beware the library ghost!

[airdnd]

Username/Display Name: un: elderflower / dn: SH.
Server Channel: #general
Time: one fine morning sometime after Book Club

To my fellow guests:

First, I would like to thank everyone who attended Miss Amelia's book club meeting last week. Please remember to thank her for organizing it!

Secondly:

I'm sure we are all aware of supernatural or occult happenings taking place at the hotel from time to time.

That being the case, I would highly discourage anyone from remaining on the library floor after-hours. For one, it seems to decisively close at midnight, leaving you with no way to return to your suite, but also, it appears that a ghost may be haunting the premises thereafter.

[ or, you know, get trapped on purpose to have your own ghostly encounter (?) she's not your boss. ]

All to say: it may be unwise to spend the night at the library, no matter your skillset or ability or no matter how comfortable and cozy the seating there may be. The library houses many great works from across the universe, and I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring no harm comes to such a collection. It would be best if we simply refrain from angering the after-hours ghost there.

So... please plan your visits accordingly.

Sincerely,
Sumina Heartleaf

Comments

[netherese]

[In fact, he did! Thank you, blanket fairy!]

I've no doubt that if you saw something, Sumina, it was real. You're not the sort to fabricate such tales, and I know there to be at least a few spirits on the floor my own residence is on. Something about ghosts and libraries, apparently. One can hardly blame them for wanting to enrich themselves after death, assuming it wasn't malicious.

That's not quite as comforting as you may have hoped it to be, Miss Heartleaf.

[airdnd]

[ time to change the subject then hehe! ]

A moment... Your floor is haunted, too?

And just making certain - you are still living on that floor?

[netherese]

They're friendly enough and don't bother those of us who live there. I believe they're simply there to add to the ambiance. It's not your average library, but quite a fascinating place to stay. Should you come to visit, I promise none of them would trouble you in the least.

[airdnd]

That sounds... almost charming, actually. Have you tried communicating with these friendly ghosts?

Perhaps I'll take some time to visit there, then.

[ Especially since she is a little bit. Spooked by the library floor at the moment... ]

[netherese]

Oh, of course! Said hello, discussed the weather, that sort of thing. I'd be happy to introduce you, if you'd like.

[The Spooky Library floor he lives on is clearly less spooky than the actual library.]

[airdnd]

[ Well... This might as well happen. ]

Ah. That sounds perfectly pleasant. Perhaps I should have tried conversing with the library ghost more earnestly...

[netherese]

It's entirely possible they were a friendly sort, as well, though there are certainly spirits out there in the world who are not. I've met all kinds in my day.

Regarding the library itself, though... ah, might I ask you something privately?

[airdnd]

Of course you may, Gale. Feel free to message me privately. Or perhaps I could pay you a visit instead?

Whatever your preference may be, I am at your service.

DM!

[netherese]

My thanks, Sumina.

I did note your mention of the library being rather cozy despite your experience there. You didn't happen to see anything... strange, did you?

🔒

[airdnd]

Apart from the ghost? No, nothing strange, though I did see something rather sweet.

🔒

[netherese]

Sweet, you say. I suppose that's better than strange. Perhaps strange was the wrong word, but did you, perhaps, glimpse anything unexpected?

[airdnd]

Unexpected, yes. Most certainly.

I hope the extra blanket was to your liking, Gale?

[netherese]

Ah, so that was you, rather than Tara. I had thought her lack of thumbs might have made the draping a touch difficult.

That was very kind of you, especially considering your own adventures.

[airdnd]

The ghost had left me well enough alone by the time I happened to walk by where you two had fallen asleep. This sort of thing happens a lot at the Elderflower Inn, too, so please don't think too much on it. I'm just glad I was able to find another blanket rather uneventfully...

You two must have been very tired.

[netherese]

It had been a rather long day, so yes, I suppose we must have. That aside, I believe Amelia may prefer to preserve a certain image of herself.

[The one where she's stern and no-nonsense, naturally.]

[airdnd]

I understand that very well, Gale. Rest assured, it would never be my intention to paint Ms. Amelia in any other light than the one in which I see her: as an upstanding, hardworking and respectable woman. You needn't worry.

Despite what I've said in my initial message, I'm certain that there are many other guests who are likeminded in spending their time at the library in such ways with one another.

[ and in spicier ways, no doubt, if her boarding school days were anything to go by. ]

But two friends falling asleep in each other's company shouldn't be too scandalizing, right?

[netherese]

I was certain you wouldn't need to be told as much, but I confess to being a bit anxious about this in particular. I suppose I have no reason to be. As you said, two friends falling asleep after a long day is hardly scandalous.

[Friends. Yes. That's all they are, in truth, even if he doesn't quite feel so.]

No doubt we were all exhausted after how lively book club was!

[airdnd]

Maybe so... Or perhaps you two had quite your fill of refreshments and had what I've learned is called a "food coma."

May I ask why you feel such an anxiousness about it?

[netherese]

I'm afraid I may have offended her recently, which is likely most of the reason why. I would like things to remain friendly, and given what a private person Ms. Steinbeck is, I worry that word getting around might trouble her. Silly of me, I realize. I'm most certainly overthinking things.

[He has some idea of why he's doing exactly that, but he's not certain he should commit that to text here.]

"Food coma." Is that what people call it here? I've certainly seen such things before, but never heard a name for it.

[Surely focusing on that will distract him from all these worrying crush feelings.]

[airdnd]

[ Meanwhile, Sumina, who is attempting to trade this goss to Astarion... ]

Perhaps you are, or perhaps not, but regardless, how other people behave or react to the information is not your responsibility, Gale. Besides that, I think Ms. Amelia is more than capable of addressing such a situation herself, too, if it came down to it.

[ ...if it ends up with her getting scolded for gossiping with Astarion somewhere down the line, well!! That's how it be. ]

"Food coma" is what Mr. Gojo called it, which means it could very well be a term that he and he alone uses.

[netherese]

Ah, yes, that is very well possible. One must consider the source in such cases, and fond as I am of him, he certainly does follow the beat of his own drum, doesn't he?

[You trade that hot goss, Sumina. Don't worry about what an anxious wizard thinks!]

I do thank you for helping to soothe my nerves. You're quite right, there's nothing to worry about.

[airdnd]

Yes, though even that feels like an understatement.

[ (Affectionate) (haha jk) (unless..?) ]

You're very welcome, Gale. I think Ms. Amelia is rather fortunate to have a friend who is so concerned over her.

[netherese]

You're very kind to say so, Sumina. Thank you again for the blanket, it was quite thoughtful of you. I do hope your next visit to the library isn't quite so adventurous!