[Video Post 1] It would be so nice if something made sense for a change

[likeagerbil]

[Despite the Head Librarian's warnings, Steve had been exploring alone. Not the wisest decision but he didn't want anyone to get hurt while he was trying to get a general idea of the layout of the Library. As he moves deeper into the Fiction area, he notices something that seems a little strange. Telling himself that it's just trick of the light, he continues to move deeper into the stacks. Then the strange motion resolved itself into... Okay, that was weird even by 'aliens' and 'killer robot' standards.

Sliding his bookmark out of his pocket, he sets it to broadcast.]

Does anyone know if there's any wildlife that's native to the Library? I keep seeing weird insects.

[Something strange swoops by and Steve blinks in surprise.]

Or birds? It looked like a bird.

[Kind of.]

And there's a garden somewhere in the stacks.

Comments

[silverwaters]

[Have a dark-haired elf giving you a slightly curious look, Steve.]

A bird that is not a bird? From my limited understanding of how this Library works, it is merely the imagination of the pages that limits what escapes the pages.

[He's not done much exploring yet, considering he found himself almost literally attached at the hip to Glorfindel.]

Perhaps a bit more specific information on the location of the garden would be helpful, if you would be so kind.

[likeagerbil]

[An elf... at least Steve assumes that he's an elf. He looks like some of the images he's seen in fantasy novels. The Head Librarian had said that he'd see things that he assumed weren't possible.]

The bird didn't look like the ones from my reality so I'm not sure if it was bird.

[The more he thought about it, the more he wondered. He could've sworn he saw a bird that looked too reflective to be normal feathers but maybe he hadn't.]

I'm not sure if the area's safe yet. I don't think it's native to the Library.

[silverwaters]

[A friendly elf, at least? Ish. He's not entirely sure how he feels about most men yet. This one at least seems capable.

And the description of the birdlike thing was different, for sure. Ecthelion will just have to drag a certain blond elf out and about - and soon.]

The dangerous aspect of our new home is rather the whole point of us being here. We are to to fix it, if we can. Did you go searching on your own?

[likeagerbil]

It is, but I don't want too many people out here until I know it's safe. I'm used to dangerous situations at home so I figured I should be one of the ones scouting.

[It probably wasn't the best idea to go against the Head Librarian's orders before he'd even been in the Library for more than a few days but he couldn't sit idle.]

I wasn't sure who else here had gear that could protect them if something aggressive is hiding in the stacks.

[silverwaters]

Those who cannot fight should be defended, you have my agreement there. However, even scouts should not go alone when not even the known is not so known here.

[While he does not trust the Head Librarian, yet, he isn't foolish enough to discount warnings. Orders, he'd only obey from his king. And the Librarian was not he.]

Before my death, I was often sent off on scouting and guard duties, as was another from my home that has been brought here. While I do not have my armor and sword here, I am not defenceless. And my companion came just before a patrol.

[Yep. You're talking to an elf who died. Sorry?]

[likeagerbil]

[Steve knew that disobeying orders wasn’t the best idea. Not when he needed to prove that he was capable in this new situation but he hadn’t planned on ranging far from the ‘safe’ areas the Head Librarian had described. Just the outskirts to get an idea of what was out there but then he’d realized he’d gone farther than he should have.]

I’ll find someone to come with me next time I head out. I didn’t expect to get far away from the main area so quickly.

[Another odd detail that Steve almost comments on but reconsiders, trying to understand the sudden strangeness he felt since he entered the garden. It wasn’t the type of error he normally makes. So either the Library could play tricks on them or something else was off. Not a comforting thought.]

Before your death?

[Okay, that wasn’t a comment that Steve had expected. Maybe he meant something like Steve’s time in the ice not actual death.]


The Head Librarian mentioned something about a market. They might have armor or weapons if you want to continue on as a scout and guard. I'd appreciate having some help with keeping an eye on things.

[silverwaters]

[Such things are why he hasn't gone that far, though it wasn't the full reason. Glorfindel can be quite distracting, especially when they'd been apart - longer for the other elf than for Ecthelion.]

That would be wise.

[He allows a hint of amusement at the confused question.]

Yes. I was brought here after some time spent in the Halls of Mandos. The halls of the dead, if you wish to think of it.

[The market certainly is something he'll be visiting.]

I will be sure to search, see what I may find.

[likeagerbil]

I didn't know the Librarians could bring someone if they had crossed over.

[It seems the kindest way to phrase it even if Steve isn't sure that there is a way to be polite about someone's death. The thought that someone could return is slightly terrifying, proving how powerful this place really is. Death could be cheated. Steve had done that once and so had some of his teammates but to be in the afterlife and brought back... that has to take an incredible amount of power.]

Do you know if others were brought from the Halls of Mandos?

[If there are at least Steve might be able to avoid saying something accidentally offensive if he knows that there are others who had been brought back in the same way.]

I haven't tried the market yet. I'm not sure what they'll have but if we're expected to keep the things from the books under control then there should be something useful there.

[silverwaters]

The Creator of my universe has such a power, though I had not expected to be reborn for some time yet. [If ever, but he could hope. He'd lived a good life, hopefully it's good enough to get him reborn before Glorfindel Sailed West.

He speaks so matter-of-factly, as if this is a daily topic of conversation.]

The only other from my universe was very much alive before he was brought here. There may be others I have yet to meet.

[It wasn't his place to say that Glorfindel had died soon after he had, but had been reborn thousands of years later. Then continued on ever since.]

Nor have I. Is there anything you would wish for, should I find and recognize it?

[likeagerbil]

[Religion is something that Steve has years of experience with. He went to church on Sundays and had lived with very devout neighbors but no one talked about the afterlife in such common terms.]

I'm glad you have people here from your universe. It's hard to get used to something like this without having your friends around.

[Pausing, he considers what they might need. Not for himself but for any emergencies that might happen.]

If you can find anything that would be useful if someone gets hurt, I'd appreciate it. It'd be good to have supplies ready in case there's an emergency.

[silverwaters]

[He's never had reason not to believe the Lore of his people, nor to disbelieve the Valar or Maiar, for all their power and what he recalled seeing as a child. The Halls are just...special.]

Yes, I am grateful to have one dear to me here. I hope the adjustment for you will grow easier, if you do not have such a companion from your universe.

[He listens to what is requested, then tips his head a little.] I will keep a sharp eye out.

[likeagerbil]

I have a friend that arrived with me. [Which might not be the help Steve wishes it to be considering how Tony had wanted a normal life.] It'll help that he's here. Last time I went through something like this, almost no one I knew was alive.

[Steve can't help wondering if it's just as much a shock for Ecthelion to be here as it'd been for Steve waking up from the ice.] Has it been difficult for you to get used to being here?

Thank you. If you see anything else that would be helpful it might be a good idea to pick it up while we have access to the market. I think each of us will be planning for different kinds of trouble.

[Which could be an advantage considering the Librarians had been vague about what could happen here.]