one

[defyingreality]

[ A neatly typed sheet of paper. ]
This is X. Mrs. Harker has already suggested that we share information concerning our stay here and the changes that we've noticed. I have suggested that once we have gathered enough information we can hold a meeting to discuss our findings and figure out a few solutions to some of the issues we're facing.

[ Like the randomness of food, or the rather strange lack of patterns for the Stacks. ]

But first, due to the nature of where I'm from, I have what you can call an understanding of extraordinary abilities granted through outside forces. I've noticed a change in my own capabilities, and I would like to know if others have noticed their own changes as well.

You don't have to tell us what those changes are. All I want to know if any one else has noticed that they have gained a new talent that allows more control inside the Library.

X

Comments

[awreck]

I didn't think you could be affected by anything.

[ He wonders if back home, that would result in a drop in Trust. Probably not, considering... well, it's X. ]

I haven't really tried because I'm considering this a vacation. Do you want me to see if I can lift the library up? I'm sure it's built on top of the ground and not floating out in space.

[ ...Probably. Either way, he's half-joking. ]

[defyingreality]

[ He could use the type feature but there was a new icon next to it so he had to see what it does. So congrats Wreck, you're getting voice.

And X sounds so very amused. ]

Thank you for that Trust in me. You may want to test what you can and can't do. Our abilities might have mutated to fit our surroundings after all.

[awreck]

[ Forgive him. It takes him a moment to respond because this is his first experience with the log book TALKING AT HIM. ]

I see you're proving your point. You are exhausting, do you know that?

[ Give him another moment because he's checking to make sure X isn't actually in the next room over or something. ]

What are you suggesting we prepare for? Combat?

[defyingreality]

[ He just laughs at the reply because he can just imagine Wreck's expression. Sorry X can be a troll. ]

So I've heard. Pretty sure that I make the HAC tear up their plans every hour.

Yes. Just because we are editing books doesn't mean all books will be safe for us.

[ohaiyo_isekai]

This is Hikaru.

I have noticed a recent intuition for finding books by subject in the Stacks. I hadn’t made a systematic study of it, yet: it just suddenly clicked.

Does anyone have an idea of the cause?

- 光

[defyingreality]

[ The 'unmute' button is so getting a workout now. Say hello to a voice. ]

Adaptation to the new environment? Or the effect of the Library's system finding its way into integrating us now we are growing more aware of our surroundings? I wonder if it helps that our desires are pushing for these changes as well.

[ohaiyo_isekai]

So, the possibility that this place is bleeding into us, or that we are becoming more aware of it's workings.

It is also possible that this is incentive from the Librarians. If they want us to work in the library, it is necessary for some of us to navigate the Stacks, after all.

But I feel that less likely, as if it were incentive from the Librarians, surely they would want to tell us they gifted us with that insight, and could give us more for our cooperation.

[defyingreality]

Hm, maybe. [ There is a sound of someone knocking on a door then a finger snap. ]

However, I have spoken with the assistant over the phone and he made it very clear that whatever we want, we need to get it ourselves. They can give us a starting point, but beyond that it is all on us for further changes.

So while they are incentives, they may also be more of integration into the role of Editor. Reality shaping matter to a more useful tool, if you must.

[dovedive]

You know, I bet you'll still be annoyingly difficult to get one over on, even if your powers are limited.

[ He's not pouting, you're pouting. ]

You already know my powers, as does anyone else back home. "Made by the people for the people" kind of takes out the illusion of surprise.

I wonder what I could do to test it though. Maybe I could fly around the library and see if I feel any slower?

[defyingreality]

[ He's just going to use the unmute button - his pen is out of ink and he doesn't feel like getting another. So here's a soft sigh and then someone who still is amused despite everything. ]

Adapting to new circumstances should be a talent people are taught in Hero School. Though I think the Commission should be taught it more than any Hero. They're surprisingly stubborn and annoying.

You might just hit a wall or just never find an ending. Try looking for more library like skills. Things with the books themselves or objects here.

[dovedive]

[ Nice is so grateful he doesn't have an unmute button because he just jumped so high from suddenly hearing X's voice. ]

How did you do that?

[ Did X's weird powers just get turned into projecting his voice or something?! ]

[aetherweaver]

I have noticed that it is easier to find what I am looking for, but I thought that might just be my own skills.

Perhaps it's not.

[defyingreality]

[ He is abusing the poor Unmute button so so much. Say hi! ]

It's probably a skill or something. I have this [ unmute ] icon in my journal now.

[aetherweaver]

[Bwuh, it's like a linkshell? But the other guy is the only one who can use it...]

But as to how we achieved these skills... that's the question. Navigation is one thing, that is another.

mm. handwritten text. too bad he doesn't write in earth languages.

[curzed]

[Well. Whatever it is, it's requiring an innate translation feature to actually be understood; the writing's ornate runic script.]

I've noticed no differences. What are the extraordinary abilities you normally have compared to now?

awww but still fun times with alien writings

[defyingreality]

[ Still using the [ unmute ] skill, still speaking at the journal like the little troll he is. ]

Normally? I lost count, but even if I did have my full list, I don't tell. It's been that kind of a day until I woke up in the Stacks.

I choose to believe konrad has excellent handwriting but it's all squiggles so who knows it

[curzed]

[These data-slates do all kinds of nonsense it seems. His doesn't, yet.]

Reasonably, who knows who might be listening in. Or reading in. But if you have an entire list, you could share one or two? I don't know what's common on other planets.

late, starbucks was closed though

[angel_of_baal]

[Sanguinius's handwriting is, as one would expect, ornate, with flourishes. He can't help himself. The medium is the message, or something like that.
He assumes that someone who refers to themselves as X is hiding a secret. Curious. ]

My kind learn and adapt quickly. Anything will begin to reveal itself under sustained study.

darn it starbucks!

[defyingreality]

[ Well. He isn't wrong but in all honesty, X probably didn't have a Hero name he was comfortable enough with, and so didn't want to use his real name which is why he ended up as X.

But hello, have the [ unmute ] affect as well. ]

Question is would the Library accept being studied? It seems far more likely to be a liminal space with rules we haven't fully grasp.

[angel_of_baal]

Someone must have studied this place. It does not operate on its own. There must be Tech Priests or others who know things. [Logic! As he knows it, anyway.]

The Warp, the empyrean, has changeable rules, as well. It is a place many have studied, to try to see what use can be made of it.

[hellandbackpack]

[Someone found the [unmute] on their own journal. Handy!]

Well, my bag isn't quite as big as it should be inside, by a bloody lot. And they nicked a bunch of stuff out of it. And I can't walk through any of the walls I'm guessin' are perimeter walls, or that door behind the circulation desk.

But on the flip side I can talk through this journal so... somethin' I guess?

[defyingreality]

[ They both have the [ unmute ] button. This should be fun. ]

Are you sure they took it or would it more be like the items cannot coexist within the Library's own particularities?

You noticed the door and the walls too?

[aetherialshackles]

[With the power of 'Resource Manipulation'? Erich has been able to extract some items from some of the books, even if it started almost casually when he wondered what a 'marshmallow' was. The result? A sad, tasteless pillow that dissolved in his mouth far too quickly.

With no ability to compare it with the original, Erich finds no love for it. Other items he had been curious about have been a complete disappointment, but this isn't a space to discuss that.]

I have been able to summon small items from some of the books I found. As someone with limited capibilities? This is not something I had ever been capable of een if my kin is often able to conjure what they require from their surrounding aether.

I assumed this was something part of the library's powers as a whole, am I supposed to believe that's not the case?

[defyingreality]

[ Hello you also get the [ Unmute ] reply because X really isn't looking for a new pen. ]

If it's not something you could do before, I think it's a Library-granted ability. Which means... I think we need to work up from pulling small, incomplete items to actual functioning ones in order to make life here a little better. As is, we don't really have much to work with.

[aetherialshackles]

[He wishes he could do that. But for now he can just summon stuff from his books.]

Incomplete? I wouldn't know, nothing I picked so far was something I'm familiar with. Give me a moment, please.

[He takes a long break at that point, only answering after a decent moment.]

I can confirm the items I summon aren't... complete. So to speak. The herbal tea I summoned, described to have a fragrant citrus aroma in the book, tastes like plain water.