video/action;

[noreason]

[Naoki had considered using audio only for this message, but then decided to just go with video. There was no reason to hide his appearance on the network, since anyone who ran into him during everyday life was going to notice the markings and the horn and the fangs anyway.

He's in the library, crouched on a chair rather than sitting on it. He's looking around as he starts to speak, but looks back at the camera after a moment.]

Someone told me there might be some librarian types around Wonderland. Or at least some people who know the library really well. There's a book from my world that I want to find, and I haven't had any luck so far.

[He shifts his weight, his expression turning pensive, and is silent for several seconds. Whatever he's thinking about, he makes his decision, gives a slight nod, and speaks again.]

Everyone here is okay with demons, right?

[He's been testing the waters on this one so far, just seeing how people react to his appearance, and now seems like as good a time as any to just ask that outright.]

Comments

video;

[powerofmabel]

[squints]

I guess it depends on the kind of demon...

video;

[noreason]

The "me" kind.

[He points at himself.]

video;

[powerofmabel]

Well, you don't seem like a bad demon.

video;

[noreason]

[He smiles a little, one corner of his mouth quirking.]

But you don't know me.

[video]

[jivitadana]

[Minato had visited the library once or twice before thanks to Kaneki showing him around, but it'd be nice to go back again.]

What kind of book?

[Just one book? That had to be really specific then and the library was huge. The demon thing could be addressed later since it was brought up secondary to the book. Priorities.]

[video]

[noreason]

It's called the Scripture of Miroku. I think it has some information about my world that I want to know.

[He'd like to be more specific, but the extent of his knowledge about the book itself is limited.]

[video] -> [action]

[jivitadana]

I can help look.

[Thus here's Minato heading over there to the library now.]

... Isn't that Japanese?

[It sounded like it. The name attached to the scripture sounded like something he'd learned in class, almost in passing.]

[ Video ]

[luckynumberthree]

[ Well, that's... not a question that gets asked every day around here. Simon squints at the screen a moment before flipping open a feed to reply. ]

I suppose that depends on the demon. But most people here are usually okay with anyone who is okay with us back. Does that help?

And if you're looking for help in the library, I'm pretty sure Evie's the one you want to ask for, she keeps the library in order most times.

[ Video ]

[noreason]

So what you're saying is if I'm not evil, I'm okay?

[That sounds good to Naoki. It's easier than being hated.]

Evie? I'll have to look around for her, then...

[ Video ]

[luckynumberthree]

That's pretty much it, yeah.

[ Did demons come in flavors other than evil? Was this a thing. or was it just a different definition of 'demon'? ]

We're all stuck here in the same boat, after all. Most of us make an effort to help and get along and anyone who does the same doesn't have much trouble. There are a few exceptions, of course. Aren't there always? But generally speaking, it seems to be the way of things.

[ Although there were some Hunters that might take exception to that. Demons were some pretty nasty business, depending on what world you hailed from. ]

[video]

[catinthemask]

I believe most here are fine with demons, as there are many different types of protagonists here, ahaha.

[At least Zacharie hasn't heard any issues on the matter himself.]

[video]

[noreason]

Protagonists?

[Yes, Naoki, that's what you are.]

[video]

[catinthemask]

All of you unwilling residents of Wonderland, of course! But more towards your question, I have yet to see demands for demons to leave. That being said I am completely unaware of other's personal preferences so I cannot speak for them.

[In his option it didn't matter much (especially if you had money) but perhaps one or two may be uneasy.]

video;

[heroica]

[ Evenly: ] ... Are you a demon, then?

[ They'd been warned off talking to and dealing with demons over Wonderland's network - not that she'd needed the advice, considering her own experiences. ... But: ]

You don't look like any sort of demon I've met.

video;

[noreason]

I'm a demon.

[His voice isn't hesitant, but it is cautious, given her tone. He doesn't bother to explain that he's more like half a demon. Not just now. It would feel like he was trying to cover something up, somehow.]

What kind of demons have you met?

video;

[heroica]

Ours - the ones from my world - are spirits from the Fade, twisted as they fail to adapt to our world. [ Or so she's heard. ] They... embody our failed traits, like Pride and Envy. They possess people and slaughter and - ruin lives.

[ Robyn swallows, expression softening. ]

I hope you won't admit to being a part to anything like that.

video;

[nascensibility]

I suppose that depends upon the demon's intentions, but the very same could be said about humans.

[She has often known the former to be friendly, and the latter to be monstrous - cruelty isn't exclusive to kind. Over the little communicator Evelyn can see that he is perched upon a chair in one of the reading spaces - east wing? - and at a loss. This is precisely the sort of thing that she enjoys doing, if only because it adds a little flavour to the otherwise bleak day.

Winter weather is so dreary.]

I'm the librarian.

video;

[noreason]

That's what I was hoping people would say.

[What she says mirrors things he'd learned at home and he smiles a bit. Overall, people have had similar responses, and it makes him happier than his demeanor would indicate.

He visibly brightens at her identifying herself, his fangs showing as he smiles.]

Perfect! Maybe you can help me, then.

[He hopes that saying "maybe you can help" isn't some kind of insult to librarians.]

video;

[nascensibility]

I would be happy to,

[she informs him, because it's a nice diversion from the filing she's been doing for the last handful of hours, and whatever book a demon is looking for has to be interesting.

Provided it isn't about destroying the human race, et cetera.]

Evelyn O'Connell.

video

[krmvgivv]

Is it a book that's published or one where there's, like, only one copy? Cause if it's something specific like that, it might not be there.

"Okay" isn't really the word I'd use for the demons I've met, though admittedly, Wonderland rules are different and you sure don't look like the same kind.

video

[noreason]

I have no idea if there's more than one copy, but it's not something you can pick up from a bookstore. Probably not even one of those rare book bookstores.

[Hrm. This is looking less optimistic in terms of book-finding. In terms of demon-being, it's actually looking up.]

If it helps, I'm probably only half a demon.

video

[krmvgivv]

Yeah, then you'd have to talk to the vendors. They could probably get it, but it'll cost you a memory. So, uh, don't go unless you're really certain you need it.

...where's the other half?

[Action]

[mourning_ghost]

[As usual, Nageki is already in the library. It doesn't take him long to find Naoki.] I can try to help you find what you're looking for.

[Action]

[noreason]

[It's this guy! Naoki think's he's pretty cool. Smart.]

Nageki, right? That'd be great. [He steps down from the seat of the chair he's crouched on.] I was able to rule out a few areas, but I'm still not sure how the place is actually organized.

Re: [Action]

[mourning_ghost]

It is somewhat unique. [He's understating the case there.] What kind of book is it?