central_librarymods | Test Drive Meme

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The Central Library

Test Drive Meme

You are in The Central Library… anything can happen here. In fact, the possible can become actuality while you stay here. Things are always changing. Some for the better, some for the worst… it really all depends on one thing. You.

Take a look around, visit the worlds through the book portals, and slowly bring it back to life. The more you do, the better life will get. But be wary, not everything is a fun story and not everything is harmless. Sometimes you will have your life at stake and others you will simply have to enjoy your stay.

You can use RNG to pick a scenario below… or you can pick your own! Whatever delights your fancy and makes you feel at home within the walls of The Central Library.

1. Arrival – You wake up in the main hall. The reception desk is behind you and you know you heard someone whispering “Save us” in your ear… but where are you? The hall gleams and there are many doors amongst the shelves of books. It is rather huge and a walkway circles a second floor… where are you? Well… you might want to ask.

2. Market Place – The Central Library has turned the large conference room into an open gateway to a market place. It shifts and changes along with the Library, but food is always available to those living there as long as the portal is open. Step into a Parisian market of modern day, an open market of the Dark Ages, or even a trading post in the Old West. Go shopping, take a stroll… your imagination is your only limit.

3. Go Out to Dinner – There aren’t many places to go out to eat in The Central Library, in fact, it is best to keep food to the living quarters. But when you go through portals in events, you experience whole new worlds from every era and every place. Possibly you may sit in at the Mad Tea Party or even dine in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. You pick. You decide…

4. Non-Fiction Immersion – It’s raining. Inside. You’ll find that Non-fiction has a way of ruining your day to day life in the Library. Some book in the Non-fiction section has burst open letting out a monsoon of types that only gets worse as you get to that section. Find it, close it… or we all just might float away.

5. Fiction Invasion – Sometimes things slip through. Little things or big things. After all, monsters do hide in the dark corners and in some sections of the grand structure. But this time… the problem is small, small size that is. Pixies have invaded. They are troublesome things… they love to cause problems and make life a little miserable. You need to catch them before they steal you blind… and possibly cause you too much mischief. You may need a net… but please, try not to kill them.

6. Cleaning is Necessary – You are stuck here, you might want to make it home. Being in such disrepair, it needs a little love and care. I’m sure the janitor’s closets have some tools and no harm in trying to pick up books and shelve them. Just be careful… they are rather testy about where they go.

7. A posse ad esse – Anything is possible. This is your Wild Card. Have fun with it!

This Test Drive is Closed. A new Test Drive will be posted soon.

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[A: Arrival]
It can't be said that he doesn't like a good book now and again, but this place? It's ridiculous. It doesn't feel right, and honestly, all the wars he has pushed himself through, you would think he was ready for the weird and undesirable side adventures. But here he was, standing in a WWII uniform, bullet holes strewn into the clothing, yet the man stood perfectly fine, as if they hadn't hit him.

Abraham is a tall man, standing at 6 foot 4 inches tall, the shoes only helping by a half an inch taller then that. Pulling his helmet off he stood in a main hall way, confused and unsure. One moment in time he was on a battle field, the next he was here. Or he thought that was how it worked. He doesn't remember falling asleep, but here he wakes, lost in a place he didn't know. It was clearly bigger then the white house library, that was for sure.

Whispers in his ear, to save someone, put him on edge, turning to look around, walking to the head desk and frowning as he sits the helmet down. "Hello?"

[B: Non-Fiction Immersion]
He was in books. He was in several books. Non-Fiction. Historical documents. So on. He knows he was, as he's read some of them. As he's checked them out in mild disgust at how off they were at some aspects of his life, and how spot on others were. How they sullied the name of his beautiful wife, or completely forgot the name of one of his children, or only focused on the death of Willy.

He hated Non-fiction now. Oh he used to love it, but now-a-days it wasn't something he cared too much for. This place? It's not helping. The fact that it's raining inside was weird, but he pushed through to the edge of the storm, shading his eyes to try to look into it. "This can't be real..." And yet he knows vampires. He IS one. He knows when things are outlandish and still can be real. This seemed so real. His feet were getting wet as water started to splash out of this hall and towards him.

A book. It was because of a book. Open, no doubt. He didn't care who else was around, though there might be someone in the storm of a book too... but he pushed on, headed into the storm to see if he could reach the center. TO try to close the book.

((ooc: fourthwalling is totally okay if an incarnation of Steve is in Abraham's world))

Although the uniform is the modern incarnation, beneath the body armor and the red, white, and blue is a soldier from WWII. No many years had passed or how impossible it might be, Steve would always recognize a uniform from that era... and hope that maybe the person wearing it was someone from the Howling Commandos.

At first, he thinks Bucky but it can't be. This soldier was too tall to be Buck but there's still a pang of loss when Steve realizes it can't be his best friend. There hadn't been anyone in the Commandos that had been close to Steve's height so those possibilities are quickly dismissed.

Still... someone from the war, someone with a tie to his past...

Pushing back his cowl, he heads for the man, his shield still attached to the gauntlet on his arm, scrubbing his free hand through his hair in an attempt to get it to lay flat. "Hello. Welcome to the Library." There's a hint of dry humor in his voice as he mentioned the Library. "Not the most original name for the place, but that's what everyone's been told it's called."

The whispers in his ear were drowned out by a welcome from someone who was actually there. He turned so his left side was to the counter, his hand resting on his helmet, almost protectively, not that he ever really NEEDED a helmet, ever, but it was his and he was a bit attached to blending in. After taking one too many shots he tended to have to leave company and work himself into another group, or leave the war in general, just so he wasn’t found out.

At least he’s not bleeding. At least this man isn’t bleeding either, because he can feel the draw to hunger at the edge of his system, having not eaten in a few days. Thankfully he had gone weeks without doing it so it wouldn’t be an issue.

He raised a brow at the man, a man in red, white and blue? He’s heard of Captain America, but only from the POV of a show man trying to help the war fund. Or was it a comic? Honestly, he didn’t pay any attention to the entertainment side of the war, and he didn’t focus on news that didn’t cover the war front, after all, he hadn’t been President in a while and being what he was, he didn’t want that reminder of his past. So yes, he might recognize the icon, a bit, but not really.

“It’s certainly named properly, or at least by this appearance. Books, and all.” He said in a tone that says he’s not that impressed, but mostly because he isn’t sure what happened, why he was here or if it’s a dream or not. His head tipped to the side a bit, eyeing the man’s face as he spoke. A hand offered out to the other in a shake. “The name is Abraham. thanks for the welcome, but how... did I end up here?”

Realizing that the soldier wasn't staring at him like he's crazy, Steve wonders if the man had come from his own reality. Most people thought the uniform was a little odd. Even the ones who wore their own superhero costume thought the color scheme was a bit... bright. At least it isn't as bad as the tights or the one he'd worn during the chitauri invasion.

He's starting to get used to the idea of different realities but it still seems odd. Different people from different worlds but it if what his world had thought of as gods could be real, then why couldn't there be other realities as well?

"One of the Librarians said they needed our help. The one I spoke to was cagey about it but it sounded like it'd be bad if we weren't here." Steve figures mentioning the talking cat probably isn't a good way to start the conversation. Shaking the soldier's hand, Steve gives him a sheepish grin. "Steve Rogers." His eyes widen slightly when he notes the bullet holes in Abraham's uniform. Bullet holes but no obvious injuries.

The detail gets filed away but Steve doesn't ask about it. "I know it sounds crazy but I think the easiest explanation is magic."

The uniform was odd, but so were some of the USO performers, which is really a nice organization, all things considered. They could have really used their moral boost in His war... but that was beside the point. Right now, he was somewhere he hadn’t been, and vampires are a thing. Nothing, not even a pretty uniform, will surprise him all that much. He would be more surprised by a talking cat more than anything. Surprised but not completely at a loss. After all this time he’s just gotten used to the weird and unusual.

Different realities might however, boggle him for a bit. He will adjust, but that will be weird.

He doesn’t give his full name, because honestly, that man is dead and it brings all kinds of strange looks when he says a name that resembles a older president and yet he’s young, and from an era much later. So excuse him if he just says Abraham and doesn’t add to it. it’s a bit impolite, but he’s used to that now.

A brow raised though. “What kind of bad are we talking about? And how... did they even get hold of me. I don’t remember traveling, and I don’t feel drugged.” he would know if he had been, actually. But he was a man of action, or he tried to be, so if someone was having trouble, he might as well look into it.

Pulling his attention away from the uniform, he studies Abraham closely. No wounds. Not even a sign that the Head Librarian had healed him. It was strange but he was going to trust the people running this place. If they brought someone here, Steve would have an open mind unless the patron was someone Steve knew was dangerous.

The lack of a surname was another strange detail but Steve hadn't exactly introduced himself as completely as he could have.

"They made it sound like 'end of the universe' kind of bad. Or universes. Not all of us seem to be from the same reality." After giving Abraham a few seconds to consider that, Steve continued. "I don't think we traveled here by any traditional ways. They asked for our help and if we were willing, we ended up here. I don't think they drugged any of us. It wouldn't have worked on some of the people here."

At least the other didn’t seem to inquire about his present state. Generally when men asked why he was so full of holes, he brings up some tall tale about using his coat or uniform as a decoy that got shot (and not just that he walked head on into a battlefield and didn’t bother to dodge bullets. He didn't need to). As for introductions, at least he offered a good firm hand shake? That was something of polite, even if he didn’t give more of a name, and no title at all. He never remembered with military title he was going with half the time anyhow. It always depended on what unit he could duck into.

the news though did made him look more surprised than he has been. Okay, that is weird. Universe? Generally it was a ‘destroy the state’ or ‘the country’ not even ‘world’ was tossed around that often. Time travel? universe travel? Had this man fallen and hit his head? That was the look Abraham was giving him now, for all of a moment, before looking at him seriously.

“That is... interesting.” he said, side eyeing that, then lifting his chin a bit. “They asked for our help?” He frowned at that. Had he really been that out of it that he didn’t remember that detail. “I don’t recall talking to anyone about it before this, but I might be mistaken.” it had been a tough run the other day.

"I thought so too but it seems to be true. I've talked to a few people who aren't from the same world I am." Yes, it sounded weird but after fighting aliens beside a Norse god, Steve's measure of strangeness has been skewed significantly. "I know it sounds crazy but this place doesn't seem to run by normal rules."

There's no real way for Steve to prove it. Only the Head Librarian or the Non Fiction Librarian had those kinds of answers. It isn't something that Steve dwells too much on. He's needed here so here is where he'll stay. His team can cover for him while he's away. He wouldn't be here if he wasn't needed.

Steve considers putting up his shield but those bullet holes still has him cautious for some reason. The detail doesn't fit with how Abraham is acting. Most people wouldn't be so calm if they'd just escaped a battle or been healed from serious injuries. "Some people heard someone calling out for help." Shrugging, his smile turns into the careful one that he gives Natasha whenever she asks if he's all right. "I might have heard it but I have a lot of dreams about that."

“It does sound crazy, but I have seen strange things in my life as well.” And what a long ‘life’ it was. One he shouldn’t even have at all. But still, here he was, in a library hell bent on saving the universe. What even does that mean? “Though this does rank rather high up there for the strange things.”

He picked up his helmet and pressed both his hands to the side of it, holding it as he thought about all o it. It’s all seems too weird. Too out there. Not even a Vampire level of crazy plot. How does one fight that too? If he had his axe with him, tucked in at his belt, he would feel better about this entire hunt, really.

He frowned though, still calm, collected. “I did hear someone call for help, but I too know dreams such as that. Sometimes it’s hard to separate reality and one's inner demons.” It’s why he doesn’t sleep much. He never really NEEDS sleep, though he does do it. When he does, he dreams, and someone begging for help or to be saved really isn’t all that new to him.

At least Abraham isn't acting like he should be locked up in a sanitarium. That's a start. "There's a couple of Librarians here that are explaining it to people as they arrive. Did you see a black cat?" The Cat could explain things better than Steve could be the being seemed to like to hide and watch before making his presence known.

"I know it's hard to deal with something like this. I've had to do it before." The Library probably would have been easier to deal with than the time displacement. "I don't think we're here permanently. No one has made it sound like we're prisoners." If they had, Steve would have been plotting how to get out and get back home as soon as possible.

"I usually know the difference, but there's some that are too close to memory." And that would have been enough to cause Steve to say yes automatically. "I would've said yes if they'd asked in a more traditional way." Hopefully Abraham would feel the same way about the offer. Steve isn't sure what the Librarians would do if someone didn't want to be here. Probably send the person back but considering the wounds Abraham must have had before he arrived, that might not be the best situation.

He knows crazy people. He knows what crazy can be, and so far, spangled show attire isn't really all that crazy. Nor is the impossible of being brought to a strange place like this. At least for now, either they are all sane, or Abe is the crazy one and this is all in his mind.

Cat? he raised a brow at that. "No, I don't believe I have ran into anyone, let alone a cat." Abraham liked cats at least. The former president was said to have a small obsession with them. HE wouldn't call it an obsession, but he did like them.

"Prisoners would be behind bars, or at least cuffed. It's nice to feel like there is some freedom of movement here." He said in agreement, still looking from Steve to the place around them, taking it all in. He was still calm. Casual for the most part. Nothing made sense but.... if someone or something was in trouble, he supposed he could lend a hand.

"I'm sure I would have said yes to the offer if someone had asked me face to face." He wasn't one to say no often. Maybe if FDR was the one asking, he'd have told him to sit on it... and then went and did the fighting anyhow. But this? This was different, wasn't it?

As for the wounds he must have taken? It's a good thing they are healed up, huh? "So.. what IS the objective? Or do I need to go find one of these librarians and ask?"

"The Cat is interesting." That was an understatement but discussing the Non-Fiction Librarian would probably cause Abe to think that Steve was crazy. If the Cat wanted Abe to know about him, he'd show up. Until then, better to seem as normal as he could... while dressed in the stars and stripes. At least Steve was used to people not knowing what to think of the uniform. "He's usually in the Non-Fiction section if he's not at the reception desk."

The Library really wasn't that bad, or it didn't seem that way to Steve. Less strangeness to deal with than modern New York City. "There might be more freedom than that. They haven't given us the details of our mission yet." It was easier for Steve to think of it in those terms. This was a mission. They weren't prisoners since they had agreed to help.

"I don't think they could ask us face to face. I think that this is the only place they can be." Steve wasn't sure that it was true, but it was the theory he was working off of. Either the Librarians couldn't leave or they needed to stay to protect the Library. "They probably asked us in the only way that they could. From what I've heard so far, we're supposed to help repair the Library before it causes damage to reality."

Well, hating Non-Fiction is something that the Cat does not approve of. Knowledge itself is not responsible for mistakes the authors make. Those are the errors made by sentient beings who do not quite grasp all the information that is necessary to portray a complete picture of their subject.

Sitting sheltered in one of the more solid bookcases, the Cat studies Abe, tail lashing thoughtfully. This being did not seem to be as accepting of his situation as the other patrons had been. Perhaps it is the storm raging inside the Library that caused that reaction. Or the 'impossibility' that was in front of them both.

Too bad that Abraham will have to deal with another impossibility. "In the Library the things that seem impossible are actually reality."

Okay, perhaps 'hate' is too strong a word, and he'd never say that out loud, but he had a healthy dislike for books listed as non-fiction when there was a clear lack of correct information and research done in the book. For the most part, it just bothered him to look back on his life, or his life as others wrote about it. Toss in the Dollar bill, Tax Day (his death day) and Mount fricking Rushmore and Abe gets real prickly about his past.

He accepts the situation, as in 'there is something wrong and we are here to fix it' kind of situation. It is the improbability of a storm raging inside a building, produced by a book... that seems a bit odd to him. A bit off.

He's still in his standard issue, bullet riddled uniform, though he's left some parts of it behind somewhere else, like the helmet and rifle being left behind. His axe still at his hip, he pressed in and paused as a gust of wind pushed past, water spraying him. This should be 'fun'.

And then the voice. Oh, was someone else trying to close it as well? He glanced the wrong way at first, then back. No one was there. He glanced a small dark figure on a shelf of a book case. A cat? No, that wouldn't have come from a cat.

So he spoke out to whoever... "In reality, books covered in water from a rainstorm means you have a pretty bad leak in your library..."

This patron looked a bit worse for wear but the Head Librarian would not have brought someone to the Library who was not capable. There was no scent of blood or injury so Abraham must be whole. What differences he might sense were not unusual. After all, human was not the only type of sentient being in the worlds. The Cat did not judge unless a patron attempted to harm him or expressed a dislike of felines.

Pressing back against the wood, the Cat's ears flickered toward the direction the storm raged from before laying flat against his skull. Rain was not one of his favored types of weather even when the books were not being damaged. An annoyed grumble was barely audible over the storm as the Cat watched Abraham.

"It would mean we have a leak if the rain was coming from outside the Library but it does not. The storm is trapped inside. Sometimes things slip free of the pages. Pixies, sea life, carnivorous vines, storms... That is why you're here. To help us with these... mishaps."

He was whole, it was just his uniform that needed some mending. Which he might do later, if he didn't find new clothing all together.

He paused there though, in the rain, and looking for who ever was talking to him. When he saw the cats mouth moving, (or was it) he paused, staring at it a moment longer then he really should. How... strange. He really shouldn't be surprised, but he was, just a bit.

"Right. I get that much by now. I assume if I find and close the book this should stop? Also, you talk... or am I just missing something?"

"Good. Too many patrons deny the logic in front of them." There was a hint of approval in his voice as he edged his head out of the bookshelf. His form had its advantages but sometimes the size of the Cat was a problem. The weather could be bothersome for someone so small.

"Yes, I do talk. I am the Non-Fiction Librarian." Sighing, the Cat peeked out into the rain, grimacing when water soaked his fur. "Closing the book will stop the storm. It should not be difficult to find. The weather will be worse closer to it and when you get closer to it, you might find other oddities that slipped from its pages."

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Test Drive Meme - closed

Abraham Lincoln | Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Books) | OTA

Arrival

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