7.0 - Voice

[no_fastolfe]

[Private to Chromie]
Madam, I've been directed by my warden to seek work. Since I am already somewhat familiar with the library, I would like to know if there is room for another among your staff. The lab is full and I do not want to work with the ill or with food.

[Private to Sherlock] (after the successful conclusion of the discussion with Chromie)
I have employment, as dictated. The lab being rather saturated, Chromie has accepted my help in the library.

Comments

[strangehistorian]

Sure, no problem! We're looking for more now that Ardent seems to have vanished.

[no_fastolfe]

Excellent, and thank you. That should appease my warden...

When shall I begin and what functions are necessary? Shelving, organization, and-?

[strangehistorian]

I like to familiarize myself with the layout - harder than it sounds, the library seems to expand as you explore it - and help people if they're looking for books. We used to go out and [clear throat] enforce book returns, but without the Goddess, I don't think anyone has the taste for that any more.

[no_fastolfe]

A-ah.

I could automate reminders on their communication devices? Sufficiently... attention catching ones?

[strangehistorian]

Oh, that would be wonderful! Goodness knows I wouldn't know how to do that.

[no_fastolfe]

I can code it in an evening. ...whether I will be granted access by the Admiral to put it onto a communicator is quite another thing. But perhaps if a computer terminal could be added to the network...

[strangehistorian]

I'm not familiar with that term. Hold on just a moment.

[A beat as she flips back in her mental copy of Brittanica.]

Ah! A device to enable the operator to see and correct the words as they are being typed into a computer by a keyboard.

...Now, what is a computer?

[no_fastolfe]

[Vasilia's lips go thin, the impression rather like she's eaten something sour. But she reigns it in.]

A computer is a... logical processor. Consisting generally of a keyboard for input, a screen and possibly printer for output, and the ability to quickly perform billions of mathematical and logical operations. [She holds up her sleek little communicator] This is a computer, although not a very powerful one, and it is specialized to communications.

...you really should have one in the library, it would make recording the new books easier. [Haha, Vasilia, assuming a database could keep up with this particular library]

[strangehistorian]

Ah! I see, thank you. All of the definitions in the book are very recursive. I think we may invent something similar on Azeroth!

[no_fastolfe]

Are you close, presently? Such computing is the first step dowager true automation--which allows hu- the species possessing it to advance geometrically once achieved.

[strangehistorian]

We do have crude automaton constructs, but they tend to be clumsy and prone to explosions.

[no_fastolfe]

Based on mechanical logic, I assume?

[strangehistorian]

I really do not know, I have only seen completed ones. I would assume so.

[Fade?]

[no_fastolfe]

I think I should like to see one one day!

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

Very good. I'll be in shout-able distance then, when the next crisis arives.

Though, now that I've said that, I suppose we'll all lose our voices.

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

This place disturbs my intellectual equilibrium enough that I am almost tempted to tell you not to 'tempt fate.'

...as regards the personal matter we spoke of earlier, the literature you recommended has been educational and... provided clarity.

It would be interesting to talk further. -not about that, it's not fit subject matter for polite conversation, but about Earth history, perhaps. If I must be placed under your authority, I think I would rather that we could communicate. You are... not as anti-intellectual or reactionary as I had originally assumed.

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

It's not fate, it's a supremely vindictive Admiral.

Good. If you have any questions I'm willing to answer them. [Not looking forward to, perhaps, but willing.]

Anti-intellectual? No that's not an insult that's ever been used on me.

You'll find various texts in the library that will help you build a better picture of the worls. I'm not a teacher and I've very little interest in explaining the basics to you. But if you have any questions or conflicting opinions, I'd be happy to discuss them.

When do you start at the library?

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

I'll take my first 'shift' on Monday.

And I don't want basics, the minutiae of government; I want the culture of the place from a citizen, one not sent to Aurora purely to discredit me. To Spacers, all Earthers are alike, all anti-intellectual and technophobic to an irrational extent.

[Conflict moves across her face] You have expressed a desire that I move beyond that generalized conception. And you are certainly not from the same collectivist society that birthed O'Brian-- who, I must say, is everything that we were ever warned Earthers could be.

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

Hm, while I'm willing to be your, Earther example. There are a couple of problems. Firstly many of us are, apparently fictional. Our Earths are not exactly alike. Our own experiences point to that.

Secondly, I am not an example of the norm. Of course, there is no such thing as normal, but what I mean is, don't limit yourself to a handful of people. We are all individuals. [He doesn't say it like it's a good thing. Superiority complex? oh yes.]

But yes, to go back to the main point, I would be happy to assist in debunking your prejudices.

You're welcome to visit me before Monday if you wish. My cabin is right by the library. If you're willing to brave the Barge's latest... additions, that is.

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

Better an extraordinary individual than an ordinary collectivist, Mister Holmes.

[She winces] The... the things at the corner of our vision are now supplemented by the uncontrolled decay. And-- vegetation? I do not wish to leave my room if I must not, but perhaps at the library next week?

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

Very well.

Have you had the significance of halloween explained to you? Or are you already familiar with it?

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

I am not familiar, no, though I have seen a few references on the network? What is it?

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

In America, a benign holiday, where adults dress up as various mythical and supernatural creatures, characters from popular media, that sort of thing. They then proceed to get drunk and have sex, presumeably. Children do much the same, only with less debauchery and more sweets. Fear is apparently a part of the festivites, though I fail to see how.

In the rest of the world we mostly look on in bemusement at those goings on, though it has been steadily growing in popularity. Sweets, alcohol and sex. All you need to satiate the common man.

As for the origins. A pagan festival, originalting in the Northern hemisphere, where this time of year corresponded with Autumn -- the post-harvest, pre-Winter change over. Life to death and so on. How a sombre festival like that became this mockery of chocolate and plastic masks, I have no idea, but you see where the general Barge creepiness is starting to tie in?

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

Life to death in an extreme fashion-- and analogously, wholeness to decay. How.. symbolic.

Do we know, then, what the culmination will be? I doubt that it will be sweets, copulation, and alcohol.

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

Unlikely.

From the references veterans have made regarding past Halloweens, I can only assume death, destruction. Possibly invasion. I would take Miss Parker's advice to heart, if you have not already done so.

... Do you have any means of defending yourself?

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

[Her mouth pulls to one side]

I have a light. I have begun to carry non-perishable food. I do not...

Against what am I meant to defend myself? Apparitions and plants? Even if I were versed in violence-- I am not-- what would be effective against these strange phenomena?

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

If in doubt, set it on fire. I'll not deny the existence of magic, not when we have actual wizards and witches on board. But there is very little that cannot be rationally explained in some manner or another. If you don't have the means to make fire, I believe I have a spare box of matches here somewhere.

Also, I'd like you to check in once a day. You needn't say anything beyond your being alive and well.


[ooc: we can totes assume the check ins]

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

With your permission I could take a butane torch and striker from the lab. I would not use it destructively.

I will schedule a reminder to check-in daily at noon.

[ooc: she will actually be quite diligent about them.]

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

I am sure you understand the consquences should you do so, or should you allow another to do so. [Yay, responsibilities.]

Well then, let's schedule a face to face meeting for Monday. I can meet you in the library, it will make research easier to undertake.

[Private]

[no_fastolfe]

There are few individuals aboard I find so worthy of my own self-sacrifice that I should risk what luxuries I have. [Lemonface.]

You will find me there as promised, and I shall perform to Chromie's expectations. [She says with a chin lift.]

[Private]

[byronicsherlock.livejournal.com]

I'm sure. Until Monday, then.