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

[undealt]

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.

Comments

[untethered]

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

[undealt]

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.

[untethered]

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

[undealt]

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)]

[untethered]

[ 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.

[undealt]

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.]

[untethered]

Did you mean today or...?

[undealt]

[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.]

[untethered]

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

[undealt]

In that case, how does seven sound?

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

[untethered]

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.

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

[undealt]

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.]

♥ ♥ ♥

[untethered]

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