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[lamb_of_gold]

[Somewhere in the library, there is a map spread open on a table, held in place with a few books on every corner. Most of them are language books, and they are all dog-eared and bookmarked. The map itself is dotted with about two dozen little tabs, and nearby is a list of location names, ranging all over the world and beside it is a list of Constellations, with a small hyphen to correlate the two. There's a half-empty cup of tea on the table, an open thermos resting by the table leg, and several sounds of general frustration coming from a few rows away. ]

How is it that in a library this large, I cannot find a single, simple, English book?

[He'd headwall, if doing so wouldn't upset the entire floor's worth of books. So instead, he rubs at the bridge of his nose and sighs.]

And how is it that in the entirety of those left at Sanctuary, there are so few languages amongst them?

Comments

[lamb_of_gold]

Want to? None. Have to? At the very least, English, Japanese, French or Spanish, possibly some Russian...I know some Portuguese thanks to a friend of mine. It would be easier if I could find those among the Sainthood who spoke these and send them to recruit in certain areas instead of me. Unfortunately, we are so thinly spread right now, and many of the trainees are Greek or Italian these days.

[A beat, and then a sigh] Although I'm beginning to think I may have some help with the Indian dialects.

[oliverplus]

[whistles] That's some list! Are there other people who could learn some of them?

[raises an eyebrow] Not help you really want, I take it?

[lamb_of_gold]

None that I'd trust. Even a phrasebook would be helpful to me.

[And a long-suffering sigh] I have the feeling that the spirit of my close friend is haunting me. Knowing Shaka, I wouldn't put it too far past him.

[oliverplus]

[frowns] I'm sure I could come up with something. I mean, I'm in the 27th century, so... [Mu, you have just succeeded in getting him, for the first time, to try to remember something about Gondovan. congrats!]

...your friend's spirit is haunting you?

[lamb_of_gold]

I would be grateful for anything.

Yes, I think so. There's a long story behind it, but Shaka has always had an interesting relationship with death.

[oliverplus]

I think... [frowns] I think I have a translator. A...oh, a datapad! I could loan you that?

[raises an eyebrow] You mean he's died more than once?

[lamb_of_gold]

You'd have to teach me how to use it. I'm unfamiliar with many technologies.

Strictly speaking, yes. Shaka possesses something called the 8th sense, which allows his spirit to exist in the afterworld, but not be bound to it. So while his body may be dead and gone, his spirit is free to come and go as he pleases...and I know he's brought his body back from death before.

[oliverplus]

[brightens] I could do that! Just as soon as I work out where it is.

He...wow. [shakes his head, rather amazed at the idea] So why do you think he's haunting you?

[lamb_of_gold]

Not at the hospital, then?

Possibly waiting to regain some of his energy before he brings himself back. [There's a minutely pained look and a sudden wash of helplessness] He...expended quite a bit, shortly before he was killed.

[oliverplus]

Well, it might be. [avoids Mu's gaze] I...uh...haven't been back there.

[frowns, looking down to break eye contact so he can get away from that feeling] Sorry, Mu. You all right?

[lamb_of_gold]

Living on the Plane, then?

I'm fine, why? [Hurrr no he's not.]

[oliverplus]

[shrugs uncomfortably] For now, yeah.

[looks back at him and can't help making a face--though he quickly tries to cover it up] You sure? You looked...you know, upset. Well, you were talking about your friend dying...

It's a good thing that he's haunting you now, isn't it?

[lamb_of_gold]

Good to know I'm not the only one, then.

He died as he wished to. I cannot argue against that.

You'd think so. [His tone is not exactly amused. More like long-suffering.]

[oliverplus]

[surprised] What, you are, too?

[frowns] No, but...he was still your friend. [but his expression lightens a bit at that comment] He's that much trouble, huh?

[lamb_of_gold]

Lately, yes.

Mm. It's somewhat unnerving, though I suppose I will grow used to it in time.

[oliverplus]

Why?

I guess that would be weird... But hopefully he can help you out! Right? [looks Mu in the eyes again, hoping to spread his optimism]

[lamb_of_gold]

I may have explained it to you before, but because of one of my mergers, time at home is passing slower than my own sense of time. It's a bizarre and somewhat unpleasant feeling.

Oh he's certainly not malicious, at least. [No real optimism, but an exasperated sort of amusement]

[oliverplus]

Really? [frowns] Wow. I can't imagine that. I hope it's not like Stargate!

[smiles faintly] He playing tricks?

[lamb_of_gold]

Stargate?

Mm, I think of it as an unexpected guest.

[oliverplus]

Yeah! Everything's all slowed down, so you can't hear each other properly or anything. You know?

Has he noticed your...time...troubles?

[lamb_of_gold]

I'm afraid I don't....


If he has, he's not said anything of it.

[oliverplus]

Oh. Then I guess it's not like that!

Well, that's good, at least. [pauses, glancing at his friend a bit uncertainly] Hey, Mu? Can I ask you a weird question?

[lamb_of_gold]

Of course you may.

[oliverplus]

Well, you said your merger makes time move different for you. Right? Did I ever...um...mention anything that was weird for me?

[lamb_of_gold]

You haven't mentioned anything to me, no. Why?