[GP / EP] Welcome to the Madonna Inn Expanded Public Library

[st_opsummoningme]

Freedom from her bonds had given Illyana more than freedom of movement. It had returned to her the use of her magik and her ability to teleport. These abilities had, in turn, allowed her to finish making ready the library for public use. It was less about collecting books and media from around the premises (and some from Limbo, or donated collections harvested from the Otherworlds) and arranging shelving and seating, most of which had been relatively easily done. It was more a matter of laying the appropriate wards, and negotiating the finer points of the old-fashioned catalog and check-out system, which included odd donated items such as sporting equipment and electronic devices available for rental. Xavin's espresso machine counter necessitated a mini-bar refrigerator, glass-domed cake stands for assorted pastries brought in from the kitchen, and various cafe sundries.

Repurposed from what had been the 'Garden Room,' the library space with its high wooden ceilings, chandeliers, and landscape murals over busy floral carpet still looked somewhat like a touristy banquet hall, yet the area was now also highly saturated with layered magic. The hodgepodge collection of random books and so on were fiercely protected by these magics. When needed and as possible, worn volumes had been restored. The books could not be damaged nor marred from here on out, at least not by coffee spills nor page-tearing or inconsiderate attempts at margin notation. Nor would they leave the boundaries of the library area without proper dispensation, simply stopping mid-air and dropping should the attempt be made at the threshold. Ask at the Desk for Assistance With These Items, prompted the signs on several glass display cases featuring certain perhaps unsettling curiosities within - books in arcane languages, skulls from indeterminate creatures, and artifacts such as a green glowing cube suspended on a chain. At said desk, a gleaming service bell sat waiting, should the staff be needed and not clearly present.

Illyana finished affixing the large engraved plaque to the wall beside the double-doors, and then returned to attend the newly opened library with little fanfare:

Madonna Inn Expanded Public Library

Established ~01.25.2018 Earthly Gregorian Calendar

Open All Hours

Volunteer Staff on Duty as Schedules Allow

Classes & Tutoring for Most Subjects Available Upon Request

Donations Encouraged

Disruptive Patrons Will Be Zealously Evicted

Comments

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_igmatized]

"Were you a barista back home?" She asked, mostly making conversation, but also curious. She wouldn't blame anybody for finding ways to do something around here, whether it was something they were used to or not.

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_artliving]

"I was not. I had no appropriate papers for employment." Not even a citizen of Earth, much less a citizen of any locality. "I simply... enjoyed coffee drinks. My usual skills are not much in demand, so I have decided to do this instead."

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_igmatized]

Yeah, that made a depressing amount of sense. Sunny's parents had gone through the immigration process well into her early childhood, and being highly educated and skilled people they'd been considered desirable. And then they'd gone back on all of that and returned to Nigeria. For her sake. Sometimes Sunny didn't wonder at all why her dad didn't like her. "What skills are those?"

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_artliving]

"I am a warrior. A general and a ruler, even, for a time. I wished to be a diplomat, but that... never worked as I wished it would." Had everything gone as she'd wished, she and Karolina would be married, ruling Tarnax VII, and solidifying true peace between Majesdane and the Skrull Empire.

But of course, none of that had happened. A peaceful life on Earth hadn't happened either. But Xavin could be peaceful in the Inn, and that wasn't nothing. "I never wanted war. I am happier here."

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_igmatized]

"It's good to know some people are." Not that the inn was a place of misery exactly, but there was so much boredom, and so many family and friends left behind. Even in such a small place with so many people around, there was so much loneliness.

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_artliving]

"Yes." Xavin shifted his weight, then started actually mixing the mocha together. "I imagine that this is not an improved situation for most people, that I am an exception. Perhaps that is another reason I am choosing this. Making coffee is a small attempt to make other people happy."

Re: OTA (coffee area!)

[st_igmatized]

That got a little smile out of Sunny. "That's kind of you." She paused. "I'm luckier than some. I've got a few friends from home here. But I've never gone so long without speaking to my family."