[video]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he stands in front of a window, winter light streaming in around him and highlighting his white wings. Clever people may notice he's added another ring, silver and black on the fourth finger of his left hand as he folds them in front of him and beams. More than his usual polite interest, his eyes are shining and he looks positively radiant and may, in fact, be glowing just a hair.

When he speaks, his voice is like warm honey]

Hello, I'd like to take the time to welcome all the newcomers to our lovely little situation. It may seem odd and even frightening to be so far from home. You may feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of you and that you may not be able to accomplish healing the corruption that has blighted this land. But I can assure you, it's possible. Some of it has already been cleansed and purified.

How, you may ask?

Why, through our efforts. As a unit. As a group. A team even. Everyone has value and worth here. We are all able to contribute. And there are many here who would help you and guide you to settling in. Finding your way. I'd call upon Lydia if you needed a ready mind and an open ear. Or Eleanor or Richie if you wanted someone to drink and commiserate with. Michael is always splendid to talk to. If there are any children among you, Webby [goodness, what a name] and Leia are wonderful playmates. [so he assumes]

And there are plenty of others here to help.

As for me, I am your local librarian. [his grin widens as this is very new and not even Crowley knows it yet] The selection here is rather small and limited at the moment,but feel free to come in and browse and check out [his wings twitch a little at that] at your leisure. But do see the books are returned in a timely manner. After all, I know where you live. [a smile as if it's a joke]

To that end, I am offering a slight commission for any one who can bring me a book that they find in the wilds or wherever. If you're interested, please take stock of what the library already offers. I'm not interested in copies of mundane things here, but other sorts of books. They don't necessarily have to be non-fiction, but any sort of spell work, spell craft or magic theory that you can find I will pay top dollar for. And also limited or first editions.

[he is not sure where he'll get the top dollar, but nevermind]

Aside from that, welcome to all who have come.

If you have any questions or wish to seek the personal attentions of the head librarian, my consultation hours are posted on the office door.

Comments

[rathersophistical]

"Hmm." She hummed disapprovingly. The thought that punctuality and respect for library books was rare was a rather disappointing one. While she was certainly a rare individual, it was not for how she treated books that were not her own.

"Webby, Leia, and Ivy." She repeated with a nod. What odd names... But that wasn't for her to judge. They couldn't help what nonsense their parents named them.

"It is a popular opinion that children should be seen and not heard. Of course, not everyone is suited to caring for children. That's why Nannys are important, after all." Her lips curled in a small smile at that. She was quite proud of what she did. Of course that smile disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Well. i never expected an angel to use such language. And I can assure you that is certainly not the case."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Oh I have no problem with them being heard, I just prefer not to have the responsibility of hearing them." He wasn't sure if Nannies were suitable for children or not. Though they certainly were useful so parents didn't have to spend time with them--or so it seemed to him.

He winced a little at the rebuke, but managed a tiny smile.

"I'm a bit of a rubbish angel I'm afraid. I'm a bit of an embarrassment to the force, if I'll be honest. But you seem to be a keen observer of human nature."

[rathersophistical]

"Hmm. You sound very much like Mr. Banks. Although not everyone is meant to be parents, or guardians as it were." Don't you dare talk bad about her passion, Aziraphale.

She smiled warmly at him, picking up her cup to take a sip of tea.

"Thank you very much, that's very kind of you. I'm sure you're a fine angel. Of course I have little basis for comparison."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"I will agree to that." Though he resents sounding like anyone called Banks, just on principle.

"Hmh I appreciate your confidence, my dear." As misplaced as it was. "And I'm sure you're a very fine Nanny. Though I do wonder if the children will bow to your will. They're rather free around here and not precisely bound to any higher authority."

[rathersophistical]

Well he turned out fairly well in the end. Flying a kite with Michael and all that.

She smiled, giving him a nod. "Thank you. And I wouldn't expect them to bow to my will. Children do need some amount of freedom, of course, but how else will they learn to be independent adults? But there still must be order. One can be independent and still dress and behave properly, after all."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"I suppose you're correct. It's not exactly my area of expertise." But he couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor creatures.

"Was there anything else you wished to know? Not that I'm trying to hurry you out." And he wasn't, she had already invaded tea time and there was no going back. "But I do like to get things done in one go."

[rathersophistical]

She gave him a firm nod, "Yes, well it is mine. We can't all be experts in all things, after all. I'm hardly an expert in angelic matters so I'll leave that to you."

His efficiency brought a smile to her face. She decided that she did like him, then, and resolved to come to the library more often. If he was the one in charge she had no doubt it would be run quite well.

"I quite agree. Better to do things properly before moving on than have to make several trips. Such a waste of time. I'd like to borrow some books on the history of this place and, perhaps, something on the magic here, assuming there's more to be learned than is available in the manual."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Well one can't exactly help being an expert when one is born that way. That is what I admire about humans most, you know, the ability to become self-taught, self defined. We generally exist on a binary." Either up or down and very little movement between unless it was plummeting.

"My thoughts exactly." A smile. "The history, unfortunately, begins and ends with Main Street and the environs. Almost nothing on magic other than the manual, and what there is merely talks about it as part of the history. For example, on this day the full moon caused thus and so. Which is why I'm looking for other volumes of interest. Especially from the jungle as, well, that is the only other place in which to procure such items at the moment. Though I imagine there is precious little."

[rathersophistical]

She smiled, inclining her head slightly. "In my experience, one can always learn. A tiger may not be able to change its stripes but it can learn to dance."

There was a sly twinkle in her eye as she stood, moving to retrieve her umbrella.

"Thank you for the tea and the information. This has been a wonderful conversation. Perhaps we could do this again. For now I think I'll take a look at the volumes available and select one or two to borrow."

[blessedarethebookmakers]

"Mm. Yes I'll keep that in mind." He getting rather tired of that particular statement to be honest. You're here, you can change, the world is your oyster and so on. The Almighty only allowed so much and, unlike humans, there was no forgiveness for errors made. You were either perfect or cast out and he thought he did more good where he was.


"Help yourself, my dear, and please do ask if you need further help."

[rathersophistical]

Well she thought it was a rather clever way to word it, at least. None of that nonsense about old dogs which was incredibly insensitive to elderly canines.

She gave him a nod. "Thank you. And you have nothing to fear, I shall care for the books as if they were my own."

With that, she opened the door and swept out of the office. No use dilly dallying, after all.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Well, it was nice to know someone who knew how to make an exit. And, more to the point, leave him in peace. He wasn't sure about her of course. Humans could be a tricky and mercurial lot. But she had certainly won points with him.