For Sylar

[downsidedarling]

Crimson Grand Library, colloquially known as the Grand, is a massive underground complex (incidentally connected by tunnels to the venue that held an Ensorra concert just yesterday). It's also the first place anyone in Downside would look if they wanted to locate someone

Comments

[the_brain_man]

Sylar's eyes sweep the building -- it's grand, impressive even, but the wonder is tainted by the fact that he can't see what he's looking for. In the contractors' building, his details were found with his address, so his hope is that the process could be reversed.

But amongst the quiet breathing, the dead hearts beating and the spirits of woodworm rustling in the shelves, he cannot hear the hum of a computer.

After a few moments, and slipping on a friendly face, he casually approaches the librarian. "Excuse me? Do you have public computers here?"

[downsidedarling]

She looks up at him and blinks once.

You might almost call it recognition.

The minute frown that creases her features is the only further sign she gives before replying. "Yes," she says - quiet, but not remotely soft. "Down that hall, first left, then third right. Keep your voice down, please."

It's probable that she treats everyone like this.

[the_brain_man]

If it's recognition, then there's nothing he can do about it now. (Damn that contractor. He will find out how to hurt her, if it takes him a thousand years down here.)

He doesn't speak again, but nods his thanks, keeping the smile in place. Her directions lead him to a small bank of computers, as old and cheap as the rest of the electronics in this place, which are sputtering away to themselves, sounding more like piledrivers than computers.

Still, they'll suffice.

The swivel-chair is ancient and shudders under his weight as he quickly seats himself and peers at the flickering screen.

[downsidedarling]

It runs Windows 95. (Is anyone surprised?)

It appears to have something resembling an Internet connection, as well.

Also, the hard drive has a small wobble to it. Not enough to significantly impair the function of the thing, but it's there.

(The other four aren't much better. A frayed power cable here, a busted floppy drive there.)

Like all library computers, it directs the hapless Internet user to the library's own website first of all, and joy of joys, there's what looks to be a sort of yellow pages.