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[pishirogane]

Since this is the widely available method in which to reach the others who have come here, I will make use of it. I understand people are still settling into Märchenstraße in order to fulfill these roles thrust upon us and my friend and I are able to further assist.

Where we've taken residency, there is a library that holds the various faerie tales and myths we've become part of. Should you wish to know the details of your character and the story they are from, we are willing to oblige in answering these questions.

[Message down, Naoto lowers her quill and looks around at the books she currently has stacked. Perfectly content to not visit town for a while again.]

[OOC: Kanji or Naoto will be answering.]

Comments

\o/

[bellbound]

[Drat. He's been seen. Tempting as it is to run off or play dumb, a resident of the castle may be his best bet for locating the library. At least it's only a man who has found him, and not whatever the "Beast" is that presumably owns the place.

He pauses, assessing the newcomer, the tip of his tail twitching from side to side. He's wearing a red leather collar, so perhaps not a stray. There's an intelligence in the cat's gaze too, a fact that becomes clear when he speaks.]

It is a little chilly out there. Are you a resident of this castle?

action

[topgun_textiles]

[Ah, he sees the collar. Not a stray. But he was way too far from the villages; he had to be lost.]

H-huh!?

[He lost his balance and his butt meets the fine carpeting. With a sigh he frowns, disappointed with himself.]

Right... the animals talk here.

[He looked up and nodded, pushing himself to his feet again.]

Uh, yeah- Castle's mine. Y-y'want a warm spot, I got a fire goin' in the library.

[bellbound]

[Mogget watches this performance with a kind of weary scorn, backing out of the way when the man falls flat on his behind. The natives aren't at all surprised by talking animals. Clearly this man is a newcomer.

...And the castle belongs to him. So is he the "Beast" that communicated with Mogget through the journal earlier? Strange that he seems human, but then again they all seem to have been placed into roles that aren't necessarily suitable. It's a relief to know that there isn't some horrid creature prowling around the castle after all.

And an offer to visit the library straight away, without even having to ask. Convenient. Mogget passes on making any comment on the man's clumsiness, choosing to accept the man's offer politely instead.]

That would be ideal. [He takes a couple of steps forward, ready to follow the man.] So, you are Beast. Not what I expected, I admit.

[topgun_textiles]

[It was something he was hearing more and more from his friend as time went on - "You're not very Beastly at all" - and in some ways he took some solace in it. But he knew what he was capable of, and what happened when he lost his temper or found himself locked in a scuffle. It was this that only Beauty knew of, and something this Beast wanted to have happen as little as possible. He just had to keep his cool, is all. He led the way down the carpeted hall, jamming his hands in his pockets.]

You'd be the first to say somethin' like that. Everybody else just turns tail without talkin' t'me.

[Fortunately for the chilly Mogget, the trek isn't too far. He's soon turning the handle and pulling open the door. Inside was the gentle crackling of a hearth, the scent of paper and ink, and the occasional sound of a page flipped. Someone was already inside.]

...Uh, you first.

[bellbound]

[So the natives are afraid of him. Hmm. Best to be wary then.

The library, on the other hand, looks most inviting. Mogget doesn't hesitate to take Beast at his word; he runs in eagerly, looking around. A warm fire, good. And so many books... He cranes his head to see just how high the shelves go. This place is going to take some searching. But that's all right. He can spend a day or two here, no more than that.

He comes to a stop by the hearth, stretching out as the flames warm his fur. Then he looks back at Beast, wondering if he's going to have company here. The library isn't empty; he can hear someone else inside as well. He'd rather be alone, but he can't exactly turn away the Beast from his own library...]

[pishirogane]

So, were you able to catch the directions on your way here?

[The occupant of the library at present set their book down when they noticed something white. They haven't closed their book; on the contrary, they're just being polite to address the Guest that had been permitted inside. Surprise, someone from that first day.]

[bellbound]

[His ears prick at the newcomer's voice and he looks over, spotting her a moment later. Yes... he does recognize her. They met on that first confusing day when everyone arrived in this world.

Mogget trots over, jumping up on to a nearby reading desk so that he can address her eye-to-eye.]

I found my way. [His gaze falls on the book.] Interesting reading?

[pishirogane]

By carriage. Again, the horses run too fast to discern direction.

[Naoto remained on the couch, but she does watch Mogget as he jumps onto the desk.] Interesting enough. It's the Brothers Grimm version of Sleeping Beauty called 'Little Briar Rose'.

[bellbound]

[He'll work out the direction when he leaves. He can fly above the castle and find the town from there. But that's something to do later. Mogget tilts his head at her.]

Your fairy tale?

[pishirogane]

No.

[She turns her head to a small stack of books and scripts] "Beauty and the Beast" by Villeneuve is.

[bellbound]

[And it clicks. She's the person he talked to through the journal.]

You're Beauty.

[pishirogane]

That is correct. Had you not received permission, it would have been out of my hands leading you here. The castle is not meant to be found unless granted passage by the owner.

[She marks her page and closes the book.] So, which character would you be?

[bellbound]

[It's fortunate that he was granted permission, then. There's a short pause after her question, but he may as well tell her; they've already communicated via the journals after all.]

The name on my journal is "Genie of the Lamp". A tale I've never heard of, but I should like to know the story.

[pishirogane]

[She rubbed her chin, thinking. Genie of the Lamp... hm...]

... Yes. "One Thousand and One Nights" would most likely be the actual book you're looking for. [Setting her book down, she was about to go retrieve it. About to, because the maid already retrieved it. Okay, Naoto had to get use to this... she'll call it mind reading because she doesn't want to think the woman was eavesdropping.]

[bellbound]

[A moment later he's in human form, leaning against the desk with folded arms. He holds out his hand for the book, giving the maid a suspicious look. He flicks through the pages, looking at the chapters first.]

There are several stories here. [He looks up at her.] But you appear to already know it.

[pishirogane]

[Naoto doesn't question it. Her brain has all but had most of its logic shot, giving her a migraine, but at least she was dealing with stuff as it came.]

Not all of it. Genies are, however, known as Djinn or Jinn. They're from Islamic and Arabic folklore and religions. If they appear anywhere besides religious text, it would be in there.

[bellbound]

Hmm. Well, perhaps the role will turn out to be as ill-suited for me as yours is for you.

[He stands up, still holding the book.]

I shall find out.

[He'll leave her in peace. Tucking the book under his arm, Mogget goes in search of a quiet alcove to read.]