(no subject)

[payback]

[Idly dictated into the journal,]

It never ceases to amaze me with what people get to write, and what gets made into books. Some things just seem downright treasonous, but they still get bound, and bought, and read by lots of people.

I'm a little jealous to be frank. At home it could be pretty tough to get hold of books and things. Some of my friends couldn't even read so having books would have been moot.

[Rin is in the library today, which is not very surprising: the library is a good place to try and find her. Tad the Arcanine is hanging around lolling under tables and in front of chairs as she reads. Just now, she seems to be slipping a book into her carryall: the curious might get enough of a glimpse to see that she's making off with The Anarchist's Cookbook.

Open, of course.]

Comments

Action? Library? Hot Library Action?

[lifeandpride]

[The voice sounded familiar, and not too far off from where he was sitting at a large table. Titles ranging from the construction of castles to fairy tales in piles at his side. He turns to the sound, trying to place the voice but not quite making it. He addresses her comment, though a bit softly since they were in a library.]

...There are lots of reasons why it might seem so, but here I think we can just attribute the abundancy of books to the castle's wish to be accommodating.

hot library action forever!

[payback]

[It takes a moment before she's even realized he remarked. So quiet, Ukitake! But she responds in fairly short order.]

Do you think so? Some of the things that get written about sure strike me as treasonous, or not things that would generally be available to be shared with just anybody... and they look like they're done up pretty official too.

:D

[lifeandpride]

[He gets up and moves a bit closer so she could hear him better.]

Those kind of things vary over time and by culture. Since there's a mix of us, I imagine that there's a mix of books, too. ...What kinds of things are you concerned about?

[payback]

[Now she's hearing him from the journal and the library at once. Looking around to place what direction he's in - oh how funny.]

I wouldn't say I'm concerned about anything. I'm just surprised that people manage to say such seditious things in some of their books. As you know, there's not a government here to topple...

omg he knows but i don't...recall the years orz...end of the meiji era?

[lifeandpride]

[ Her clothes were not so far off from the norm in Soul Society. It takes him a moment to place what she's talking about. 2000 years of memories is a lot to place in one brain....but after a moment, he thinks he realizes.]

...Perhaps not in the same way, no. Though one could say trying to leave this place is a form of rebellion.

um gosh I don't remember... she's from the 2nd year of tenmei (circa 1782) if it helps!

[payback]

[Ah, spotted. He gets a small smile, she closes her journal and tucks it under her arm, closing some of the distance between them.]

Leave this place in what sense? Going to the world outside, or going home?

lol fail muns... :|b

[lifeandpride]

[a quiet chuckle. Library, and all.]

I would much prefer to go home, really.

:') what can I say

[payback]

[Her expression changes a little there, her smile drops though her face remains softened.]

Isn't going home a little pointless too without having figured out what makes this place tick? If you just go home, it could draw you back at any time. [Like it has already.]

He's 2000 years old... I'm not, lol.

[lifeandpride]

[He listens and considers what she has to say.]

...You have a fair point. I suppose that's why I'm here.

[He gestures to the library.]

Though I can't say I've found anything of use, yet.

[He sighs.]

I know the feeling.

[payback]

Hmm, that would be a bit too easy anyway, don't you think? Finding a way to outfox the castle, right in the castle library.

[lifeandpride]

One has to start somewhere.

I thought it could help me get an overview of castles and magic in general. Magic isn't really something I hear a lot about in my world - at least not seriously.

[He sighs]

Besides, I've pretty much exhausted the library at this point.

[payback]

Really? How long have you spent in here, anyway?

[lifeandpride]

[Well now he looks a little sheepish.]

...I've been here everyday since I've noticed there was a library.

[payback]

[Well now she looks amused.] It is a great library! You won't get better selection any other place I bet!

If you want to find a way out though, I think you have to look elsewhere. Or at the castle itself.

[lifeandpride]

Well, that was my next step, of course.

[Doesn't mention he'd been a bit wary at the prospect of all that winter outside.]

...it doesn't hurt to be thorough, in a situation like this.

[payback]

If you're interested in learning more about the world, you should go on the expeditions that come up. The world is related to the castle too.

[lifeandpride]

[That peaks his interest.]

Oh, expeditions are organized? I didn't know that. Do you know who runs them?

[payback]

Yes, they are. Hehe... [Her eyes bow up; she looks a little bit amused.] The Doctors organize them sometimes, or I do, or a young guy named Jr. They're always announced in the journals so you should keep an eye out.

[lifeandpride]

[He nods.]

I'll keep that in mind, thank you. You'll let me know if one of yours comes up, won't you?

[He's... a little dorkishly happy about this.]

[payback]

Of course I will! [No problem, Ukitake.] Jr. and I have worked together before too, and someone else might pick an expedition up but I'll definitely participate... but if you don't hear anything about it, I'll let you know.

[lifeandpride]

[His moment of dorkiness passes, and he's back to normal.]

I appreciate it. Working on a problem together is usually better than working on one alone.

[payback]

[She nods.] Not to mention, it's safer to travel in groups out there. The world isn't without its dangers.

But we've never had someone actually die for keeps, so we're lucky so far.

[lifeandpride]

[He looks both curious and serious.]

What kind of danger can one expect farther outside the castle's area?

[payback]

There are creatures out there that can attack travelers... those aren't too common and mostly they're docile, or friendly, or harmless, but they do exist. And then there's the first gens, or as they call themselves, the free peoples. They used to live in the castle but they left a long time ago and some of them are really hostile and territorial.

[lifeandpride]

I see. That sounds troublesome.

[A long, thoughtful pause.]

Perhaps I could be of some use, then. ...If I can get my hands on a weapon, even more so.