A Trip to the Library (Tag Faramir)

[dreamplanner]

Arthur was well aware of the necessity of finding a job in the near future. While it was not what he particularly wanted to do, the job at the library seemed decent enough to him, and something he could do

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[faramir_hurin]

I emerge from the break area at the library where I've just put a few things to find a man waiting by the desk. He certainly doesn't look like he needs anything checked out--beyond the fact that he's carrying no books. His modern military position I now recognise, though his clothing makes mine seem very plain. Well, mine is. I do have an idea of who this is.

"I am Faramir. Is there something I might help you with?"

Currently needing to run all over creation, but back later.

[dreamplanner]

"Yes, sir," Arthur said, straightening. "My name is Arthur Penrose - we spoke over messenger about the possibility of my finding employment at the library?"

[faramir_hurin]

If he gets any more formal I'll have to re-introduce myself with rank and title, which I'd rather not do.

"Well met, Arthur. If I may begin by saying that this is a library and not a battlefield--I do not expect those working with me to be so formal." I look down at my own clothing. "My only concession to my former employ is the knife in my boot. Many who come in, especially the students after school, seem to prefer more informal attire."

I smile.

"Not to say that you could not dress however you wished, as long as you were capable of working here. It's not particularly difficult for most--I was unaccustomed to most modern technology when I first began." Hm. "Have you familiarity with the modern library numbering system from Earth? Do you know anything about using a computer?"

[dreamplanner]

A shadow of a grin crossed Arthur's face at the last questions, which he thought over as he tried to relax.

"If you mean the Dewey Decimal system, then yes, I am familiar. I had two years of college, and my job in my world is mostly...research. I know how to use a library. And computers, yes, I am very familiar with them. The work I do for the Army is very technological."

[faramir_hurin]

"You're ahead of me when I started. You'll know the numbering system and be able to help people find what they need once you know the sections of the library. I still have difficulty when people ask for help with the computers." I can do a few things. "One thing that cannot be done with them is contact the outside world. The special mail on the computers does not work to contact outside the village."

No more than we can send written messages.

"Most of the work here involves helping people check out or find what they need to find and re-shelving materials that come in. No one is required to work in the children's section--besides shelving books--unless they wish to. There is a locked section that contains special books, often magical ones. That is, books of magic and not books about magic. They cannot leave the library and no one goes into that room alone. You wouldn't be required to go in there if it made you uncomfortable."

Some people don't like or don't believe in magic. That can make it difficult.

[dreamplanner]

Arthur raised an eyebrow at the mention of magic.

"I don't believe in magic," he said simply. There was no judgement in the words, just his firm opinion that everything could be explained by science. "I am sorry if you do, but I have seen nothing to give me any proof that magic exists, and I have seen very many strange things."

Dream-sharing was hardly in the realm of the normal, after all.

[faramir_hurin]

"I do believe in magic, but I have seen it done. There is magic in my world, though I'm sure there are worlds that do not have powers like that." Not every world has the same things in it. "If you prefer, you may choose not to assist with that aspect of work here. It is not for everyone, and those who require access to that room are few."

Telling a magic user that he doesn't believe might get him a demonstration, possibly of the lessoning type.

[dreamplanner]

"I will do what is necessary for my job," he said with a shrug. "And if it can be proved to me that magic exists, I will be glad to believe it."

Perhaps the whole idea of "belief" was that it was something that wasn't proved, but that concept escaped Arthur.

[faramir_hurin]

"As you wish it. Should you meet Draco Malfoy when he comes in, he might be willing to give you a demonstration. He is one of the people who may possibly wish to see those books and he runs the apothecary." I would also like to think that Draco would be good-natured about it and not do anything untoward.

"What times are best for you to work?"

[dreamplanner]

"Any time. I don't keep set hours, so whenever you need me would work."

This was one of the strangest interviews he'd ever had, and his normal career was stealing things from people's dreams. What kind of a place had he ended up in, anyway?

[faramir_hurin]

"I am usually the first person here and another on the staff prefers later in the day. Your schedule may move around more to fit, since you're able to work that way." Very convenient for all of us, actually.

"For all the village strangeness, work here is mostly very simple. Like everything else, when it becomes strange it can become very strange. We deal with it the best we can at the time."

An explanation of the catacombs can happen later.