Of course she goes to the library first

[rhapsoidein]

Characters: Genesis Rhapsodos and OPEN
Setting: Floor Three; The Library; A good chunk of the afternoon
Format: I'll match!
Summary: Genesis finds the library and disappears into the world of fiction!
Warnings: None for the moment

Fighting monster had gotten boring, really. While many presented a challenge, she really did not want to keep fighting! So it just so happened that she found the library Tohko had told her about and it was here she stayed for quite some time. Many of these books were just fascinating! Like nothing she had ever seen on Gaia. Genesis had grabbed quite a few, though she doubted she would finish any of them today. Was she allowed to check any out?

Were anyone to find Genesis, they would find her on the floor in the corner of the fantasy section, a couple piles of books next to her and her nose in one of them.

Comments

[rhapsoidein]

[She nodded, pointing to the shelves nearby]

The fairy tales are around there, I believe. I've picked up the fantasy and science fictions books mostly.

[marriedthebloke]

Fairy tales.

[She repeats her previous assertion. Fiction stories were a waste of time in a place like this.]

Are there any non-fiction books?

[rhapsoidein]

Oh, I'm sorry. I misheard your question.

[Genesis frowned at the woman, still. And scoffed lightly, going back to her book.]

I don't read non-fiction, so I don't know where they are.

[marriedthebloke]

I see.

[How frivolous, wasting all that time on non-fiction.]

[She picks up another book, somewhat intrigued by its cover.]

What is this?

[rhapsoidein]

[She looked over at the book and gave a hum.]

Not quite sure yet, I haven't gotten to it yet. You're welcome to take it, though.

[marriedthebloke]

[She quickly flips through the pages.]

This does not seem to be of much literary merit. Would you mind if I put it back on the shelf?

[rhapsoidein]

[While she had more than enough books to choose from, the way she said that irked her some.]

And what does a book need to have literary merit, if I may ask?

[marriedthebloke]

First, it should not start with such crude images, or use such overly simplistic phrases.

["The sun shone." Seriously? It reeked of a dime-a-dozen, convenience store novel.]

[rhapsoidein]

[She didn't read it, so she had no idea how the book was written. Still, she shrugged.]

To each their own, then.

[marriedthebloke]

Indeed. To each his or her own.

[Still, she could never adjust herself to such plebeian tastes.]

[rhapsoidein]

[Genesis had her preferences. If she read a book she didn't like, she put it down, as simple as that. While it wasn't for her tastes, she knew it could be for others.]

You know, you could ask the librarian if you really must read non-fiction.

[marriedthebloke]

There's a librarian?

[Mentally, she berates herself for not having noticed sooner. Of course a place this large would have a librarian. It's just that coming into the library, she saw that everyone seemed to be doing their own thing, so she had assumed that there were no library workers.]

[rhapsoidein]

Mmhm. Tohko Amano. I'm not sure where she is, but she is around somewhere.

[She tilted her head.]

What would a library be without a librarian?

[marriedthebloke]

[That girl again. Sola-ui is in no hurry to speak to her for the time being.]

There are private libraries. Those obviously need no librarian.

[rhapsoidein]

A private library? [That didn't make sense to her.] Then who marks the books and puts them away?

[marriedthebloke]

The owner, of course.

[Careful, Sola-ui. Your snob is showing.]

[rhapsoidein]

Would that not make them the librarian, then?

[Genesis lets the snobbishness pass over her easily, simply quirking a brow.]

It hardly matters if the library is public or private, whomever cares for the books is the librarian. There's no need for disdain over the title.

[marriedthebloke]

An owner cares for the books because they want to do it--because they are proud of the rare works they have gathered. A librarian is merely hired for the job.

[rhapsoidein]

Are you sure about that?

[It was a genuine question. But she was curious as to what the answer would be.]

Have you met all librarians and asked them if they had the job merely to have a paycheck or did they genuinely enjoy their job? I've yet to meet a librarian who hated their job myself but perhaps it's different in your world.

[marriedthebloke]

They are still paid to tend to the books of others. They cannot stand back and say, with confidence, that they have devoted time, money, and effort to building up the collection.

[rhapsoidein]

Perhaps they cannot say that they built the collection up themselves, but they still devote time and effort to run the library so others may enjoy the books that were either donated or bought. They may be compensated with an hourly wage, but how would that diminish what they do?

[Clearly, Genesis thinks quite highly of librarians and books themselves.]

They still maintain the library so others may enjoy the books within. A private library is for the owner, I understand that. But a prestigious book "collection" is nothing if it cannot be shared, regardless if the lender is getting paid or not.

[marriedthebloke]

It's a display of elegance and knowledge. But then again, it's hard for those of the lower class to understand its value.

[rhapsoidein]

Books are meant to help others gain knowledge or seek adventure in a world not their own.

[She snorted a laugh, just going back to her book.]

If elegance is what you think it displays, then clearly you don't see those of the "lower class" laugh at your arrogance and over-inflated ego.

Book are meant to be read, not displayed for class.

[marriedthebloke]

I never said I didn't read them. An item can serve more than one purpose.

[And for nobility, everything was 50% display and 50% actual functionality.]

[rhapsoidein]

Of course they can. But there's no need to brag about said item.