The "Research Department" has its offices off the "East Room" of the old library, through the glass doors, up the stairs.. which are bronze, not iron, as Faeries have never gotten along well with iron.

It is where Fey know to take problems, and the latest one seems serious.

Proge the Goblin is a friend of Gremian, and was recently introduced to Botach.  Like many Goblins, he works for the Department of Sanitation.  They have infiltrated it so well that they can fake records easily, hiring friends, coming and going as they take up each other's Human identities.  Proge is third Goblin to be Pablo "Proge" Jiminez, dedicated sanitation worker who is not afraid to get his hands dirty loading the barges that take city trash to distant landfills.

Proge enjoys fishing and owns a fishing boat, a decent sized powerboat.  (as a Goblin, he also enjoys the taste of a fresh... still flopping... fish) Maybe he had planned to go fishing with a few friends.  Or maybe Gremian and Botach were meeting up with him for another reason.  Whatever the story is, what transpired has worried them.

The Goblin seems to be lost on the Mortal side of the Veil.  They met at Proge's home in the Bronx.  He can't see Gremian and Botach as anything but Human.  He knows them, but only as Humans.  Even more disturbing, he sees himself as Human.  Fully Human.  He thinks he is Pablo Jiminez, and he has the mail and ID in his wallet to prove it.

Naturally, his Fey associates thought it was a joke.  At first.  But it became clear- this is what Proge believes now.  He lives completely and absolutely in the Human world, as a Human, no memory of his Fey nature remaining.  Proge dismissed talk of "Goblins" as stupid teasing from his friends.

And of course, a problem like this had to be brought to the library.  It's where Fey go for help.

In the library, Alisa stood at the checkout center, ready to assist people in logging books into the system. Alisa still found it hard to believe at times that she had managed to land a good paying job like this, when her only working experience up until then had been... far less flattering. It felt like it had taken her two weeks to finally get rid of the urge to ask people "Can i take your order, sir?" when they came to check out a book: The first time it happened, she had been too late to stop herself from saying it, and she had felt about ready to slam her face through a wall in embarrassment.

Still, all things considered, she would be doing whatever guardian angels watched over her a disservice if she'd complain about simply having a thing or two she thought she'd never live down. And, she had to admit, she was rocking the white dress shirt and buttoned black vest and pants pretty well, if she said so herself. The only downside is the white made her hair look greyish by contrast, but again, it was nothing worth complaining about given the amount of benefits the job had. Not like she'd ever consider dyeing it anyway. And besides, were it not for the uniform she'd have ended up showing up at work in her regular clothes, which would have made her stand out like a sore thumb in these more dignified surroundings.

She felt her coat pocket buzz, and slipped her hand in to look at her phone. Her roommate apped her, and a quick look at the screen told her what the message was about. She quickly tapped 'B2' and slid the device back, her eyes scanning for signs of someone wishing to check out or return a book.

Virana walked into the library and smiled slightly when she saw Alisa at the counter and pulling a book she had checked out a couple weeks ago out from a pocket in her trench coat walks up to the counter and sets the book down.

"So I see your still here, so I assume that you like it here."

Virana was a regular at the library now after the last big incident in which she had helped out the library with and had seen Alisa several times and had even talked to her parents about her, and of course with the fact that she always wore her trench coat when she was at the library made her stick out but also a lot of people avoided her as the veil didn't hide her solid black eye's.

Alisa beamed a smile back in response as she took the book, leafing through it quickly to check for damages before checking it back in to the library.

- "Oh, definitely. Part of me still thinks getting told i was hired was an out of season April Fool's joke, but it's been slowly sinking in and i'm... taking my time with it, i guess?"

She had noticed the woman's solid black eyes, but -- like most under the Veil -- assumed it to be contacts of some kind, and Virana's clothing choices helped that image along just fine. As she worked, her phone buzzed again in her pocket, but she paid it no mind as she checked in the book, and carefully placed it on a trolley behind her before turning around again.

- "The job takes some time to get used to, but it's the good kind."

Flea perched atop one of the bookshelves, lying low, and watching the recently arrived employee. Flea felt sorry for her. It mst be dreadful, she reasoned, to go around thinking you are a human. Humans wee pretty awful, in her experience, and she cannot imagine why anyone would prefer to be one, when they could actually be an elf. Even a stuck up, snooty, arrogant High Elf. Flea preferred Wood Elves. They, at least, shared her love for the natural world.

The little fairy scowled. She knew damn well why nobody could tell this newcomer who she really was. Others had explained it to her, in patronising tones. Flea was very small, very grubby, and often smelled dreadful, but she was not stupid. People often assumed she was, because she seemed so small, and that meant she could not possibly comprehend complex matters. Yes, she did not grasp things like human technology particularly well, and she was totally uninterested in things outside her personal purview, but that did not mean she was dim witted. On faerie matters, she was as bright as the next pixie - possibly more so, given she had survived this long in an environment that would have killed most of her kind stone dead within a week.

Flea wasn't stupid. And she definitely knew this was a bad situation.

A changeling could be trouble, and a High Elf blooded was going to be worse. They shouldn't be there, in her library! Sooner or later, being around this many fae-kind, there would be a slip up. Someone might say or do the wrong thing, and then whoops! Pointy ears down there would learn the truth. And that would bring all sorts of recriminations. You don't keep a tree safe from fire by standing it in a burning clearing! She knew that all too well.

The Library was slap bang in the middle of Flea's territory, and she had pledged to protect it. In her view, that meant getting this new person out of there, before doom and disaster rained down on the heads of everyone there.

The problem was, this was a human sized person, who was not supposed to know about fairies. Flea was a six-inch tall pixie person, complete with wings and squeaky voice. She was totally unequipped for this sort of thing. All she could think of was to pester the woman with bugs and rats in her home, and that wouldn't make her leave her job, just find a new place to sleep. It was so frustrating!

She pouted, and watched. She needed to talk to her friends, the big faeries, and explain how concerned she was. Maybe one of them could take her away and dump her in a different city, or in a desert, or something. Somewhere a long way away. That would be perfect!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Sat 16 May 2020.

Botach had thought his new life in New York would be filled with interesting new experiences sights and sounds. he had only been in the country for just over 2 weeks and so far he had been content to visit the human attractions as he wanted to fit in. Why humans were obsessed with high buildings had bewildered Botach until he remembered they could not fly. Not for the first time he pitied the humans there restrictions. Botach was reminded how he did not like being trapped in a metal box as it plummeted to the ground but otherwise had enjoyed seeing the sights as humans said. Times square had in many ways felt more reminiscent thana  gathering of the seelie court with all manner of bizarre performers, flashing lights and sounds at every corner. Curiously it was also filled with humans offering gifts for free and demanding money once they had been received. it was an interesting form of bartering that Botach had never experienced before.

Botach had been interesting in perhaps visiting the river and would have quite enjoyed a swim to the bottom to see what treasures lay beneath. Botachs hopes of exploring his curiosity was cut short however by the horrifying revelation that Proge was now, for all intents and purposes, human. The discovery inspired a deep seated fear in Botach and he visibly avoided physical contact with the goblin who had provided his papers only a week prior. Botach stood dumbfounded as he looked his greatest fear in the eye. The banality, limitation and fleeting life in a single mortal form. He had known old friends amongst his kind that had chosen to become a single mortal form but this was very different. Very disturbing.

Botach left slightly before Gremmian and took a taxi before asking to go the long way to the library. Botach found that the taxi drivers were very inventive and he had seen many interesting streets in the city go past with the same requests. He tipped the driver $50 after paying. It was strange how money made humans so amicable.

He had remained quiet for much of the journey back to the library as he continued to process the ramifications of what he had seen and now twice as determined to start working with the library in earnest. He snapped out of his daze as he approached the reception desk and caught the last snippet of the conversation and decided add his own thoughts unasked. "But not the best kind eh darling. I keep telling yeh, there is a fortune to be made in this city. Once I find somewhere they play for real money i'l take you along and  show you why they call us lucky."

He turned his mischievous smile towards the other lady, he had seen her around the library in passing but never introduced himself formally. "Nice to meet you miss, names.." He glanced quickly to Alisa and back to Virana before continuing. "..Joseph Ivor but everyone can call me Joe. You uh read many of the fairy tales here? I hear some of the stories here really come alive off the page." A mote of light seemed to run across his eyes for a moment as he looked up at her.

Alisa chuckled for a moment in response.

- "Ah, but if i had a nickle for every person believing they could strike it rich, i'd be rich myself."

She wanted to reply with her name, but the pause while Botach was talking to Virana helped remind her that professional etiquette would not allow it, so instead she subtly tapped her name tag where her first name 'Alisa' was written in clearly recognizable letters, though her handwriting somewhat resembled Comic Sans.

"I'd wager that a cent from every dollar I've won would have you richer still. Just never let it be said that Joe didn't make the offer Miss Alisa. I extend the offer to all in attendance of course. High stakes without a crowd just doesn't have the same edge and from experience your less likely to be accused of cheating. All baseless of course but its a bit of a blow to my self esteem."

Oscar wandered into the library, flicking the remains of a foul smelling stogie into the street gutter before entering the premises proper. If he had his way, he'd already be lighting up another. The nicotine buzz was a mortal sensation that he truly enjoyed, but evidently there were laws about smoking inside buildings now, especially libraries. Oscar didn't care much about mortal laws, but the Fae had also decreed that he was not to smoke inside the library and Oscar grudgingly consented.

"So, what's all the hooplah about?" he asked seemingly to no one in particular as he plopped his squat form down into one of the leather wing-back chairs. "Word on the street is that we have a problem." While Oscar could be very subtle, especially in his dealings with mortals, he had little patience for Fae 'cloak and dagger' politics. If the powers that be needed help, then Oscar wanted them to get straight to the point as soon as possible.

He glanced about the room, recognizing a few of the faces but also observed a fair number of strangers. He drummed his stubby fingers on the leather armrest and waited for someone to answer.

Alisa gave Botach a half-bow to thank him for the offer.

- "Ah, but as with all gambling, winning is never the problem. I've seen people win big, and then proceed to blow through their winnings in less than ten minutes. It has left me rather... jaded when it comes to gambling, i'm afraid. As they say, 'The House always wins.'"

When Oscar entered the library to make his announcement, she blinked for a moment. 'Word on the street' was something she had not been expecting to hear, especially not in the library, but she figured she shouldn't judge. Instead, she decided she'd keep her ears open for some context while continuing to focus her attention on Virana and Botach, who were still at the counter.

A crisp coldness seemed to grow in the air as Felix wandered in, the lanky blonde wearing a black coat with a red scarf wrapped tightly, covering the lower portion of his face. A thin portion of ice seemed to form beneath his footsteps, melting as he left them.

 he was somewhat in awe, looking about, not a familiar visitor to the library both due to his relatively recent arrival in town and various recent circumstances, but the words spoken of a problem drew his attention quickly.

"A problem..?" He asked."Is.. is it safe..?"

In reply to Botach (msg # 6):

Virana turned to look at Botach as he introduced himself.


"I'm Virana, the fairy tales tend to stay on the pages around here usually. As to gambling, the closest I come to that is at the track when I race with my car, I would rather trust in skill then luck of the draw."


Virana flashed out hir tails knowing full well that the veil would hide them from anyone who wasn't fey, or from Alisa if it wasn't time yet for her to know the truth about herself, but it would make it plain to the other fey that she was a Kitsune and a special one if she was able to shapeshift as young as she was with only two tails.

But she turns back to Alisa.

"How is it getting around town, I know sometimes it can be a pain, I have an old moped that you can have if you want."

Gremian was dragging his feet on the floor as he entered the Library. He adjusted his leather jacket. He moved closer to Botach and Virana. "Hello, I'm going to the East Room. You might be interested in joining me there." he suggested to them without interrupting anyone. Gremian looked at Alisa. "Welcome to the library" he said with a tip of an imaginary hat, giving her a good view of his bald head and larger than most ears. He didn't wait for a response and walked away toward the Research Department's offices.

Gremian carefully went upstairs, trying to be as silent as his claws would allow. He waved to the group. He sat into a free chair. He pouted, waiting for the reunion to start formally.

Much as Virana had already guessed, Alisa gave no reaction to her showing her tails to the others. Instead, she smiled in response to the offer.

- "Oh, that'd be nice, actually. It'd take some time to arrange storage space for it though, but i know a few students who rent a storage box together that i think i can join in on."

She reached behind the counter, and held up what appeared to be a skateboard as an answer to the question how she had been moving around the city, before putting it down again. She gave Gremian a 'Thanks' for his welcome as he walked away.

Virana smiled.

"Well let me know, I'll have my father dig it out and make sure it's ready, then when you let me know you have a place to park it I'll head back home to pick it up and bring it here for you. But I need to get going though after the meeting I'll probably be finding some books to check out."

Virana turned away from the counter and headed up the stairs towards the research department.

Botach nodded to the ladies turned his attention to Gremian and smiled. "Sounds like a good idea my friend. I presume the discreet gentleman in the chair will also be joining us?"

"Discreet? Funny guy." Oscar stood up and followed the others to the East room where he took another, less comfortable seat as he popped an unlit cigar into his mouth.

Felix followed the group in silence, pale long fingers grasping onto his coat sleeves as he walked towards the mentioned office. Once inside, he settled against a wall. "Why am I getting the sinking feeling that refreshments won't be involved?" He asked.

As the group discussed a little ways off, Alisa went back to standing ready to wait for another person wanting to make use of the station. With no one nearby, she fished her phone out of her pocket again, checking the display for the contents of the reply she had received a moment ago, when she had been busy with Virana's book. Reading it, she winced. D4.

- "Sunofabitch got my carrier..."

Muttering below her breath, followed by a far more audible sigh, she sent 'E2', along with the agreed upon smiley to indicate the previous shot had hit something. After that, she sent out a message to another student, asking if they had a place for her to store a moped she might be getting her hands on. They'd be working side jobs as well, so she didn't expect a reply anytime soon, but they would eventually.

Flea moved across the library with swift, silent motions. A jump here, a scuttle there. A little flight, then a hop and a skip. Being so small, it was easy to be soundless and unnoticed. Right until erupted up from behind Oscar's seat, and balanced on the top of his head. "Whassssupppp, biatches!"

She looked at faces expectantly, then her wings drooped in disappointment. "Did I not say it right?"

Apparently, she had been very busy recently. The reeking stench of rotting garbage - and worse - clung to her, and it was so strong it was practically a physical cloud.

Oscar beamed as Flea landed on his head. Either the smell of garbage was one of his favorite aromas, or he was genuinely happy to 'see' the diminutive Fae. "Hey, baby. What's going on?" he asked, his eyes rolling up as if he could somehow force himself to see the top of his own head. Oscar held up a finger to the top of his head and wiggled it, a silent signal asking his friend for a high five greeting.

Flea gave the finger a big slap. Which is to say, she gave it a tiny boop, by giant sized person standards. Honestly, if these big people were normal sized, they would have far fewer problems in life. All that extra weight sucked the juice out of their brains, which is why they did not understand the important stuff, like what she did. Right? Damn right!

Still, she answered the question all the same. "What's going on? Are you even paying attention? Have you seen the new girl down there? Who thought sticking her here was a good idea? I mean, sure, don't tell the elf girl that she's an elf, the pointy-ears will get really pissy. Don't reveal that faeries exist. Don't let her find out about them! So the best place to put her to make sure she stays ignorant is... inside a building run by, and frequented by, half the goddamn faeries in the STATE? In MY library? Have you all been sniffing glue again? I told you, it makes your thinky parts get stuck together so they no work no more, capiche?"

She flomped down to sit in her backside, with her legs crossed, still atop Oscar's head. "Whoever came up with this plan is thicker than a hippopotamous sandwich."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Mon 18 May 2020.