#kc_necropolis

"Better not, " Caesar says "There's a very old very powerful grand dame who would take that personal. Mind the Silverfish"

"I know sluagh are treacherous." Blithely.

"Oh hey..." Caesar frowns "Some are fine folks. I know one lady who is a real sweetie. "

"Right? I met some really cool ones, too, but you don't want to upset them."

Gladiola glances up at the rafters a bit nervous

"Well that's true" Caesar says "They're educators and masters of fear, not folks you want to cross. I just think treacherous is a bit of a loaded term"

"She's a nocker, sir. " Gwen says as if that explains bluntness

"Damn straight I am."

"And, I mean, take Briar - she's cool, but she'll also straight up eat someone if she's pissed enough."

"Redcap?" Caesar asks

"The capiest" Gwen says fondly "She's a little monster, but she's our monster" Yup Fond

"RIght, keep hands and hooves by the side at all times" Caesar nods

"Exactly! I respect the nightmares, yo."

"I like having functional hands."

Musing. "Though I think Maleficent's a sidhe."

Gwen wonders if she just heard hissing from the rafters, did she? or was it her imagination?

"She's certainly loud enough to be" Caesar admits

Gwen steps closer to the library, then pauses, waiting to see if Thistle follows

"Coming!"

"have fun" Caesar says getting himself a beer. The Gaunlets seem a bit dazed. Were they violated? Should they tell someone they trust?

The troll has been patient but grunts approvingly as her friend says that. She wants to get in, and get out. Somewhere in here is a book that includes metals and other materials one can make from chimerical meteorites

Why the Baroness requested this, Gwen isn't sure. She has suspicions and most involve Artie

The cobweb banners that greeted them as they entered the 'cave' of the library are but one aspect of the spookiness of the library. Shadows seem to reach out in odd ways they shouldn't, almost clutching at the impressive numbers of tomes here. Given the dim light, one would think the shadows wouldn't and couldn't be so distinct. And yet, the are.. albeit without obvious sources.

The books themselves however are as varied as one could ever hope. Some quite clean amid the dusty shelves, others seeming almost encased by a lack of selection for years. There is a method to the madness, but also a madness to the method in some of the indexing. A few books on the very top shelves seem to be there as if to twhart childlings and short people

And Thistle IS focusing. Somewhat. Unless a book looks interesting.

meanwhile....

Citrine, of course, has no problems going anywhere she wants. high and low...

and already the upgraded Never has found one particularly shiny book way up. It has a chromatic foil like cover

Meaning Citrine can see her reflection, but in rainbow hues

The little chimera preeeeeeeeeeeeens.

How lovely, she is Citrine.. of course, but if she twists just a bit, it's more redish, or then she can go bover there to that part of the cover and get a yellower or even blue tinge! Oh my...

Gwen keeps looking "Okay..keep your eyes out. Black Book, Silver lettering.. title was something like 'The Star Gifts the Makers'?"

"Right! Star metal is baller. And I'm not even a smith, per se."

"I hear it's pure and magical both" She says "I don't know why this book would have more on it... but let's take a look see..."

(Perception Plus Alertness)

Our insightful Thistle notices THREE things...

One...

A large chimerical spider about the size of a large man's hand, is weaving a web AROUND Citrine while she's distracted... fair is fair. Two, the book she and Gwen are seeking. THREE...Gladiola of all folks has gotten distracted too, and is looking at a different book that's high up

"Hey, Aragog, get off it!" She chastises the spider as she snags the book.

Citrine is shaken out of her vanity in time to see the web forming around her. Ptew! She spits and glitter flies at the spider's eight eyes.. the arachnid, caught off guard AND snapped at by a nocker (Nasty creatures, Nockers. Folks say they serve a valuable purpose to Dreaming Ecology and shouldn't be judged by their dangerous swirls and fearsome appearance, but frankly they give the spider the heebie jeebies) retreats!

And Thistle has the prize they sought

"Hey, Balboa, found it!"

"Uh huh" Gwen says, reaching for the book at the top shelf. She's tall, a troll, duh, but she's actually gotten o na foot stool to get it.

"Whatcha find there?"

"It's a book I think I knew it in a past life, I know what sounds crazy but I..." She grabs the book, the stool however, is of vintaged wood and her weight is a bit much. It doesn't break, but it creaks, and Gwen, book in hand looks distracted. The book she pulleed out, falls, and lands on the floor now open. Gwen falls...

and vanishes into the book...

Like watching a killer whale dive through a hoop meant for a gold fish

Thistle blinks for a second. "What th'(^*&^$^(?"

"Okay, okay, I can fix this. Probably dumb to move it..." Squint-frown-scowl as she thinks.