Poking around (Archives, Late TT, Chyril 22)

Miklos Tsale · Post by **Miklos Tsale** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:17 am

Opening at the northern wing of the Citadel was a five-storey library. A balcony extended the full length of the wall, with a grand staircase rising to the left and another descending to the right, and providing access to this level from either side. The vast open space before them provided a view of each level, rising up to a tinted glass dome at its apex. There was row upon row of dark wood bookcases, filled with tomes, scroll tubes, tablets and all manner of other materials that could hold the written word or image. At the bottom of this grand entry, were many desks and tables, some occupied while others were spread with all manner of materials, as if someone was in the process of studying their contents.

The gnome scurried into the room and quickly glanced around to make sure he was finally in the right building. He appeared to be slightly rumpled, and there was a small tear in his sleeve.

The girls had had no trouble finding a guard to give them directions to the citadel, where the archives were, after all it was hard to miss. Then they had left, presumably to return home. The gnome had been left alone, and had tried his best to follow the direction. He made two wrong turns, and was attacked by a cat, before finally making it to the citadel. He wondered if it was the same cat that had bitten Fiona. He'd asked another guard where the archives actually were located withing the building, but he didn't make sure he had completely understood before he raced off. He had turned to go the wrong way, and the guard had warned him, then he had made a few wrong turns. He felt it was luck that he had gotten all the way here eventually. Now all he had to do was find the information desk. Why is everything so big here? I wish Kathryn were here to see this. He looked around to see if he could find the information desk or a person who seemed to know their way around. This city was nothing like his home, everything was huge. He wondered if exploring on his own, if he didn't find Barrett, would be quite as good an idea as he had thought at first.

Post by **Grey Wolf** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:23 pm

When Lucienda was not around the Archives could actually be a pleasant place to spend time at, maybe even read something while at it. This was such a time and the great hall was immersed in soothing silence, the air pleasantly cool, perhaps even a bit chilly. The smell of paper was everywhere, but what could one expect in the largest library in the city? Just as Miklos strode in a woman appeared from between some shelves nearly running into the gnome. "Oh, I am sorry, little one. Are you lost? Where are your...." Her eyes focused after a flicker and she stopped mid-sentence, scrutinizing the short fellow before her. Light grey robe hung about her, the tips of her adhiel ears peeking from her hair. "Once more I apologize. I thought you were a child, when it is clear you are one of the short folk. Gnomes. How can I be of assistance?" He smile was pleasant and even a bit encouraging.

Miklos Tsale · Post by **Miklos Tsale** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:32 am

The gnome started when the woman nearly ran in to him. Than had to refrain from laughing as yet another person mistook him for a child. Miklos was getting to recognize the face they made as his face caught up to his size. Well he supposed this wouldn't be the last time; he couldn't really blame her for it. It didn't take long for her to correct herself anyways.

How can I be of assistance?

"Ilookfor information desk. I want tofind Barrett. Hesay to look here. But I get lost lots. You knowwhere desk is? Or even good if you know Barrett." He paused for a moment, he didn't actually expect to find Barrett, should he say that? Oh, right! I need to find where I'm supposed to stay. Should I askher? No, I'd only get lost again. He glanced around the library. He wasn't too interested in books, since he couldn't read, but it seemed to be a nice building. "Is verynice place here. But very big. Ihear they have lotsofum..knowing things inbooks. Youvery lucky." He smiled at the woman, giving her time to answer him. Then he realised he didn't know her name, "OHsorry, I named Miklos. Yourname?" He gave her a sheepish grin.

Post by **Grey Wolf** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:31 pm

The woman listened intently to the gnome's words, furrowing her brows in an attempt to catch everything in a flurry he issued her way. "Pleased to meet you, Miklos. I am Mistress Tabeann, Imperial Archivist." She smiled gently and motioned towards a low bench close by, offering Miklos a seat. "I know of Barrett. He worked here for a while, but he has been gone for several months now. Am I to assume he is back in Citadel from your words? If he said he will be back, you are free to wait for him. As you said we have plenty of books here, and you are welcome to peruse one while you wait. Is there any subject in particular that interests you? I could recommend something you might find interesting."

Miklos Tsale · Post by **Miklos Tsale** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:31 am

Miklos hadn't realised until then that not everybody would know Barrett was back. After all he had been with them, for well as she said a few months at least. Then again, the priest had said he could look for him at the archives, unless he was still at the airship or perhaps busy somewhere else in this place.

"Am I to assume he is back in Citadel from your words?"

"Oh yes, wegethere today! In big ship inair. He probly busywith busyness about us gnomepeople."

"you are free to wait for him. As you said we have plenty of books here, and you are welcome to peruse one while you wait."

It was true, he could wait, but there was no way he could tell how long he would have to. Unfortunately Mistress Tabeann's suggestion wouldn't work for the gnome. "Mistress, Idonot think books helpme. I not know thislanguage too good. And, Inever learn to look at books, eveningnome." It seemed as if he would have to leave, as he figured she couldn't tell him where he was supposed to stay, if she hadn't even known they were there in the first place. However, the archivist had offered him some information, perhaps she would know where to find what he had actually come to citadel for, it wasn't something he would outright ask a stranger though. "Do you livehere longtime? I want toknow some places, but is soo big. I get lost and bited byacat. I need helpwithsomething, like a healerorpriest. Canyou tell me where oneof those places is? Do you have paper that say go this wayorthat?" He would listen to her answer, if she had one, and head out from there. If she couldn't tell him anything, he would head back to the harbour, and see if the other gnomes had news on where they were supposed to be staying. Perhaps he would meet Barrett on the way, but if he at least found some of the information that he was looking for, it wouldn't matter too much.

Post by **Grey Wolf** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:59 pm

"I have been here for almost thirty yahren. And almost twenty of those have been spent managing the Archives." Despite Miklos protests, Mistress Tabeann did not stop her advance towards the shelves with books, tapping her chin and moving along the rows of books until she found one she sought, pulling out a huge square tome whose covers were easily two by two feet. With a loud thud she placed the book before the gnome and sat next to him. "Here is a book you might find interesting. An illustrated guide to animal life of the Empire. It has lovely pictures and each has a name of the animal written underneath it. You might start learning how to read that way." She smiled. "And what is this about the cat? Show me the wound. Perhaps I might be able to help. No need to trouble the healer if it is not too serious." In truth she had just escorted Lucienda Marcada out and Miklos served as a fine change of scenery.

Miklos Tsale · Post by **Miklos Tsale** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:34 am

Miklos was fidgeting alot. While he appreciated Mistress Tabeann's offer, he didn't know if he'd be able to sit still long enough to pay attention. But he had nothing else to do. He had to learn to be less hasty anyways. So he nodded to the woman and scrambled into a chair. He could at least try to focus. Okay - focus, focus. Oh animals, wait she just asked me about a cat. What cat? Bite, right the cat bit me. She wants to see. What was I about to do? His attempt at focussing wasn't going to well, but at least he was staying in the chair. He held out his hand. There was a small bite on his right index finger, it took up the whole finger, because his hands were small. Other than that he didn't think it was bad. He'd gotten splinters that were worse anyways. He didn't mention that he could take care of small wounds himself, mostly because it had slipped his mind.

His thoughts wandered back to something she had said before, "Itsays the aminals in yourwords? Or mine? Are there different writings?" Miklos realised that although reading wasn't the same as making things, it could still be good to learn. He could get good ideas from animals for inventions. He wondered if it was something like looking at pictures, except that they would be pictures that meant something instead of looking like it. He grinned at the book, the archivist, and pretty much the whole room. She'd have her work cut out for her.

Post by **Grey Wolf** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 5:08 pm

Placing the book on the desk, Mistress Tabeann drew several other books closer, tilting the Guide so Miklos could see it despite his height. She flipped a few pages until the image revealed a man, standing next to a large beast with tan fur and a large hump upon its back its neck making bent in the shape of letter U. "The book was written by an adhiel scholar by the name of Adwyn Lareth. But, the letters inside are human and most commonly used in the world today. We all use a common set of symbols. Well, apart from dwarves and several others who use runes. But, the way they are placed and read differs from race to race. Adhiel and humans write the same set of sounds differently. I can only assume the gnomes do so too. I am not knowledgeable as I might wish in matters of your people." Then her finger sought the picture and the animal in it. "This here is camel or dromedary. I believe there is a difference. Dromedary has two humps instead of one. They live in Amun Rah and Sabata. Now feel free to browse the book while I go fetch my healing supplies." She rose and disappeared between the shelves, leaving Miklos to browse through the book, returning a few burns later with a clean bandage and a small flask in her hand. Not interrupting the gnome, she carefully cleaned his finger with the sharp scented liquid from the flask, Miklos' skin feeling cool in its wake and then wrapped the bandage in neat, tight layers over the bite mark.

Miklos Tsale · Post by **Miklos Tsale** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:46 pm

Miklos was getting very restless. The librarian might be able to sit still and read, but he really did not have the patience for that. He flipped through the pages barely noticing them. There were normal animals mixed in with more unusual ones. He saw a cat and paused on that page a moment, tracing his finger over the words. Reading - it was such an odd thing to him. He started flipping again until he got to some birds. Now there was an interesting creature.

There were flying machines already, of course, but they did not fly like a bird did. The birds had got it first. Miklos looked carefully at the wings of the birds, wondering if any improvements could be made on their airships. Then he flipped the page and saw a beautiful bird coloured red and gold like flames.

Mistress Tabeann returned then, fixing up his finger. The gnome turned to look at her, his eyes big. "What is that?" he asked, pointing to the bird. He waited for answer jittering a little. I have to get out of here! "MissInot here toolong, butI go now. Ineedtofindperson." Actually, he had quite forgotten that he had no idea where to go, but he still did want to find a priest. Mostly though, he just wanted to get out and set something on fire. Some part of him knew he was supposed to stop doing that, but at the moment he was slightly beyond caring.

Post by **Grey Wolf** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:33 pm

There were rumors, though amongst gnomes even the craziest rumors regarding new inventions had a grain of truth in them, about experiments using fixed wings and a long tube filled with flammable substances burning under carefully controlled circumstances that actually did fly. Though carefully controlled circumstances had an altogether different meaning in gnomish dictionary. It meant that danger of permanent scarring through burns was almost nonexistent. Almost being the key word.

Mistress Tabeann glanced at the page Miklos pointed to, and frowned at the state it was in, several ink stains blotting the edge, outlining a corner of what looked like a piece of paper that was held on top of it when the spill occurred. "Who could have done this?" She shook her head and smiled at the gone at her side. "Sorry, that is a Thufu bird. They are common in Amun Rah too. Quite aggressive. They are known to attack people who venture too close." her brow quirked up at Miklos' hurried excuse, but she did not move to stop him, calling after the little fellow as he hurried away. "I'll tell Barrett that you were looking for him. Bye. It was nice meeting you." Then in a lower tone she added. "What a strange young man. Quite active."

Danomel · Post by **Danomel** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:16 am

Returning from the Repository, Danomel was not overly sure how much value he had gotten out of the short trip. Normally he would have liked to spend a little more time there visiting, but he actually had plans for the evening.

Barrett had not been able to shed any light on what was in the Meriklar's fifth volume, so he had dashed over to see if they had a copy to pursue, and hopefully shed some light on Lucienda had been looking for. In any event, he still had the question hanging about the what had happed to the Archives copy.

As he made his way, Danomel noted a small person, who he first mistook for a child, that appeared somewhat agitated. As he moved closer, he could see it was not a child after all, which made him curious.

Approaching, he introduced himself, â€œHello, I am called Danomel, you seem to be in need of some help?â€

Vanadius · Post by **Vanadius** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:50 pm

Locked and skilled to this point. Archived due to inactivity.