Library is Open -- 11/7

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

The librarian is in an exceedingly good mood today, even if he's currently trundling books that still need to be shelved after the Quickening the freak lightning storm that hit the library a week and a half past. Even more surprising, his mood does not seem to be dependant on caffeine, as there is no mug on the Collections Desk since Janet someone broke it.

Comments

[swerval_zero]

*calls after him* The Library has a lot of things most places don' have!

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

He spends a long while walking among the stacks, pulling out books and leafing through them, or simply running his fingers along the titles on the spines.

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

"Feasting on the abundance of literature?" Methos asks.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff looks over his shoulder and smiles. "Yes, I suppose I am. It's really an incredible collection. I wish I dared read any of it."

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

"Why don't you? That's what it's here for."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

"The earlier works, maybe I will. But for the bulk of it..." He shakes his head. "I'm not entirely certain I ought to even to reading the materials I'm going to be teaching. I mean, obviously if I'm to teach them I have to read them. It's just that...just being here has changed me, changed the way I think. And I know that my writings, at least some of them, are already known to people. How do keep from contaminating what I write, if I start reading the literature from a time that, for me, hasn't even happened yet?"

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

"I'm the last person to try to explain how this place works. But..." Methos draws one of the books from the shelf. "It's already written. Here, in my hand. While I'm not going to argue that it's immutable... it's here. And who's to say that you didn't have the grounding in the literature of the ages -- both before and after you -- when you wrote what you did? It's the alchemy of passing though your mind, and heart, and soul that made it what it is, not just the mechanics of putting the words together. Besides, it would be a damned shame to stop at Piers Plowsman and Sir Gawin and the Green Knight."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff laughs. "There's a great deal of excellent literature before Piers Plowman. But...you do have a point. Tara mentioned once that she thought I must have picked up some...modern ideas about women while here and incorporated them into my writing. Which means, I suppose, that if she's right then the damage is already done." He gazes a moment at Methos, then gives him a sly smile. "All right, then, master Librarian. Recommend me something."

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

"Gods, it's like throwing open a candy shop and trying to recommend one confection at a time." Methos considers. "You had a good start requesting Austin. I'd offer you Dickens, but I'd imagine that you'd start hooting at him in short order. Aphra Behn, Christopher Marlowe, John Steinbeck... ah!" Methos pulls a book entitled, "The Short Stories of Mark Twain" off the shelf. "Read "The Diary of Adam and Eve (http://courses.washington.edu/hypertxt/cgi-bin/students.washington.edu/grace86/assignment1/home.html). Somehow, I think it's to your taste."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Accepting the book, Geoff gives him a smile of thanks. "You realize now that it's highly unlikely you'll ever get rid of me?"

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

Methos doesn't let go of the book for a moment, and smiles at him. "What makes you think that wasn't my evil plan to begin with? Good literature can be like good whiskey; it can go to your head and render you incapable of sober judgement. I fully expect that you will be in regularly for your rations."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

He raises an eyebrow, and the sly grin returns. "Of course, my good sir. I wouldn't dare dream of going without. Either the good whiskey or the good literature. Or the occasional lack of sober judgement."

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

Methos laughs. "Come back often, Geoff. I have plenty of the fruit of the writer's pen, both fine wine and rotgut to dispense to you."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

"And I'll be pleased to sample both." Geoff gives Methos a little bow. "Now, I'm guessing there's some procedure to my being allowed to take these books out of here?"

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hells, you haven't filled out an application yet?" Methos glances back to where Zero is sitting. "I'd tell you to take the book and run, but I fear for my life with these girls. Come on, I'll protect you." They return to the collections desk, and Methos pulls out an application with a flourish. "Fill it out completely, blue or black ink, if there is any missing information my assistants will hunt you down for it."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Looking as though he's about to reach for something, Geoff looks down at himself instead, and gives a muttered curse. "Damn it, next stop, I swear it." Looking up at Methos, he says, "Could I borrow a pen?"

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

Methos chuckles. "Here you go. Library property, mind you."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff gives the pen a distasteful look. "Don't worry, I have no interest in keeping it." He fills out the application form and hands it over.

"It that all? I can come and take books whenever I please, now?"

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

"As long as you bring them back promptly, yes."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

"I thank you for your assistance then, master Librarian. Be assured that I will be back very soon." He gives Methos another bow and another grin, before turning to leave.