Fort Weyr - Library Archives

Surviving the ages is something that books are known to do, especially if they are left untouched for just as long. In this room, that's exactly what has happened. Put aside as trivial information or simply determined old enough to not impact present day life, these numerous articles stored in ceiling high shelves are the forgotten histories belonging to Fort.
Miraculously, the design of the room itself has prevented any of the books from damage. The rock base of which the room's foundation is actually one of the toughest rock known to man and cannot be surpassed by any creature living, while a layer of tiles of the smoothest stone gives this room a vibrant and mysterious appeal. The door itself on the room was sealed tight and allowed for a minimum amount of circulation, thereby preventing natural decay, although most articles may be brittle despite this. White marble has been used to create an insulating layer wall against the natural rock, giving the room an unnatural brightness and a enchanted atmosphere - while also giving it four distinct walls. The ceiling as well has been made smooth with an arching apex.
As for the books and mounds of information stored in this vault of information, the organization is clear. Books bound with hard covers are kept alphabetical in the towering skybroom wood shelves, where step ladders and scrolling ladders actually attached to the shelves move to assist a person in selecting a volume. The shelves are ornately carved, many crafted with a mastery none have ever seen. Meanwhile, scrolls have a sectional shelf where each scroll based on how they were itemized has a cubical square into which they are kept in. This shelf alone has over a hundred squares in which the scrolls stick out of. As well, any loose bits of information have been assembled in files that are stored in boxes along the back wall. Apparently, recording history takes up vast amounts of space and every where one looks in this room one would find a wealth of information. The ancestors of Fort live here.


With winter coming and the days growing steadily colder and more miserable by the hour (so it seems anyways, to some), it's no surprise that most of Fort Weyr's residents find any excuse with which to stay indoors. Morning has come and gone and the hour now steadily ticks on towards noon. The skies outside are overcast and rains have fallen on and off since late the previous night, turning most of the ground to a half frozen sludge of water and mud. Having already done his rounds, as per his usual routine, Th'ero only went to his weyr to change and take in a quick breakfast before coming down the tunnels and towards the library. It's on of the most unlikeliest of places to find the Weyrleader, but on this dreary and rainy day he seems to find a reason to venture into it, even if it not entirely for duty purposes. At least it's not the computer labs, as the few techcrafters are still likely puzzling out what he possibly did to one of the consoles. With books and records, he's far more understanding and careful, so anyone coming down will find him at one of the areas set aside for reading or studying. Th'ero has settled himself into one of the lower and comfier looking chairs, a few books resting on the table in front of him as he idly browses the one in his lap, not fully reading it to judge by the half-distracted look to his eyes. There are a few more empty chairs around him and aside from those who actually work in the library (if even they are present at this hour), the place is likely next to deserted.

Hotaru is an early riser by habit, not so much by nature. Days at the cothold began at the crack of dawn, and the teen is unable to shake the habit. Which means she's been up and about and done her chores, at least the morning set, a while ago. And then was left to her own devices. Since it's so miserable out, she's decided to explore some of the tunnels. After having been shooed from a few, the red-head ends up poking her head into the library. Oh yes, moving ladders. She gets a bit of a running start, then hops onto one and lets it slide across the shelves, chuckling a bit and her coat flapping behind her. Even if it doesn't make it as far as she would have liked, it's still fun! Once she's off, that's when she notices Th'ero sitting at a table. "Good morning, sir." She says in a hushed tone.

Zap is the terror of the deep… weyr. Or at least, today, the terror of the library. With the weather outside less suited to such a dainty flower as herself, it's the quiet life for her. You'll find her in the song book section, actually minding her own business for once as she carefully copies down a score. Not that there's really been anyone about to harass. This seems to be promptly changing though when she hears the spiderwebs of talking and turns slowly around to look down the aisle and see who's about.

It's not an unsual sight to find a certain bluerider down deep in the dungeons of Fort Weyr. Well, while this may not actualy be a dungeon, and there certainly isn't anything besides books, A'di does often serve a life sentance tending towards the many books filling the library, even if it's self-inflicted. The bluerider is sitting at one of the many tables with a bunch of books before him. As people start to fill into the room, however, A'di looks up from the book he's currently reading to peek curiously at the others. "Hullo," A'di grumps quietly, someone is certainly not a morning person!

With his interest only half invested into the book, it's not hard for Th'ero's attention to be drawn away. The first time he glances up is when there's the sound of the ladders moving, but as he sees no one, he merely goes back to skimming whatever old book he's dredged up this time. From the binding, it looks like one of history on the beholden areas around Fort. How… not fascinating at all. Then comes the hushed greeting and the Weyrleader glances up again, only to find a young redhead standing there. "Good morning," he replies in an equally low voice, which is his normal one and not politely hushed because of the location. "Escaping the rain too, I see?" A'di's greeting has Th'ero glancing past Hotaru to give the bluerider a curious look and a brisk nod of his head in return, even if the greetings weren't meant for him.

Hotaru isn't trying to be a ninja, but she's also not trying really to get herself into trouble. Curiosity though, it killed the cat. She's certain for a second she sees someone through one of the shelves, though songbooks aren't generally her things, so instead it's time to bother Th'ero. When A'di says hello, Hotaru looks behind herself, then down at Th'ero, then offers the bluerider a wave. Was he talking to her, or the weyrleader? Hotaru's voice is politely hushed. "I suppose so." Hotaru leans on the table in front of Th'ero and paws through his books a bit. "I like history, but some of these sound dry, even for me. Do you know if they have any Threadfighting stories in here? I'll need something to keep me busy if the rain keeps up." And she assumes the weyrleader is familiar with the library.

Zap closes her song sheet into the book and rises to her feet, holding it to her chest and coming down the aisle until she's just able to snoop around it without presenting herself for observation or conversation.

A'di looks up and offers a small smile to those but he pushes imself to his feet, "If you guys need help finding something, please let me know and I'll go find it. I'll be around the library." He goes to hide in one of the library aisles.

Th'ero isn't in the mood for hunting and skinning felines it seems or really in any sort of bad mood. So Hotaru is safe for now. The Weyrleader closes his book, not bothering to mark the page as the weyrbrat leans on the table and begins to rifle through the other books he brought along. His mouth opens to protest, but truthfully he knows that he would never read them and if she's wanting to, then why bother stopping her? "They are rather dry, but I hadn't really thought through what I was going to read up on. I went by the title and figured to give it a shot." And his luck must really suck, because they're all dry, uninteresting history books. "Threadfighting?" Th'ero murmurs thoughtfully and frowns glancing back towards the aisles of books. "Bound to be somewhere. Some of these go back many Turns, or so I was told, so…" He pauses for a moment, "Well, they're likely not /stories/ per say but more actual records or real hand accounts I'd think." Which means that no, Th'ero is not at all familiar with the library. Which is why A'di gets another nod and a vague, thankful smile for his offer.

Hotaru isn't picking them up to read them, just to look them over. So Th'ero's books are safe! Once she's pawed through them, she sets them back in a neat stack. "So what did you end up choosing, then?" She motions to the book in his lap. Maybe he's hiding the interesting one? "Mm. Something with at least a little excitement. Or a maiming." Hotaru laughs a bit. Then covers her mouth to keep it quit. "Sorry. Some of the real stories are better than the made-up ones. Since they actually happened and all. Anyways, I guess I'll take a peek around." She nods to the weyrleader, then excuses herself to do some browsing.

With the departure of people, leaving the Weyrleader alone, Zap struts out of hiding, holding her book against her amble breasts. "Mind if I sit?" she asks the man with her usual smirk, not waiting for permission before pulling out a seat for herself and sitting down in it.

"A book on all the minor holds and cotholds beholden to the Fort region that have surfaced and remained or disappeared or merged over the Turns since the end of Thread," Th'ero murmurs with apparent ease towards Hotaru, looking slightly pleased that the weyrbrat is taking interest in books or such subjects, even if in such a roundabout way and probably not with much focus beyond simply asking what each book is about. That hope though is dashed when the girl mentions maiming and excitement and he gives her a long and level look. "Those type of records aren't for light reading. Odd thing to be fascninated in," he drawls and then simply waves off her laugh and apology. "No need to worry. No one is here and so you disturb nothing." Th'ero says with a faint smile, "Good luck. Let me know if you do find a section with Threadfall records, hmm?" Maybe he does want to swap out his current topic of choice. Settling back comfortably into his chair he's just about to crack open his book again when Zap struts out and approaches him. And since she doesn't wait for him to give permission, he only nods and smirks as she settles herself. "I hold no claim on the library seats," he remarks with touch a touch of sarcasm and a hint of amusement to take the worst of the edge off. "So make yourself comfortable."

"No? Thought you fancy weyrleaders owned everything you touched, and then some," comments Zap snarkily, opening the book back up and resettling into copying. "Or maybe that's redheads with bad attitudes. Some chit who doesn't even live here threw me out the other day. I wasn't hurting anything, even. She just flipped out and threatened me until I left."

Th'ero seems taken aback at first by Zap's open snarkiness, not at all prepared for the other's behavior. He recovers fast though and schooling his expression back to neutrality, he frowns at her, dark eyes giving her a lingering look. "I'm afraid your perceptions are a little skewed. There is nothing 'fancy' in being a Weyrleader, though I suppose some riders in the past have let it get to their heads." He remarks coolly and his frown only deepens further by her claims. "Is that so? Did this woman have a name?" he asks, even as his eyes drop back to the book in his lap and his fingers begin to move, preparing it seems to open it again and idly browse through it's many, many pages.

"Seemed to agree just fine with all the men my ma ever slept with." Zap seems without remorse, or respect, for that matter, as she charges boldly ahead without looking up. "Who knows. If I remembered everyone's name… Well, I'd probably start with my siblings, but last I heard there were about 60 of them, so if I can't even memorize my own family, why would I bother learning the name of some entitled bitch."

"I do not see how your mother's choice in partners reflects how all Weyrleader's are power hungry," Th'ero drawls, sarcasm and amusement gone and in place is a flat tone as he glances up again from his book, peering at Zap from under a heavy frown. Her continued behavior only earns a snort from him and then he's closing the book with a firm 'snap' like sound. "Because it's the respectful thing to do, regardless of the other's behavior." He points out flatly. Though perhaps now he's beginning to wonder who was at fault in that meeting.

Zap raises an eyebrow but never looks up from her careful copying of each note, each word written in surprisingly delicate and girlishly curling script. "Not really the respectful type. Makes me itch."

Regardless if she's taking notes or not, Th'ero will stare at her, gaze lingering long enough to be considered impolite as he tries to puzzle her out. Eventually, he only shakes his head and leans forwards to set his book down heavily on the table. "Then don't expect to earn it in return," he drawls, "If your current behavior is how you greet folk." He pulls another book from his pile, this one slimmer and opens as he leans back into his chair. But though the pages are there, he's not really reading them. It's simply some idle ruse for him to use.

Zap doesn't mind staring, she probably gets stared at a lot. "If I want respect, Weyrleader, I'll earn it. It's amazing how quick people are to respect you when your knife is under their jaw." It's not even a threat, it's pretty matter of fact. And then she switches topics abruptly. "Heard y'all were looking for Renegades."

"That is not a way to go about it," Th'ero fires back, frowning with disapproval now towards Zap. Threat or not, the Weyrleader isn't finding it very funny. But then, he's not a man known for his sense of humor. "And neither is that earning respect. That's intimidation and fear." At the abrupt switch of topics, he only goes silent for some time, regarding her coolly as he considers his answer and when he does speak again, it's slowly, almost cautiously. "Is that the current gossip then? I'm afraid it's a little more complex then that." Most of which he's not going to discuss with a random stranger, to judge by his closed off expression and the thin line he's drawn his mouth down to. "I suppose, in a nutshell, that is the short run of it."

Zap is oh so casual as she goes about finishing off a page on the score and pulling a clean sheet out to continue on with the piece. "Laris, right?" Is that a smirk brewing in the corner of her mouth? Hard to tell when she's looking down.

Th'ero only regards her with another long and slightly cool stare, still puzzled by her behavior and her choice of topics to discuss. "Yes," The Weyrleader replies crisply, not at all concerned that she knows the fugitive's name. Half of Pern knows the man's name. So he does not rise to the bait, if bait is what is was. Instead, he closes his book and sets it aside. It's no use, he just cannot invest much interest into them. Slowly he rises to his feet, straightening out his tunic as he does and then giving Zap a brisk, if not slightly stiff nod. "Good luck with your studies," he tells her, noticing her writing and figuring the copying is for some assignment or another. "But I must attend to some matters. Good morning to you." And then he's off once he's left with his overly formal farewell, long stride carrying himself out of the library swiftly and likely before she'll get most of her reply out.


'The World of Pern(tm)' and 'The Dragonriders of Pern(r)' are copyright to Anne McCaffrey (c) l967, 2000. This is a recorded online session, by permission of the author but generated on PernWorld MUSH for the benefit of people unable to attend.