first road.

[roadsprings]

--Oh! There we are - good, it would seem this thing is working. Seems it's my turn to get patched into the network after all.

[ there's a happy chirping from off-screen; those who understand pokéspeak might hear it as "see, i told you it would work!" ]

Yes, Minty. Come along, you might as well get on this side of the Warp Band, seeing as how this was your idea in the first place.

[ and with that, the network is graced with the addition of a curious flabébé peeking shyly into view on the left-hand side. Bilbo smiles fondly, rolling his eyes slightly. ]

Really, you are ridiculous - after all that fuss earlier, you choose now to get shy about it all.

[ Minty's response to this allegation? to squeak "bébé!" in a highly indignant manner, before swooping over Bilbo's head and down the back of his jacket. teach him to say things like that on camera. Bilbo, at least, starts slightly, but the fact that he quickly looks resigned to this suggests that this is a fairly regular occurrence. ]

Oh, dear me-- ah. [ he coughs slightly, and adopts a somewhat more 'official' tone. ] In any case, I don't want to take up too much of everyone's time, so for those among you that I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Bilbo Baggins, and I'm one of the librarians here in Union. Since we seem to be getting more and more newcomers lately in between all these, um - [ what is even the right word to use for this ] - upheavals? - that have been going on, I thought it might be useful to maybe make myself and the library known. You can find us in the same tower as the labs and the university, so if you ever find yourself in need of some research materials, or even just a good book to lose yourself in for a few hours, do feel free to come seek us out - we ought to have something to suit most everyone's needs. If you happen to get lost, ask around for the Roar of Time Library, and someone should be able to point you in the right direction.

[ that out of the way, he relaxes, some of that 'official' stiffness leaving him, before he suddenly seems to remember something else. ]

… and, despite what you may have heard recently on this network, I would like to reassure people that no, we do not ban people from the library in whole or in part except for, theoretically, in the most extreme cases of vandalism. [ the most awkward of beats, in which Bilbo gives a small nod, and amused pokémon sounds can be heard from the inside of his jacket. ] Right, erm, I think that covers everything. Do let me know if I can be of assistance in any way.

Comments

Video.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ Librarian? Hmm... ]

You... didn't happen to kick out an older gentleman recently, did you? Not to be nosy, of course.

[ But you're being nosy, Lux. ]

Video.

[roadsprings]

[ through his years of having to be a dedicated professional, and also in having to rebuff nosy and meddling family members in the most ruthless war of good manners, Bilbo manages not to bury his face in his hands. rest assured though, he is most certainly doing it inside. and might also be going slightly red. ]

It - it was a slight misunderstanding, and truly, it lasted all of about five minutes. We've since resolved the issue.

[ more or less... ]

Video.

[ladyofluminosity]

[ She means well, really. She's just also seventeen and doesn't understand that pressing things might not be the most polite thing in the world.

So she was right. ]

That's good at least. Still, it's not nice to just kick someone out outright. Everyone should be allowed to seek knowledge in whatever way they can. Especially if they're new to our city, they may not know our ways. You have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Video.

[roadsprings]

[ he's getting lectured by a teenager. what is this world coming to. ]

Yes, yes, I know that - believe me, I'm very aware of it. I promise you I'm really quite embarassed about the whole affair.

[taudriver]

Roar of Time? That sounds really dangerous for a library.

[roadsprings]

[ he smiles wryly. ]

Well, I'd say it's not a bad name for a place that contains nearly all the history we know about, but I think it may have been an attempt at attracting a wider range of people. If it makes you feel better, about the biggest danger inside is the odd falling book or two.

[taudriver]

I think I can handle a falling book!

[roadsprings]

Then I'm certain the library would pose no trouble for you, should you ever wish to visit us.

[Video]

[rainsrespite]

Oh? I didn't know that one was open to the public.

[A woman of medium build with short, dark hair appears on the video feed after a moment, her expression one of mingled curiosity and interest. Beside her is what appears to be a small, blue fish-like Pokemon. It excitably adds on something to the effect of: That's a really cool name for a library! The best! Do you roar? Because he can totally roar! (and he will demonstrate just for you!)

Only it comes out something like:]

Kip, Kip! Mudkip-Kip! Mud!!!!

[Video]

[roadsprings]

Not many people do, it seems, so I thought I'd better rectify that. I suppose it might be due to how close we are to the University? But I simply can't imagine they'd have me keeping shelves stacked with comics and children's books if it weren't for everyone's use.

[ ... oh goodness, that Mudkip and its enthusiasm is adorable. in fact, it even entices Minty out from her hiding spot, and also draws a smile from Bilbo. ]

--and well, it certainly seems that someone's excited about the whole thing.

[ Minty pops herself out a little more from behind Bilbo's shoulder, and adds that no, neither of them can really roar, but yours was very impressive! ]

[Video]

[rainsrespite]

[Yuuna laughs somewhat nervously and tries to unsuccessfully shove him out of the way. But since it seems to make the librarian smile, she gives up.]

He is a bit excited for...just about everything. This little guy is Tobi. I discovered the species up in the northern wetlands not long ago. They're really cute, and...a little bit yappy.

[Totally yappy! Also, hello Flabebe!]

It may be the location though, I always just figured it was a private collection. But hey, that's good to know. What are your hours?

[Video]

[roadsprings]

[ oh, now that piqued his interest. ] Half a moment, you discovered the entire species? That's really - well, that's certainly impressive, if I may say so. What are the wetlands like?

I can't help but feel it'd be a crying shame if it were a private collection, considering the amount of information we have stacked up. Oh, but as for our opening hours, they're eight in the morning until eleven at night Monday through Friday, and on weekends we're open ten till eight. I should probably also tell you that the library closes in stages, so some sections shut down for the night sooner than others.

[bleeding_heart]

The Roar of Time Library? That's a very impressive name.

[Color her impressed. But it's honestly not very difficult to impress Merrill in the first place.]

[roadsprings]

Well, I suppose it is. A little ostentatious for my tastes, really, but I can hardly say it's unfitting.

[bleeding_heart]

I don't think I've been to that library before. Are there quite a lot of history books there?

[roadsprings]

I should say so, yes. Why, do you have an interest?

[pinkrabbit]

Ooo, your Flabébé is so adorable! I have one too! Well, had I guess? She's a Floette now. Her name's Kasugai. I think Flabébés are some of the cutest Pokemon ever, don't you?

[roadsprings]

[ well, this.... wasn't quite the sort of reply he was expecting?? he looks nonplussed for a moment, before seemingly deciding to just go with it. ]

Oh, well - thank you, my dear. Minty here is being shy but, I can tell that she's really quite touched by all that praise. [ he smiles. ] I have to admit, they are some of my favourites. How long has yours been with you?

[pinkrabbit]

[Chibiusa may be young, but she's realized that that might not have been the best introduction there. But she's not easily daunted.]

We've been together for two years now. Though I've only really just started training her.

[A pause]

You know, I don't think I've ever been to a library before.

[celebrity_commentator]

Fairy-types, right?

I'm not really a big library person, but I might stop by yours just for the name...

[roadsprings]

Well, just the one here. I couldn't say if she's much similar to the rest.

Hm, seems to be the name that's gaining more attention than anything. I must confess I didn't see that one coming.

[celebrity_commentator]

It's not something you usually associate with books. It's a good attention-grabber.

[allergictoloveletters]

A pleasure to see you as always, Baggins-san, I'm sure that they will find you are an excellent source of information whenever they visit the library. I certainly always have.

Speaking of information and books, I would like to let you know that I will be coming by scouring your mathematics section again.

[roadsprings]

[ his eyes crinkle at the corners slightly. ] Dear me, you do flatter me, but I am glad I can be of service. What brings you to the maths section on this occasion?

[allergictoloveletters]

Oh, just some simple algorithms and equations I'm looking up for some of my research. I am endeavoring to create a few things and I would like to have an idea of probability before field work.

But I am always open to recommendations from you.