2. On the edge

[warrior_king]

Who: Gorthan, Open.
Where: The Grand Library.
When: March 3rd, in the late morning.
Style: Prose or anything you like better.
Status: Open.

Since his arrival in Vatheon, Gorthan had mostly kept to himself and to the large apartment he had occupied, only ever going out to visit the coral to replenish himself with energy - Coolflaming anyone was too risky, when he was still trying to assess what sort of place he had ended up in. Vatheon was most strange, and yet, as Gorthan had guessed during his first moments there, strangely reminiscent of the Pit, Evron's prison planet where genetic experiments were conducted. Only, of course, infinitely more comfortable, as the residents were given almost literally everything that they wished for. Was it even worse a prison because of that...?

There was no way to know for sure quite yet. Gorthan's inquisitive mind was forced to recognize that all that was left to do was revel shallowly on the surface of things, which presented an incredibly diverse and colorful population, from more different worlds than Gorthan could ever hope to count. Those worlds... Some part of Gorthan, that vastly repressed one that was always craving for fantasy and escapism, wished to know their stories. All of them.

Today, Gorthan's steps took him towards the majestic building of the Grand Library. While he was at first drawn to it by the stately architecture, what he found inside made him gasp in awe.

Because for all of its power extending through many galaxies, the Evronian Empire could never hope to compile a library comparable to this one. Gorthan's sight was thoroughly filled with books, as far as his eyes could see. Truly it was deserving of the title of 'Grand'...

... Which meant that Gorthan was now torn in two. Were those stories truly worth learning? Or would that literature from other worlds than Evron just pollute his thoughts of war and destruction and cause him to betray his ultimate goal?

While he was already well past the entrance, the Evronian conqueror simply stood paralyzed before the world of books extending before him, unsure whether he should walk back or lose himself to his curiosity and imagination.

Comments

[warrior_king]

Unable to resist the calling of the ocean of knowledge stretching out before him, Gorthan picks up one of the books within his reach and starts leafing through it.

"And are they also, like the guests of Vatheon, from different worlds?"

[bufudine]

Serph gave a shrug, as if to say, "Who knows?" It wasn't like he would know what was native to Vatheon and what wasn't, especially when his own world had so very little. Perhaps some of these books were from different worlds, or were from some place outside of Vatheon.

Well, since Gorthan now had his attention on other things -- thus not requiring the entirety of his own attention -- Serph stepped back to shelve the top book from his stack. "The Nostalgia Nook sells items from other worlds. Everything else may or may not be from other worlds."

There was a certain amount of shared elements common to both Vatheon and other worlds, though.

[warrior_king]

Gorthan looked up from the book, glaring at Serph sternly.

"You're a librarian here, and yet you do not possess adequate knowledge concerning the origin of these books? Pray, what sort of librarian are you supposed to be?"

Gorthan's tone and look in his eyes made it quite clear that he thought Serph should be ashamed of himself.

[bufudine]

Serph was completely unperturbed by Gorthan's JUDGING EYES, and replied calmly, "One willing to learn."

He was already well aware of his gaping gaps in his knowledge, and even Gorthan couldn't make him feel shame for being ignorant of the world outside the Junkyard. And Serph was mostly doing this for the tokens and to learn more about... well, everything, anyway.

Still, he added the reason he was hired in the first place. "There's no one else who expressed interest in organizing these books."

[warrior_king]

Gorthan's glare dissipated quickly as he looked once again at what he could see of the vast ocean of books.

"I can see why most would find it a daunting task." Gorthan replied. "As regards myself, I have experience researching my planet's literature and philology, and I could probably lend a hand."

His eyes traveled back to the book in his hands. He started reading a random page. It seemed to be a theatrical play of sorts... Gorthan was sure that it could never match the quality and poetry of those that the great Zartas had written, of course.

"But I won't. I am simply not interested."

... But the way his eyes traveled along the page, becoming increasingly more engrossed with every line, told a completely different story.

[bufudine]

Uh huh. Serph totally believes you, Gorthan.

There were many who also had vast knowledge about literature, too -- an ocean of knowledge, compared to Serph -- but if they didn't want to work in the library, fair enough. They had no obligation to, as far as Serph was concerned, and he wasn't about to ask Gorthan to do the same as he.

Since he remembered Gorthan's interest in poetry when they met, Serph pointed out the... significantly massive bookshelves dedicated to the art. "All these are poetry."

There's a long line of the bookshelves, at the very least.

[warrior_king]

Serph's words were enough to force Gorthan's attention momentarily away from the book in his hands. He lifted his gaze to the bookshelves Serph was gesturing to, his eyes wide and fleetingly bright with hope.

"Ah, are they now?"

He surveyed the books, walking slow, quiet steps along the hallway. "I do not recognize any of these names and titles." he finally proclaimed once he neared the end. Into his voice he forced coldness, contempt, even, and his eyes were narrow and judging once again.

But soon after, he let out a slow sigh and closed his eyes. Was this ignorance of his truly something that he should take pride in? Certainly, as an emotionless being, he had no time to waste with anything concocted by emotional creatures. And yet, for a conqueror's pride to be fueled by his own ignorance... what a foolish notion!

"Do you believe they would be worth reading, Serph?"

His voice was much different than just a moment before. It was soft, quiet. Thoughful.

[bufudine]

Serph... actually had no idea what the content of the poetry books were. And it wasn't like he had the tools to judge, not having consumed poetry and literature with nearly the same voracious appetite as a connoisseur. But, even if he did have the tools and knowledge, his answer would still be the same.

He gave Gorthan a nod, plucking a book from the shelf and putting it in its correct place. "I believe they would be worth reading. They're a preservation of memory."

At least, that was what Gorthan had told him. It might not be the memory Gorthan wished it was, but the memory of other people was also valuable.

[warrior_king]

"Whose memory, though?" Gorthan replied, evident disdain in his voice. "The souls of the cowardly, of people who succumb to weakness and stray from their paths in life... I have no desire to become privy to their thoughts, or even their existence."

And yet, the appeal of the interminable shelves continued. Each time Gorthan raised his gaze to look at them, there was nothing but awe in his eyes. ... Were his emotions getting the best of him? In that case, he knew what to do. A topic shift was in order.

And so he put the book back from where he had taken it and folded his arms on his chest, staring sternly at Serph again.

"I'll reiterate my question - if you know nothing about these books, how are you organizing them?"

[bufudine]

Serph looked up from his work to turn his attention back to Gorthan. Setting the pile of books back down on his trolley, he took the top book and showed Gorthan the spine, pointing to the set of numbers, letters and symbols at the base.

"All books have these. They follow a strict order. Books of a similar topic are shelved together."

But it wasn't like he didn't know anything about the books.

"I usually read while I organise."

[warrior_king]

Gorthan nodded, his facial muscles starting to relax.

"I see. And what have you read lately?"

[bufudine]

He wasn't sure if what he was currently reading would be of interest to Gorthan, but he had no reason not to disclose the information.

"Information regarding plants and gardens."

Bad romances.

"My world has neither of those." There was a hint of happiness in Serph's voice as he continued. "I'd like to grow some roses."

[warrior_king]

Gorthan blinked, confused by Serph's words. As Evronians were plant-like beings themselves, the only 'gardening' they ever did was in order to maintain their species...

"What are roses?" he asked.

[bufudine]

The answer came easily; Serph had been quite fascinated with them ever since Zelos told him about them.

"They are a type of flower. Their colours have different meanings if you give them to someone."

But what if Gorthan didn't know what a flower was? It could be something that didn't exist in the Evronian's world.

"I could show you a picture of one."

[warrior_king]

Gorthan's request came after a rather long pause, but was firm.

"... Show me."

After all, he considered, if a decidedly reasonable being such as Serph was devoting his time to the study of this plant, perhaps it wasn't completely worthless.

[bufudine]

Well then.

Serph lead the way to a different set of bookshelves. He doesn't need to look at the signs attached to the side of the shelves to know the one he was looking for; he's spent a fair amount of time here.

It didn't take him to find a book on flowers and flip open to a page showing roses.

"This shows the stages of flowering."

[warrior_king]

Gorthan widened his eyes. As a biology scholar, he was familiar with many species of plants, and he thought absolutely nothing of most of them. This plant, however... its petals appeared to be arranged a complex, rigorously geometric pattern, and yet it seemed so soft, and its colors so vibrant...

"Ah, it's..."

... But no, it was not beautiful. Surely there was something similar on Evron... Gorthan's mind went to the his arid planet of origin. But not even Evronian spores were able to grow there any longer... the only vegetation worthy of note were carnivorous plants who had evolved to resort to other sources than the soil for their nutrition.

Gorthan's eyes narrowed, then, his face contorted with sudden rage. Envy.

"... Surely the real flower must not look as remarkable as this depiction makes it to be."

[bufudine]

Serph tilted his head. Did he say something wrong? It seemed like a rather strong reaction to a simple picture.

Nevertheless, he answered Gorthan with his usual calmness. "We will be growing a rose bush near our base." He gave the Evronian a nod. "You're welcome to see it for yourself once it's planted."

He wouldn't mind having Gorthan just 'happening' to pass by so he could show the Evronian their gardening endeavours.

[warrior_king]

And suddenly, something was more important than this rose plant.

"You have a base here?" Gorthan inquired. "Where is it?"

[bufudine]

Serph saw no harm in letting Gorthan know where it was; it was merely a place for Cielo and himself to rest rather than a place chosen primarily for its defensibility.

"Near the forest." Serph gestured to the streak of orange across his chest. "This colour is the mark of my Tribe."

The doors were covered in splashes of the colour, and there was a flag painted with an orange line to signify their presence. But don't drop in unexpectedly, Gorthan; you may get shot at.

[warrior_king]

"Very well. Do tell me when you have grown that plant - I will visit you then."

Gorthan examined the orange streak, inching a bit closer to Serph to do so.

"Orange. What an odd choice for a color. What meaning does it hold for you?"

[bufudine]

Serph nodded; he'd contact Gorthan once the rose bush was properly planted and growing well.

ORANGE IS THE COLOUR OF VICTORY. It was funny that Gorthan mentioned choice. Serph didn't remember choosing the colour; it had simply seemed natural, something that simply was. Ever since he gained his Atma, the time before seemed like a dream.

But the meaning? That was something he could talk about. The orange was a Mark of his Tribe, and...

"My Tribe are my comrades."

That was description enough, right?

[warrior_king]

At the nonsensical and vaguely surreal response he had received, Gorthan's eyes narrowed sternly again.

"Pray, what does that have to do with the color itself?"

No. That wasn't enough of a description at all.

[bufudine]

Serph closed the book with the picture of flowers and shelved it before he replied.

"It is the symbol of my Tribe. Those who willingly wear the colour have pledged their allegiance to me."

Though... not everyone who were allies had donned the colour. That was fine. Serph still called them friend. And while Serph had only spoken of allegiances, as if he only meant this as a means of gaining strength in war, the truth was that the colour didn't mean as much as it used to; he used to only look after his Tribe, but now he did his best to look after everyone.

[warrior_king]

"I had gathered that much." Gorthan answered. Talking to Serph was am odd experience at times... he probably had to be as explicit as possible. "But why choose that particular color, instead of a different one? What meanings and values do you attach to it? What makes it so important to you and made you decide to make it the color of your Tribe?"