Enlumyne

[pendraeg]

Who: Uther, Tosh, library patrons.
What: The King gathers intelligence. But the librarian ain't no Geoffrey of Monmouth (she's much prettier).
When: Day.
Where: The library.
Rating: B for bookish.
Status: Semi-open and incomplete.

Comments

[complicatedguy]

James rubbed his nose against his scratchy woolen gloves, grimacing at the rough material even as he squinted down at the shelf of books. He was near the entrance, looking at some of the recent paperbacks. Shit, if that Lulu chick wasn't kiddin' about it bein' 2008 or something, then he had a lotta reading to catch up on.

James wondered if Jasper Fforde had written anything new.

[geniustoshiko]

The Aternaville Library, while being rather nice in its own way, really wasn't all that large, at least when compared to libraries in larger cities like London or Tokyo or even Cardiff. Still, it was fairly well-stocked, and Tosh had done a great deal in the past few months to get the computer systems updated.

And with all the strange arrivals in Aternaville, it wasn't odd to see a person looking somewhat out-of-place walk through the door.

However, Tosh was definitely not expecting to see someone who looked as though he'd just stepped out of the Middle Ages! He looked a bit overwhelmed, and Tosh decided to go try and help him sort things out.

"Hello, sir," Tosh smiled, approaching him slowly. "Can I help you with anything?"

[pendraeg]

Uther turned his attention upon the young woman who had greeted him. He had not had much contact with the people of this world as yet, save those of the clinic, but he had observed many of them from a distance. He had, however, noted that the women had a tendency to appear in trousers--and not only because they were headstrong tomboys.

This one was particularly striking in her bright red shirt. And yet, what was more striking-- "Are you...the librarian?" he asked tentatively.

[geniustoshiko]

The man in front of her could definitely be described as 'striking', as well- the clothes, of course, but there was something else, as well. Perhaps just the way he carried himself- it was not something that Tosh had seen all that often.

At his question Tosh nodded, still smiling in her shy way.

"Yes," she replied. "Well, one of them, anyway. Is there something in particular you're looking for?" Helpful and polite suited Tosh, as did the quiet environment of the Library.

[pendraeg]

A learned woman, and such a young one at that. It was clear there was much to be learned about this world, which was what Uther was here to do. "As a matter of fact, there is."

He paused and thought about this. Uther had respected books, learning, and the preservation of knowledge since he was a lad, for the most part because of the guidance of his brother Constans, the monk. But he had devoted his life to the art of war and had left the books to those who understood them better, and only referred to what was contained within them when necessary. It was necessary now, and he could not fathom quite how to begin. "Well, everything."

"I--" He frowned. That was not going to be helpful. For the first time in a very long while, Uther Pendragon was uncertain. "I need to know everything that has changed in the world since the rule of the Normans on the Isle of Britain. Starting with history and military technology."

[geniustoshiko]

Tosh returned with two more boxes, smiling at the wonderment she could see on Uther's face.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Tosh asked, taking in the music. "And you haven't even gotten to Mozart or Chopin, yet," she smiled, thinking of two of her favorite composers. "Just wait."