Chapter 25

[1stlibrarian]

The company four days past was quite pleasant. I hope they come back to the city again. Though everything reverting back to almost prehistoric times was quite an inconvenience.

And whoever this Mr. Gaiman character-author is, his imagination is no doubt extensive but a bit too over-zealous. Good grief. "swing both ways", indeed...Mm, I have

Comments

[fallen_samael]

Curious, librarian.

Have you found yourself a new preoccupation?

[1stlibrarian]

Preoccupation, Lord Lucifer? I am sure it is perfectly alright to question, when one is in doubt?

[fallen_samael]

Doubt? Only because hard facts are difficult to come by.

I ask only because you asked the very same questions to which I seek answers.

[1stlibrarian]

If you do not know of the answers, Lord Lucifer, then there is little chance of one such as me knowing them, without a lot of legwork involved.

It is hard to seek the answers when those who know the answer aren't so forthcoming. Or because there isn't much... material to start with.

[misterblackbird]

It is a shame there's no more information about the carousel and the 'deities'--aside from the mentions in the City guides given to newcomers.

At one time, I fully intended to investigate both the ticking and the carousel.

[1stlibrarian]

And the guides only come from both former and current citizens themselves, all their best approximations of this place. I wonder, if the deities are questioned extensively, will they answer?

Indeed? What came of your intentions? Were you successful?

[misterblackbird]

Yes, a whole set of beliefs and near-superstitions have developed among the citizens and they're simply passed down to newcomers--it's almost a culture unto itself. I suspect that if the 'deities' are questioned, they'll demand payment of some kind. Mr. Paulie once implied that I could ask to see the schedule of curses, but I wonder what they would demand in exchange for that sort of information.

It was the carousel that trapped be to begin with: I saw it down an alleyway and, getting too close to it, passed into the City. When I realised I was trapped, I meant to investigate what had entrapped me. Unfortunately I became too preoccupied to investigate very fully.

[1stlibrarian]

Indeed, it warrants a whole study in itself.

... a schedule of curses? ... it is both horrible and fascinating to think on... No doubt they will demand something weighty or infinitely precious. Deals with them usually involve the renouncement of memories or feelings, don't they?

I see. So it was the carousel that somehow lured you to this place. It does seem that almost everyone's first encounter with the City involves the carousel...

Everyone has seemingly settled to their own routines here, I do not expect for them to think about the carousel and it's seemingly sinister implications for long. Unless something drastic happens.

[bitingnightmare]

Why so curious, librarian?

[1stlibrarian]

Mm. Perhaps it is because of the length of time that I have been here that prompted me. Ah, six months already, 4 days ago. Then again, I have always wondered, and it is only now that I have made my questions public.

Surely you have thought about those things yourself?

[bitingnightmare]

I did and concluded within a week this is what happens to Hell when the Christian Contagion have a sense of humor.

[1stlibrarian]

...

Including the part where nobody dies and just gets re-animated over and over again?

[viridiantwinkle]

i cAn kEeP yOU coMpAnY~

[1stlibrarian]

Ah, of course, my lady. But wouldn't you be... hm, bored with my company? All I would be doing is either stacking or reading books.

Where is Barnabas?

[viridiantwinkle]

bOoKs~ i hELpEd pEoPLe wRiTe bOOks bEfOrE.

i'M noT suRe.

[1stlibrarian]

Indeed. And those books are still the topic of debates on whether they were divinely inspired geniuses or madmen.

Then, I shall be waiting for you here in the library, my lady.

Good grief, he is supposed to watch after you. He is not always with you, I gather?

[ever_evey]

The cogs and moving bits of the clock are underground. I've pictures around here somewhere, if you're interested.

[1stlibrarian]

Pictures? You mean, someone has been underground?

[ever_evey]

Yeah. I lived in the Underground for a little over a year, actually--and V took rather copious notes about the City as a whole and the clockwork in particular.

[1stlibrarian]

I see. And has V posted these notes in his journal, or somewhere else? May I ask your permission to peruse them?

Ah, forgive my manners, I have not introduced myself. I am Lucien.