These Are Not the Books You're Looking For (D7, EM, Open)

[Jin]

When he had heard there was a vast repository of knowledge Jin was incredibly excited and knew it would need to be one of his first explorations during his brief time in the city.

Finding a room full of sticks had dimmed that excitement slightly, but only slightly, while he was frustrated at a vast trove of knowledge denied to him he was still fascinated at the methods of recording and storing information that the nezumi possessed. In fact it gave rise to ideas - great rooms filled with carefully kept and sorted scrolls arranged by topic and easy to find.

If he lived to settle down it would be a great undertaking and much more useful than his beloved, if chaotic, mess of a satchel.

[Nanzi]

"Are we sure this is a place of knowledge or just where these Nezumi put fire wood?" Nanzi asked no one in particular but aware of Jin.

[Jin]

"Be careful Nanzi-san," He chuckles, "I suspect someone misunderstanding that as a joke could take it as a threat of war. At least from what little I understand of the importance of this place."

[Nanzi]

“Indeed, Jin-san, Nanzi shall treat these wondrous sticks with great respect. Shall we see if there is someone here that can tell us what is on them or should we feel free to interpret the markings?” he mused with a grin.


Jigutsuji was looking at a stick closely and added, “I wonder how far back these… sticks go? Jin-ue, think of the knowledge that we could learn here.”

[Jin]

Jin was also inspecting from a respectful distance, "Even if it were only a few years there is still much it may tell us of where we go and the threats that await. The nezumi have been facing it since the fall. It would be very prudent to seek out one of their sages... or whatever the equivalent may be."

[Nanzi]

“A sage-sage, if Nanzi has caught their way of speaking right,” he joked as he turned to Jin.

“Perhaps we can find a way to record some of this knowledge, for the records of the Empire. Surely Shiba-dono, first of his name, would appreciate such knowledge.”

[Canary]

They can hear some speaking nearby interspersed with squeaks and clicks. A quick glance reveals several rats in a huddle. Finally, a smaller white-furred rat with large red eyes approaches hesitantly. They're dressed in a colorful wrap around their torso with a pleated kilt and a a few piercings adorning their ears. "... ' ' '... Sorry... Why here? Humans not-not use memory sticks. Humans... ' ' ' ... nose-blind."

[Nanzi]

They can hear some speaking nearby interspersed with squeaks and clicks. A quick glance reveals several rats in a huddle. Finally, a smaller white-furred rat with large red eyes approaches hesitantly. They're dressed in a colorful wrap around their torso with a pleated kilt and a a few piercings adorning their ears. "... ' ' '... Sorry... Why here? Humans not-not use memory sticks. Humans... ' ' ' ... nose-blind."

Nanzi bowed and then said, “We seek-seek knowledge, is that what these are called, memory-sticks?”

When in Nezumi-Rome do as the Nezumi do.

[Canary]

"Yes," the ratling agreed. "Scents and marks store memory of... ' ' ' ... Yesterday. Human long count would... ' ' ' ... over 500 season-cycles. Tunnel-build, cloth-build. All things."

[Jin]

"That is a most impressive repository of knowledge. I am humbled to be in its presence." Jin smiles, though thinks better of doing so in a method that bares his teeth, one never knows after all, "Would there be someone who might aid us in seeking answers regarding the recent cycles?"

As much as he also wanted to explore all the ancient knowledge, assuming the nezumi wasn't just talking up something they could never disprove, the current journey was more important.

[Canary]

They looked hesitant. "Chief no speak-speak word on visitors. But... big-big trouble south. Pain-is-present. You come to help?"

[Jin]

The one-eyed man nods, "I understand if you must seek permissions first. We do not wish to get anyone in trouble. But, yes, we plan to travel south to end as much of trouble, as much of pain, as we can."

[Nanzi]

"We will end-end the troubles your people suffer," Nanzi said.

[Reo]

There is a "rustle-thump" as Reo limps into the library. He stares at the collection, mouth agape as he looks around, trying to take everything in.

Alright, it's not what I expected. But that's not a bad thing, really.

He sees some of the bigwigs already chatting with the attendant, so he stands to the side, waiting for the rat person to finish speaking with them.

[Canary]

"I... give you to Rememberer. They help-help you. Read sticks, interpret for nose-blind. Got more-more humans," they said, waving another rat over from the group who approaches and nods to them. It has a deeper voice and its muzzle is taller and longer. "Come, what specifically do nose-blinds wish to learn?

Meanwhile, the white rat heads over to Reo. "Can be help-helping the human?"

[Nanzi]

"Do you have records of the fall?" he asked.

[Reo]

"I want to learn about the...force of this land that changes things. I came across the corpse of a wild dog with teeth from here" Reo gestures along his body almost to his groin "to here. And it had a tentacle. It looked sick and I want to learn more. Your people look immune and I want to do the same for my people. "

[Canary]

"Do you have records of the fall?" he asked.

The Rememberer nodded and lead them over to a set of sticks within the library, his nose twitching as he did. "Here... I read and interpret."

They picked up a stick, sniffing a little before choosing one and feeling the indents and inhaling with closed eyes.

"I want to learn about the...force of this land that changes things. I came across the corpse of a wild dog with teeth from here" Reo gestures along his body almost to his groin "to here. And it had a tentacle. It looked sick and I want to learn more. Your people look immune and I want to do the same for my people. "

"Oh. Not-not area of knowing, but can give basics," they replied.

[Jin]

Nanzi's inquiry spoke for them both so Jin followed as the rememberer led them aside.

[Nanzi]

Nanzi waited patiently.