#kc_necropolis

Humilated, borderline banished, the teengirl with the pale golden skin and dark eyes wanders into the libraries of Kansas City, one after the other

An art student... perhaps spurred by a certain french friend... is in a carrel, reading.

the Eshu, yes, eshu, wanders, her feet lead her to her target. A belagured man stacking books. He has the look of an elderly uncle, a quiet man who has little family of his own, save his books. Mister Wheaton (no relation) has a lot of physical work ahead of him, as the library doesn't get many volunteers these days, and can't afford to hire more employees.

Flip a page, idle glance around the room...

And a voice might be overheard, "Does it bother you your work doesn't mean what it used to?" //"Pardon?"" /"Libraries... folks get what they want on line. Corporations that make the books do their best to yank the books away rather than share them. And people? Well, they can only learn knowledge in five minute bites."//"i don't believe that's..neccereilly the case. We offer a lot that..."//"Ohyes,I saw the free internet here. Are the porn filters working? I think there's a man in trenchcoat I s aw earlier making use of your...library. I guess the pay makes up forit." /"I don't get paid that much..actually. i do it because I love the books."//'Do you? Do you really still love it? All these years, like Tantalus pushing a stone up hill?" //"That was uh Sysiphus actually... Tantalus was..."//"And there's the thing. No one cares. It doesn't matter. You work and work, and no one cares."

She folds her wings down low, frowning. She tucks a book under her arm, and approaches.

"Hello, do you work here?" A sunny smile at Mr. Wheaton. "I was wondering if you could help me."

Mister Wheaton had begun to look more gray, as if the Eshu had thrust a cold icicle in his heartlight and... but he revives as Sparrow shows up. She , as a student, has been here before, "Oh yes, forgive me young lady, I forgeet your name, but art books yes?" //the Eshu shoots a dark piercing look of hate at the crimson haired sidhe

She bobs her head. "Yessir. I was looking, and found these pictures... I wondered if you might have more on the artist? Or maybe - oh, you know I'm not great with computer, if you don't have it, helping me get a library loan... oh, I'm sorry, did I interrupt? I've not seen you here before. This is the best library in the city - huge collection of art books, if that's your thing!"

"And it's Julia. Mr. Wheaton, right?"

"It's not my thing, thank you," The Eshu says with a too dangerous smile.//Mr. Wheaton looks at the eshu, "pardon me, but I really should help Julia here." And like that, he ignores the Eshu as he focuses on Julia, "And , of course, Julia. You know, I think we may have a book about photographers and artists of that decade and I believe he has a chapter to himself. Now if you want more of his works , we have a book that was returned just this morning I think, you're really in luck. I hadn't put it on the shelves yet. Follow me, I'll get you both and then we'll talk about that loan." The man seems to be almost instinctively know that he should get away from the Eshu, and now clings to Julia like a life line. His joy for his work returning, hope in the younger generation intact

"Oh, you are a lifesaver!" She follows him along.

"Just doing my job, young lady. It's always a treat to see young people enthused," Mr. Wheaton moves with pep in his step restored, "And I am sorry I forgot your name. I mean, you've been here enough. I do hope folks are leaving you alone while you study? I've noticed you do seem to draw them. you let me know if you get pestered. I'll open ap rivate room for you."

"That's sweet of you. But people usually aren't too bad. Did I tell you I got an A on my Hudson Valley paper?"

"Aha, that's wonderful, so that treatise we dug up for you helped with that?" Delighted

She nods. "History isn't my strong point like my roommate's is... thank goodness for this place. The internet is useless for some things - I'd rather curl up with a book, anyways."

"Julila, I hope you don't mind me saying, but thank God for folks like you," He says with a smile and gets her the books she needs, setting her up with that library loan which is more than fair.

"Hmph. Me? Thanks for you. I don't know what I'd do without having a library. Things are so expensive...."

"Oh I can't argue there." He says looking about, "I don't know what I'd do without this place myself." Yes, he's back, fresh and believing again.

And the Eshu? She seems to have slipped out

Small talk, for now... she'll have to look for the Eshu later. Dreamer first.

Mr. Wheaton does admit with some pride and surpirse that his Nephew seems to be into art, "Wants to draw comic books. I try not to discourage him, though I wonder about the future of that job. Then again with the superhero craze, maybe not so far fetched. At last he reads Superhero fiction." Grateful, "He wants to get a web page on Deviant Art, but my sister's not sure she's going to allow it. Something about the word 'Deviant' I imagine."

She laughs - and, if he wants, shows him her Deviantart page. And tells him all about her little brother Colton who loves superheroes, too...

He listens and nods and takes notes for his sister, "Thanks, I think this will reassure her." He says "That's great work by the way, am I wrong, or is this one here a homage to Van Gogh's Sunflowers?"

She ducks her head - he can't see it, but her feathers fluff out with happiness. "It is. I love his style, you know? So much texture and motion..."

"Oh, I am not the expert you are, but I certainly do enjoy how I feel when I look at it. I have a print at home, makes me look classier than I am if anyone visits" He jests lightly, "Tell you what, your brother, the one who likes superheroes? We have a section for trades and graphic novels. Not my cuppa, as they say, but he can come by and read them or even check them out like anyone else."

"Oh, I'll have to tell him! He gets home from school around 3... do you have.. wait, let me... ah - X-men?"

"About three of them I think, though I don't know the storylines or any such thing so he may have read them before."

She holds up her hands in surrender. "Cole's the expert."

"Another reason to send him by, maybe I'll ask him for advice," A grin

"Sounds like a plan. Thanks again - I've got class in a bit, so I should head out. See you later?"

"Please do, you know my hours" He wishes her well

Yes, the Eshu is gone, but the Liam saw her, and noticed a slight stutter. Can't be that many Eshu fitting that description. She'll get word out, and she'll be sure to check on Mr. Wheaton.

(End Scene)

And if Bird can't - August and Colton can. They're a team!

They fight crime...(Sorry, couldn't help it)