12328/Resonants: Alfheim Wanderings

Resonants: Alfheim Wanderings
Date of Scene:	06 August 2022
Location:	Alfheim, Grand Library
Synopsis:	Lara and Zatanna dig through the stacks to find possibilities for the future and almost get eaten by a giant spider.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Lara Croft, Zatanna Zatara
Tinyplot:	Resonants

---

Thor has posed:
    Queen Aelsa was true to her word, for the people of Asgard's delegation were given access to whatever they wished. It was a point of honor that they should want for nothing. That no request was too outlandish, no wish should go unfulfilled. There were always in each room some manner of servant in attendance and at night a footman was ready before the quarters they were given.
    It was not quite the wild opulence of some places one might find on Midgard, for not everything was gold and silver and precious precious things. There was always the touch of nature, the connection with the wild that was ever present in subtle ways and not so subtle ways. For one there were living trees growing throughout the Fortress of Featherwine. For another there were brownies, pixies, and small folk rushing about tending to their duties in the castle. It was a vibrant place filled with energy.
    And the Grand Library of the High Elves was no exception. It was further into the depths of the castle, along wending winding corridors that curved through the structure but also partly through the wilderness for paths would diverge. Sometimes through the forest, other times through entirely other biomes as one place would have a heavy snow fall while another the gentle trickle of rain pattering across leaves in a jungle.
    Until finally they were shown to a giant round door that opened forth onto a room that was the size of a basketball stadium and twice as tall. With book stacks reaching up and up with elaborate stairs and ladders leading one to imagine this place was a place of learning yet also for solving the simple puzzles of having to find the card catalog or where the librarian's desk might be. The entire ceiling was a crystalline glass window that allowed the natural light to shine in beautifully illuminating the books and aisles.
    Yet as ever with everything touched by the fae there is a slight darkness to it. For there are wisps of cobwebs about, tendrils of webbing in the recesses of the great storehouse of knowledge.
    And curiously enough rather few people.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had been nose deep in books since they arrived here. Not just books, but also scrolls, missivs, and more. She'd also been settling in so much that she was dressed entirely differently than when they arrived. One of the local faeries had brought Lara a intricate robe to wear to help keep her warm within this massive building. Thus, now Lara is wearing a garment of dark reds and violets, draping around her as she does her research. Hooded, but the hood is down, Lara is sitting on the edge of a stone railing with a stack of books beside her, and a plate of fruit on the other side. She's enjoying some red grapes as she reads the contents of the tome.

Her head shakes side to side as she continues to work through the jumbled languages within the book. Thankfully... she has a lot of experience with languages, so she's able to make due where needs be. She hopes.

"What we need must not be opulent if at all possible." She says aloud. "The more desirable it is, the harder it'll be to keep in the place where we need it. At least, that's my thoughts on the matter..."

She mutters that last part as she plucks up another grape from the silver plate.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
A coffer of clothing made to her exact measurements awaited her in the room assigned to her. A silver form-fitting gown with trailing sleeves in gossamer lace has already replaced the gown Zatanna arrived in.

    A room also made to order, as though her tastes were easily discerned. A large window overlooks a riotous garden of flowers and a small pond filled with brightly colored ducks. Rainbow-colored bees flit between the flowers during the day, and silver moths as large as her hand float over it under the moon.

    The scene through the window distracts her from the open book on the desk. A book she had promised herself to study. Her eyes would not stay open after two pages.

     Arming herself with the unread book, she goes in search of Lara. Perhaps two heads would be better than one and help her shake the cobwebs. Unexpectedly, she finds the explorer seated on the edge of a railing.

"Hello," she greets her a few paces away in hopes of not startling her. "You look industrious. And, I couldn't help but overhear what you said. I agree. Have you come on anything that looks suitable?"

Thor has posed:
    Whenever food was brought forth before the two researchers, or some steps were taken, there was always some mention in some form toward the ownership of such things. A herald declaring that the Queen would ask the boon that they partake, framing it as a service done for the Queen than as a gift given to them. Whenever a servant would fulfill an order or complete a task it would always be murmured that they did so for the Queen's good favor. As if in some way it was somehow cutting the mortals out of the equation so there would be no debt incurred. A curious thing, but interesting and worthy of pondering as they worked.
    But it had likely been slow going, for the library was immense and they were for the most part during the day left to their own devices. There was some rhyme and reason to it, for the prominent areas were discernible. History was front and center, listing dates that were listed as a year's number in the reign of one ruler or another. So far they have likely found times connected to an Oberon, a Titania, and a Queen Mab, as well as Aelsa.
    Also there would be conflicting accounts at points, told from different points of view and there were never editorial comments or remarks. Yet it was clear if the Elves were one thing in regards to their works so produced... it was prolific.
    The sun, however, was drifting lower. A part of the library was taken with shadows though as the time moved lights would flicker on so no loss of visibility was suffered. Sometimes spheres held in the wall, other times actual torches flickering to life with white flames. But perfectly reasonable working atmosphere.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is flipping another page, as half of her is bathed in shadow, and the lower half is still lit with some rays of sunshine coming in from above. The book in her lap is lucky enough to be bathed in that light as she flips through the pages within it.

Her eyes raise up to see Zatanna arriving, and she shows a small smile. "Apologies. Only child. We're weird, and often talk to ourselves..." Croft replies before dropping her eyes down to her work.

"I am not sure... precisely. I believe something as simple as possible would be best. Even if we could find just a rock with the required connection. But so far, I've come across some garments that I think might be aplicable."

She leans over to reach at her backpack behind her on the floor at the foot of the railing...

When she strides up again, she pushes aside some of that poncho-like garment she's wearing, and offers a notepad with some of her notes for Zatanna. "There have been exploerers of Midgard from here before. Their attire could work, perhaps. Or at least parts of it." She shares another faint smile then. "I had a friend in College who used to talk to me about shoes. She'd point out how she'd see random shoes littering the roads, the pathways, even said she saw some hanging from powerlines once. They're so.... ordinary that most people do not even give them a first thought, let alone a second. Something akin to this could be what we need, rather than something ... grandiose."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Laughing softly, Zatanna approaches, "Then we both have the same habit for the same reason. No apologies needed. I'm quite certain, I'm weird, as well."

    Settling herself on the rail, book on her lap, she accepts the notes and glances at them as she listens to Lara narrate her search. She shares Lara's smile, "Ordinary objects. It makes me think of Japan where there are always guest shoes waiting at the door. It might not suit for everyone, if the people traveling through are as varied as the ones who greeted us."

Zatanna opens the tome in her lap to a full page drawing of a tree. "I have been going down the track of natural objects. Perhaps a tree that would act as a portal." Eyebrows drawn together, she frowns slightly, "They would need to be kept alive. A spell might do that. Or a stone - a stepping stone."

Thor has posed:
    As they talk their words do not go unheard. For a third voice rises somewhere above upon one of the tall shelves, a little raspy and high pitched, yet somehow matronly as it murmurs, << There have been many visitors to court of mortals fair. >>
    Slowly skittering over the side of the shelf, there's a small cascade of falling tomes flittering down, pattering toward the ground and into a pile that looks like it's been there for some time. Though what likely draws the eye moreso is the being that caused that small avalanche of knowledge as a pair of long arachnid legs clack-clack over the wooden shelf, followed by another and another until a great black and grey and furry spider-like creature comes into view out of those shadows to perch on the edge of the shelf as it gestures with two taloned arms that have human-like hands on the ends.
    Then it speaks again, multi-part jaws moving apart from each other yet somehow creating words understandable even as fangs slither back and forth into fleshy folds and out.
    << What is it you seek? For there have been times some beauteous soul has captured the attention of the Sidhe. >>
    The fangs clack together a few times rhythmically disconcertingly until one might realize that could be laughter, for its humanish eyes light up with warmth. << Oh forgive forgive. I am Tail and Loam and Coil and Spring. I see to the books. I see to them all. >>
    The large spider creature then reaches a leg out and picks up one of the books that fell and lifts it, flipping it over to try and tuck it into... what seems to be a vest it's wearing? Or some sort of coat or clothing that hugs its 'torso'. It looks like leather but it mainly seems to have... pockets. Lots and lots of pockets.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is closing the book she had on her lap when Zatanna starts to speak of a more natural approach to an item for what they need. "Oh, yes, that is a good thought as well. A tree would be perfect, if we could, yes, ensure its care is taken." She adds as she sets the book aside upon the smaller of the two stacks beside her right hip.

"I've heard of healing rocks.... I believe in this book..." Lara is saying as she's digging down to the bottom of the stack beside her, when the other books topple down and the spider-creature draws Lara's attention.

Normally, such a sight might put her off quite a bit, especially if they were back home. But here? She's seen a lot of odd things, not that far removed from how odd 'this' thing is.

That being said, Lara still exchanges a look with Zatanna, before she looks back to the Librarian-spider.

"We are hoping to find something connected to our two worlds, something that we can use for a magical intention. Nothing drastic or harmful, the opposite, actually."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
    Zatanna would have clapped her hands in joy on seeing the spider but restrains herself. The child in her laughs with glee and wants nothing more than to stroke the furry back. Nothing of which shows beyond a glint of merriment in her sapphire eyes. She manages diplomatically with a nod in greeting and smile that threatens to grow wider. Catching Lara's look she sobers somewhat.

    "Very nice to meet you. Do we address you as Tail and Loam and Coil and Spring or will Master Librarian do?"

    Gesturing to Lara, "Yes, exactly that. We were discussing natural objects that would resonate well between Midgard and here."

Thor has posed:
    << Any and all. Pick and choose pick and choose. >> TailLoam CoilSpring speaks of her name then leaps forward, catching herself with four legs to ease the descent by straddling two shelves and then skittering down and down, twisting around and rolling over on her side to turn around and then whip her head around to suddenly be there before Lara and Zatanna, her multiple sets of eyes looking back and forth forth and back. << Something something. >>
    She says thoughtfully in that motherly tone head bobbing and weaving as if hearing something rhythmic then she says. << Then we. Are looking. For the Time. Of Tumult. >>
    She turns sliding fingers along the table and rapping a quick rhythm in time with the bobbing of her head and the clacking of her fangs. << Time time time. Hm. >>

    Then suddenly she's /off/ darting away like a shot as she quickly skitters up a wall and then /leaps/ forward to fire a strand of webbing that catches against a chandelier and lets her swiiiiing across the library while old dust falls from the light fixture with each sway.
    A moment. Perhaps two.
    Then another and she reappears flipping through the air like some acrobatic horror, her twelve foot wide leg-span spreading open as she catches her flight and then lands... right in front of Lara.
    To deposit a half a dozen tomes upon the table nearby. All with silver bindings and all with an elaborate hand clearly from the same author. << When the suns aligned and we all were one under. So much travel so much passage. So many mortals. Ages of love and food and taste and... >>
    She sighs. << War. Such sads. Look in these perhaps find the fates fates and the findings. >>

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara can see the happiness that the Librarian brings out in Zatanna, which does make it a bit more infectious for the Archaeologist as well... but spiders. Come on.

She's a good sport, however, and only leans back a -little bit- when the Librarian-spider gets much closer. "Yes, indeed. if you could offer some assistance wit--" And then she's gone.

Watching the acrobatic display, Lara once more glances toward Zatanna beside her, before she looks back to watch the Librarian's return.

"Impressive. Much easier than what I've been up to so far to dig out what tomes I've been able to." She says with a soft smile.

Her eyes then drop to what the Librarian has brought.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
    Only fear of breaching some unknown Sidhe spidery protocol keeps Zatanna from touching the spider when it approaches. Mouth open in wonder, she follows the spider's acrobatic leaps through the stacks. It explains the cobwebs hanging from so many shelves. Shrugging at Lara, a gleeful smile dances in her eyes as she nods, "That was much more efficient than the New York Library! Thank you. Is the Era you referred to explained in these books Madame CoilSpring?"

Thor has posed:
    << So much of the travel back and forth. Connections many during the Tumult. Read and enjoy. >> The massive spider-being nods and nods toward Zatanna, lifting its head and lowering as her ruby eyes widen after a moment.
    << Oh what do they have what do they have? >> The long-legged librarian tip-tip-taps over to the table where the evidence of Lara's work lies and she begins to lightly pick up each tome gently looking at each and /very/ careful to preserve the places or bookmarks the archaeologist adventurer might have made.
    << Tobin's. Yes, good. Connections many. >> A book is set down then she picks up another with one of her rear claws flipping it around for the right side of her eyes to look on it then sets it back down, << Twelve Tales, classic though unreliable narrator, most unreliable. >>
    She then rises up, her thorax lifting and almost giving her a hint of something more bipedal with how that vest and all its pockets falls about her frame, << You spoke of tree however. Tree... living. Something between the land and the lands? >>
    Her raspy voice ends in a hiss as again her fingers uncoil this time to tap on her own shoulder that same quick rhythm. << Asgard no. Midgard yes. Worldtree binds all, Yggdrasil. >>
    Then she gasps, which is a rough sound to hear coming from a set of jaws such as hers.
    << Too much the tragic. The Queen the Queen. Her mortal loved. His grave. >> Her features, such as they are, droop. << From Earth to Alfheim to death. Mourned. So mourned. And from his chest... >>
    She spreads her claws out as if embracing the sun and sky above, TailLoam siiiighs, which sounds more like a hiss yet still carries such pathos.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara slides off of the stone railing, abandoning her plate of fruit as she gathers up the stacks of books she'd pulled from the shelves behind her. She watches the Librarian make her display, as she glances back to Zatanna, then starts toward the Spider-woman...

Lara deposits the stacks of books she had there on the corner of that research table where the bulk of her work had taken place thus far.

"We're not wanting something that will draw undue ammounts of attention toward it. I fear that a object of perceived value to others... might make guarding it, protecting it, a task that doesn't need to be justly so complicated... If you catch my meaning."

Lara steps around the table then as she walks back toward the stone railing to gathering up her bag...

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
It is hard for Zatanna not to stare as the Librarian delicately examines each book and comments on them. She holds out the book that contained the picture of the tree, eager to hear her commentary.

"My companion is only too right. We would be careful to avoid an object that has melancholy associations or is so valuable that it would need a constant guard. Perhaps, stepping stones would do?"

Thor has posed:
    The spider-being clacks its jaws again nodding along with Lara's words as she addresses it, apparently saying it catches her meaning. Yet one might not entirely be sure she does. It is hard to read such features and know for sure what might well be meant.
    << Such thought. Much thought. Stepping stones? Will have to ponder. >> There's a flutter of footsteps as the spider turns itself around, long talons grasping on the frame of another bookshelf and starting to use it to climb up the side of the wall. Once it gets some fifteen feet high along the stacks it turns, << Will need to ponder. If needs you have touch and pull. Pull and touch. >>
    At first it might be hard to understand what she means. To touch and pull what? Until her spinnerets fire out another web-line and leaps up into the air, drawing it out and across as she climbs upward so quickly, leaving that line there nearby. Perhaps for them to grasp and shake and let her know they need her.
    But for now the spider-like creature disappears into the shadows above with only the slight skittering of her steps heard, then eventually that fades as well. Which leaves the two researchers alone.
    For the moment at least.

Lara Croft has posed:
When Lara returns to the table she sets her backpack down upon it, before she rummages around inside it. When she looks up again, the Librarian is vanishing up in to the sky above. Lara cranes her neck to look after her, then waits... and looks over to Zatanna.

"I would have flipped my absolute lid, to have visited this place as a child." She says to the Magician, with a glimmering grin showcased before she starts to turn away. "Not to say that I'm not, as an adult... But... well, I'm jaded now, so my friends tell me."

Lara has picked up the book with the unreliable narrator that the Librarian mentioned. She starts toward one of the rolling ladders, and begins to scale it after pushing it over two stacks of shelves.

Thud, thud, thud. Lara scales up the wooden ladder where she pauses and slips the book back in to its place where she found it.

"Perhaps a simple statue could work too, though I do like the idea of a stone that would just be considered for foot travel. Such a thing is the epitome of being overlooked..."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
    "Jaded or just not given to vapors when talking spiders bigger than a Rottweiler appear? This place is dangerous," the magician nods deeply several times. "I could get lost here and never return to Midgard."

Zatanna goes to the books left on the table Lara used and flips one open, holding her long sleeve back with the opposite hand. She examines each in turn while Lara returns her book to the stacks.

    Craning her head, raising her voice enough to carry, "Well, hardly original," she demurs. "I got the idea looking at the garden I can see from my window. But what -kind- of stone would resonate here and there?"

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara is looking over the other books on that shelf for a moment, her eyes locked on their spines. It's Zatanna's words that make her pause though, as she looks back over to the woman again. "Perhaps meeting in the middle somehow?" She questions. "I've read of art collectors who have brought pieces of work from Midgard to Alfheim, in hopes of adding them to collections here, or even aiding them in finishing their sculptures. Such a union of art could be used. Even partially buried to look like nothing more than a stepping stone?"

Lara uses her right foot to push off of the shelf corner and cause the ladder to roll to the left several shelving units before she catches one with her right hand, stopping herself.

"These books here speak of such art, unity artists. Elves that were lucky enough to make the journey between realms... wanting to bring a bit of the beauty from Midgard, to here, and vice versa...."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Unity artists?" the magician leaves the books to stand at the end of the stack that Lara nimbly explores. "Then art books, art history books, artists," she mutters, mimicking the spider as she stands on tiptoe to run her finger over the book spines.

    "Are you proposing burying sculptures of some kind? Like the Easter Island stones?" She shakes her head at the idea and continues her search moving down the aisle below Lara.

    If it were home, she would call the books to her with a spell. Thor's cautions were ample enough for her to pause and reconsider relying on magic and going about finding books the hard. Besides, she had been criticized by people close to her for using magic far too often. And, there is always a price.

Thor has posed:
    After a time the doors that they had passed through to enter the Grand Library open once again, pushed inward by gloved hands holding each handle and causing the /clack-creak/ of the heavy portal opening to sound across the closer half of the book depository. Out of the doorway and out of the hall emerges a tall figure in black that they had seen before. Though not armored this time though still armed with a silver and black scabbard at his side.
    Liam Thorns lifts his chin and calls out, "Is it such a time that the visitors would retire? Surely dinner would await if they cared to indulge?" Then he was walking in, boot-heels clicking on the floor as he strides along looking this way and that as he ponders the surroundings and stops before the area where the two adventurers were working. He espies Zatanna, though Lara and her elevated position perhaps has not gained his notice yet.
    He leans forward to look at some of the books chosen, then wipes the finger of one gloved hand along a shelf's surface, coming away with the grey of dust and smutz so determined. "Is it possible this place grows more filthy every time I visit?" Shaking his head distastefully he clucks his tongue.

Lara Croft has posed:
A melodic little laugh comes from Lara at Zatanna's question of burying statues. "Well..." She starts to say as she looks at one book, then pushes it back and pulls out another that she fully opens up while standing and leaning on that ladder. "Normally I wouldn't. But in this case? Maybe."

She turns then, leaning back against the ladder, with one hand stablizing herself as she slides down until her boots touch the floor.

Lara opens the book then and steps toward Zatanna. "Look here..." She says, tapping the surface of one of the pages within. "Odin brought a statue from Midgard to Alfheim on one of his journeys. It's a statue of a dire wolf. A beast he says he battled, and defeated... Something like this, if even just part of it was taken to use... could be precisely what we're looking for."

Of course, the arrival of the flourishing man has Lara look over to him, she regards him as he nears and draws his finger across a shelf. She smiles softly at him. "I'm sure it has nothing to do with you. Time has a way of making everything a little dustier afterall..." She responds in good humor.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"That is an interesting piece of lore. Excellent. Still, I stick on the idea of destroying a work of art."

    Zatanna turns, a shimmer of silver in the Sidhe garb left for her at the Queen's pleasure, at the Elf's entry. "Surely, we would indulge ourselves at the pleasure of our hosts," she replies, then, gestures at Lara, suddenly glad to not be alone with the Prince.

    "The Librarian found us and we spoke briefly," The magician says on a sharp intake of breath. She had nearly mentioned the Librarian being helpful which would place Lara and herself in debt.

Thor has posed:
    Returning her smile, the tall elf with the dark hair and the solid black eyes gives a small nod of a bow in Lara's direction, acknowledging her words with a slight uncurling of one hand. Then he looks around and ponders the webbing that seems to disappear up into the shadows of the ceiling above though he does not touch it.
    Then his regard falls heavily upon Zatanna as he nods, "Does one not wonder what the Librarian gets up to at such long hours?"
    He turns and offers his hands one to each of the young women before him. "If they would be so kind, perhaps they will accept Liam Thorn as their escort?" He gestures to the side with a nod, "For is it not said that when night falls and light fades peril rises and danger lurks?"
    He takes a step back, further flourishing his gloved hands as if to renew the need for prompt attendance to his words.