Library
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You stand in an enormous library. Six white Corinthian pillars with gold detail rise from the tiled floor, supporting a white ceiling painted in classical style with songbirds in gold, green, blue, and red. Two staircases can be ascended from the south side to reach a second floor of books. Instead of a rail, huge snakelike greenish-gold dragons line these staircases, their tails meeting in a loop at the middle of the second level and their gaping jaws greeting the great hall entrance on the south wall. Both above and below the second floor of the north wall are grand windows draped with heavy curtaining. Window seats furnished with embroidered pillows lie beneath each of the six windows. Between the windows and on the east, west, and south walls reside the books. Nooks are set at even intervals between the books to hold statuary, except in one spot on the east wall, where a door sits instead.
In the center of the library stands a metal-crafter's somewhat dramatic interpretation of an aspen dryad. She stands with her arms and face lifted to the ceiling, a great glass globe which can be lit to illuminate the room in her upheld hands. Around her a set of tables are arranged in a circle, each furnished with two glass lamps for ease of studying. ===============================================================================
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Tyre sits at his usual spot at the central table, in the chair directly under the dryad lamp. The glow does not particularly compliment his features... not that anything really does.
Tyren walks into the library, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to get it to settle properly, which isn't entirely successful. Eventually he forgoes the act entirely and takes a moment to survey the room, his glance inevitably falling upon his brother.
Tyre reads silently, not apparently writing anything today. Probably unsurprisingly, he is too absorbed to notice his brother.
Tyren clears his throat slightly so as not to /completely/ take his brother by surprise, though said noise might have the effect of doing so anyway. "Good morning, brother."
Tyre startles and looks up. "Oh! Yes-- yes," He rises and bows quickly. "Good morning."
Tyren chuckles quietly at Tyre's sudden start, seemingly unsurprised by it. He bows himself. "Early start, I see. Proof that such tendencies do indeed run in the family, I suppose."
Tyre sits back down, "Ah, yes, I suppose so."
Tyren remains standing for the moment, gesturing toward the book. "Might I ask what you're studying this morning?"
Tyre says, "Reading the month's records."
Tyren ahs. "It is that time, I suppose, isn't it? And what have you found in them?"
Tyre says, "No mathematical mistakes yet. Approximately the usual regional income and expenditure."
Tyren nods a little. "That is good to hear, then." He pauses a moment before he asks another question. "Do you... have a moment? There's been something I've been meaning to ask you."
Tyre says, "Ahhhhhh--"
Tyre closes the book over his hand. "Of course, yes."
Tyren takes the opportunity to sit, and furrows his brow slightly as he gathers his thoughts for a moment.
Tyre waits patiently, if fidgetingly.
Tyren leans forward a bit, resting his elbows on the table. "I suppose my sense of duty is kicking in again, as it has a tendency to do..."
Tyre says, "A good habit."
Tyren hehs and nods. "One instilled to us by both Mother and Father, I'd say. We have learned our lessons well, I think." Again he runs a hand through his hair as he says, "I suppose I am simply... wondering what I might be able to do to... assist, I suppose, while I am here. I may not be its ruling lord, but... I still feel some sembleance of duty to Chesterton as its lesser lord - there must be sometihng I can do while I am within it once more."
Tyre exclaims, "Oh! Good, yes. Yes, I agree. If you are not serving his majesty directly, you ought to be serving Archenland in some fashion or another."
Tyren says, "My thoughts precisely. I'm simply... not yet certain how. Is there something that needs seeing to that you have not had opportunity? Or something that might be... well, better suited to my own skills than yours? You are... rather more familiar with the situation here than I am, after all - though I hope to at least narrow the gap there in the coming days."
Tyre nods three times, "Yes, the city could stand to see a man in armor walking about, I think."
Tyren chuckles. "Rarely do I wear my full regalia, I must admit..."
Tyre nods again, "This is a high season for crime, and, ahhh, the local officials might gain some-- er, pluck, if they saw you about."
Tyren asks, "How /do/ the local officials approach things, for that matter? What is the state of Chesterton's defenses, whether that be from internal crime or outside threat?"
Tyre nods three times again, his glasses bouncing. "Yes, yes, well. We've got a Watch set-up. Just a group of common folk, you understand. They help make sure the widows and young ones are safe and cared for and turn in any thieves or other outlaws they can catch. As far as outer threat, there's no real reason to expect any, the ah, the, you probably know that, being a knight. We're at peace all round. But the watch could probably hold their own while the others ran to fortify themselves here, should something happen."
Tyren gives a small nod to this. "Contingencies are always a good plan, even if the circumstances that would necessitate them are rare. As you say, my presence might bolster the local officials a bit... I shall see what I can do."
Tyre says, "Ah, thank you, Tyren."
Tyren nods a little. "If there is anything else I might be able to aid with, do let me know." He smiles a bit. "Been a while since we've been able to work as a team, so to speak, after all. Hopefully Chesterton will benefit from that."
Tyre says, "Yes, I should hope so."
Tyren says, "I suppose we shall find out."
Tyre reopens his book. "Mother said dinner's early tonight, and to wear green."
Tyren says, "I shall consider myself duly warned. Somehow I can never get away with an attempt to wear green without hearing how I picked the wrong shade of it."
Tyre replies, "Myrtle."
Tyren says, "I suppose I have the advantage of a wife this time around to aid me in the matter, as well."
Tyre says, "Perhaps best not to tell mother that Lady Astera is picking your tunics."
Tyren hehs. "Might be wisest, I suppose."
Tyre yawns and rings for a servant to clear his breakfast plate absently, persuing the records again.
Tyren stands again and bows. "I will leave you to your work - I have found what I was hoping for this morning, after all."
Tyre glances up, as if he had forgotten that he was supposed to be socializing. He rises jerkily, "Oh, ah, yes, thank you, very good. See you at dinner."
Tyren chuckles and nods. "Of course. Good day, Tyre."
Tyre nods to indicate the same, and sits down again.
