(open) 📚 interest check

[recluserose]

Username/Display Name: steinbeck
Server Channel: #book-club-wip
Time: October 17th, Afternoon/evening

Greetings,

This is Amelia Steinbeck, a guest at the Hotel Caelum, and resident of Room 700.

It appears that books are a universal constant and so I am bestowing an open invitation to other guests who are interested in discussing fiction and nonfiction so that we can bridge cultural gaps and gain further understanding of other cultures and customs through the medium of literature.

Here is a sample of what we'll be reading to discuss as a group. I am open to other suggestions and the structure will be loose; you need not read these if you have a book you'd like to read silently during and after discussions.

Book Title	Author	Genre
Pride and Predjudice	Jane Austen	Romance
Emma	Jane Austen	Romance, Comedy, Historical
Andersen Fairy Tales (Various)	Hans Christian Andersen	Fairy Tales

A time and date will be settled on and pinned so please keep an eye out for notifications. More details to follow. Thank you.

Comments

[recluserose]

[What the hell, she wants to read all of those titles right now. Since she's texting though, she'll mask her excitement because she hardly keysmashes and is in fact quite formal even when sending instantaneous messages.

... Though not that formal compared to Gale apparently.]

All of those titles sound excellent. I appreciate your contributions, Gale. I'm especially intrigued by Magic of the Weave.
I'll add them to the list and we can alternate books so it isn't just my selections.

As for the devices I am happy to assist and answer questions about them. I understand how difficult they can be to acclimate to but I've had to adapt quickly for my job since we've incorporated new teaching methodology using the newly developed tools.

[netherese]

[When it comes to the written word, he doesn't know any other way! Besides, he may go by his first name and a Title, but he doesn't know if they're yet friendly enough for him to simply call her Amelia.]

I was hoping that one would catch your eye! I had a good feeling it might, given the subject matter, and I am always and ever ready and eager to discuss magic in all its forms. It is poetry in its own right.

I knew there would be no one better to ask than someone who teaches as a profession. I do really prefer handwritten missives, or a simple Message when appropriate, although I confess to often being far too wordy for the latter. I will say, learning to erase a letter or unintentional space did a great deal to help my frustration.

[Thanks, Minato!]

[recluserose]

[Minato, the honor student...]

In my case, magic is literally executed through the knowledge of many types of languages. But we'll put a pin on that discussion for another time.

Once you get the hang of it, you'll be glad you've gained the skill to type. You'd be amazed at how many documents you can produce without having to touch a piece of paper. I do confess, for on-the-fly notes, I still keep a pocket notebook and pen. You can be relieved that those remain as needed as ever.

[nerds]

[netherese]

Is that so? Fascinating! I will be sure to keep that pin in mind for later on.

I'm glad to know the old standbys still have their place. I can't imagine giving them up completely. This method is painfully slow... but I do confess, the legibility is much improved compared to the hands of many of my colleagues.

[NERDS...]

[recluserose]

You really just need to utilize the method with high frequency in order to become proficient.

Not to brag, but my typing speed is about 90-95 WPM (words per minute) when I am not encumbered by other distractions or required to slow down.

[netherese]

Practice makes perfect, as they say, regardless of the skill in question. Not to worry! I intend to keep at it. Another challenge to surmount, another skill to master.

That does seem exceptionally fast... you are able to manage that without magical enhancement of any sort?

[recluserose]

It's all practice, no magic.

Being well-learned in writing rules and conventions makes it easier too. Typing speed doesn't mean much if you struggle to figure out what you're writing

[netherese]

Fortunately, I don't think I'll have much trouble with that part. Not to brag on my own behalf, but I've done quite a bit of writing in my time as a result of my scholarly pursuits.

[Maybe just a bit of bragging.]

It does seem a worthwhile endeavor. Admittedly, I have never counted how many words I can write in a minute with parchment and ink, but even for all my years of practice, I've no doubt it's considerably less than 90.

[recluserose]

[Fortunately for Gale, Amelia doesn't find the bit of bragging all that bad. There's a difference between pompousness and plain self-assurance with few pretenses. In this instance, she can tell it's the latter.]

Let me know if you need my consultation about typing. I live nearby and our floor as you know, provides plenty of space for studying.

[netherese]

I will most certainly do so. Thank you in advance for your time, as well as your willingness. If there is anything I might do for you in return, you need only say the word. I intend to do my utmost to be a thoughtful and helpful neighbor!

[recluserose]

Well, I suppose in between the vacation and merrymaking, I could use another magic user to bounce ideas off of or give feedback regarding spellcasting exercises.

Otherwise, I can't really ask anything of you without getting to know you better.

[She kind of had to stare at her screen to doublecheck to see if that message sounded okay or not.]

[netherese]

I would be quite glad to offer my services in that regard. I think it would serve us both well- I'm certainly glad to have another practitioner to discuss such things with!

As for the rest, I suppose that's fair enough. I've no doubt we'll have plenty of opportunity for you to do just that. In the meantime, I am very much looking forward to the first meeting of your book club.

[recluserose]

Sumina and I are thinking of providing refreshments for the book club so I'm doing a bit of a headcount on that note. Do you like hot drinks or cold drinks? And for snacks, sweet or salty?

[netherese]

Is that so? A lovely idea. I tend to prefer hot beverages, myself, with the exception of a good glass of wine, but I'm not terribly particular when it comes to snacks. My palate is as curious as the rest of me! I'm interested to try whatever may be on offer.

[recluserose]

Luckily for you, I'll make sure there's some wine at the book club. Hot drinks shouldn't be a problem either.

[except for espresso]

Now that I think about it, I've been giving out candies at random from my world. I think you'd like some of those. I gave Astarion one although I'm not sure what he'll think of it.

[And that's because, if her guesses and theories about him are correct, he may not be able to truly taste the glory of Warheads.]

[netherese]

We've not even begun, and you've already proven yourself to be a remarkable host!

I'm certainly interested in trying them, whatever they may be. I do enjoy sweets as much as the next person, and it's been some time since I've had the opportunity to indulge. Campfire meals don't often come with dessert, I'm afraid. As for Astarion's opinions... well, I'm sure you've heard him speak his mind well enough already.

[recluserose]

Yes.

He talks.

A lot.

[netherese]

Even moreso than I do at times, which I assure you is quite a feat.

[recluserose]

You two must be quite the chatterboxes when you're in the same room together.

[netherese]

Depends on the day, as does the tone of it. Give it time. You may find he's not quite so prickly as he seems, though in the meantime, I hope to have nice enough manners for the both of us.

[recluserose]

For what it's worth, I'm certain I don't dislike him.

And if you're both friends, I'm certain that says a lot about the both of you.

[netherese]

All good things, I hope and pray!

[recluserose]

I think for you, it tells me that you're able to befriend the most unlikely individuals.

[Like herself. But she won't type that.]

For Astarion, I suppose it means one can get accustomed to him given enough time.

[That is the nicest thing she can say about him, goddamn]

[astarion]

[HOW DID YOU GET SO GOOD AT TYPING SO QUICKLY

BACKSPACE BE DAMNED]

[netherese]

[OBNOXIOUS PERFECTIONIST AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL. And a lot of patience. It takes forever.]