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.

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[ he listens to her explanation and nods in the appropriate places, wincing and making a small clucking noise of sympathy. to think that any people out there should suffer such terrible luck...! ]

Oh... [ he's not even sure what to say to that. ] That's a - well, it's a truly horrible business. And... I'm sorry to hear of it. [ he sucks in a small, awkward breath, before frowning and tapping his fingers on the desk in front of him as he thinks. ]

Erm-- still, Arthalan, Arthalan... it doesn't ring any bells off the top of my head, but I could make some enquiries for you? And you're certainly more than welcome to use the library to search for clues, should you want to.

[Merrill nods, smiling somewhat wistfully, thankful for the sympathetic ear.]

It's all right.

[She tilts her head just a bit as Bilbo thinks, eagerly anticipating his answer.]

That's very kind of you! I'd love to have a look at the library's archives as well. Between that and investigating ruins with the Seekers, maybe I'll be able to put something together.

Oh now, really, I'm just doing my job. There's no point having all this knowledge in one place if no one makes use of it, after all, and well, it'll also give me something to do between archiving and re-shelving.

-- oh, pardon me, but now I think of it I'm not sure I caught your name?

That's true. You're doing a very noble thing, keeping all that knowledge and history safe.

[It's similar to what she was being trained to do, once upon a time.]

Ah... that's right. It's Merrill.

Oh, well, I - [ he looks caught between being touched and flattered, near enough glowing at the praise, and being uncomfortable and embarassed. after a moment, he settles for coughing awkwardly, but the smile remains as he nods. ] I suppose I - I do my best to do my part, yes.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Merrill. Do let me know when you'll be stopping by the library - I'll see if I can't make some headway before you get here, if I have time.

[It's okay, Merrill's used to provoking contradictory reactions out of people. She's a bit of an odd sort herself.]

It's been nice meeting you too, Bilbo. Or is it Mr. Baggins? And I'll have to find some way to thank you for being so helpful.

[Despite it being his job and all.]

Oh! What if I teach you how to speak a bit of Dalish? You certainly won't find that written in very many books.

Oh, just Bilbo is fine. Whichever you are most comfortable with, really.

[ he knows that a lot of the younger set default to "mr. baggins" just because it feels odd calling someone his age by first name. ]

--Really? I should like that very much - are you sure that you wouldn't mind? [ he seems to light up at the suggestion. ]

Bilbo, then.

[Merrill nods, smiling back.]

Oh, no, I don't mind at all. It's the only way I'll get to hear anyone speaking it in Union besides listening to myself talk, after all.

[Which is somewhat depressing, but Merrill says it with a chipper enough tone.]

So... let's start with 'thank you.' Ma serannas.

[ Bilbo's own smile drops slightly at that, but all he says, rather matter-of-factly, is: ]

Well, now. We can't have that, can we? [ and then, briskly, he's back to his usual self. ] Now, you'll have to forgive me if my pronunciation is awful, but let me see... "ma serannas", was it?

[ it's a little halting, but he repeats it as best he can, trying to get a feel for the language. ]

Oh, no, you're doing fine for your first time! The emphasis is in the middle. Ma serannas.

[She's smiling brightly, so he clearly hasn't mangled it too badly. Really, she's just happy to share a bit of her culture with someone who's genuinely interested.]

Oh-- yes, I see now. One more try, then, erm... ma serannas. [ the emphasis in his attempt there was a bit exaggerated, but he's trying? ] Do you mind if I write this down?

[Merrill can't help but laugh just a bit at the exaggeration, but she's still in good cheer.]

Oh! Yes. Here, I'll spell it for you.

[And she proceeds to do so.]

I'll write down some others for you for when I come to the library later. There's only a few phrases left of our language, but I can at least show you those.

[ he dutifully copies down the spelling (underlining the emphasis for his own reference), and when that's done gives a small, sheepish smile. ]

I sounded ridiculous, didn't I?

--Oh, thank you! Or, ma serannas, I suppose I more properly ought to say. This is honestly fascinating. [ the lingering smile drops now, giving way to something more pensive. ] Is there... is there really so little of it left?

Only a little. But you'll be an expert soon, I'm sure.

[No sarcasm there at all. Merrill doesn't really know how to use it.]

I'm afraid so. So much of our culture was lost over the years. Most of it is an oral tradition now, passed down by the Keepers. But I think there must still be something left, if we look hard enough. That's why I joined the Seekers. There are so many ancient ruins in the world... one of them has to be Arlathan.

Only a little? That's kind of you, though I suspect I need.

No, I think you must be right. Or, I should like to believe so, anyway. Like you said, there are so many ruins, and many of them must have lain there untouched for hundreds of years. It must be worth looking.

Yes, that's exactly how I feel. Unfortunately, not all the Dalish feel the same way. Many of them feel we're better off not trying to unearth the past at all. But I can't accept that. I can't believe we'd ever be better off knowing less about our own history.

No, I agree with you. I mean, don't - don't misunderstand, the here and now is just as important, but there's so much we can learn from the people who came before us. [ careful, Merrill, you've got him warming to talking about one of his passions, now. ] What to do, and, and well, what not to do as well. Not to mention that, well - it's nice to know where you came from, isn't it? Helps you make sense of things as they are.

[Merrill smiles softly, nodding back at the feed.]

That's right. That's exactly why I want to know. I've always felt so... disconnected, even from my own people. I think knowing where we came from and what it was like back then would...

[She trails off a bit there, thinking.]

...well, I'm not sure what it would accomplish, really, but I do think I would like to know.

first road.

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how did i leave an entire word out of that last tag that was meant to say "need practice" up there

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