knowitowl | Chapter One - The Library Dictator [Video]

[Now that things seem to have gone back to relative normalcy here in the land of Luceti, Wan Shi Tong decides that it is time to introduce himself to the community. Thus there will be a video feed of a very tall owl as he stands over his journal.]

Greetings citizens of Luceti, I am Wan Shi Tong, he who knows ten thousand things.

Due to my abduction from my own world and library, I have commandeered the one within this village. I will be the sole authority of the collection from this point on, and as such, there are a few new rules.

First of all, anyone who wishes to use the library must first offer new knowledge to add to the collection.

Secondly, none of the material within can be used for malicious intent. There is no exception to this. I do not care how noble your cause may be, whether it is against each other or our captors here.

Finally, I will no longer allow any materials to be removed from the building.

If these rules are not followed, there will be consequences.

Also, in regards to the last rule, all outstanding books and media must be returned for inventory. If you do not comply, I will send my assistants to retrieve them.

That is all.

[And with that the feed will end.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I have no doubt. Humans are incredibly predictable.

There are parts of the journal you have not read, in point of fact.

[Her inhuman fingers begin clicking on the wood of the table again.]

Nor have I taken any side save my own. I rarely bother with taking books outside the library, and I hardly need to read to know how to make violence happen. Your rules don't affect me beyond how they may irritate my less easygoing friends.

I am referring to the knowledge within the books. For instance if someone from another world could be poisoned by say... Tomatoes and someone who disliked them discovered this in the library. Misuse would be when that person used that knowledge to do them harm. There have been no rules to prevent this. Without rules it is left open to abuse.

You are referring to locked entries. Obviously I can not read those. That is a moot point.

It is interesting how they enjoy hiding information from each other but became angry when it's hidden from them. I am not hiding anything, merely regulating it. Humans have always detested rules when it is not themselves making them. They instead prefer to live in chaos.

I'm referring to a separate network, actually.

[She looks at him pointedly.]

And that is hardly true. As we've already discussed, privacy is the sacred right, that's not hiding information. And this place has no rules, but it's hardly chaotic. If anything, it's rather orderly.

I admit that a few humans have proven reasonable. To those I would be willing to consider exceptions. However the majority has not. As you would protect those you love, I will protect what I love. Even if I'm not entirely successful.

I'm merely advising you, as someone who's been here much longer, but as you wish. I won't help you with these rules, and I want to be clear on that.

[And her spirit-shape offers it's toothiest smile, a clap of thunder rattling the windows outside.]

And if you can't enforce them, then I fear you're in for a frustrating time in a land inhabited by gods, super heroes, magical ninjas, and pirates. I...much like our guest on the bookshelf...look forward to the show.

[She shrinks back down to her human shape and offers Xellos a wave. She turns to go, but stops, suddenly thoughtful. It wasn't that she disliked Wan Shi Tong, she just felt he was jumping in beak first.]

Oh, do you eat or drink tea? It's been a while since I had proper spiritual company and I wouldn't be averse to sharing stories from time to time.

[Perhaps he was, but he had to experience it for himself before he would be convinced. It wouldn't be the first time he's experienced frustration and disappointment. They can't say he didn't try after all. He doesn't think he needs her help anyway. This is his cause.]

Hm. I do not require such but I am capable. I too would enjoy the company of another spirit. It has been some time.

[He's a bit of a hermit. Even in his own world.]

I would like to know more of this network sometime.

[He is in no hurry.]

Yeah, but not immediately. It's weird. Everything here's weird. [Teddy's learned to get used to it, a little. But he still has enough sense to know just how nonsensical it all is.]

But if you want to prevent people from abusing that knowledge, then stopping everyone from taking books and reading on their own time isn't the way to do it. All you're going to do is make people mad and want to break the rules. Maybe you can just keep track of who took what?

Another time, then. When things are quieter around here.

[She nods.]

We'll discuss it, but elsewhere. Not in a place of Malnosso manufacture.

Sheesh. Don't get your feathers in a ruffle. [He whined as he spoke, scratching his head.]

Though, seems to me that you do need a primer on the Third Party. They really aren't innocent in his whole thing.

Wha-- hey, who do you take me for? I'd never destroy the books in this place! They're way too interesting. And also totally useful!

Which is why I can't just sit back and let you have a monopoly on who gets to take what. I mean come on, we're already living here under the Malnossie's custody. Do we really need a library warden too?

[Silver nods. Yeah, of course. No problem.] These books are important to you, right? That's why you're going through the lengths you are to protect them.

[It's an obvious enough question, but maybe he'll learn something more from it.]

And refusing anyone else the right to acquire it for themselves. He swoops in and demands that we return everything as if he owns it. That's what irritates me so much. His-- [Hubris. Arrogance. Things Walter used to feel. Things he lost because of his malfunctioning brain. Things that people said he was better off without, even if it diminished his intellect.]

He's unsavory and I don't like him.

I'll have to steal in there and get my Ho Hos back. I don't want this grubby claws all over them.

[One step at a time. Focus, Walter, and please calm down.]

I will bring them to you if you tell me where they are.

I--

...

I -- [He stops, frowning.] I don't remember.

[He knows it was 13 steps in, but he can't remember in from where now.]

I had a system. I seem to have forgotten it.

I see. I will look.

[All that means is that it'll take a little longer.]

He has agreed to allow me inside, and you, if you do not argue with him.

For what fee? I'm not telling him about anything we did back home. It would be too dangerous to allow some of those things to bleed into this universe. No one here is prepared for it.

I suggest something very simple. It need not be of your invention.

Can you tell what comes from what world? Just gimme everything from mine and I'll take care of it.

I will give you any information that is about you personally. However, I would prefer to keep the rest for reference.

In my world, I have had many humans exploit the information in my library. I do not trust anyone here not to do the same as a result. There are some things here that can be misused. Not regulating it can lead to disaster.

[He's doing everyone a favor. Gosh. Why can't they see that?]

Perhaps not. However, if you wished to protect something, would you not do everything in your power to do so?

Very well.

[He doesn't much like the idea of leaving the library but he will.]

Records can be kept well enough, but that is unlikely to assure the abuse of knowledge to my satisfaction.

[After all, that's what they were doing before. He wasn't satisfied with that method as books were still not being returned from the less honest individuals.]

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Chapter One - The Library Dictator [Video]

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