Of course! I fell asleep on the train earlier, and my friend, do you know what I found?
[ he brings the book up onto the bar and taps it. ] A library. I think it may even be a public service sort of library, the kind of thing anyone can borrow books from as opposed to a personal collection! Isn't that wonderful?
[ the wonderful comes out a little bit with a trill like birdsong - he barely even notices, smiling warmly when the drink appears in front of him. ] And thank you very much, as ever. Have you been very busy today?
Ah, over in, uh, Whoville. [ they are familiar enough with where the train goes. ] Sounds like something that'd be right up your alley, yeah. Pretty sure there isn't a limit on how many you can borrow either, that's the point of libraries.
[ it is possible they have never set foot in the whoville library, but it's fine. they note the bird noise and sort of blink, but decide this place is already insane enough they do not need to point it out. ]
It's been the opposite. I think all of you are so busy over on the new island I won't be seeing anybody until later in the day. Not that I blame them, or mind.
Oh, yes. I plan on borrowing many - there are topics beyond even my wildest dreams.
[ the book he was holding from before is set on the counter - he's reading two treatises on government by john locke like a fucking nerd. ]
It's not the first library I've ever seen by any means - the Bishop's library was of course a sanctuary - but I much prefer this one. And I don't think anything could hold a candle to having books from across the universe.
Are you enjoying the quiet, then...? Especially with... well. [ the joy slides off of his face briefly. ] ... well. The weekend prior.
[ wow this is a nerd... gabriel looks at the title curiously but it sure does go right over their head. ]
If you're happy, then you're happy. Isn't that what counts? [ enjoy books. ]
Quiet and I have a weird relationship. [ it's an off-hand comment, but they grow serious again. ] The Angels told me about everything. How're you holding up?
Wish you didn't. [ because they think that's not a good thing for someone to understand. but time to leave that behind. ]
Troubled is a good word. I don't even know what to think about the things I heard. I can't imagine being stuck and having to watch the whole time. How's Jiaoqiu? I haven't seen him since Saturday.
[ there's a brief flash of an empathetic smile at that, because. yeah. yeah, the feeling is mutual.
as for the rest, he takes the glass with his drink and idly turns it between his palms. ]
He's... hurting. [ a quiet sigh. ] In many ways. I think I was able to help him get to sleep last night, at least, but...
Well, I don't know. There's something quite difficult, about learning a sort of magic to help people, and not truly getting a chance to use it - and then when a chance comes, you're no longer able to use it. I wish I could soothe his pain with more than just stories.
Though - magic does little for the psychological. That's a different story, entirely.
Thanks for that. I kinda figured it wouldn't be easy for him. Maybe you're doing more for him than you think just by being there, cheesy as that sounds. Some people don't know how to ask for help, and those are probably the ones who need it the most.
And stories can be pretty good distractions, I think. It'll just take some time.
[ he finally takes another drink, and then smiles - despite the depressing subject, it is a warm one. ]
I think you would know, yes? Dear bartender of the Confessional. [ just so wry. ] And... they've certainly helped distract me in my life, too, so... wise words as ever, my friend.
I might know a thing or two, yeah. [ might. ] Think the difference is knowing when it's a distraction and when it's a delusion. But pretty sure most of you are smart enough not to shy away from the worst of it.
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[ he brings the book up onto the bar and taps it. ] A library. I think it may even be a public service sort of library, the kind of thing anyone can borrow books from as opposed to a personal collection! Isn't that wonderful?
[ the wonderful comes out a little bit with a trill like birdsong - he barely even notices, smiling warmly when the drink appears in front of him. ] And thank you very much, as ever. Have you been very busy today?
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[ it is possible they have never set foot in the whoville library, but it's fine. they note the bird noise and sort of blink, but decide this place is already insane enough they do not need to point it out. ]
It's been the opposite. I think all of you are so busy over on the new island I won't be seeing anybody until later in the day. Not that I blame them, or mind.
no subject
[ the book he was holding from before is set on the counter - he's reading two treatises on government by john locke like a fucking nerd. ]
It's not the first library I've ever seen by any means - the Bishop's library was of course a sanctuary - but I much prefer this one. And I don't think anything could hold a candle to having books from across the universe.
Are you enjoying the quiet, then...? Especially with... well. [ the joy slides off of his face briefly. ] ... well. The weekend prior.
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If you're happy, then you're happy. Isn't that what counts? [ enjoy books. ]
Quiet and I have a weird relationship. [ it's an off-hand comment, but they grow serious again. ] The Angels told me about everything. How're you holding up?
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[ about quiet. boy howdy. but, yeah. the more serious topic comes, however, and with it the puffed feathers droop a bit. ]
I think... troubled, is the right word. [ hard not to be. ] It was all quite difficult - Sunday, especially so. I'm worried for Jiaoqiu.
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Troubled is a good word. I don't even know what to think about the things I heard. I can't imagine being stuck and having to watch the whole time. How's Jiaoqiu? I haven't seen him since Saturday.
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as for the rest, he takes the glass with his drink and idly turns it between his palms. ]
He's... hurting. [ a quiet sigh. ] In many ways. I think I was able to help him get to sleep last night, at least, but...
Well, I don't know. There's something quite difficult, about learning a sort of magic to help people, and not truly getting a chance to use it - and then when a chance comes, you're no longer able to use it. I wish I could soothe his pain with more than just stories.
Though - magic does little for the psychological. That's a different story, entirely.
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Thanks for that. I kinda figured it wouldn't be easy for him. Maybe you're doing more for him than you think just by being there, cheesy as that sounds. Some people don't know how to ask for help, and those are probably the ones who need it the most.
And stories can be pretty good distractions, I think. It'll just take some time.
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[ he finally takes another drink, and then smiles - despite the depressing subject, it is a warm one. ]
I think you would know, yes? Dear bartender of the Confessional. [ just so wry. ] And... they've certainly helped distract me in my life, too, so... wise words as ever, my friend.
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