bravenewworld | first road.

--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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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?

[ 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.

Mmmhmm. I was in charge of the team that first explored up there, actually. I took some friends of mine, and we started the initial survey.

[Yuuna rolls her shoulder so the Ranger's patch is a bit more obvious. That should explain some of it.]

I've been back a few times, and this species hadn't ever been spotted before. I'm pretty excited to see what they evolve into, but Tobi doesn't seem ready to grow up yet. As for what it's like though? Well...it's not too different from the swamp directly north of Union, save that there are some significantly larger than the ones there. And a bit more aggressive. Lots of poison typed Pokemon, near as we can tell. There were also some giant turtle-like creatures, like a Blastoise but obviously grass-typed, and it seemed like a place Victreebell hang out.

Basically? It's a swamp. It's kinda nice, if a bit gloomy, but I wouldn't recommend going alone.

[She doesn't bother with the usual warnings she'd give about exploring alone, figuring that Bilbo was more likely to stick close to Union anyway. And that the mention of poisonous monsters would keep him from going alone too. Librarians, in her experience, were rarely the sort for madcap adventures.]

And really? Why the stages?

[ ah, a Ranger - that does explain things. Yuuna's assessment of Bilbo was certainly not wrong, either, if the hasty reassurance that follows is anything to go by: ]

Oh no no no, there's no fear of me heading off in that direction, alone or otherwise. Best for everyone if I leave all of that business to the ones who are built for it. [ he adjusts the lapels of his jacket, somewhat self-conciously. ] Not that that means I don't like hearing about it all, you understand - it feels like this past year especially has been filled with new discoveries. Keeps me busy archiving them, at any rate!

Ah, but when it comes to why we close down in stages-- have you ever seen the inside of a truly huge library? It'd be impossible to close down the entire place at once, so we settle for working from the inside out. Means we have enough time to get everything cleared for the night while still allowing people to work until our official closing time.

I can only imagine. It was crazy enough when I was just helping out at the University library back in school. And I guess that does make sense. Never really thought about it that way. But then I was always one of those people that never left.

[She smiles, somewhat wistfully at that, and adjusts her own jacket, starting to walk as she talks. Tobi is swept up in her arms as she does, and yaps cheerily.]

Oh, my name's Yuuna, by the way. Nice to meet you, Bilbo. [She taps the Mudkips gently.]

And this little goof is Tobisaki. Or just Tobi.

It's a pleasure to meet you both! This lady here - [ he motions at the Flabébé, who dips her head bashfully ] - is Minty. She's being rather shy at the moment, but don't let that fool you.

You have some library experience yourself, then? You mentioned the University just now.

[Yuuna returns the head nod. Flabebe are cute, she's always thought, but fairy types and her have difficulties.]

I do, yeah. Long story short, I was trained as a historian...and a medic. I spent a lot of time in the library when I was still in school. And I did a bit of interning before I realized scholarly work wasn't for me.

Oh, really? Goodness, but that's a diverse skillset you have there.

Mmmm...

[She rubs the back of her head, a little embarrassed.]

I have a...uh...a gift. I don't forget things. Ever. So, school was really pretty easy.

Oh my - yes, I can imagine so, having such a fine memory. [ a small pause, and then, in a gentler tone: ] I shouldn't think you need be embarrassed of such a thing.

[She laughs softly and stretches, trying to seem nonchalant.]

I know that. It's just a weird thing to say, and I don't like bragging.

[And having a photographic memory is a bit of a problem, too. She can't forget the bad things either.]

No stranger than a great deal many other things in this city, I'm sure. But I see what you mean. I shan't pry any more if it makes you uncomfortable.

Nah, not uncomfortable. Just don't like sounding like I'm all puffed up about nothing. It's just a thing.

Anywho...I'll stop by the library later, probably.

Oh-- yes, please do. I may not be at the front desk when you do, but I expect I'll see you around at some point.

first road.

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]