(voice)

[likeboudica]

I have not been to the library today, and yet I seem to carry the smell of books, of old pages and ink, with me wherever I go today.

Strange, perhaps, but it makes me think of long days in the library with a heavy book in my lap and sunshine barely filtering through the windows. The scent reminds me of peacefulness and thoughtfulness and— maybe even contentness. So it is not wholly unwelcome, truly.

Are others experiencing the same? Is it a curse, then?

Comments

[charring]

Books have the best scent ever.

[likeboudica]

I like it very much as well.

[charring]

I especially like them when they're older. The scent is a bit sweeter.

[likeboudica]

They have copies of books from my time, some original I believe.

[signatures]

It'd likely depend if you've changed clothes or washed your hands since your last trip to the library.

[likeboudica]

You think yourself very clever, do you not, Mr Eames?

[signatures]

No, but sometimes people are silly and seek to tell me as such.

[likeboudica]

People are often silly. [ a beat. ] So you do not think yourself clever?

voice;

[mrbackwards]

You go to the library a lot usually?

voice;

[likeboudica]

Oh, yes. I work there, but even if I would not, I should think I would still spend most of my time there. [ She does, in fact. ]

voice;

[mrbackwards]

I don't know the library here. Ain't been here long, though.

voice;

[likeboudica]

You should visit it, then, if you like libraries. It is beautiful.

voice;

[dys_lexithymia]

...how is smelling like books a curse?

voice;

[likeboudica]

Not in the sense that it is something bad, certainly, because I do not mind it at all, but in the sense that the City is responsible for it, I should think.

[ a beat. ] Are you new here, sir?

voice;

[dys_lexithymia]

[His voice is guarded.] What about it?

voice;

[likeboudica]

It is only that most people here learn of the concept of curses quite quickly, that is how I gathered.

voice;

[candothat]

It must be a curse, yes, or you have spent so much time in the library that you are becoming a walking part of it.

voice;

[likeboudica]

I would not mind that so much, either. Or at all, truly.

voice;

[candothat]

It would also be convenient! A walking library must always have books on hand, so you would stay occupied.

voice

[lifeandpride]

I didn't know there was a library here. I should really take a closer look at the map.... but yes, most likely, based upon what people have told me. It doesn't sound like a dangerous one, at least.

voice

[likeboudica]

There is, and it is quite beautiful, truly. And no indeed, it is not a dangerous curse I should think. Perhaps somewhat inconvenient for those who do not enjoy the scent they are cursed with.

[lifeandpride]

I haven't been many places yet, so it must have escaped me. I'll take a look soon, I suppose.

As for the curse, I'm glad it's as simple as it is.

[feigns]

Or it's simply that you spend so much time amongst books that the smell has finally — and permanently — infused itself to your clothing.

—Or, I suppose, it's telling you that you ought to wash more often.

[likeboudica]

I do not think that it is the latter at all, Will. The former may be somewhat more likely.

[feigns]

You wouldn't think the latter, would you? Every one is convinced that they wash a perfectly adequate amount for their own body. [ pause. ] Queen Elizabeth only bathed four times a year, after all.