2019-08-13 - Librarian Meet Librarian

Tuesday, August 13th. Mid-afternoon is a nice time at the library because Harper's morning alone finishes and the assistant librarian, Melinda, joins Harper for the 1pm - 9pm shift. Melinda is a fifty-ish year old woman who is the epitome of what people think of when one says 'librarian' in American society. She'll shush people for being too loud. She likes things to happen a certain way. She and Harper couldn't be more different in many ways. However, the two women are friends. They have a sympatico, of a sort. Although, Harper seems able on most occasions to be friendly with just about anyone.

While Melinda is manning the circulation desk, Harper's currently out on the floor in the fiction stacks shelving returned and new books. It's always a good day when new books are added to circulation. And Harper is enjoying this task. (outfit, not pb: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/60/25/b3/6025b31eca4e848c3ef816563b7fb652.jpg ) Cardigan and all in the cool A/C of the library, Harper's ready to take on the reading and research needs of the community. Currently she's shelving books in Speculative and Sci-Fi/Fantasy. She hums a little under her breath, nothing anyone would hear who wasn't at the shelves with her.

Harper is humming, going along shelving her books. When she goes to pick up one of the books, it slips out of her hand! And on to the floor. Except that it then flips open. On it's own. And Harper doesn't have much time to start processing this before she realizes she is being pulled into the book! Like something out of Jumanji. Her fingers start to elongate and stretch, being pulled towards the book and then.....

Harper falls on to the floor from a foot in the air. What? The carpet below her wasn't the usual thin, worn sort in her library. It was plush, maroon red. Elegant almost. And there was music playing. Soft, but there. A classical sort of tune. She is surrounded by book shelves, stuffed to the brim with books, but they aren't her books. They don't seem to even be in English at first glance.

There's not really time for Harper to make a sound. She stares, dumbstruck, as she watches and feels herself pulled into the book and then spit out on the otherly-carpeted floor. She looks around. This is the kind of library Sherlock might frequent. The game is afoot! Instead of being fearful about the potential ways things could get hairy, she takes in everything she can about this fantastical place, visions of C.S. Lewis dance through her head. Harper pushes up from where she found herself upon the plush carpet and wipes her palms on her skirt as if she could make herself more presentable by doing so. "Curioser," murmurs the librarian, in deference to Mr. Carroll. She touches a spine here and there, fascinated by the perplexing writing. Stepping out and away from the shelves, she takes a look around at the larger space. One doesn't just call out a greeting in someone else's library. So she investigates in relative silence. "If only," she murmurs to herself. "Please don't be the Sideways." Her name for the Veil. The pats the end of a bookshelf with preliminary appreciation for its cooperation in this matter.

Oh, dear Harper. Wouldn't you rather be Sideways than Upside Down? As she walks the shelve, she will begin to notice the lettering on the books will shift and change until she is able to read them. Some titles may seem familiar, while others sound wholly crazy. Like 'Mr. Everly's No Nonsense Guide To Catching Pixie's'. She can sense there is someone else within the library, maybe even watching her from afar.

Soon enough though, the presence will make itself known. An woman that seems both young and old, wise and naive. Her eyes are opaque, or are they blue, like ice? Her hair is dark blue, or maybe a light gray. Horns that seem to made of coalesing energy curl out from her head and she has a decidedly occultist looking mark on her forehead. She is reading from a book with no name. "And so, the Librarians come face to face. One seeking help from the other, hoping that a mutual love of knowledge will allow trust to build." Her voice is musical, whimsical. Enchanting almost.

The book closes and those strange eyes focus on Harper. "Harper Annabelle Price. I have been waiting for you. I apologize for the abruptness of the visit."

Harper takes measured steps toward the librarian who speaks to her, a scanning glance cast around and she looks back to the woman, taking in her strange appearance with a fascinated expression. "This is very peculiar. But I can't say dislike it thusfar, " Harper replies. "Are you planning to set me on fire?" The self-narration draws a smile to Harper's lips. "I've always wanted to say something like that. You have a lovely voice." A pause. "And you know my name quite well. Who might you be?" She stops when she's a short few paces from the other self-described librarian.

The woman studies Harper with a curious expression herself. "Why would I set you on fire? That seems rather counter intuitive. And it would burn the library down." Her gaze lingering. "It is only natural to want to be aware of others in your field of work. Is it not?" She doesn't make any moves closer - giving Harper her personal space. "I have many names, but you may call me Whisper. " Her head turns, looking towards another part of the library with a small frown. Then back to Harper. "I need your help Miss Price. I do hope you can give it. Come with me please." Turning and walking closer towards the center of the library, which has a rather cozy seating area and a large table with a map of Gray Harbor laying on it and various pins in said map. As well as a notebook with elegant handwriting in it.

"Agreed." says Harper with some amusement. "Fires and books are not, together, one of my favorite things." She stops just past an arm's reach away from Whisper. "You are like all my childhood heroines wrapped up in one, Whisper. I may be happy to meet you, in spite of myself. Not every librarian gets to travel via book. Only a wardrobe would be equally pleasant in the beginning." Harper quiets and listens to the entreaty for help, then follows after the ethereal creature. Stopping at the periphery of the seating area, her gaze is captured by the map of Gray Harbor. "My my, but you have your hand in things, don't you, Whisper?" Gray Harbor's librarian tips a smile up toward Whisper without lifting her head, then flickers a look back to the map. "What's all this?" Moving closer, she examines what she can see of the notebook.

"I am happy to hear that you are not afraid of me. I know this world is scary and dangerous, but not all of us wish harmful things." Whisper explains as she focuses on the map as well. "There was a shift. Or two. And some of the books decides to escape." As if the books had thoughts and minds of their own. "I can feel them. When they are missing, when they are borrowed. Where they are at all times." Beware all those who would try to keep one of her books past their due dates! It is now also that Harper might notice a few patrons seated in the area, a little off to the side. They are reading, but their expressions are oddly vacant. "As you might imagine, it is not so easy for me to go into your world to retrieve them. So, instead, I would like to ask you to retrieve them for me." Turning her gaze back to Harper.

"It would be fruitless to be afraid of you, I think. I'm here now. You're here. You are pleasant. I'm not used to leaving when I choose to leave, so why not make the best of a delightful scenario, hmm?" Harper's logic is self-serving but pragmatic. "I didn't realize there were some of you who weren't in favor of harmful things. How does that work?" Gray Harbor's librarian tips up her brows. "That would be a very convenient skill to have. Unless you are saying that the books have feelings, too. Then it might be worrisome." If Whisper takes a seat, Harper does to. If she remains standing, she will do the same. A glance is cast toward the patrons. "Are the books reading them?" Harper inquires of Whisper. Her gaze returns to the creature addressing her. "There is little I would find more satisfying than helping a fellow book warden, but you'll forgive me if all of my experiences with individuals here have been of a decidedly negative bent. What can you tell me about our cooperation that would ease my mind? And why can't you retrieve them yourself?" Another glance to the map to try to make sense of some of the pinned locations.

"More than you would think, I believe. This is our home and we simply must share it with sinister things." Whisper explained. She remains standing for now. "I would not say they have feelings...but they do have an essence. The....Glimmer you call it? Everything here is affected by it in some way or other." She glances towards the patrons and flashes a grin. "Oh no, they are reading but...our books are special. Would you like to try one?" Raising a brow. "After we're finished with our talk of course." She adds in.

"I understand your hesitations." Whisper agreed. "I don't know if there is much I can say, aside that I would be eternally grateful for the assistance. And I could issue you a library card in exchange if you wanted." Lacing her fingers together. "It takes effort to cross over. And if it were only one or two books I might attempt it. But, there are exactly 15 books laying around your Gray Harbor and far too many like you - who have a sense for the Glimmer...who I think would try and cause me harm before asking any questions."

The we're-all-not-evil here line of logic tips Harper's brows up. "Curious." Books have essence. "How are things affected? And are you saying that there is a whole world of people on this side of things? Why is it that I've never met any of you before?" Harper's voice sounds curious more than it does accusatory. "I might," the librarian answers thoughtfully. "We'll see how this all goes." She waves a hand to inclusively gesture to the whole library.

Harper opens her mouth to argue that she hasn't tried to cause harm, but she doesn't disagree with Whisper's description of the likelihood of Glimmery fisticuffs. "So, you're saying that the entire reason I have no knowledge of peaceful beings from your side of things is because those of you who you claim are neutral are unlikely to venture to the other side? What is your interaction with the malevolent beings on this side? Would you perhaps exchange a favor for a favor? Perhaps a show of goodwill I could corroborate with a friend or two?" Harper's tone remains congenial and diffident."You must know that if I could verify the veracity of your claims, that there isn't any way I would turn down your request."

Whisper lifts her gaze from the map to focus on Harper again. "It is just this place. The power, the energy. It touches everything. Affects it differently. It just depends." There's a wry smile. "I can't speak for the others, but I try to mind my own business. If we all started trying to go over there it would be akin to..." She tries to search her brain for a good analogy. "...aliens revealing that they've been living among you all along no? Chaos would ensue." She blinked. Then considered Harper's other questions. "I stay out of their way. " It's a vague answer, and it likely doesn't always work. But she isn't about to get into the nitty gritty details. "A favor for a favor...perhaps. Depending on what favor you are entertaining?"

Harper considers Whisper thoughtfully. "You do understand my reticence, yes?" The ethereal librarian receives an ironic smile from Harper. As far as favors go, "Something usable and helpful regarding the Baxter family and their connection with the malevolent ones, I think. Verifiable and useful. Something that would benefit my friend in his efforts to untangle the history. Certainly you do your research as well." Harper has spent the summer researching the Baxters and related information for Alexander, with only small amounts of success. "Or a way to destroy malevolent bones, if they still are a threat to my friend's health." Harper considers, musingly. "I'm not on the front lines, but information is always the highest form of collateral, don't you think?"

"I do. We are both in a reluctant sort of situation." Whisper says simply rolling the offer over in her mind. "I will see if I can dig up anything for you. On Baxters or Malevolent bones. I am certain something may be able to be found." A look gives over the library before settling on Harper again. "Bring me back one of my books, and I will give you the information I am able to dig up. And then you will work on helping me retrieve the rest of the books." Whisper offers.

Also, because it was neglected to be mentioned before, the pins in the map seem to correlate with possible book locations. A couple in the park, some scattered around down town, in buildings, at least one in or near the Firefly Forest. When they escape, they escape good!

There is a nod from Gray Harbor's librarian in recognition of the untenable situation, be it intentionally deceitful or simply inconvenient for the two librarians. Harper would certainly like to think this version of things is accurate, for a variety of reasons. "Can you guarantee that their retrieval will cause no harm to the people in my community?" Harper adds after a pause, "And may I choose which one to retrieve first?" If it's a matter of only one book being wanted and this being a ruse of a very elaborate sort, Harper tries to balance her own odds by keeping designation out of controlling hands. "What purpose do the books have in coming to my Side?"Harper folds her slim arms across her chest and taps fingertips on an elbow as she contemplates the map like a game board.

"Of course not. Their presence in your community is what is dangerous." Whisper offers and sighs. "The books, I said they are special." As she says it, a soft sort of alarm starts going off. The patrons who were reading start closing their books around then. The alarm ceases when one of them stops it. " When you read them they...come alive. The stories within. If you stay in too long at one time...well, you are at risk of being pulled into the book permanently." The Librarian explains in that soft, patient voice. She is keeping an eye on the patrons now though - making sure they all put their books down and start leaving.

"Winston..." Her tone is warning, like a mother almost, as one of them stares at their closed book. The so called Winston looks a little sheepish before putting the book down and hurrying out of the library.

Then Whisper looks back to Harper. "I don't care which book you bring back first. So long as you bring one. The thin area, between your world and mine. It moves, shifts, and it recently passed through here. I don't quite know if the books chose to leave, or they just happened to get caught up when it shifted again."

Harper listens to the information provided about the nature of the books and their danger to others. Her gaze follows over to Winston and she watches the individual scurry away after his chided warning. "Has this happened before?" she inquires thoughtfully. "Or is this the first time you are asking for help? Perhaps we should make a list that I can take back with me." Harper is thoughtful a moment, "You are the one with the power to cross between. How will I get these retrieved books to you? And is there any danger that one or the both of us might get caught on the wrong side?"

"It has happened once before, long ago. And then ,it was only a few. So I managed it myself. With the help of some who could cross easier." Whisper picked up the notebook on the table, tearing off a list and handing it to Harper. "This is the list of books missing. I will know when you have it, and I will try to make you a way over. After this original book and if we are all in agreement. I will wait until you have all the books gathered, and another way will be opened. Though, "A beat of pause. "I have begun hearing whispers that there are those of you in the town who are starting to cross over here. Willingly. Perhaps you can find one of them and they can open a way. I don't believe there is a risk of any of us getting stuck at this time, no."

Harper considers Whisper's account of the history of precedents. "How long ago?' She moves closer to the map now, taking the list, and crouches down close to it to look more closely at the little flags and their placements. "Will the books obviously be apparent as yours? It sounds as though I should not try to read any of them." Such disappointment for the librarian! "How will you know when I am ready? Is there some sort of notification system I can use?" A little roll of amusement from Harper. "I suspect cell phones don't work." Harper asks, "Are they dangerous in another sort of way that I should be aware of?" People in town who cross over. Harper isn't close enough to the pulse to know who is doing that, though she has some guesses.

"You can read them if you wish. I just would not recommend reading them in large doses. You can try reading one here if you like, like I said. To experience it, and understand what is being dealt with." Whisper explained. "The books will...shine. Like you do. And the others like you do. And of course, when you try to read them...the story will come alive." She elaborated. "As I mentioned earlier, I know where the books are at all times. So, bring the book back to the library, or to your home. And I will know." Whisper shakes her head then. "Nothing else dangerous. They really are harmless in the end so long as you are reading responsibly. But not many people would read responsibly so..." She shrugs then, as if she doesn't need to explain it any further. "As for how long ago. Well before you were alive. Or your parents. Perhaps even their parents. "

Harper nods and lifts a fingertip from where her arms are folded to reach out and tentatively touch one of the little flags on the map. "I'll speak with my friend and then do my best to return the first book to you. Then we can speak again about what your research was able to tell you and decide if we are going to be beneficent cohorts." She pushes to her feet and considers the offer of reading one of the books. Weighing the potential of this all being a ruse to get her to read a book and the possible dangers inherent versus the experience of doing so. "How about after we make our first exchange, Whisper? I think I might like to try, then." Caveat emptor.

Whisper gave a nod. "Do or don't. Either way, I hope I will see you soon." She turns then, and her hand waves - as if pulling a curtain back. Revealing the aisle that Harper originally was in, in her library. Book cart, dropped book and all. "It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Price. I wish you luck, and that you do not need much of it to retrieve a single book." This seems to amuse her a bit. Looking back to Harper, "Enjoy the rest of your day, I appreciate you talking with me. I will see what I can dig up for you."

Harper regards Whisper with a thoughtful expression then smiles. "It was not unpleasant, and for that I thank you," she returns. A glance toward the rise of the metaphoric curtain and back to Whisper. "To mutually beneficial partnerships, Whisper." She takes her list and turns to head for her aisle, glancing back over her shoulder for one last look if the rich library is even still there over her shoulder. Once back in her far more dated and tawdry library, Harper muses to herself, "The game is afoot."