Tuesday, 09 June 2009
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A blanket of calm seemed to surround Nathan, despite the undercurrent of menace. I feel at home here. Nathan’s hand idly stroked the fine surface of the arm of the chair as he was taken by nostalgia. How many countless hours had he spent in one library or another, setting his roots in a comfortable chair in a secluded corner and pouring through passage after passage until being asked to leave by a startled janitor well after closing time? The familiar smell of crisp and well tended pages set his senses at ease.
The Librarian stood patiently, allowing Nathan to assess the situation, preferring not to rush him. It seemed that Nathan had managed to settle himself without much ado. The Librarian cocked his head ever so slightly and polished the gleaming surface of his hand held watch on the lapel of his suit, a habit of his. Noticing the briefly distant look in Nathan’s eyes, the Librarian’s face briefly assumed a pained expression before softening into a knowing smile. “Wonderful, isn’t it?”
“I was actually going to ask where I could go to get a library card.” Nathan remarked, raising his brows as he observed the plain figure before him.
The Librarians dry laughter resonated in the expanse of the library as he made his approach towards the chair, taking a seat in it as Nathan offered no resistance, backing away and moving to the other side of the desk, casually observing the statues. Finally settled in, the Librarian donned a pair of thin reading glasses and tented his fingers, observing Nathan intently.
“Are you aware of where you are right now, Dr. Waters?” The Librarian spoke slowly, the syllables dropping out fluidly as he formed the question. Nathan now had his back turned to the Librarian, passing from casual observation to curious inspection of the “Lust” statue. Several still moments passed as Nathan mulled the question, before turning back to the Librarian.
“There is something… wrong…with this place. I can’t place it, something sinister to my senses, but not overtly so. There is a texture to the quiet here, as if people are milling about on mute.” Nathan paused, sliding his hands into his pockets contemplatively. If the Librarian had any reaction to his comment, he didn’t show it; instead he only maintained his probing stare over his fingertips.
“An astute observation, Dr. Waters; if only you could comprehend how right you are.” The Librarian spoke evenly, finally moving his hands to lie palms down on the desk, leaning forward. Nathan was a fairly confident man when it came to his comprehension, leading him to raise a brow.
“Try me.” Nathan said, firmly.
“You saw your wife today, didn’t you?” Nathan went stone-faced, he knew he didn’t need to answer that question. “Did it seem like a hallucination to you?” This time Nathan wanted to reply, but knew what his answer would imply. The Librarian straightened his posture, moving to rest his forearms on the chair’s padded armrests. “You know what theories were being bandied about by Dr. Zaitzev.” Nathan was beginning to get angry.
“I will admit that today hasn’t exactly been par for the course, but what you’re hinting at is beyond preposterous.” Nathan seethed. “We’re ages away from being able to detect such a thing—provided it even exists—much less forge technology from it!”
“That’s interesting, Dr. Waters,” the Librarian broke into a smirk, “you seem to be able to detect me.”
-C
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