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]

The arrogance of humans never ceases to astound me.

I do not expect you to understand nor agree, but I am doing what I feel is in the best interest of everyone. If you cannot accept this then there is no further need for this discussion.

[unfringed]

Apparently not since you don't wish to listen to the actual interests of "everyone."

Talking animal or no, I've met children more amicable than you!

[knowitowl]

I could say the same of you.

[After all it is beneath him to hurl insults and baseless accusations. Indeed humans never change.]

[unfringed]

I'm not the one shutting down an institute for sharing knowledge!

If you harm anyone in the village for trying to pursue higher learning, the only one at fault will be you. The villagers will not take kindly to your dictatorship!

[And screw you, owl. He's going to steal shit just to make a point now. Plus he's slamming the book closed because arguing with dictators isn't productive and he has a batch of drugs for someone cooking. 8( BAI]

[knowitowl]

[Good luck with that dude. Wan Shi Tong will be on high alert because he knows people will attempt to steal. Humans are so predictable.]

[action]

[quantumtangled]

[He'd been having his own conversation with the... owl, elsewhere in the rooms they share. Now approaching.]

Do not concern yourself with him.

[action]

[unfringed]

How can I not? He's holding the blasted library hostage!

[He slams the book down onto the table, anger clear on his face.]

I was hiding things in there!

[action]

[quantumtangled]

He can be reasoned with and your things may be returned.

[Stoic and stiff as ever.]

What have you hidden?

[action]

[unfringed]

I refuse to reason with someone who refuses to let anyone learn there! It's a public library, not his personal plaything!

And I found a box of Ho Hos.

[action]

[quantumtangled]

All he is asking for is new knowledge. Where did you hide them?

[action]

[unfringed]

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.

[action]

[quantumtangled]

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

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

[action]

[unfringed]

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.

[action]

[quantumtangled]

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.

[action]

[unfringed]

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.

[action]

[quantumtangled]

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

[action]

[unfringed]

I still don't like having to bend to that thing's will just to get back something that is mine in the first place!

[action]

[quantumtangled]

It serves no purpose to argue. He will not change his mind, and your time could be better spent.

[A tiny glimpse into how September's mind must work.]

[action]

[unfringed]

We shouldn't have to bend to his will just because he won't change his mind. If he won't listen, then we just have to circumvent him.

Don't you feel at all unhappy that he's taken over like a dictator?

[action]

[quantumtangled]

[Unhappy, over something so easily solved? He doesn't do unhappy, anyway. Unless it's very serious.]

No. Others have decided he is wrong and must be stopped. I prefer to continue to find a way out of this place.

When it is necessary to use library materials, I will simply copy the information and leave the books to him.

[action]

[unfringed]

[He throws his hands up and then goes over to his stack of books already taken from the library days before the owl appeared. Picking them up, he goes to a metal safe he has stored behind a couch.]

If he allows you to leave with the copies. Have you asked him that?

[action]

[quantumtangled]

He does not need to. Memory will be enough.

[Because he doesn't forget a thing.]

[action]

[unfringed]

I still don't like having to barter for what should be free.

[action]

[quantumtangled]

Your kind do it consistently.

[action]

[unfringed]

My kind? What do you mean by that?