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

[theabjectauthor]

[Lemony sees her come in, but is not so self-righteous as to think that everyone who comes in the library is here to speak with him. it is, after all, a Library and not a Speaking To Lemony Snicket Room. he gives her a smile and a wave of greeting - enough to encourage her if she is here to talk to him, but also enough to simply be polite if she is not]

[silentrunning]

[But she's wandering over... She doesn't say anything aloud, but she writes a message into her journal.]

I have interests in about three quarters of those things. Interests in or talents in.

[She flops down on the floor next to his chair.]

[theabjectauthor]

[he glances between the girl and the message that has just cropped up, then points to it and looks at her with raised eyebrows.

did you write that?]

[silentrunning]

[She nods her head and writes more.]

I don't speak aloud much... though I can. So why are you curious about people interested in the skills listed?

[She taps her pen on her journal, and idly draws a smiley face next to several of the listed items.]

[theabjectauthor]

The pen is indeed mightier. [he smiles and nods, respectful of her choices]. I am hoping to gather a group of like minded residents on a somewhat regular basis, so that we might share what we know with one another, and generally be of use and benefit to others.

[silentrunning]

[Chell's face lights up in a giant grin.]

Count me in! I'd always want to help and share knowledge and I'm a voracious learner.

[theabjectauthor]

That sounds like a perfect fit. [his smile matches hers] Thank you, for Volunteering.

[silentrunning]

[She positively beams.]

You're welcome...And since I'm curious. Do you have a favorite book?