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liburutegia2021-01-01 03:21 am
liburuzaina) wrote in liburutegia2021-01-01 03:21 am
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Welcome Log ⬡ 02
Welcome, everyone, to the Library! As you wander your way in, wake up at a desk, or descend an elevator, the library's ambiance is, well... the same as it always is. Comforting-but-not. Warm-but-cold. Empty-but-populated. And, as always, there are certain things going on that just might make settling in a little easier. Information Desk⬡ Maps At the Information Desk, there will be a large stack of looseleaf graph paper and a surplus of pencils, to more easily enable anyone who wishes to draw their own map of the library. The pencils will only be able to write on blank paper given to characters by library activities, and not on any of the books. ⬡ Stationery Next to the graph paper, there will be a stack of blank notebooks and a haphazard pile of pens. The pens will only be able to write in the notebooks, on characters' personal belongings, and on skin. All three of these items are semi-limited; somehow characters will only be able to make one stack of items as tall as they are once they've been removed from the desk. Notebooks and pens will be provided in assorted colors in shades of blue, purple, white (and grey) and teal. Cafe Menu⬡ Seasonal Menu ⬡ Slow-cooked Mac and Cheese ⬡ Butter Chicken ⬡ Apricot and Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast With Roasted Potatoes ⬡ Rainbow Vegetarian Pad Thai With Peanuts and Basil ⬡ Chocolate Cream Pie ⬡ Classic Cheesecake ⬡ Champagne Cupcakes ⬡ Moscato Cupcakes ⬡ Champagne ⬡ Mulled Wine ⬡ Irish Coffee ⬡ Chestnut Praline Latte ⬡ Usual Menu The Cafe menu will also showcase more typical cafe fare, from teas and coffees, to standard hot chocolates, to pastries, donuts, and sandwiches. The Search Bar will also bring up whatever else characters could possibly want. Sunrise Room⬡ Seasonal Showings As always, movies playing at any given time are randomized, but this month there is a higher chance of movies playing with themes of new beginnings. First Floor Restrooms⬡ Seasonal Showers This month, all complimentary toiletries will be either vanilla, blueberry pancake, or cedar scented. Ocean Floor 4⬡ Room 4575 Located in room 4575 on Ocean Floor 4 will be a large table with an inordinate amount of self-help books, revolving around themes of "New Year, New You" and "New Year’s Resolution Ideas And How To Achieve Each Of Them." Alongside the books will be a stack of worksheets, asking questions about characters' goals and "resolutions" - all appearing to be photocopied haphazardly from a different book entirely. It would appear as though the intent was for there to be a somewhat therapeutic book club meeting, focused on improving oneself. In practice, the room itself somehow has taken on a somewhat oppressive air, as though there's someone staring at you and judging your life choices, even if you're alone in the room. | ||||||||||||||
no subject
[ wow. he has never met a guy who doesn't know what a fighter jet is.
a pause, and then he says, ]
You're putting me out of a job here.
[ but rather than seem despondent, vidar takes it seriously and gives him his utmost attention. this is new to him. it is is something to be interested in, something to ponder about. ]
If you'll allow me to bother you with another question -- what is the most technologically advanced appliance, electronics, or vehicle do you have in your world? [ perhaps that's a better starting point than anything else. ]
no subject
Lightning is one of seven different elemental aspects of my world. It is no different in standing from the other six - namely, fire, water, wind, earth, ice, and viridescence. The combination and permutation of these elemental forces is what drives most of innovation.
To answer your question more specifically; there are mechanisms constructed in similar ways to this blueprint, and some of them do employ the Electro element. However, their functions and energy sources are likely to be very different.
[ While Inazuma is the homeland of the Electro Archon, it is still possible to use the other six elements in her territory. The seven elements are too tightly interwoven together to ever be separated and used in isolation. ]
no subject
But I suppose, given how this library functions, it's inevitable that we should meet.
[ someone with his background, meeting someone like this stranger who has a different home, as well. ]
... My name is Vidar.
And if it's not too much of a bother with you, please tell me about your world, and I'll do my best to answer anything you'd like to know on my end.
no subject
I am Zhongli. It is a pleasure to meet you.
[ Since they can't do much in this place, passing the time with conversation seems like a good idea. ]
My world is named Teyvat. It is a land of many aspects and cultures. Perhaps it would be easier for me to narrate if you provide me a topic to speak about?
[ ... there's also one more thing that Vidar might find relevant, which is that Zhongli is very good at lecturing. ]
no subject
I'm not familiar with anything named Teyvat at all. [ but if it's liveable, he reasons, it probably has earth-like similarities, otherwise he would've known it by now that it is unique from other settings. (though other people can certainly live in more inhospitable places, like mars, but that is easily distinguishable and people usually make note of that in the beginning.)
most of all vidar is interested in war, because that's his .... job, if one can call it that in the most generic of ways. but that would be a bizarre topic to open on, and will lead to a lot of questions for his part which he's not really interested in answering for now.
so vidar makes a list for him. this is probably the easiest way to handle his request, and it will at least lead to easy comparisons between the two. it's a short list. he finishes his already-cooled tea before presenting it zhongli: ]
- is there such a thing as a strongest 'element' in your world? do you have any preferences as to which element you like?
- what do you do for a living? what do most people do for work?
- can you travel to other planets?
- what's your favourite food?
I think that'll be easy enough to start with, for the both of us.
no subject
He takes the list that Vidar hands to him, looking it over for a few minutes. The questions imply a very different world and economy from his own. ]
The seven elements all exist in balance in Teyvat. Regional variations may concentrate a particular element in one area, but as a whole, none have a particular edge over the rest. As for my own personal preference... I come from Liyue, a nation which was founded by the Lord of Geo, Rex Lapis. Our storied history has been accompanied by divinity at every step, and it is a matter of great pride to Liyue's people. I would choose the element of Earth without any hesitation.
[ Of course, Zhongli is leaving out the fact that Rex Lapis is himself. Anyways... ]
I am a consultant for a funeral parlour. It is but one of the myriad of roles that Liyue's folk play in their economy. Liyue is a port nation, and it sees the transfer and marketing of commodities from all over the world. Naturally, merchants make up a significant portion of the working class. However, there are also craftsmen, poets, construction workers - particularly at the docks - doctors, teachers, all who which help to keep the city running. Beyond the harbour lies the fields where grains are tilled, and the blessing of the Geo Archon has led to the long history of mining and forging as twin trades.
[ He talks for a few minutes longer. Liyue is pretty much a textbook fantasy Chinese city, so there's nothing too out of the ordinary. No mention of electronics, no mentions of war. It should be apparent to Vidar by now that Teyvat is much less technologically advanced than his world, so it probably won't be a surprise when Zhongli pauses and continues with: ]
I am unfamiliar with the term 'planet'.
[ What is his favourite food? This is both an easy and difficult question at the same time. ]
I have a rather particular taste when it comes to food. It would be more accurate to describe it as a series of principles - for each ingredient to complement the others, and none to be out of harmony with the rest.
no subject
gundam historyfrom what actually happened versus what gjallarhorn says happened, which are two very distinct ways of looking at the world.so he decides to take a rather roundabout way of explaining it, first by drawing on a sheet of paper mars, and earth, and then a rough drawing of what colonies are like. he explains, in general, what planets are and where can they be found and the differences - in general - between earth and mars. zhongli will get the understanding that earth holds power while mars is exploited for its resources and colonies are for people who didn't want to deal with the oppressive power of earth over their politics and economy, but do not have a political say in their affairs, the final word rests with earth, under the dictatorship (he won't say this; vidar's term is more 'unified leadership') of gjallarhorn. ]
We don't really have 'elements' in the way you speak of .... I don't know if this will cause offence, but it does sound like magic to me, which is wholly unknown to us. Forgive me for having misspoken otherwise; there simply isn't a comparison similar to it.
There is a lot of conflict involved, primarily entering on resources; we rely on diplomacy, and technology, to resolve them. For myself, I am a pilot -- I work with mobile suits, giant machinery made of metal [ he winces, this isn't .... the proper term, but he's trying to make him understand here so it'll have to do for now ] and steel, carrying out my tasks from Gjallarhorn.
And for working with Gjallarhorn, I enjoy relative privileges, although I do work with their military so that's sort of limited. [ just on a different tack -- ] Eating space rations is better than field rations, though, but I particularly like home cooked meals. I like sweets the most, however.
Thank you for sharing that with me. You've been very obliging.
no subject
(He signed a contract with Celestia so long ago. But a contract is hardly fair if it is intended to oppress.)
He listens intently as Vidar explains and narrates: his comments on war now make sense when Zhongli considers that they were fought over limited resources. Then it would be inevitable despite the foul nature of conflict - war both makes and breaks people. Vidar hasn't given him any impression of being more than human, so Zhongli evaluates him like how he does with most others. ]
I thank you as well, for sharing your world with me. I had not thought that it would be possible to visit other 'planets'.
[ As one of the Archons, he does have some knowledge of how the world worked beyond Teyvat. However, Celestia's interference would meant that the people of Teyvat would never be able to achieve the same. ]
no subject
[ vidar reaches for his teapot, and realizes it's empty; a shame. he'll go and get some hot water to refill that. ]
Are you often in the cafe?
If you want more snacks or tea, let me know. I'll take some for you as well.
no subject
A small smile, as befits someone of his austerity ]
You are very kind.
[ He breaks eye contact and looks down at Vidar's diagram again. ]
Yes, I am here often. I quite enjoy the tea, to clear my mind.
no subject
he notices he's looking at his shoddy diagrams and smiles. ]
Feel free to have a look. I'm afraid art isn't one of my talents, however.
[ he leaves, and then when he comes back, he does have enough snacks for them and an array of tea for zhongli. ]
I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I took a selection.
no subject
Ah, thank you... I appreciate it.
[ Zhongli looks at the various tea flavours. He doesn't recognize half of them, given that they are named after locations in another world. ]
Which do you favour?
[ Different people treat drinking tea differently. There's the traditional adherent, the fastidious appraiser, and the person who simply wants some leaf water. ]
no subject
[ so he'll be going for a black tea, if only so he can add milk and sugar to it. ]
Though that does mean pairing it with the right snack is a bit tricky.
no subject
That is true. One must achieve a harmony of the confection and a drink to complement it. [ Zhongli closes his eyes in thought... Vidar, you've activated his lecture mode again. ] If the tea is to be sweet, then its companion must be less so, to bring out the richness of the brew. And too much sugar would overwhelm the refined notes of the tea itself. The optimum would be a balance between the three sources.
no subject
Oh, absolutely. There is a saying back in Earth - "to everything, there is a season." There's no reason it can't be applied to the balance of flavours in desserts and drinks as well.
It is an art, on its own. [ and he'll brew the tea for them, with all the attention he's always devoted to it. ]
no subject
Instead of replying, he takes one of the cookies from the tray and takes a bite, letting the flavours dissolve in his mouth. Yes, these are familiar enough for him to place after a few seconds ]
Butter, cream, and chocolate. The coating is light enough to avoid being cloying.
[ These kinds of cookies would go well with most teas. He can concede that the Library does have taste ]
no subject
I wish we were back home. Then I can show you my favourites.
[ vidar takes a bite of another dainty. ]
If there was a way to request things here, that would be great. Even if it's just smaller things, like sweets.
no subject
It brings some measure of peace, does it not?
[ Zhongli sounds nostalgic; even a little melancholic. He's lived far too long in the same place, and even though the Library presented him with all the time in the world to read, it's not really the same. ]