[Video] 001

[blessedmaiden]

[The video opens up on the library and someone is clearly adjusting the camera: she's not that good with technology and she just failed to fix everything before starting... but it doesn't matter does it? The green haired woman trots in the middle of the screen and waves to the wall behind the camera (Gods, technology makes her feel like an idiot every time) before clearing her throat and holding up a book that has probably seen better days: the cover is covered in mold, the book itself is still dripping water, not exactly the best sight.]

Greetings, citizens of the underworld! I'm Rydia and I'm speaking to you all from our... lovely library. If you've been here before you probably know this is the state of most books in this place, others are written in some gibberish language no one managed to translate so far- at least as far as I know- and the rest is either burnt or talks about the most mundane things I've ever seen. I mean, if the census of all cats in Kanzas 1850-1860 -now with names- is your cup of tea I'm not going to judge but... definitely not mine

[And, without too many compliments she dumps the old tome she was holding on the left] But- in this sea of disappointment there is a light... [Rydia holds up a tome, like trying to build excitement over such a boring thing, and slowly opens it revealing white pages.] some of them are blank.

Now, I'm not saying books are the most exciting thing one can work with but it's something we can have here to pass the most boring days between one of the supposed Gods [Much sarcasm here] decides to play a prank on us. How? We can write books ourselves.

We all come from different places, have different backgrounds and different cultures, this would be a wonderful way to share pas of what who we are with the others. And we can create cheap and easy entertainment for everyone. It's not necessary being real writers and if you don't know how to... you could just come here, I volunteer in taking care of the writing part of it. I... oh, and if you have issues reading I will be glad to help with that too, of course!

[She's starting to feel really awkward talking like this...]

That's all, I think. Let me know if anyone would be intersted in contribuiting, I will try to write something myself... Thanks for listening, have a good day!

[Have a somehow embarassed wave... and look her get up, drop her 'transmitting device' on the floor and swear (At least for a Feymarchian, it's something about 'Leviathan's balls') before finally being able to turn it off.]

Comments

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[knifecollecting]

You think us writing books is going to be more interesting than anything else we could do?

[Jo doesn't look convinced.]

[blessedmaiden]

I wouldn't certainly stop someone for trying something different, quite the contrary, if you have suggestions about what we could do while waiting for... whatever in this place I'd love to give anything a chance.

That being said... I like books?

[knifecollecting]

There's a lot to do just to survive. [Well, as Jo sees it, anyway.]

[elegant_and_proud]

That is a wonderful idea.

[She's thought of trying something like that, but hadn't considered approaching the network as a whole about it.]

I spoke to Fingon about having occasional musical events, where the musicians of the community could perform for everyone, and those who wanted to learn would be able to find a teacher.

[blessedmaiden]

Ah, I'm certainly glad you

[Well, Rydia wouldn't say 'no' in case help is offered, that's for sure.]

Oh my! That would be amazing! I admit I don't know how many musicists we have here but that would certainly bring even more a sense of... community. What better than music to bring people together? [She may not know how to play anything and maybe she's not even such a great singer but- the summoner is definitely enthusiast about the idea.] I would certainly try to help with those if possible!

[elegant_and_proud]

I have no idea how many musicians are here either, but it would make our time here more pleasant and less dull.

[She thinks for a moment.]

Perhaps a group could be formally established for all matters pertaining to the fine arts? Literature, music, visual art, dance, and so on? The Hadriel Arts Society or something to that effect.

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[restinglichface]

[Let's be honest, Lup has pretty much zero interest in books. She loves stories, loves to tell stories especially, but handing her a book would result in it just being flung over her shoulder and out of sight. For her, it was all about the act of telling or hearing a story instead of simply reading one off a page. Spoken word is what breathes life into them in her mind, not static scribbles on paper. Still, she thinks of Lucretia, writing furiously with both hands into two journals at once, and knows immediately this is the kind of project her friend would take great pride in working on. Lucretia (and Barry and Cap'n Port) may not be there with her, but after half a century together, Lup just can't ignore their importance in her life either. They are her family.

So, if it was important enough for Lucretia to keep such a perfect record of their adventures beforehand, maybe it's important enough for Lup to share some of those stories with Hadriel too.

Just the funny ones though.]

So, here's the sitch. I may have some stories to share, but I can't really write. You can help with that?

[blessedmaiden]

Hello Sitch!

[Rydia waves, at least talking directly with someone doesn't make this whole 'talking in the camera looking at the wall' less awkward. ]

Of course. It will be my pleasure to help those who cannot read or write. In case I could even try to arrange some writing classes but- for now feel free to contact me and I will let you know if I'm in the library, I will be there to help!

[restinglichface]

[oh gods, she made a mistake]

Uh, it's Lup, actually. [Is all of this really worth it to honor her friends?]

And I can read and write. [She speaks six different languages and graduated the top of her class at her home world's university, thank you very much.] I just don't write stories professionally. I've always written essays or theses, but stories take a different kind of thought process.

[Recording her own stories would be impossible. Her mind runs far faster than her hands can write. She'd never be able to keep up with her own thoughts.]

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[notimpervious]

[Oh! This is an effort Brennan can contribute to!]

In my home world, I am a New York Times best-selling novelist. I have written quite a few books. One of them was recently adapted into a film.

[Which is to say, people like her work! Surely the people in Hadriel will also enjoy her writing.]

This is a good idea. It will contribute to our overall wellbeing for as long as we are here.

[blessedmaiden]

I... am afraid I have no idea what Newyark is- or what films are as well but I'd certainly appreciate the support of a proper writer! And I'm actually really curious, ma'am, what do you write about usually?

[Because wow, she never met an actual writer before- nor she hoped to find one in the city.]

That's what culture and art are for, am I right?

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[utulien_aure]

My people's tales are more often sung than read, but I think plenty of them might still suit your project.

My cousins would know more; I can check with them if they do not answer themselves.

[blessedmaiden]

Well, I was talking with lady Ikaruga and we both agree on how it would also be nice to organize musical events as well, in case you're interested. Having access to different kinds of entertainment would certainly benefit the community as a whole, not everyone enjoys reading.

Anyway, I will be at the library to distribuite empty books, if you're interested.

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[jocoeur]

Hmm... ( a thoughtful looking young man appears on screen, looking around at rydia's surroundings as he seems to contemplate the situation. don't worry, he won't judge your techno-flubs. )

I'm not sure about writing stories or sharing them with others but... would you mind if I used one of those as a journal?

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[blessedmaiden]

Of course not! those aren't my personal property, they belong to everyone in the city, I'm just trying to do somehing with them instead of having them abandoned in here. Plelase feel free to drop by anytime to get yours.

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[the_fourteenth]

[He's still getting used to phone technology himself. The video could use to be less crooked and more focused, but it's better than nothing?]

I'm not much of a writer, but I was thinking of doing my best to organize what little is salvageable, since I noticed a lot of them were blank, too. I'll need help, though, only because the place is so big. Doing it myself would take far too long.

[There's a somewhat awkward pause as he figures he should say something about the weird family situation they just went through. He feels a little bad about being uncooperative, but he at least understands now why he was having trouble getting fully into his role as son and student.]

... I wanted to apologize for making you worry while we were, um, "family". But I think subconsciously I must have known what was going on, and why I didn't want to participate.

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[blessedmaiden]

[Still better than Rydia's results, her videos are usully barely focused and a mess to see.]

Organizing them.... seems like a good idea, at least to recover the few that are actually legible and gather more white ones, if you want to join forces I'd be more than happy to help.

[She chuckles nervously looking away from the screen, between bigot remarks and overall... not open minded attitude she wasn't certainly the best person to have around. To think she's strongly supports love as long as it's love and is a magic user herself...]

I should apologize as well, I do love magic and I just... don't think any of us was right in the mind last week. I should apologize for hiding away your almanacs of black magic and trying to convince you it was all childish and unnatural stuff. [She was a terrible mom, okay?] That being said, if you still need anything, son, feel free to ask me anything, okay?

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[sonofacesius]

[Will's still a little afraid of using the cell phone, despite having been using it for 2 months and not having succumbed to a single monster attack because of it. Old habits die hard, especially when monsters in your world can zero in on demigods using anything that transmits a signal. He had a right to be nervous.]

I used to have a library back home, in my Cabin, full of all these books on my father, Apollo. I'd be happy write down some of the stories. They'd be in ancient greek, but Hope translates all that stuff, right?

And I'm sorry for....everything that happened. 'Mom'.

[Sure he had other stories to tell, stories of the Battle of Manhattan, the Second Titan War, the Second Demigod Civil War, the Second Giant War.....lots of battles. But those weren't just his tales to tell. If anyone should tell them here, it should be Annabeth or Nico.]

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[blessedmaiden]

[At least he knows how to use one? Rydia isn't going to judge his diffidence considering how much she struggles with it- the only reason she no longer washes her clothes in the river is that being a 'mom' for a week in a normal family automatically teached her how to use a washing machine- but don't let her anywhere the oven, please.]

I would certainly appreciate it! And- I think he does? I mean, I bet we're all speaking different languages to some degree... anyway, I'd love to read tales from your world, please let me know if you need any help with writing them.

And no... No. I am sorry. All the things I said about your life, about how you were supposed to be a certain way to be considered 'normal', that must have been more than unpleasant.

[Video] I AM LATE I AM SORRY

[yearrounder]

[She's just going to pretend this isn't awkward, okay? Okay.]

That might actually be a really good idea.

Re: [Video] NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE

[blessedmaiden]

[Hello dearest daughter, glad to see you're faring well.]

Ah, Annabeth! [She should probably apologize for all the things she said about being a 'proper woman', shouldn't she?] I'm glad you like the idea... and I have to thank you and will because you're the ones who gave me the idea of recording the books, if we'll get some, for those who may not be able to read or may just like to listen to a voice while getting asleep.

Uhm...[There's an awkward pause] thanks for bearing with me last week.

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[dragonsgrasp]

[Although he's kind of... stayed away from Rydia in person, this is a much easier way to communicate. It's not like he wants to avoid her, but he has to, given how awkward things are now. They'd really... they'd really been husband and wife in all aspects. He doesn't know what to think about that.]

I suppose that's one way to keep our memories of home intact.

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[blessedmaiden]

[Oh, hello honey, she hasn't seen you around since you probably realized you weren't her husband! The awkardness is all on his side, to be honest, she just accepted what happened and tried to find the positives of sharing the bed for a week with the dragoon. If anything, she enjoyed the view of all those non-armor-covered muscles! Anyway... apparently the summoner didn't mind it. And since it's his first approach she knows better than making fun of him- teasing him can wait. For now.]

Indeed. And I'm looking forward a chance to enjoy other people's experiences and culture. [Still, there is something she has to ask.]

So... how are you feeling?

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[noctyourking]

[ He is pleased to find he wasn't the only one with this idea! ]

I have been there and thought the same thing.. why haven't we recorded our findings and truths before? [ Noct is seen sitting with a mug in front of his chest. He has good posture but there's a bit of a slouch to him as he focuses on the green haired woman. ]

Also.. we could propose a writing group?

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[blessedmaiden]

[She smiles widely at the man, waving her hand to the camera]

Indeed, there's so much we could do with the resources we have. And... I honestly wonder if all the ruined and unreadable books were recordings from those who happened to be here before, not just something Hope messed up.

[She weights up another of the mold covered tomes, opening it just to see stained pages with little to no ink left on them. Such a shame... The woman shakes her head, smiling in the camera once more.]

Absolutely, sir! That would certainly be interesting- and right now I'm accepting all suggestions, mabe I won't be able to do everything but since we're trapped here it's worth giving everything a try, right?