[center][h1][sup]Melodia & Reina in the [color=thistle]Minor Library[/color][/sup][/h1][/center]

The minor library was fairly small, as far as libraries went. There were only 2,500 books in the collection. However, the quality, not quantity, was what Reina sought. There was always enough time to do more research, and being extra prepared for the talks was never a bad idea. Lacking anything better to do, Christina and Reason accompanied her.

Today’s focus was warfare. Reina wished to know exactly how the South would possibly respond to an attack. Just in case. There had been numerous books written about the wars between Ateria and Croania, but most provided scant, if any, detail about the tactics and methodologies of southern generals.

[i]Surprising, considering how much they enjoy patting themselves on the back for their accomplishments.[/i]

Still, she was being pessimistic. Nobody wished for war. It was within every single lord’s best interest to avoid conflict. Sure, minor skirmishes may have been inevitable, but most everyone knew that times had changed. Disputes were now settled with a pen and paper, in the courtroom rather than on the battlefield. Humanity had long surpassed the need to beat the snot out of itself in order to resolve its conflicts.

It wouldn’t hurt to be safe.

Reina pulled a few tomes off the shelf and set them on one of the studying desks. A small gemlight illuminated the table.

[i]So inefficient. Electricity is far superior. And yet, they cling to their old ways and refuse to change. When will the South learn?[/i]

[color=d8cfbe]“Mother, I’m going to take Reason over to the sitting chairs,”[/color] said Christina. [color=d8cfbe]“We’ll be available if you need us.”[/color]

Right. Reason couldn’t read. What a shame. He had such a bright and inquisitive mind, only hampered by his disability…

Reina shook her head and settled into her chair, twirling a lock of hair as she delved into the past…

[hr]
[color=d8cfbe]“This, right here, is the miracle that allows the tower to function,”[/color] the monk named Mark said. He was pointing at a large metal plate embedded into the floor of the Great Hall. The plate was about 3 meters square, and inscribed on it was a glowing yellow circle. Illegible scribbling lined the inside of the circle, some ancient, forgotten language.

[color=d8cfbe]“Former Mage Queen Ishtar constructed these in order to allow movement between each of the floors in the tower. They are powered by pushing magical energy into them, like this.”[/color] Mark knelt and placed a hand in the center of the circle. [color=d8cfbe]“Anyone with a half-decent favor can operate these. Every Brother can use them as well, and will charge the circle for you. Just say the desired location and it will consume the energy to move you there, provided there is an end portal and you are permitted in the end location. Now, Lady Lapseus, where in the tower do you wish to go?”[/color]

[color=Thistle]“The small library, if you’d please.”[/color] Melodia offered a quaint bow towards the monk. She knew better than to mouth off to anyone inside the facility, and remaining off the radar was far more favorable. So her masquerade of a goody two shoes little girl that ruled the northeast was exhumed as usual, crimson sights shutting happily aimed at monk.

[color=Thistle]“Oh - and before we trans-tele-port, would you mind if I call for my servant? Or would you be able to accompany me, I’m prone to falling.”[/color] She batted her eyelashes, any outcome would work - of all things Melodia hated, looking helpless was number one.

[color=d8cfbe]“Oh, it is of no effort to me.”[/color] Mark offered Melodia his hand. [color=d8cfbe]“I will take you there, then return to my duties. I believe Lady Young is already there, and she knows how to operate the circle, so do not worry about returning.”[/color]

Melodia accepted his hand and stepped onto the circle. [color=d8cfbe]“Minor Library,”[/color] said Mark.

The teleportation experience was quite possibly one of the oddest sensations Melodia had ever felt. It seemed as if her entire body was folding into a specific point, then compressed, then unfolded and regurgitated back to the real world. In a flash of light and dancing colors, she found herself on a similar plate in the Minor Library.

Mark led her off the plate and let go of her hand. [color=d8cfbe]“This is where I must take my leave, my lady. Please have a pleasant day.”[/color] He stepped back on and flashed away.

The Minor Library, while small, was packed to the brim with books. Any space not occupied by shelves was instead a reading table or study area. Only a small nook in the corner gave any breathing room, furnished with some comfortable chairs. A man in a cape and top hat sat with a black-haired woman. The woman was reading aloud.

Across from Melodia, she saw a familiar face studying a book at one of the reading tables. Reina Young had barely changed since Melodia saw her last. Still the long black hair, the youthful skin, the particularly stiff posture in her chair. It was all so familiar, echoing back to their youthful tutoring sessions.

Still a bit flustered by the magical recombobulation that occurs from one dimensional entry point to another, Melodia reaches to the small leather bag strung across her forebody. Plucking out a small metal cylinder from within she would press a button at its side turning the small contraption into a small cane for the petite girl to support herself as she walked out. 

Afternoons were the most tiring period of the day, after all, and don’t even ask her about nap time.

Utilizing the metallic cane, Melodia slowly made her way to the familiar face, huffing out her words in a tired fit. [color=Thistle]“Seems like all the rumors about northern nobility being beautiful immortal women is true, eh?”[/color] The Lapsean girl finally made her arrival to the small desk in which the eldest Young nobility sat at. Melodia’s reddened sights gazed comfortably upon Reina, scanning her over with a smirk planted upon her face. [color=Thistle]“What’cha reading?”[/color] A wispy white eyebrow raised in inquisition to accompany the girl’s question.

Reina started, nearly knocking over the gemlight. [color=d8cfbe]“Oh, what in-”[/color] Her eyes met Melodia’s. [color=d8cfbe]“Mel! Oh, it’s been so long!”[/color] She stood up and pulled the chair beside her back. [color=d8cfbe]“You’re even using a cane now… sit down. I’m just brushing up on some history, don’t mind me. But what’re you doing in this dusty room?”[/color]

Melodia offered a nod of genuine appreciation, pressing the button to compress her cane once again and sliding herself carefully into the chair that had been offered. The girl was sickeningly thin, frail, and the small thud that reverberated from the chair would be followed by a very brief grunt as Melodia finally sat down and adjusted herself. [color=Thistle]“Th-thank you! And it hasn’t been too long - eh, you don’t look much different. Nor do I, but that’s for the world to decipher.”[/color] Mel briefly offered Reina a haunting flash of teeth as her lips peeled back for a moment. [color=Thistle]“But enough of that, yes, I’m likely here for the same reason as you. Research, though - perhaps the larger library may have been better for what I’m looking for. But I found you here! And that’s worthwhile enough.”[/color] The Lapsean noble’s expression returned to normalcy, pressing her posture up to peek over at the particular tome Reina had been glancing through.

[color=Thistle]“Warfare ‘eh?”[/color] Melodia bravely pried.

Reina turned red- an odd sight, considering her usual bearing. [color=d8cfbe]“Well, erm, I meant to look into the specifics of how Southern strategy plays out, but I can barely find anything. House Pachel probably keeps all those books for themselves. It’s just a… preemptive endeavor. I don’t think it’ll come to this, but it doesn’t hurt to look. Nobody wants war, after all. How are you holding up? I do hope the cane isn’t the start of something even worse. You look [i]far[/i] too young to be using something like that.”[/color]

Melodia smiled warmly towards Reina, glancing in the direction of the other two occupants within the library. [color=Thistle]“Regardless of how we look, time continues to pass us by, and biologically everything and everyone is finite.”[/color] Melodia’s eyes squinted as she turned her attention back to Reina. [color=Thistle]“But being preemptive is so very like you, and I’d wager it’s warranted. Maybe we need a good war or two. Maybe some blood being spilt on southern soil would do the world good.”[/color] The Lapsean noble tightened her lips and raised her shoulders before leaning into the table and resting her elbows upon its surface. 

[color=Thistle]“How’re the babies doing?” [/color]Melodia winked at Reina slyly, goading any sort of reacting from her.

[color=d8cfbe]“Oh, well, nothing quite yet. The wedding’s scheduled for the New Year. I do believe that, with how they’re all over each other, we might see real babies soon.”[/color] Reina laughed. [color=d8cfbe]“Christina thinks I don’t know, but it’s so obvious how she’s all about Reason when she thinks nobody can see. It’s quite cute. But don’t think you can distract me there. I noticed what you said. Have you talked to Arthur yet? He’s the most receptive to comments about conflict.”[/color]

Melodia slowly shook her head in reluctance. [color=Thistle]“I haven’t, you know how much of a recluse I am. Were it possible, I’d shut the borders to my land - clasp my hands together - and wait for my own demise. But I have mouths to feed, family to protect, and power fits my hand like a glove.”[/color] The Lapsean shifted in her seat, the small body contorting a bit as discomfort welled up within her body.

[color=Thistle]“Idle chitchat in hindsight, what’s your game plan with the shitslinging that’s about to occur? I keep a brave face in front of Rhy, but honestly, I’ve had it with the treatment the southerners continue to give us - I’m half pressed to just shut my mouth and act on my own from now on.”[/color] Melodia’s tone audibly sharpened and became dry, direct, and serious as the waters of the conversation went from familiar to dangerous and foreign.

Reina sighed. [color=d8cfbe]“It’s true that I just want to throw off the chains and do whatever, but I can’t help but feel like peace is a superior option. Times are changing, Mel. I’ve spoken to some of the Southern lords today, and I can’t help but feel like we very well might come out of these talks in a much better situation than before.”[/color] She began to count on her fingers. [color=d8cfbe]“Reason is wrapped around Tina’s thumb, Granis has pledged support, Aureolin is somewhat favorable to technological development, and Nols has displayed interest in advanced transportation technology as well. Seler is a wild card. Vector likes his beastmen, but he also doesn’t care for anything more advanced than a sextant. I have no idea of Balaur or Dalris, nor if Solaris’s vote even counts. Regardless, everyone’s more favorable to us than you might think.”[color] She smiled and closed the book.

Mel’s face twisted and contorted as Reina’s words trailed on, from disbelief to disappointment. [color=Thistle]“So you think now, out of the blue, they’ll begin to increase the livability in the north? The conditions, the disparity, the rights, how about that voting power? If you’re right - I’ll shut my mouth then and there, and begin to play nice. But until then, I shall continue to have my doubts.”[/color] Melodia breathed out slowly and slid her hands from the reading desk back down to her lap, allowing her fingertips to tap anxiously along the fabric of her dress.

[color=Thistle]“Any new research projects - innovations?”[/color] She deflected.

Reina frowned. [color=d8cfbe]“Don’t change the subject like that, Mel. I heard what you said. They won’t be changing anything. [i]We’re[/i] the ones who have to drag the damned conservatives into the future. Unfortunately, they still hold power in more ways than one. Peace is the best option right now. That starts by changing the mindset of those in power, little by little. It’s far too risky to do anything else.”[/color] She sighed and laid her head on the table, looking sidelong at Melodia. [color=d8cfbe]“I’m so very tired, Mel. So tired. Everything… the prep work, all of it. I wish I could ignore everyone, but I have a duty to fulfill.”[/color]

Melodia grunted in response to Reina’s monologue, her discomfort coming to pinnacle as she leaned in and let out a single loud whine as she planted her face into the desk. [color=Thistle]“So rational. But you’re right, I apologize for my behavior. My age gets the better of my mind sometimes - and to my body, but that’s no excuse.”[/color] She slid her face from the wood to look back at Reina, a tired expression mirroring the Young noblewoman’s. [color=Thistle]“I guess I’ll try to keep my pride in check, even though the southerners never do. I’ll just send them a couple shipments of sugar pills to make myself feel better.”[/color]

Reina laughed. [color=d8cfbe]“Tell them it cures the common cold. Maybe then we can finally prove that the placebo effect is a real thing.”[/color]

Melodia flashed a devilish smile and lifted her head to rest a cheek on her arm. [color=Thistle]“Or I’ll tell them it’s some groundbreaking antibiotic, and then I’d sip wine as countless innocents died from infection.”[/color] The Lapsean’s upper lip raised disgracefully as her twisted tendencies continued to spill out.

[color=d8cfbe]“Oh, you. Don’t kid around like that. Now, some of the Southern lords, maybe…”[/color] Reina’s expression darkened. [color=d8cfbe]“Well, it’s no matter. What are you doing in the evening?”[/color]

Melodia’s expression turned to curiosity, a single eyebrow raising and her posture perking up at the question. [color=Thistle]“I planned on killing time annoying the monks, perhaps running hitting on a young southern heir. Childish nonsense is my only pastime when I’m not in Gohethia - why do you ask?”[/color]

[color=d8cfbe]“No reason in particular. I got permission from the Queen to use the laboratory. Would you like to join me?”[/color] Reina smiled again, this time a devilish smile. The one from long ago, when she was never up to any good.

Melodia’s heart raced for a moment, the rush even catching her so off guard that she got lightheaded for a brief moment. Her eyes would squint at Reina, the crimson hues seeming to lock onto her fellow scientist. [color=Thistle]“With a look like that, how could I refuse?” [/color]