knightsoflegend | It's just another slice of modern life. It's not a fairy tale to me.

WHO || Mr. Gold vs. the Castle (aka OPEN)
WHAT || there's a guy in your library who has totally always been there. no really.
WHERE || the library
WHEN || like a week before the squiring ceremony.
HOW || either/or. i am flexible if you want more exp points.

The strange thing you might notice is that there's a crocodile curled up outside the library, not really bothering anyone. Just existing. As crocodiles do. Mostly, she's sleeping. Occasionally someone will walk by fairly loudly and she'll lift her crocish head and give generally displeased looks, but otherwise... Crocodile. Sleeping in the hall. Totally normal.

And a member of the Dragon's Fire presently flipping through atlases in the library will tell you as much. His atlas-hoarding is less normal, but he's not really going to comment on it, because he couldn't properly tell you why in the first place. Following leads on his own time, looking up information for missions- who knows. Maybe he liked maps in another life.

Plus they're more interesting than the pile of half-sorted legal documents he's been searching through, checking for loopholes and the like. He might be one of the few people in the damn castle who actually enjoys paperwork (he sort of insisted on taking that project), even if it's half abandoned right now in a fit of whimsy.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Way to make me commit to this fucking crocodile, Arden.] It was a summoning. Luckily for me, there hasn't been much call to send me to places where one might find them in the wild.

[What does he look like? A member of Team Failboat?] As for why her, of all creatures... It just felt right somehow.

[Almost like I had a nickname or something...]

[ revenge is so sweet. belle reaches over to pick up one of the books on the table, flipping through it idly as she thoughtfully says: ] ... I read that in mythology of this world, catching a crocodile is rumored to have been a symbol of regenerating power, or of connecting with the ancient elemental forces of the world. Like your magic, maybe. [ the more you know, with belle the librarian, who looks over the book with a mysterious little smile. ] I've also read about dreams of crocodiles having to do with something called 'Shadow Gold'. [ she smirks at the double irony of the term as she looks back up at him. ] It means all the parts of oneself that a person has tucked away into the very back of who they are, because they associate those things with something unpleasant or painful that happened to them - even when they're really some of the best parts of that person.

[ she sets the book down again, glancing over at milah ] Maybe the Veil does something like that to us.

[....That

is really hot.

Gold's momentarily thrown off for a second as he glances down at the inexplicably yellow crocodile. Maybe...

He looks back up at her, tilting his head.]

And choosing a crocodile is my subconscious way of combating it? [It makes way too much sense, considering he was just sitting there confessing his desire to figure out what he's missing- why he keeps hunting for something in maps he'll never recall.]

Or maybe just expressing frustration with it.

[Caaan't argue with that.]

I didn't realize I was such an open book. [Look at this charming smile. It's like he's flirting or something.]

Well... not necessarily. Books just happen to be my specialty, open or otherwise.

Regardless, you might be onto something. However we feel about our situation here, understanding the reasons why the Veil takes memories at all, much less which and how many memories it takes, is beneficial to the entire organization. It might only be a side project, but I could always use another pair of eyes.

I imagine Wynn would be very interested in that knowledge as well. He'd certainly approve.

Perhaps we could discuss it over dinner.

[Yes... He did just ask the pretty lady on a date. To talk about work. Totally work. (cha 19)]

[ she looks momentarily surprised by the idea, but whether it's because she realizes he's asking her out or not is difficult to discern. she blinks, all fluttering lashes for a second, and then smiles ] I'd like that.

Grand. [Yeah, Mr. Poise over here is just like grinning like the nerd who got the head cheerleader to go to prom with him.

If crocodiles could roll their eyes, rest assured that is what Milah would be doing right now.]

Did you mean today or...?

[Oh wow. He did not think this through.]

By all means, whenever you'd like. I'd hardly expect you to drop all your plans for the evening on my account. [Nervous laugh.]

I didn't really have any, aside from finishing my book.

In that case, how does seven sound?

[Just gonna go for it, lest she... totally forget or he chicken out or something.]

I think I can manage that.

[ she tilts her head to the side a tiny bit, before saying: ] That's after the chefs generally serve dinner. Were you planning on making something or did you want to leave the castle? [ and then another thought strikes her: ] Or... silly me, you're a spellcaster, aren't you? You can all just... make food appear.

I thought we'd leave, actually. The castle gets a bit confining after awhile. [Said in a way that makes it look like he's wondering if he made a terrible mistake in assuming that. Wow. It's not really a date-date. Jesus, Gold.] There's actually a lovely place not far from the headquarters downtown. Nothing fancy, I should add, but they serve excellent hamburgers.

[He has no idea why he's suggesting hamburgers. He can't remember the last time he ate a hamburger. IT JUST SEEMED RIGHT.]

I'd never had a hamburger until I came to this world. But I think I'm getting a taste for them.

It's just another slice of modern life. It's not a fairy tale to me.

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/actual things i just looked up and was creeped out by for 1000, alex

that moment when a gag becomes surprisingly legit

awww yis B)

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itt: accidentally appropriate things i found when googling the area the downtown hq is in

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