you until the Library can slowly be revived. The center door... will lead you to a market place should you need food or supply. It is beyond logic or understanding... but you will find you will always have the correct currency when it is needed as the portal will change from time to time.

[Shaking his head, he bows it slowly in a silent thank you.]

Time always reveals itself as it flows. Please believe that you are needed here. Remember... do not harm the books.

Comments

[Video]

[theraptorsquad]

Okay, but what if the books harm us first?

[Hello there, mystery man.

Someone is not all that entertained by all of this. At all.]

Because apparently that seems like something that can be a thing here.

[the_head_librarian]

Always remember... it is not the book itself causing the harm, but that which is inside it. The book is... [He frowns a moment, thinking of the best way to put it.] Think of it as a shield between us and the world inside.

[He attempts the smallest of apologetic smiles.] You are not wrong.

[theraptorsquad]

So we can protect ourselves from the things that come out of the books but burning the books isn't something we should even consider.

[Fair enough.

Owen manages a slight shrug, roping in his frustrations as best he can.] I didn't think I was, considering some of the weird things I keep catching sight of out of the corner of my eye.

[Video]

[silverwaters]

[For all that he is glad to help, there are things he's less than pleased with.]

Are we to make the repairs to the structure of the library and its shelves? If we are not to harm the books, how are we to defeat that which may attack us through them?

[the_head_librarian]

Ah yes... you are Ecthelion. [He knows the elf's story and knows from whence he came, and he knows the trials that led to this moment.]

Yes. The more that is repaired, the better staying here will be. Each good thing done for the Library is not without reward. The books themselves are not the thing that wishes you harm... merely what leaks through into this reality.

Less will break through as you might believe. The real challenge... is when you have to repair internal damage in the books.

[silverwaters]

[He doesn't bat an eye - of course those that had brought all here knew his name. Ecthelion taps a finger on his flute, light and with care.]

And how would we go about repairing the pages? In teams, perhaps? Where one works on the pages while the rest defend?

Video

[kappagirl]

[Nako hovers at the edge of the video feed, doing her best to shrink away.]

Um... So, wh-where should we start? I've never worked in a library before...

[the_head_librarian]

[For her, he pulls the hood back and smiles at her just a little.]

I believe cleaning and putting books in their place would be a fine start. I know that I or the Non-fiction Librarian will be happy to help you learn the system.

[kappagirl]

[That's encouraging! She doesn't quite manage a smile back, though not for lack of trying. At least she does poke her head up a bit, like a turtle peering out of its shell.]

You will? Thank you.

And I can clean! I-it was my job back home.

[video]

[hidden_jedi]

What happens if we do harm the books? Not that I plan to, but out of curiosity.

[the_head_librarian]

What would happen... if you destroyed a moon for a planet?

[His voice is soft, almost like a teacher's in such a respect.]

[hidden_jedi]

I'm going to assume you don't want all the science technobable, do you?

But is it really that bad? I mean, they're just books.

Wouldn't it be better to put them in some sort of digital format?

[Video]

[likeagerbil]

[It's a shock to hear a voice that is surprisingly familiar. Different but not enough for it not to cause a sense of loss and confusion.]

Vision?

[He knows the Head Librarian probably isn't his teammate, but it could be possible.]

What do we have to do to revive the Library?

[the_head_librarian]

You think I look and sound like your comrade, do you not, Captain Rogers?

[His voice is not unkind as he shook his head.]

You will find many in different worlds that resemble not only your teammates, but possibly yourself as well. It is better to let go of logic while you are here.

[Pausing, he considered this.]

In times of trouble, give aid. If there is disrepair, repair it.

[likeagerbil]

You don't look like him but you do sound like him.

[Which still causes an odd hollow feeling since the reminder is of both Vision and JARVIS.]

Thank you for the warning. I hadn't realized it even if I should have. I should have thought that through even if logic doesn't work the same here as it does where I'm from.

[Pausing, he considers the Head Librarian's suggestion.]

I'll help when there's trouble. Is there a certain area that needs attention now?

[Video]

[give_me_a_museum]

[Barry pulls his cowl down and blinks at the man confused. He's a book lover why on earth would he harm a book.]

Harm books....that's just....nuts.

[Excuse him, he just came out of a time singularity.]

[the_head_librarian]

Ah yes... the love of knowledge can certainly make you appreciate the keys that books hand to their readers.

[He nods slightly, his expression gentle, but more serene than anything else.]

I believe our non-fiction librarian will truly enjoy your company.

video

[twicelived]

[Glorfindel can't really be angry at being brought here. He's reunited with Ecthelion long before they might have reunited in Valinor which is not unwelcome]

What are the consequences of harming the books? I will do my best not to but if it happens, the way you speak of the Library almost makes seem like it's aware of the happenings here.

[the_head_librarian]

The universe is a delicate balance... every piece has a purpose. To remove one, damage one, or destroy one will have rippling effects that will grow larger and larger.

[He bows his head in greeting to the blonde elf in respect.]

You are correct. This Library is more than a normal library.

[video]

[iamthelibrarian]

Why would we harm the books?

[ He does indeed look personally affronted by this. ]

[the_head_librarian]

It will appear... at times... that the books mean you harm. But that is not the case.

[No, only what might be in the book and not the book itself.]

[Video]

[batofprey]

I can't imagine ever harming a book. [Have a Batgirl, library. She's got her cowl on, little gold bat-shaped earrings gently glinting where the light can hit them.] I mean, okay, I'm in grad school, so sometimes a text book might get flung across the room but...you know. That happens when you're up studying at four in the morning after - [an intense night of crimefighting?] - a long day.

[the_head_librarian]

It pleases me that you consider the importance of books. [He nods at this.]

Just remember, the books here are far more than books. You will learn in time, that not everything is simply as it appears.

[video]

[honest_axe]

[It's boggling to him, that this is happening at all, but he's curious and wants to wander. To... help.]

So you're saying we were brought here to... clean up a mess. How did this mess come to be anyhow? Who's responsible?

[the_head_librarian]

[Angling his head, he must admit, meeting this person is a bit of.... well... an event in someways. No matter the version, he is someone he respects.]

Mess is a relative term, sir.

[Stopping, he pressed his lips together as he considered the answer to this.]

First you must understand that this appearance is used as something familiar. Something any world can connect with. Libraries are a place of treasured knowledge. This place... is that indeed, but there is much more beneath the covers of these books. To fully explain why it is, as it is... is far more difficult to comprehend than you may think at this point in time.