[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: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_everybodylives]

"I might," she agreed. "Perhaps I simply have more experience occupying myself without too much to do."

Prison would do that to a girl.

"But please sign me up for history and that engineering class with you, assuming you can find students."

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"Even you get lonely," Kitty observed kindly. River Song never said as much, but Kitty had eyes. "It'll be people to talk to about things that interest you."

And she knew she'd find students. Percy was still learning about modern engineering, Corbie wanted to, and she suspected Lillith might be interested too.

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_everybodylives]

"And here I thought I'd become expert at hiding the damage." River murmured, and she smiled sadly. "Lonely but not alone, with people to talk to. I suppose there are worse jobs."

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"I'd be a pretty shitty bartender if I didn't notice the journal or that you never seem like the company you have is the company you want," she replied gently.

Not that River was ever less than pleasant company. Kitty just always felt there was so much she wouldn't say, except to the right person. In that, she was like Kashaw, but he wasn't pleasant.

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_everybodylives]

"Ah yes my diary," it was in her bag slung over her shoulder, she never left it behind not even in her room. "My life is in that book, in more ways than one."

Which was far sadder than she let on she realized.

"And any number of chapters are about waiting." For the company she wanted, to use Kitty's words.

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_alksthroughwalls]

Kitty reached across the space between them to lay her hand over River's. "I've spent a lot of time waiting, too." If not, she suspected, anywhere near as much as River. "If I can keep you company at all, let me know?"

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_everybodylives]

"Company is always appreciated," River gave her friends hand a squeeze. "And now we seem to have an engineering class to devise."

Re: Kitty - OTA - arranging instruction

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"So it does." Kitty smiled warmly. "And if we have no takers, we'll come up with a project instead."



[ooc: fade?]