walking down the trousers of time

[freedom_is_grey]

Ysalwen is standing by the fireplace, cloak in hand, half-turning to go out the back door and then turning back, scanning the crowd as if looking for something.

Or someone.

Liranan, too, is practically vibrating in place.

Taking cues from your person can be a difficult thing to bear, for a mabari.

He cannot make this better!

Comments

[freedom_is_grey]

Liranan does not shoulder-check the puppy, just ambles along contentedly at her side.

"It -- well, I've never actually been to the university in Orlais -- "

Shockingly.

" -- but this one. Well. It seems like it could go on forever, if you were the kind of person that could keep walking forever. Kind of like the garage, I suppose. Or the upstairs hallways."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen blinks.

And says, carefully: "I've never been there, either. To Orlais. Or the garage, or upstairs. Is it -- safe?"

Beat. "Well. Orlais we can leave off."

[freedom_is_grey]

"As safe as anywhere in Milliways, really. Maybe safer, because both places have a lot fewer people in them."

Her smile is crooked.

"You won't get lost. It's not -- built for getting lost in. Just. Every book and every mechanical invention under the sun take a lot of room to house. So. Technically infinite space. But -- it's not bad. And with the books, at least, shelves interrupt the view."

[howtoactfereldan]

"...everything?" Cullen says, lost. "You mean -- truly? How do you find anything?"

[freedom_is_grey]

"The same way you find anything, really?"

This is probably unhelpful.

"You go looking. And, well. I did come up with a scrying spell to help in locating items. I've used it on the Jaegers, mostly, down in the garage. But it works for books, too. And there's a kind of catalog. And the shelves are mostly labeled."

Um.

"Here, let me just get my tablet -- if you still want to go?"

It's just in through the door and up the stairs, but --

[howtoactfereldan]

"Yes!" Hastily. "Yes. I just -- wanted to know whether I should be armed." He gives her a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

[freedom_is_grey]

"Oh!"

Oh.

"You can be, if you want? I usually am. It -- "

She doesn't fidget, though she does fetch the tablet -- a smallish silver-grey rectangle with a black screen -- and tuck it under her arm while talking.

"I usually am, just in case a bookshelf falls, or something. Sometimes I'm too impatient to go find a ladder."

[howtoactfereldan]

"...I doubt a sword would help with that," Cullen manages.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Maybe a great-axe?"

What?

[howtoactfereldan]

...she's teasing him!

Cullen says, loftily, "You're thinking of a polearm."

[freedom_is_grey]

"If that's what you recommend, I'll keep it in mind."

Because sometimes you just have to slice a bookshelf apart before it crushes you!

Or something.

"It's just this way. The library, I mean."

Not polearms. Or axes!

[howtoactfereldan]

A polearm, properly deployed, will hold up a bookshelf long enough for one to crawl out from under it.

"I'll follow you," Cullen says.

Much more cheerfully.

[freedom_is_grey]

Improperly deployed and you're crushed while also severing a limb!

Alas.

"All right, then."

There's more energy in her stride as she goes up the stairs, moving like someone who is going some place she has gone so many times in the past.

Will Cullen forgive her if she flings open the door dramatically?

(She's going to do it anyway. But still.)

"And here we are."

Shelves. Shelves farther than the eye can see. And some tables, too. Maybe a desk or three. But mostly shelves.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen's voice is automatically hushed.

(As far as he's concerned, dramatic door-flinging is entirely warranted.)

"Do we -- where's the... thing that tells us things? Or can you show me things?"

[freedom_is_grey]

"The catalog is this way. I think there may be a computer, too, but I -- generally don't use that."

For many reasons. Not least her tablet!

"But -- here, let's sit down for a minute or two and I'll show you the section maps I've done."

They're kind of helpful!

"And then we can decide what to look for just now. Siege weaponry, otherworldly or historical? Or -- "

[howtoactfereldan]

"...something I'm likely to find useful?" he says, blankly. "I -- if I can be sure of browsing without getting permanently lost, I would like that. So perhaps the maps?"

What is this 'computer'? If there were anything else but an infinite library in front of him, Cullen would ask.

[freedom_is_grey]

Ysalwen has not yet set herself to learning programming. Or computer engineering.

Maybe next year.

"There are a lot of tactical essays by people from many cultures. A friend gave me a few. They're context-dependent, but still useful. There might be something there, as well."

She pushes a button on her tablet, flipping open the protective cover and propping it up on the table.

"So we're here. The nearest books tend to be about magic, at least when I've gone looking. These shelves here are where I find my engineering texts, which makes me think that should be where we'll find others. Chemistry and physics are here, and ancient Earth history is there, and I've found some interesting Warden works over here -- "

Math, philosophy, and tactical discussions are also contained in her very basic map.

"There are probably works on lyrium, as well. If you ever wanted to look."

Speaking of --

"But for anything that wouldn't be where I've already looked -- the card catalog is this way."

[howtoactfereldan]

That... tends to go in one ear and out the other, because this is --

He doesn't touch it. "Is this... some kind of -- magical equipment?"

The tablet. He means the tablet. It glows. And shows images. And responds to her touch.

[freedom_is_grey]

"No. Nothing like golems, either, thank the Maker. It is powered by something like lightning, but it's science and technology all the way. Some other worlds consider them indistinguishable, but -- "

Well.

"I can tell the difference, so."

[howtoactfereldan]

"...could I get one?"

It would be useful. Very useful.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Bar is very accommodating."

She grins, quick and bright.

"We can send Liranan down to fetch one for you now. I'll just pen a note -- "

Liranan perks up. He likes being helpful!

Does Ci want to come? He can show her how best to deliver messages to Bar! Then she can be helpful, too!

"There are a few other programs it's useful to have on one of these . . . "

Like processing text documents. And creating spreadsheets in which to organize data. Including budgetary data. And . . .

[howtoactfereldan]

Ci barks, circling Liranan; that's a definite yes.

Cullen, meanwhile, is trying to process this.

"You're saying... I can have a summary of everything in the stores? And put it all side by side, and keep track of changes over the year?"

Cullen's eyes are gleaming. Ysalwen has created a spreadsheet monster.

[freedom_is_grey]

"Yes! I don't take it back with me, really, because people will pay attention to the damnedest things, but you can print out the sheets! And bring them back that way."

She grins.

"Mistress Woolsey has become quite pleased with my bookkeeping of late. For instance."

The dogs, meanwhile, are going on an adventure! Liranan has Ysalwen's note held lightly in his teeth. It is the easiest way, as long as he does not drool!

[howtoactfereldan]

"I think I have a new project," Cullen says.

He does not steeple his fingers. He sounds like he really wants to.

"In addition to catching up on recent developments in siege engines."

[freedom_is_grey]

"Shall I leave you to it, then? Once Ci and Liranan get back, I mean. I've -- got half a thousand research projects in some stage of completion, so I can certainly get lost in the stacks for hours, myself."

A pause.

"Liranan will remind us to eat. If you were worried. About that."