004 » video

[seem]

Tranquility.

[ It's with a warm sort of politesse that Petyr addresses the network this time around, a crimson sash draped over one of his shoulders and a new set of robes upon his frame. Visible next to him, at the fringe of the image, is a girl with chestnut brown hair and her hands folded in her lap, who should prove familiar to at least some upon the ship. ]

I inquired some months ago as to the existence of a physical library, and was informed that the ship lacked such a facility. As such, I have taken it upon myself to begin one for the sake of those who would prefer the feel of a solid page than the, ah. Furnishings that the ship provides. My collection is meager, but it is more than what was available upon my arrival. Should you care to take advantage of it, I can be found upon the fifth level, next to the quarters that Alayne Stone — [ at the mention, the girl sitting next to him smiles prettily and offers up a wave ] — keeps as a seamstress. She has offered her help in my endeavor, to care for the books in my absence.

That said, should you be willing to part with them, we would greatly appreciate any spare books that you might have. This service is without charge, and meant simply for the comfort of those upon the ship.

I have taken the liberty of attaching the list of the books collected so far, and hope that some of you, at least, will find some use in it.

[ And, with a duck of his head, the feed cuts out. ]

ATTACHMENT.


ooc: feel free to talk to petyr or alayne or both!

Comments

video;

[tumbleweeds]

And what if we've already donated?

[ Teasing, but really, you're welcome for those self-help books YOU TWO AND YOUR ISSUES COULD USE THEM ]

video;

[seem]

[ EXCUSE YOU, JAYE. ]

Our gratitude isn't enough?

video; DOUBLE TAP

[wont]

[ Like father, like daughter. SHADDUP. ]

Then higher is the esteem you hold in our hearts.

video;

[deadandred]

Well, that's real helpful. Don't suppose you got a how-to guide on these devices, in there?

I know some, see, but I'd like to know more if I could.

video;

[seem]

Unfortunately, we have no such guides, but should you care for lessons, I would not be averse to sharing what I know. I had a teacher, once, though she has since taken her leave of this ship.

video;

[grndnpnd]

[ Here's Tommy. Here's Tommy rubbing his nose and looking a little disconcerted 'cause making suggestions isn't usually a thing which he does. ]

Lotta people who don't have books might remember some. If you got somewhere to write it down.

video;

[seem]

[ It's that disconcerted quality that first makes itself clear to Petyr, a number of assumptions as to the cause popping up in its wake.

Whatever conclusion he settles on, his answer doesn't change, delivered as steadily as his first communication had been. ]

Is that an offer?

[ It's a good idea — his tone, curious rather than condescending, says as much. He doesn't know where parchment and ink might be found in that sort of quantity, but the inhabitants of the ship have proved resourceful enough. ]

[voice]

[yardbird]

I've, uh... I actually got some books recently that I wouldn't mind donating, I guess. Like you, I'd rather not be starin' at a screen all the time when I read.

[video]

[seem]

[ Petyr's smile seems almost sheepish when he hears Murphy's answer, as if it were some kind of embarrassment to ask for anything of the ship without offering anything proper in return. ]

As I said, we would be extremely grateful. [ Then, with a laugh: ] Though I have come to be used to the devices — "old habits die hard." Isn't that the saying?

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

Though they're meager, you both have my thanks for this. This is a gift indeed.

[video]

[seem]

[ He glances at Alayne as he answers, a smile falling somewhere between pride and a fatherly sort of fondness flickering across his face. ]

We seek only to repay the generosity shown to us, do we not?

video | THREEWAY!!!

[ownership]

I have a book, but it will not be helpful. It is fictional. [ Blink. ] You are Petyr.

video

[seem]

[ Without missing a beat: ] Pleasure can still be derived from something that might not be strictly helpful.

And yes, I am.

[wolfinthesnow]

Are you going somewhere?

[seem]

[ A-ha. ]

Not immediately. It's a precaution, more than not.

video »

[mathematically]

[ Lydia has vague knowledge that you two are related, because she can read. That does not, under any circumstances make her feel less at ease with Alayne sitting next to Petyr and waving. (Then again, Petyr, you seem nice, maybe Alayne just talks to Peter and that's the end of her creepy older male thing.)

Still. Books. Books she might actually want to read. ]

If we're new we don't know where those quarters are exactly. Five floors is kind of a large distance here.

video »

[seem]

[ Petyr is quick to offer up a proper smile, slightly warmer in light of a less widely broadcasted communication.

Gently: ]

I'm sure either of us could meet you near the lift entrance should room numbers prove insufficient direction.

( A C T I O N )

[wont]

[ There are those that say there is nothing to do upon the ship but to Alayne, there is plenty. People to speak to and some to mind, things to be sewn and mended, direwolves to be brushed to glossy, books to be read. Small things, trivial things, but to Alayne a great comfort. She has had enough of kings and thrones and grand wars fought between them. And though she still has a love for courtly things — art and dance and the recitation of poetry — her love for court itself has waned.

There is none of that aboard the Tranquility and while there are other perils, she still thinks it a blessing. She spends what time is left between answering various missives perusing one of the collection's volumes. One of Jaye's salvage from Strela. A 'self-help' book.

Eventually, she frowns: ] I am not certain why anyone would read such a book. It is like carrying around a silent septa, only in very small form.

[seem]

[ At her words, Petyr glances up almost immediately, the line of his mouth going crooked as he considers the book that she holds. ]

To my understanding, they are not uncommon outside of our world, [ he notes, placing his device down as he turns to her. ] Some would appreciate the presence of a silent septa, I imagine, if only for a shallow sort of encouragement and the illusion of betterment.

[video]

[cl_cl_claudius]

[He's figured out the video function! Sort of. Claudius doesn't have the best grasp of how to keep himself in frame, and his hands are always hard to keep quite still, so here, Petyr and Alayne, have a shakycam shot of a pleased-looking Roman emperor.]

A most useful and c-considerate end-deavor! I am recently arrived and unable to f-find this l-list you say is "att-ttached," but I c-can at least contribute a few scrolls. I have all of L-livy's "Books from the F-foundation of the City," and Pollio's history of Rome, which I would be glad to share.

[And it is really just too bad there aren't any classicists onboard to go asdfjkl; at the idea of getting to read Pollio's lost histories or the missing parts of Ab Urbe Condita, but hey, Claudius doesn't know that.

I could also c-copy out more works I h-have from m-memory, g-g-given paper.

[video]

[seem]

[ Though his face — and the things of which he speaks — is unknown to Littlefinger, interest seems to light up his face almost immediately. Though not quite a classicist, and without any practical use for that accumulated knowledge, he's developed something of a fascination with the workings of other worlds, and the manner in which Claudius speaks (stutter aside) is at least vaguely familiar. ]

I would be glad to help you manage the devices in exchange for the scrolls of which you speak, [ he offers, remembering to tack on a somewhat more humble, ] if it would so please you. As for paper— [ he glances aside, leaving the matter to Alayne. ]

video;

[mansuetus]

[ Hello Alayne's father and Alayne, she looks curious. ]

Would you accept scrolls in a neat handwriting? While I do not posses books of my world, I have quite a lot of poetry and literature safely held here -

[ with a smile, she points to her heart. ]

And I would write them so that others may enjoy them.

video;

[seem]

[ As soon as Lucrezia's image appears, Petyr ducks his head in a makeshift bow, demeanor slightly warmer than it had been before. ]

Whatever you would offer us, my lady, we would gladly take.

permavid & text.

[culver]

we can read them?

[seem]

[ Easily: ] If you would like to, yes. They are free for perusal by the whole of the Tranquility.

[jilt]

My, haven't you been busy.

[seem]

[ It's been a while since they last talked, and Littlefinger can't quite help a smile when Irene's number comes up. ]

I'm sure the same could be said of you as can be for us.

video;

[meal]

[There is formality in her tone, though it is clear that she is trying to conceal a little excitement as well. Books could very well prove to be her only comfort here - needless to say that makes her a little eager.]

Hello. My name is Eden, and I have no books of my own to share with you, but - I was wondering what kind of stories you have?

video;

[seem]

[ With a cursory sort of nod: ] Eden.

[ He pauses only once to consider the question, glancing behind him to scan over the makeshift shelves. ]

Though the collection is small, we've quite the variety already, from poetry to histories to simple tales.

video;

[ringbearer]

[if it is one thing he has missed dearly, along with uncle bilbo, the shire--things he can still keep to mind, it is books. ]

I think that is a wonderful way to occupy one's time here.
[ when he says it, it carries no weariness; only a hushed sort of pleasure. ]
To read books, to learn from them has always been one of my dearest ways of passing the time.

video;

[seem]

That makes a handful of us, at least, [ Littlefinger notes, with the same sort of easy tone. ] Though I confess that, on my part, it was somewhat to do with a lack of talent for anything else.

video;

[stimulations]

I may have the ability to recreate some, following that other suggestion. Though I have to admit, I've never tried my hand at bookbinding before.

video;

[seem]

We don't expect much, by way of binding. So long as the pages stay together one way or another.

video;

[withfireandblood]

I have nothing I can offer. [ No books with her, and although she has read she hasn't thought about putting anything down (though she probably couldn't fully recall a book) ] But I would like to visit. [ Maybe read that Westerosi poetry ]

video;

[seem]

We would be honored by your company, [ Littlefinger says, with a half-executed bow, the gesture made difficult simply by their methods of communication. ] It is but a meager service, but I hope you find it to your liking.

video;

[sweetmotherofgod]

[ Oh man, books! Heather's not even going to bother to try to hide her excitement over this. Her reply is late, but it's because she's been agonizing over that list. Nine months without an actual paper book in her hands and now all this choice? ]

This is so cool. If nobody's snagged all the poetry yet, I'd love to borrow a volume. It's been so long.

video;

[seem]

You are free to them, [ Littlefinger responds, turning to glance behind him briefly. ] You know how to get to the fifth floor, I trust?

video; locked /latest

[siring]

[So this is the father.]

I've always been a fan of paper and ink myself - I'll have to come visit sometime, Lord Baelish.

[A smirk moves across his lips as he says the name. He's been hearing interesting things about you.]

video; locked sob gpoy

[seem]

[ If Littlefinger has heard of Klaus before, he makes no sign of it, offering up the same polite smile that he has to everyone else who has expressed an interest. That he already knows his name is another matter, but — again — that he doesn't let throw him off. ]

Of course, [ he says, with a dip of his head. ]

Forgive me, but — have we made acquaintance already?

[bruxisms]

A library.

[ always suspicious. not to mention... "Alayne Stone"... ]

[seem]

Yes, Your Grace.

[ A pause. ]

A comfort, for some, we hope.