Afterparty I: Once Upon a Hotpot Dreary...

[heroicact]

[It's very likely that many want to be alone after all of that (and it was a lot, all of that altogether), but there's also merit in gathering together and rebuilding connections after everything that was upended in something as contentious as a trial in a tree. They even had to all slide down from the heights afterward, unfortunately for those with a fear of heights.

So what Jack sets about doing is simply passing on a message by word of mouth at the bottom of the absurd tree slide, tapping shoulders and nodding at those moving away as well, there will be food and drink and company later on in the lounge should it be needed. No one needs ballroom memories on top of everything else, yes?

And so anyone who comes out of their room will be hit by the wonderful smells of fresh bread and pastries, fragrant whiffs of hotpot (it's unfortunately left over from the other day, but it's hotpot so surely it's fine), the inescapable spices of curry and who knows what else has been thrown together in the moment. Jack certainly isn't the cook here, but he can heat things up in a pinch.

There are no signs or fanfare or decorations, unlike the other day; this is just a gathering place, for those who wish to shake off the weight of the days and lives on their shoulders.]

Comments

[heroicact]

[Alas, considering the number of people who have decided to spontaneously form the local periodically peckish potluck book club, Lucifer will likely have a number of invaders in the sanctuary he's set up. And moreover, he is by no means an inconspicuous individual -- so it's quite easy for Jack to simply stumble upon him in the midst of gathering some reading material of his own.

He's staying studiously away from the mystery section (too soon!) and simply pacing principally in the section with fairy tales, sometimes into the generalized fantasy section. Someone is doing his homework, it appears.

He doesn't accost his fellow archive diver immediately; it's only after he's selected the next volume that he turns his attention to Lucifer more or less dipping his toes into every shelf.]

Have you already had your fill of these archives? They're quite wonderful, but I imagine you may be used to even better accommodations? [who knows how angel libraries work, not him fam] Or perhaps it is something else. You seem quite lost in thought lately.

[Does he need to be that roundabout with it, maybe. He's just curious, of course.]

[oversaw]

[ Alack and alas, if only 'twere not so!

Wait, no. If anyone feels the need for mental stimulation rather than sustenance, they're free to join him. The archives are vast and he's not particularly bothered by company. In fact, he prefers it.

Anyway, Lucifer continues his roaming. He's as lost in thought as before the interloper book club committee entered the room. It's only when he hears Jack's voice that glances the blond's way and becomes more attentive to his surroundings. ]

Do I? [ A pause as he ponders, which is probably an answer in and of itself. ] I've had more time to my thoughts than experience in the company of mortals. Perhaps this habit formed as a result of that.

[ Not that it really matters. He lets the book fall closed and returns it to its place on the shelf. ] In any case, there's no comparing this room and the library at Canaan—but not due to its size or appearance.

[heroicact]

[Ah, but why choose between mental and physical sustenance when you can have the best of both worlds? All things considered, though, there do seem to be those amongst them who aren't as used to the everyday things.

And it's not even just the immortals that are guilty of this.

Jack isn't here to call things out, though -- he's just here to read, and while his reading material may vary, he too appreciates company all the same.]

Ah, that seems indeed like something that would happen over the span of lifetimes -- you become a little unmoored. Though that may be just my imagination running away with me...

[He doesn't push it, and it stays on the level of an idle musing, floating easily along.]

If it is not size nor appearance of the libraries, then -- the nature of the books themselves?

[oversaw]

No, you may be right. Though there are some who— [ Ah. No, there's really no need to speak of his fellow primarchs or the other primal beasts. Lucifer shakes his head lightly and moves on. ]

Forgive me. I should be answering your question, not indulging in idle discourse. You asked me about the libraries of Canaan, correct? [ While he's asking just to confirm, it isn't like he's forgotten the conversation. He continues along without waiting for an answer. ]

Yes. Most of the books I've read were penned by Astrals. Their literary styles and interests were much different than the authors here. Here, there's a preference for the fanciful and absurd.

The Astrals, however, favored academics and technical knowledge over storytelling.