[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 & Maya

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"Not really," Kitty said of whether it was better or not. "It still happened and keeps happening." She shook her head. They didn't need to rehash what had happened when a bunch of humans exercised their hate on other humans. "People suck."

Taking a moment to reassemble her usual composure, Kitty put her hand over Maya's briefly in gratitude for the support. "I'm sorry you had to experience and left before you could make it right."

Re: Kitty & Maya

[st_oryinsilence]

"Me too." Maya wouldn't have been required to register. She didn't have any powers. She didn't have to be out fighting criminals. But first they came for the..., and she was a deaf, Indian costumed vigilante. Opposing registration and standing with those who did was the right thing to do. And a way to remember Cap's legacy.

"But that's why we do what we do, right?" It hadn't been why Maya first donned a costume and took to the streets, but building a better world, protecting the ones who needed protecting, that was a hell of a lot better than vengeance.

Re: Kitty & Maya

[st_alksthroughwalls]

"Honestly," Kitty said quietly, a little subdued. "I'd been doing it so long I forgot why. I even tried to have a regular life, go to university, use my brain instead of my mutant abilities to make the world a better place. But the Sentinels came after us there."

She remembered how angry she'd been and felt the impotence of being stuck here that she'd done her best to ignore. "I forgot that 'normal' isn't an option and other people paid for it." Maureen would say it wasn't her fault, but Kitty knew better. "From those to whom much is given, much is expected," she said and it sounded like recitation. "My people have a practice called tikkun olam. It means to heal the world. So, yeah. Long way around, it is why we do it."

Re: Kitty & Maya

[st_oryinsilence]

This was part of Kitty's story, and her people's story, and Maya accepted it and the gift of Kitty sharing with her. She sat with its truth, adding it to other wisdom she'd been shown.

"The first time I put on a costume and went out into the night to fight, it was out of vengeance." Turned away from its true target by a lie that could have ended with a good man killed. "I found it, not where I was looking, but it didn't fill the hole inside me. I went on a vision quest, in the ways of my people, and realized – we have the power within us, all of us, to plant something positive in the hearts of those who need it."

The small smile had hints of some private amusement, that deepened when she decided to share. "A realization that came to me in a lightning flash and Logan's fists."

Re: Kitty & Maya

[st_alksthroughwalls]

Maya's stillness was what caught hold of Kitty as much as her words. She had a way of being right there in the moment, a mindfulness that reminded her of no one so much as the cantor who'd sat with her during shiva for her father. It was hard now as it had been then to let the wisdom of it seep into her, when hurt and rage were the more powerful emotions.

She was still finding her way to accepting it when Maya's expression offered up a smile. That, she had no trouble letting in or answering with an echoing smile. "I hope you gave his inspiration right back to him."

Re: Kitty & Maya

[st_oryinsilence]

It hadn't happened exactly that way, the order was wrong, but for story it felt true. "Oh yes I did. And would again too."