Chapter One - The Library Dictator [Video]

[knowitowl]

[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.]

Comments

[knowitowl]

Hm. I did not consider this.

[ he is willing to be reasonable and hear her out.]

What then do you propose?

[windandrain]

You're new. Of course you didn't.

[Her nails continue to click.]

Allow the removal of such materials from the library. They aren't for you or anyone else to read. Period. That is the only real option with regards to those books. Allow the people who are featured to decide ultimately what they do and do not want public.

[knowitowl]

[ He considers this for some moments. While he has some misgivings, Wan Shi Tong is not a malicious spirit. He merely wants to protect.]

Very well, I will allow this. I will trust that your judgement is sound, and at that I would hope we can reach an understanding.

[windandrain]

I believe we have. You're in a new world, and I know how difficult adaptation can be, but you'll have to make some sacrifices.

[She stops tapping her fingers, resting her palm on the wood instead.]

With regards to the rest of your rules, I don't particularly care and I can abide by them with some allowances. I've written and left entire volumes of tales of my life in this library, I trust that to be sufficient payment. I reserve the right to remove them at any moment.

[She gives him a flat look.]

And I will continue to read outside in the library's gardens when it's warm. You're welcome to request collateral each time I take a book outside and to check that I return it, but you have my word I will not steal anything.

[knowitowl]

[Wan Shi Tongs expression is flat as well, as it has been the entire time. Though an owl face doesn't leave much room for expression anyway.]

This is acceptable.

[He trusts her far more than he would any mortal.]

[windandrain]

[Well, with that settled, she nods. She just saved you, Wan Shi, you just don't know it yet. And...with regards to the second rule she hardly needs a book to tell her how to be malicious. She is that already, when she wants to be.]

Good. Now, introductions. Do you know who I am?

[Easiest to just play that game, really.]

[knowitowl]

[Who said he needed saving? Gosh.]

If I am not mistaken you are Saori Kimura, a goddess of summer storms. I have already read your writings.

[windandrain]

[Eyebrow raise. She'd expected some of that at least. Though, he'd forgotten the titles.]

Correct. Though, my proper name is Saori Kimura, the Daughter of Wind and Rain. As yours is He Who Knows 10,000 Things. Admittedly, I hope you know more than that.

[And then.]

And my writings? The books I've left? Or my journal entries?

Sob. That wasn't in her info. Oh well.

[knowitowl]

Of course. However I do not think it necessary to expound on things we both know.

[And to answer her question.]

Both.

[He spent all the time since he arrived during the shifts to do nothing but read.]

She doesn't announce often, and she has other titles that he wouldn't know either...

[windandrain]

No, it's entirely not.

[Not that time was ever really an issue.]

And that is quite impressive. I certainly didn't leave short stories in those books, though hardly all the details of my life. Yet that puts me at a disadvantage, as I know nothing beyond your name. What should I know of you?

Oh okay lol

[knowitowl]

Keeping up with centuries worth if information requires me to be a fast reader.

Hm, you are correct. I am from the world of the Avatar, you probably know him. I have my own library that I have kept for centuries, originally built for the betterment of the human race. It did not go as planned.

[windandrain]

I'm familiar with both of them, I'd call them friends.

[But he already knew that. And given the spirits seeming dislike of violence, and her own knowledge of humanity in general...]

I take it that the library was abused, thus the reason for your second rule?

[knowitowl]

Indeed. Wars have been waged by the misuse of knowledge.

[windandrain]

And by the lack of knowledge, as well.

[A gentle reminder that ignorance was as much at the root of conflict.]

[knowitowl]

Yes, that is why I brought my collection to the humans to begin with. However, I now regret this decision.

[windandrain]

Because their nature is one of conflict.

[Not a statement, an observation.

Sorry Xellos the Mysterious Priest. Wan Shi Tong has definitely managed to be more reasonable than she'd expected. And they have more in common than not.]

[knowitowl]

Indeed. That will never change. I was far too naive.

[windandrain]

Gods and spirits aren't that much different though.

[She gestures around her, everywhere.]

You've set yourself up for quite a conflict, trying to exert authority over this place. How do you plan to keep your rules enforced, when there are people who can move through walls or become invisible at will? Will you stamp your feet and attack?

[knowitowl]

That will prove difficult. However if they are that insistent on it I suppose they will have to reap the consequences of their own foolish decisions. Still, I will do what I must.

[windandrain]

And what do you plan to do? I am curious just how you mean to deal with the residents. Bear in mind that you are the aggressor and the instigator here.

[knowitowl]

If a child were to pick up a sword and the parent stops them from hurting themselves, is the parent an aggressor? Should they then not punish the child for picking up a weapon that could harm themselves or another? This is no different. I will deal with the situations as they come.

[windandrain]

That analogy is incredibly flawed, Wan Shi Tong. You are the newcomer here, and you know little of how this place works, from a practical standpoint. This isn't your home, and you'll find the people here will react badly to you attempting to claim authority over something that's been a community effort.

[knowitowl]

I have read the journal in it's entirety. I understand well enough. If you had my experience you would understand. I do not see it as flawed. If you are intent on taking their side then we have nothing further to discuss.

[windandrain]

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.

[knowitowl]

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.