caughtinanetwork | [Video/action] Wherein she visits the library

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[Video/action] Wherein she visits the library

[She had heard rumors of this place, she was pretty sure that someone had even told her about it earlier, back when she was less acclimated to this undersea world. She had been walking, still growing used to being around a large group of people, when her nose had caught scent, of all things, paper; large quantities too. Having spoken to the librarian and finding out exactly the place was, she decides to call Signless in a bout of giddiness. Still not that adept with the comm, she manages to send it broadcast instead.]

[Disciples excited face appears in the video, clearly something very good has happened by the smile on her face. Finally finding words, she speaks.]

SIGNLESS! THIS PLACE HAS BOOKS! FOR FREE!

[She is immediately hushed by someone off-screen. Looking in direction of the voice she apologizes, but continues at a slightly quieter tone.]

They said I could borrow some to read, and then can return for more later! Isn't that amazing!?

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[Richter would find it terribly ironic that the Disciple had mistaken him for a human if he knew.

He frowns.]

You've never been in a library before?

[That's just not right.]

[Shes bad at telling other races apart. They have strange skin colors and didn't have any horns. Weird.]

Its a long story, but yes. They had Libraries where I was from, but they were mostly use by the highbloods. When I was older we were hunted for treason, so I never really got the opportunity to visit one. We had books, yes, a few here and there. But the sight of so many of them together, in this building... It is amazing! They even have a section of books from Alternia ...The place I am from.

High bloods?

[There's a trace of contempt in the words; that sounds like something Richter is all too familiar with.]

That's a rather unfortunate set of circumstances. You don't seem the treasonous type. But it's...curious that there are books from your home here.

High bloods, uh... [How to explain this?]

My people are separated by the color of our blood. The color of the blood we are hatched with generally dictates our lot in life. The scale sort of starts with rust colored blood as the "lowest" and working its way up a color gradient all the way to fuchsia; The blood-color of the condesce herself.

Those on the scale starting with the ceruleanblooded and up consider themselves the nobility and rulers over all the other so called 'lesser' blooded castes. It is a bunch of nonsense, and far more complicated then that, but that is the quick explanation.

[It was all a bunch of crap used by the highbloods to rule their 'lessers'. She hated it all, an not just her matesprit tried showing them a different way.]

The whole treason thing was because my Matesprit, Signless, tried to show everyone there was another way of doing things. A way better for everyone. A way everyone could be happy, and those bastards went and ki...[She takes a deep breath. She was getting over-emotional. She needed to change the subject.]

Sorry. I got a little carried away. The books thing, the way I understand it, its the doing of the scientists who brought us here. They brought pieces of everyone's home life here to help..? Study us? Make us feel better here? I don't know. It is like that Nostalgia Nook[She shudders slightly at the name.] place. Little pieces of home, I guess.

That seems like a ridiculous thing on which to base a hierarchy.

[Yeah, that's definitely familiar. What was with using blood as an excuse to oppress those who were different? Seemed to be a pretty common theme in many of the worlds he had heard about.]

Matesprit?

[He waves a hand dismissively immediately after asking.]

Never mind. Sounds like he had something good to strive for, but those who believe themselves superior will always do whatever it takes to maintain the status quo.

[Richter looks a bit uncomfortable at the small show of emotion. He isn't very good at comforting others.]

If that's true, maybe I will get lucky enough to find something from my own world somewhere within these shelves. Or I could even study the literature of other cultures, considering I have more free time than I know what to do with.

It was not very pleasant, especially considering how much better everything could have been if they had only listened to Signless' visions of what could be.

[She does a brief glance around the library from where she is standing, trying to see if she could see something from the world he was from. But then it occurs to her...]

What world are you from, exactly? I am a little short of knowledge of other cultures at the moment; Something I hope to remedy soon.

It's unfortunate that he didn't manage to change things. How different would things have been if he had succeeded?

[Learning about other worlds and culture like this was a chance Richter didn't want to pass up.]

Aselia. I haven't been in here more than twice before, so I haven't found any books from my world yet.

If he had succeeded...wow. Uhh, it would be vastly different. Trolls of all colors living together in peace. No more isolation, terror, hatred. It may have seemed a pipe-dream, but Signless had seen visions of our people living in harmony before. It's a shame they were to caught up in their hatred to let themselves believe it.

[Two can play at this game, but shes a bit more rusty.]

Aselia... Is that where humans come from?

Edited 2012-08-02 11:16 (UTC)

Then I am sincerely sorry that his visions never came to pass. Very few have the courage to try and make their dreams a reality.

[Good thing Richter is in a generous mood.]

It's where some humans come from. I can't speak for all of them. But there are more than just humans on Aselia. There are also elves and...half-elves.

Thank you for your sentiment. It is truly terrible how things turned out, but at least we are together again here in Vatheon.

[It didn't hurt too bad as long as she focused on the here-and-now. Having back Signless and Psii helped her cope, but she would never escape the Specter of That Night.]

Oh! So humans can come from different worlds.[Its more then she knew a minute ago.] Oh! Your world has many sentient races? How do they get along?

From what little I know. I don't exactly spend a lot of time talking to humans. I prefer to read about the other worlds.

[Richter shifts slightly, the only sign of his discomfort.]

Not very well. Humans think they're better than everyone else, elves are the same way, and both of them look down on the half-elves and treat them as inferior creatures that don't deserve to be treated decently.

[Whoops, his bitterness is showing.]

[She senses the hint of animosity in his voice, but is more intrigued by what he said. He had already said it before, but it finally clicks. Half-elf. So the other half is... human?]

So Humans and Elves are capable of inter-breeding? And then they mistreat their progeny? Does the mingling of blood cause problems? Or is it more of a social taboo that drives the hatred?

[Disciple: Master of sensitivity.]

They are, and most of the time the ones mistreating half-elves are those with prior prejudice. A majority of the time the parents are alright, but some end up abandoning their children. Interbreeding can cause health problems in the child, but it's impossible to know whether to not that will happen. Sometimes the child will be more like a human, or more like an elf.

[He adjusts his glasses.]

To be honest, I'm not quite sure why there is so much hate for half-elves. Prejudice is probably the best explanation for it.

[Prejudice. Bigotry. Intolerance. Such mundane words for such an ugly thing. They made her so very angry. It was because of closed minds that she and her friends were hunted for treason. Even the words themselves could inspire anger in her.]

I would like to say it was comforting that my world was not the only one suffering from close-minded jerks. But really it just fills me with a terrible sadness. I just wish it were possible for intelligent beings to co-exist without needed to cast hatred at their so-called 'lessers'. Its just so very depressing. We should all be treated equal, why should color of blood matter? Why should your parents being different matter? As long as you are an intelligent creature, you should be affored equal chances.

[Wow, channeling something she hasn't called upon in a long time. Disciple forgot how much she used to do such things, calling for equality amongst her people, alongside her beloved and her friends.

Sorry, I get... preachy some times. [Apparently.]

I feel the same way. I would like nothing more than to be able to change the way things are, but I'm probably the last person that would be listened to in regards to such matters. If only my world had more people like you.

[He shrugs slightly.]

Your desire to change things is admirable. There's no need to apologize.

[She says nothing for a couple seconds, his statement caught Disciple off guard. Having such a sincere compliment paid to her, took her a little while to process. Eventually, a large smile spreads across her face.]

Thank you. That means a lot, actually. Some are adverse to those they view 'self-righteous', I am glad you do not view me as such. It... has been quite awhile since I have had the opportunity to speak such things; Openly at least.

[Richter actually smiles, just a bit.]

Well, glad to have been of service, miss.

I really do appreciate it.

[She offers a sigh to nobody in particular, in honor of what waited for her when she returns. Then, she moves on. She was in this undersea place now, and had a second go at things. A chance to try new things; Like her first time getting to be in a Library.]

I suppose I should get back to doing what I came here for. Though one more question before I do...

[A sudden look of chagrin spreads over her face.]

Two, actually. We have been having this wonderful talk and I do not believe I asked your name; I apologize. I am known as Disciple...

Disciple...?

[Weird. But it's not exactly his place to ask.]

My name is Richter.

Yes, it is a title-name. I had a hatching name as well, but it has been so long since It has been used, I do not remember it.[She had forgotten a lot of things during her exile. ]

It was a pleasure to meet you, Richter. If you ever want to know more about trolls, or just want a friendly ear, give me a call. Before I go, I have one last question.

Do you have any recommendations? [She gestures at the surrounding stacks of books.] I have already been given a couple ideas, but I would like to hear if you have any.

I will have to take you up on your offer one day.

[Richter almost wants to ask how long it takes to forget your own name, but that's a conversation for another time.

He looks around, then shakes his head.]

At the moment, I'm not familiar enough with the books to offer recommendations. My apologies for not being more help.

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[Video/action] Wherein she visits the library

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[action] sob, sorry, been busy with classes