72

[perfectsymmetry]

[Phone call: filtered from NPCs]

Hey everyone. I know how much the library here is useless, and a lot of people are looking for something to read. I don't have much, but I'm always willing to lend out the books I have. I got some novels from home returned awhile ago, and I've already read through them, more than once... All I ask is that they get returned to me in good shape, so other people can read them too. Um, they're mostly detective novels, as well. Ah, my name's Crowe and I'm at 1247 Williams if anyone cares to stop by.

--

[Action:

Spring is in the air, and Crowe can't help but be in a good mood, thanks to the warm weather and the end of the school year coming up. Prom wasn't a complete disaster either, and he skillfully managed not to make an embarrassment of himself during Mother's Day. Today Mayfield can find him:

A) On his porch with a pile of books next to him, in case anyone stopped by. He's reading one, sitting on the porch swing with his cat asleep in his lap.

B) At the flower shop. Crowe's always looking for new hobbies and is considering gardening since he never got the hang of cooking. But boys can't get gardening books at the library, so he has to wing it. He has no idea what he's going though, and is looking over flowers and plants, thinking. He will probably ask workers or other customers for help.

C) Windowshopping downtown. It might look innocent enough, but this thief is on the prowl. Problem is, none of the stores here have anything good, or even any security to speak of. Where's the challenge?

He does sit across from the bank for awhile though, watching people come in and out...]

Comments

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

[Books that aren’t about cooking or cleaning? There must be a God after all.
Rider would find her way to the house containing this charitable benefactor.]

Excuse me, is this where I might find the books for loan?
I couldn’t help but to overhear your announcement and I’m quite interested if you still have a few left.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[At this point, the pile's gotten low, but there's still a few novels left.]

That's right. You made it here before they were all gone, thankfully.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

[She’d bow respectfully before taking a look around the stack.]

These all look quite interesting.
I can’t say I’ve read much in the way of detective novels.
They must be entertaining for you to have so many of them, though.
I thought I’d spend all of my days with the limited collection in the library here.
You can only read so many recipes before they begin to blur, I assure you.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Same goes for book on carpentry and cars. Your free to borrow what you like, so long as I get them back in the same condition. They're a rare resource after all.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course.
I wouldn’t dare let them come to harm.
Books are articles of utmost importance.
They contain the intellectual history of mankind.
I’m elated just to be able to read a new genre now and again.
I thank you, truly.

Hm, I know little about cars. Perhaps I can read up on them.
I hear they can be quite fast.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Well, I can get those at the library if you want, but any guy in town can, really.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

Oh, so the selection changes based on person? How curious.
I appreciate the information.
I suppose you could call me someone with varied interests.
I don’t mind what I read, I simply like the information.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Usually I like novels, but I've been here so long that I'll take just about anything that isn't what the library offers me.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

I can see how it could become horribly monotonous.
In that case, I’m glad to see you have your books back.
I see why they are so precious to you.
But...how long have you been trapped here?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Ah... going on 15 months now.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

15 months.
There really is no rhyme or reason to this, is there?
Anyway, I’ve been here for a month or so.
I think I need to start slowing my reading pace.
There’s no telling when I’ll find someone kind like you again.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He smiles.] I really do hope someone gets some returned to them too. I really miss reading new books.

Ah, I don't think I ever got your name. I'm Crowe.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

You tend to take the little things for granted until you find yourself without them.
Fuyuki City used to have such a nice library. In a way, I miss it.

Oh, forgive me. My name is Rider. It’s a pleasure to meet another avid reader.

[She’d return the gesture, offering her hand in greeting.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I have a lot more back home. Mayfield only sent me some of them back so far...

Likewise. [Handshake!]

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

Ah? So you may have more eventually?
That’s wonderful news.
It really casts a hopeful light on this place when you get a little slice of home back.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I always wondered why the did that, though. I-I mean, Mayfield wants you to believe that you've always lived here, but then they send you things from home...

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

I think, perhaps they count on you losing grip with reality.
When you have enough things here that comfort you, this becomes home.
They do it bit by bit so you don’t realize it.
Suddenly, this is your day to day and home is a distant memory.

Forgive me. It’s just my take on things.
I could be completely off.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe is quiet for a moment. That made a lot of sense, actually. Crowe has been here a long time, and has a lot sent to him.

Quietly:] That's a good point.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

[Rider’s skilled at knowing when she’s mused a little too much and made things depressing.
And that would be now.]

A-Ah! I’m sorry!
I didn’t mean to make things sound so hopeless.
Do forgive me.
There could be a millions reasons why this town does what it does.
Who am I to spout conjecture?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe smiles sheepishly.] N-No, that's alright. There's never any absolutes when it comes to Mayfield...

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

[She lets out a small sigh, pressing a hand to her chest.]

It’s not my intention to be the black raincloud here.
I don’t want to take away what little hope people have gained in this place.
I’m actually happy anywhere I’m placed as long as I can be near Sakura.
But other people need the expectation of going home. That’s important.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I have a lot of things sent back to me. I-If anything, they only make me want to go home even more. [Out of his pocket, he takes out his iPhone and brings up a photo of his parents, a classy-looking middle aged couple.] It reminds me how much I miss my family and friends. That I have something back there worth fighting for.

Ah... so you have a friend here then?

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

Ah, that’s good, then.

[Leaning over, she’d study the couple before offering him a satisfied smile.]

They’re lovely, really.
I’m glad to hear you have someone to go back to once this is all over.

And yes I do, actually. She’s very important to me.
When I first came here, I had hoped she would have stayed in her time.
But I think we can make do.

Do you have anyone here from your time?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head.] No, not yet. A-And while I miss my family and friends a lot, I'd hate to see them brought here, to be put through all of what Mayfield does to people... But at the same time, I think it would be good to have that support, too.

[breaker-gorgon.livejournal.com]

I thought that at first myself.
But so many of the people I knew have been brought here.
The only thing I can do is to support them.
I wish Sakura hadn’t been disturbed. She was happy in our time.
I’ll just have to do my best to try to help her find some happiness here, I suppose.