Yes. Though not immediately helpful to our predicament, nor to my research interests. But I can't complain about the chance to learn a little about the knowledge of this world.
[sure enough, she's set up at the cafe not long after, scribbling something in her notebook. when caleb arrives, she waves him to the table—she got them both hot chocolates—and closes the notebook, which has several purikura, both solo and with others, decorating the cover.]
[He's coming over to her with a small wave, carrying a couple books under his arm. But once he approaches the table, he's just going to lean in and bite her on the neck.
Ahhhhhhhh.]
I still have no idea why this is happening, I'm sorry!
[she makes a small, quiet sound of surprise. she seems to wobble for a moment in her seat, until she gets her act together just enough to grab him by the arm--]
[Yike! Anyway, not to be dramatic on main, but when she grabs his arm to bite his wrist, it sort of pushes back his sleeve, so she can make out the first few letters of a tattoo on his forearm (as well as a bunch of strange faded scars in a pattern) U-N-F-O-R-
But yeah, he's red at this.]
Well, this was the curse. Apparently it exists outside the library.
[He got her several books! About electricity! One is a fairly basic science book about how it works! One is a slightly more complex science book! One is just about the history of it!]
I presumed your meaning was, uhm, electricity as a source of fuel, but let me know if my assumption was incorrect. We don't have these devices where I'm from, I thought it might be similar for you.
Anyway, the expression on his face is a bit hard to parse; he glances at his forearm, and then sort of puts his hand in his pocket.]
A very unpleasant effect. It would be nice to be the sort who could wear it openly. [. . .] I used to closely hide the scars there, as well, with bandages, and then one day I stopped bothering. It's strange to be back to hiding it, and perhaps I ought to be braver about that, too.
[He kind of blue screens when she starts pulling down her top? Just sort of staring at her blinking like 'what is happening' until he understands where this is going.
After which - ]
. . . Ah. Never easy, no.
[He frowns and seems uncertain for a moment, before rolling his sleeve up the rest of the way. UNFORGIVABLE.]
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Have you found much in the library?
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I wouldn't mind reading a guide to electricity...
Can I join you?
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You're more than welcome. But I should warn you, things have been a little strange in the library recently.
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How so?
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Is that the connection?
she thinks.]
We could meet just outside?
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Electricity and tea, perhaps.
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[sure enough, she's set up at the cafe not long after, scribbling something in her notebook. when caleb arrives, she waves him to the table—she got them both hot chocolates—and closes the notebook, which has several purikura, both solo and with others, decorating the cover.]
Strange happenings in the library?
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Ahhhhhhhh.]
I still have no idea why this is happening, I'm sorry!
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Um.
[--and bite him on the wrist.]
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But yeah, he's red at this.]
Well, this was the curse. Apparently it exists outside the library.
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she blushes.]
I'm sorry for biting you, even if it is a curse...
[she pushes the cup forward.]
Hot chocolate?
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No apologies necessary for me. But I apologize as well?
[Taking the cocoa.]
Danke schön. They do not have tea here after all, I realize. . . a very strange cafe. But this is good?
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[still, she's drinking it.
...
hmm]
The books...
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[He got her several books! About electricity! One is a fairly basic science book about how it works! One is a slightly more complex science book! One is just about the history of it!]
I presumed your meaning was, uhm, electricity as a source of fuel, but let me know if my assumption was incorrect. We don't have these devices where I'm from, I thought it might be similar for you.
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[she nods. well, getting bit by caleb is pretty fine, actually. caleb is very smart and knowledgeable and has a cute cat.
she shuffles the books over to her side of the table, skimming through them a little—when she looks up, an inscrutable look on her face.]
...I saw part of your mark, by the way. [best to just be honest about it.] On your arm.
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Anyway, the expression on his face is a bit hard to parse; he glances at his forearm, and then sort of puts his hand in his pocket.]
A very unpleasant effect. It would be nice to be the sort who could wear it openly. [. . .] I used to closely hide the scars there, as well, with bandages, and then one day I stopped bothering. It's strange to be back to hiding it, and perhaps I ought to be braver about that, too.
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for a moment, it looks like she's about to do something risqué, as she fumbles with her top...
but she just pulls it down just a little. there, on the left side of her chest, just below the pink lining, is just one word: LOSS]
...It's only fair.
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After which - ]
. . . Ah. Never easy, no.
[He frowns and seems uncertain for a moment, before rolling his sleeve up the rest of the way. UNFORGIVABLE.]
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You don't have to explain.
[just in case he felt he had to.]
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[Rolling his sleeve back down with a little bit of a grimace.]
An ugly story, anyway. And neither do you, though you may if you wish to.
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It's not really a story...
[...]
Do they still hurt?
[the scars.]
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