[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

[Ryuuzaki's low voice is accented in a way that people from places other than the U.K. might think of as "generically English," and when the message begins, his tones are pleasant and measured without being effusive.]

Hello, everyone.

The Ingress has brought us to the Moira from any number of places. When I meet someone, I can't say whether our similarities will outweigh our differences, or vice-versa... when you're this far from home, even small commonalities can seem important. It's led me to be curious about the broad strokes of everyone's backgrounds.

[A pause, as he approaches his real question.]

What can you tell me about the government in the place you came from before this? Both the form of government and, if possible, specific names of leaders.

If it wasn't your original home, I'd be interested in hearing about that, too, even down to what year it was for you.

If you'd prefer to answer privately, that's all right with me. I can promise you my discretion.

Thank you.

Comments

[ryuuzaki]

It's the dough that eclairs are made from. Puff pastry.

[But his French pronunciation was correct and effortles; it's almost, but not quite, a twin first language for him.]

The library is near the gardens, on the opposite side from the Mess Hall. You can request directions from the MID and it will get you there. It was closed the last time I went by, however.

[This is not a problem with the library; it's a problem with him attempting to drop in at 10PM.]

[deal]

Do you need special access to get in?

[If so, she has no problem just breaking her way in to look around. It's been way too long since she's gotten to read a book, and now she's excited and wants to find the library ASAP.]

[ryuuzaki]

I don't think so, but it has operating hours. There's a librarian. You could try contacting her... Elizabeth DeWitt.

[deal]

So you're saying you tried going when it wasn't open. I'll try contacting her, though. See if she can tell me more about the kind of books that are here.

[ryuuzaki]

I wasn't aware that it had operating hours at the time.

[The statement is too flat and wry to be defensive.]

The last time I used a library, it was entirely self-serve. The unfortunate thing is that it had almost nothing in it that anyone would want to read.

Tell me what she says.

[deal]

I'll let you know as soon as I talk to her. Is there anything specific you're looking for? I'll ask her if she knows if the library has it.

[ryuuzaki]

Nothing in particular. Or maybe I should use this time to catch up on my reading... a significant classic.

[It's been a very long time since he read much for fun. Knowledge, yes, specifically knowledge that might be applicable to a case, but not for the sole purpose of entertaining himself.]

It doesn't have to be War and Peace.

[deal]

[And that is exactly how he ends up stuck with Cassandra finding a nice book with pictures for him to read.]

I'll see what I can do.

[Feeling like she's taken up enough of his time, she tries to awkwardly end the conversation there.]

I'll talk to you soon, okay?

[ryuuzaki]

All right. Thank you for answering.

[He sounds unusually pleasant when he says this. It might be hard to tell whether it's perfunctory, or legitimate gratitude.]