staysilent | July 2021 - Light Reading

Light Reading

Over the last couple days, Mauri has taken some time to move an old desk and shelf into the town hall. Both have been cleaned up and set up against one of the walls, though they had remained empty until today.

But when a shipment of goods arrives, a small box can be found. This box isn't one of the normal ones, and is addressed to Mauri specifically. So he takes it, and he brings it over to the town hall. There is where he opens it, revealing 20 books on varying topics. Most of them are informational and contain quite a bit of knowledge about the world post-rash. An atlas of the Known World is among them, with population statistics and baseline information on all five countries available.

There is also a book with a bit of knowledge on the world prior to the rash, but it seems a little...well. Whoever wrote it was clearly operating on thirdhand information. But characters who read these books will be able to glean some important information from it: the Rash arrived in 2013 of the Old World's calendar, and within 10 years the world had changed to the state it is now. Cities crumbled, the population dropped dramatically, and information on the Rash and how it changed the world sounds pretty bleak. The information on the pages linked here (beyond canon-specific things, like "characters from this country", those aren't in the books) can be found in these books. Information on Finland and Iceland is the easiest to find, but characters can find things about the other three countries if they look long enough.

Also among the books is one on 'Trolls, Beasts, and Giants', and it has some interesting illustrations to say the least. All information from this page can be found in this book. There's no photographs in it, but there are plenty of stylized drawings of trolls to be found.

Among the other informational textbooks are a cookbook, a guide on fishing and trapping, a Finnish-Icelandic dictionary, and a basic survival guide. It seems like Mauri has doubts on everyone's survival skills.

Finally, there are two books that are not informational. One is a book of Scandinavian fairy tales, and the other is a collection of poetry. It's only a little bit, but there is some enrichment to be had here.

"Use these as you see fit," Mauri says to the group, "Just take care of them. Books are a precious resource."

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's a lot of stuff here, huh? [She looks it over carefully, barely touching one of the books.] It's nice of them to help us catch up on what they know.

[He looks up, then nods.]

It is... I could've... seen them... treating us like a danger... but instead...

[He gestures out at everything.]

I'm glad... this world hasn't... taken that... like bit of proverbial... humanity.

Yeah... you mentioned that before, right? How lots of people where you're from just get worn down by everything they've lost.

[He nods his head.]

It was... relatively recent... I think... At least compared... to here...

You mean... what happened to your home?

Yes. But here is... different... Here... a lot of time has passed... [According to these books anyway.]

I never really... considered curing... That's in... stories but... it never happens. This is... a better hope... of... living with... what's left.

That's the kind of thing the people here say, too. I don't know. It's kind of depressing, isn't it? I mean, giving up on ever being saved and returning to normal. But... sometimes you can't.

I guess... I guess I'm sad... you know, for... for the one stuck... The ones... who are sick? They don't get... any after... [Not unless they're damn lucky like him. "Lucky".] But... I don't know if it's... giving up to... find a new way... of life...

Edited 2021-07-15 03:19 (UTC)

Yeah... I don't know either. At least if you can, maybe it's good to try. We're all in the same boat here.

We are... [More or less. He rather feels like things have improved for him.] And you? How... are you faring...?

I think I'm doing okay. I just feel like there should be something we have to do to save this world, so it's weird... depressing, too, being told all we can do is just live.

Edited 2021-07-15 23:37 (UTC)

[He laughs softly.]

You are... living up to your name... Supergirl... [His tone sounds warm.]

Don't underestimate... the importance of just... being alive... But... I also wouldn't worry... Give them time... Once they trust... we can care for ourselves... they might see... what help... we can offer...

You think? I'll try my best. We'll rebuild this town, and then who knows, right?

Of course...! Who doesn't... want a little help... now again?

Just remember... this world isn't over... There's still life here... still goodness... it's just... different.

Yeah. Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Mr. Teo. I guess I was getting lost in my own head there.

Mr.Teo... [He repeats that, amused. He doesn't know if he was ever a mister Teo but he doesn't feel like one now. He waves a hand.]

It happens... we all get there... especially in places... like this...

I owe you one. Hey, speaking of which, how are you adjusting?

Not at all...

[Mostly because--]

Honestly... I'm doing well... I know I... said it before... but this is... the most living people I've seen... in a long time... Most talking... I've done...! Everything I miss... I was already missing... So right now... I am... happy, I think. Hopeful...

[smile] That's good. I'll try to think that way, too. If we all work together, we'll get this town fixed up in no time.

[He nods. Then he gestures to their new "library".] Anything here... interest you...?

I'll read through it! We'll have to in order to get on the same page about this place, right?

That is true... But I meant... is there anything you like... about here... and now.

The people are good. Usually. Sometimes I can't really tell what they're thinking, but even Mr. Faust is nice when he wants to be.

Faust is good... He is crabby... very grumpy... but he is... very kind... more than most... even if he... won't admit it.

[Even with his face hidden, she might hear his grin.]

Yeah, really. Some people are just like that, huh?

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