Journal the Seventh

[theabjectauthor]

[morning finds Lemony at his favorite spot in the library - a window seat with a view of the town, where the sun is bright but indirect. there's a small table off to his side, set with tea and some assorted pastries, a neatly constructed breakfast sandwich, and - of course - plenty of napkins. a stack of books sits to his other side, and on top, he's perched his journal. something about the quality of the light and the feeling of the moment almost makes him reach for his handkerchief ... and then he realizes that it is a good sort of melancholy. picking up his pen, he writes:]

To My Fellow Residents,

Over the past few days, I spent my time quietly observing what Paradisa wrought upon us: and while I could say much on the symbolism of age, the origins of the game of Bingo, and the perils of ingesting too many gelatin-based foodstuffs, I will not belabor you all with redundancy, a phrase which here means that many of you are likely discussing such topics amongst yourselves already.

Instead, I would be more interested to know how many of you possess the following traits, value the pursuant virtues, or have proficiency or curiosity in regards to the skills listed below:

☐ Curiosity
☐ Diligence
☐ Intelligence
☐ Courageousness
☐ Enthusiasm
☐ Versatility

☐ Punctuality
☐ Realism
☐ Respect
☐ Good Manners
☐ Integrity
☐ Stewardship

☐ Observation
☐ Codes
☐ Theatre
☐ Fire-fighting
☐ Lion taming
☐ (or really any sort of animal training)
☐ Self-defense
☐ Musicianship
☐ Artistry
☐ Mountaineering
☐ Cartography
☐ Inventing
☐ Rhetoric
☐ Biting
☐ Disguise
☐ Bibliophilia
☐ Herpetology
☐ Philately
☐ List-making

If the thought of placing an emphatic check or 'x' in several of the above boxes makes your fingers itch with anticipation, please speak with me, or come and join me in the library for a continental breakfast. After all, the world is quiet here. I hope to hear from you.

Very Fastidiously Drafted,

Comments

dictated for now

[inafadingcrown]

[Well, she could check of... quite a significant portion of this list.]

You have me intrigued.

[theabjectauthor]

Lady Galadriel, good morning. ... It is good to hear your voice again, and even better to hear that I have your interest in this matter.

[inafadingcrown]

With such a list, how could you not? It is quite...varied, shall we say?

[theabjectauthor]

Varied for discussion, yes. I am attempting to assemble a group of like-minded individuals who would gather and share their knowledge with the rest of the castle, and lend their aid when needed.

[inafadingcrown]

Then you have not only my interest but my rapt attention.

[theabjectauthor]

I was hoping to canvas for interest, first, and then reach out to everyone collectively and decide upon a time and place for a proper meeting.

[inafadingcrown]

Might I ask, first, what manner of aid you intend to lend? [Knowing the nature of this proposed group would be helpful.]

[theabjectauthor]

Nothing terribly intrusive. If someone mentions that they need aid with a task, or are in search of knowledge that any of us might possess, we would lend it. And in situations when the castle events cause people's homes or belongings to be damaged, we would help them recover. The most succinct way to put it would be this: the purpose of the VFD is to fight fires, both literal and metaphorical.

[inafadingcrown]

I see. This is an organization you seek to recreate from your home, then? [Since it already has a name, apparently.]

[theabjectauthor]

I would not say recreation, not completely: there are elements which could have been improved upon. But for the most part, yes. It seems something which could be useful, here.

[inafadingcrown]

So it does. You must keep me informed of your progress.

[theabjectauthor]

You have my word that I will. I shall add you to the list I'll use to create my filters.