funnygirl | 002 | Video/Action

[To say the past couple of weeks have been strange would be an understatement. Even though Belle had been forewarned about the kinds of things that happen around the time of new arrivals, nothing could quite prepare her for losing all her memories so suddenly, or getting them back just as fast. At least during that week she hadn't been aware of the mistakes she made and now that it was all over she felt too embarrassed to talk to anyone...besides Beast. But in that she really had no choice since she lived with him. But even so she's been careful to keep the subject of that strange week out of their conversations and-hopefully-out of Beast's thoughts as well.

So in the following week she takes to cleaning up there house, just as she told Beast she would. She wipes down every inch of it, clearing away the dust and the grime. And one day in the middle of the week she leaves the house to pick up some food to stock the kitchen. And she also makes a quick trip to the library to pick out a few new books to read and to return the others.

But this afternoon finds Belle once again at the library. She's standing in front of one of many bookshelves, scanning the spines of the books. There's just so many to choose from, she doesn't know where to start. She's mostly been reading stories she recognized from her own world, but she can only re-read those so many times before she's in the for something new. Finally she flips open her journal for the first time since the Shift and addresses the network.]

Good afternoon Luceti. For those who don't know, my name is Belle. And I was just wondering if any of you would be so kind as to recommend some books to me. There are so many I'm unfamiliar with in the library and it's a little bit daunting. I really would appreciate your recommendations. I enjoy reading fairy tales, if that helps. But really, I'm sure I would enjoy anything.

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[She nods to show that she's following along, but something just doesn't sound quite right.]

The images in my head...appear on the screen? But how? [This is very alien-sounding technology.]

I suppose not. Whatever the genre, you can't fault a book if the story is good. Thank you for the recommendation. I will be sure to look for it.

Of course. I'm sure it won't be any trouble.

And so it wasn't important enough to give you proper reading materials? [This sounds similar to an issue in her own world. And she's no less unsettled by it here.]

You should come to the library sometime. I'm sure I could help you find something.

Heh, that would be pretty fun, but I like havin' images with my stories. Like picture books and movies.

Oh! Well I know a few books that have pictures. They'd be just the thing for you.

I've noticed this, myself. The attitudes on Midgard had changed much since the last time I spent any time at all there. [He isn't impressed with or enamored of mortals, like Thor, but he has to give them that. It's an uncomfortable thought.]

Yes! Definitely. I think...my friend Helios works there, so I will ask.

Yeah? What kinda books? Fairy tales?

They are! Maximus is one of the smartest people I know. [Yes. People.] I also have a chameleon named Pascal...he's my best friend!

Usually it wasn't considered important. We certainly didn't have a library in my hometown to rectify it.

I would like that, actually. I, am honestly unsure where to start. Most things are hard for me to really, read most of the time. [Ah, having the reading comprehension of a 5th grader certainly makes Abel's life fun.]

Well, not exactly the way you would imagine it. It is mostly a director's take on a story, if I am correct.

[Loki frowns shortly, thinking.]

I think the best way to explain this is to show it to you. And I feel very patient and friendly today.

[And Midgardian technology and culture is his favorite subject of all time.]

Yes. Some of them are Fairy tales. But I've also discovered a section in the library with small books filled with pictures. They seem like very quick reads, which might appeal to you if you dislike reading a lot.

A chameleon? They seem like interesting creatures, but I've never seen one. Are either of them here as well?

That's what I would call progress. For good or bad I think we would all be quite lost without it.

Director's...take...

[Loki, you might as well be speaking in another language.]

Show it to me? Right now?

[Belle perks up a bit at that. She can never say no to new experiences.]

Well, I can help you! We can start with something simple. Maybe something with pictures?

[She has helped re-teach Beast how to read, she can do the same for Abel.]

It's not that I dislike readin', it's just... I like other methods of telling a story better. But I'll be sure to check the picture books out anyway! It's not like I've got anything better to do.

Without progress, you'd be quite boring, that's certain.

[Chizuru nods a small bow of the head.] Sorry if my request is a little strange...

A man's love of the sea takes him on a journey with a crazy captain who wants revenge on a big white whale who in turn has been avenging his brothers who were hunted by the whaling industry. So Moby Dick, the whale, started fighting back and tearing ships apart, and Captain Ahab wanted to hunt him and fight him in a showdown to face his destiny.

It was one of my father's favorites too. We even named our Flagships after her. [Well, Moby Dick's a him, but the ship's a her, so whatever.]

Smoker. Vice Admiral Smoker. I'm not from your world, but I've been reading a lot of French literature lately. I'm becoming something of a fan, I have to admit.

I think you'll enjoy the story. The princess herself was quite a storyteller, and that ended up serving her well-- ah, but I wouldn't want to spoil the story by saying too much. It's more fun to find out by reading it, after all.

Yes, Pascal is! Hang on--

[And the journal is flipped away from her face and towards a tiny green reptile who is snoozing in the window sill.]

That's him!

Oh yes. I study folklore and folktales for...well almost as a second job. [ Helios smiles as he goes over to the shelf and pulls out a bunch of books. ]

There's lots of writers in my world, a-actually I think a lot of the books here are from Earth. There's the darker versions of stories by the brother's Grimm. Also, ah, Hans Christian Anderson has written quite a few. As for other cultures, Yei Theodora Ozaki a Japanese translator, has a few books out on Japanese fairy tales. There's, ah, lots of different stories though. Some of them happy, some of them sad.

N-n-no. I-I'm alright. [It's almost an excuse to make her not worry, but besides the bruising soreness on his... his... s-somewhere, he really is alright.]

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