Welcome Log ⬡ 02

[liburuzaina]

	Welcome to The Library! 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.

Comments

[nocannobb]

Jail?? Well, just a reminder that despite his himbo nature, this guy really is someone you don't want to fuck with. 

"Damn, dude, that sucks," Shang Qinghua says sympathetically. Because it does! He has some dim memories of playing one of the older Dragon Quest titles before the video game ban in China right around the same time, and he never could afford the expensive bootleg imports. It was all knockoffs and clones after that. Plus the decades he'd spent in Proud Immortal Demon Way... Anyway.

"Cultivator," he says, unsuccessfully trying to suppress a grin. He...wasn't going to go into the whole genre thing, but he's kind of already outed himself as a gamer and a second-time transmigrator, so it's a lost cause, right? "It's a xianxia thing, you know, ancient Chinese fantasy? Meditating in seclusion, forming your golden core, becoming an immortal master, flying around on swords, fighting monsters and demons, all that stuff. Check it out."

He holds out one hand and focuses his spiritual energy, forming a little ball of glowing light in his hand. Perfect, a chance to show off in front of Ichiban and show that he was cool and could be useful! "Pretty neat, huh? Spiritual cultivation. I'm kind of like a high-level mage, basically."

[victorytune]

Oh, some of that does sound familiar. Especially considering how much time he's spending in Yokohama with the Chinese population there. His buddy Zhao used to lead their Liumang, but uh... some shit happened. Small coup. No big deal. Ichi doesn't even quite formulate the thought of mentioning Zhao because he is immediately distracted by this 'spiritual cultivation'. He inhales audibly, his face lightning up with delight.

"That's awesome," he agrees enthusiastically. "Man, I knew that something supernatural had to be going on with this weird library, but I still wasn't expecting any of us to be mages."

Sometimes you can't quite get around to believing it until you see it, and he's so used to magic being all in his head. Speaking of,

"I've been imagining our host skills as magic..."

[nocannobb]

Aahh, when was the last time Shang Qinghua impressed someone?? The truth is that while he may have achieved immortal status, compared to his peers he's pretty mediocre...can't fight, cultivation kind of low for someone of his status... Everyone was always disappointed in him or annoyed by him, or even worse, just plain wanted to beat him up! But Ichiban is not only impressed, he's nice to Shang Qinghua, and a guy could get used to this kind of treatment, you know?

Gosh, what would it be like to have friends who didn't insult you or were all hung up over some trivial betrayal. Honestly, some people.

"Pretty awesome, yeah," Shang Qinghua grees, looking immensely pleased. He waves away the little ball of energy with his hand and gives Ichiban a quizzical look. "Host? What, you mean like...MCing, or something?"

[victorytune]

"Kind of a night club entertainer? You're responsible for keeping the table you're assigned full on food and drink, and spending time with them."

He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "It's not really the kind of thing I would have imagined myself doing, but the work agency can send you over when there's a staff shortage. I just think of keeping total strangers feeling like they're your most important friends a kind of magic trick, and you have all these boozy potions and restorative foods to keep them dazzled."

Maybe it makes sense now that he's explained it. What doesn't make sense is what kind of work agency sends over a 40 year old ex-yakuza to do host club work.