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Social with elements of Mystery Emitter: N/A
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 Stiles Stilinski  LJ Knight  Liam Dunbar (Via Twitter)
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N/A
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Stiles meets Beacon Hills' newest and most interesting librarian.
August 10, 2015
Beacon Hills Public Library
With time ticking into the late afternoon and the final rush of folks hoping to avoid late feels and fines ebbing to a trickle, the stacks themselves are fairly empty. It's a good time for one seeking scholatic solace, or perhaps for someone who wishes to do a little bit of clandestine research with less in the way of prying eyes and no need to have one's name placed in the register. As for LJ himself, it's one of those few times he doesn't just pop out of the shadows like a prowling cat, as he's actually reshelving the odd book and is reasonably expected to be available to answer questions--being an employee of the establish and all. So he meanders through the rows of stacks, well-dressed and even-tempered, dragging a finger along the metal of the shelving as he stares at the endless string of titles and decimals.
Stiles is currently sitting on the floor, his back against the end of one stack, with a pile of books next to him. They're not typical teenager books from the pop fiction section, either--they're heavy scholarly works, all of Twentieth Century publication and all dealing with very, very old things... like lycanthropy and vampirism, for instance. Stiles had been turning the pages furiously, but now he's slowed to a sedate pace, trying to stay focused. And increasingly tempted by the Adderall in his backpack. He's too absorbed in his efforts, aside from occasionally pausing to shift around or rub his forehead, to have noticed LJ yet.
It takes some minures, as LJ is serious in his work--woe befall those who disrespect the library--but eventually his passage brings him to the end of a particular stack, with Stiles thereat. Naturally, the Scotsman recognizes the teen, having only just seen him an evening or so before. More interesting to him, however, is the young man's headlong leap into monstrous lore. Glancing at the book spines, he nods his head a few times at the titles, familiar with many of them himself, and then, like a phantom, peers over Stiles' shoulder to glance at the particular passage he's face-deep into. "A bit trite, but practical," he says, stepping away so he's not hovering just-so over the teen's head and within flail-reach. "Are you looking for a particular sort of critter? Perhaps I can be of some assistance."
Poor Stiles. Lately, he just keeps getting pounced by things with supernatural stealth. Or, in this case, surprised by a librarian. He gives a sudden yelp of surprise, shrinking away from LJ and shutting the book hard enough to send an audible Clap! echoing throughout the stacks. Ending up half sprawled on his side, supporting himself with one elbow, legs still folded up, Stiles stares at the man in bafflement. After a moment, he licks his lips and takes a deep breath. "Oh. Hi. Er... you, uh, startled me, there. Librarian?" He doesn't recognize LJ, having been much more preoccupied the previous day. "I'm, uh... just studying some. For school. Which starts soon." He glances down at the titles. Glances back up. "I'm really big into mythology." A beat, and he responds to the question, asking, "Do you know where I could find something on, like... unusual were-creatures? Like... were-lions?" He quickly adds, "And I mean, like... scholarly stuff. Not fantasy novels."
Being the cool chap that he is, LJ only indulges the very hint of a bemused smile, waiting patiently for the flopping teen to regain his composure. Or, at least, what passes for composure. To guffaw would be impolite! (So he's doing it inside. Deep inside.) He otherwise simply tips his head forward at Stiles' correct presumption of librarian and rolls with the fact he doesn't seem to be recalled. Perhaps it's better this way. "Getting a bit of a head start?" LJ glances towards the books with an obvious gesture, which then returns to Stiles. "Were-lions? That's a very... particular request." He remains quiet for a beat, as if thinking on the subject without judgment while Stiles may or may not be be brainstorming preemptive excuses. "The library does have a few copies onhand of more--hmm--esoteric myths. We also have electronic access to a few online journals that you may find useful." He bids the young man follow him with a flick of his hand, and then adds, obtusely, "And then if that doesn't pan out for you, there is one more thing I, personally, may be able to do for you."
Stiles gathers up his armload of books--pausing to deposit most of them on a reshelving cart as they pass it--then accelerates to catch up, following LJ along through the stacks. Shouldering his backpack and slipping the straps into place, he tucks his thumbs behind them and turns to glance at LJ. "I've been through a lot of the library's stuff on shape-shifters," he explains. "I've been researching the subject for like a year now. So, um... I've seen most of what's here, probably. Unless you guys have something new, which... obviously I'm happy to see, sure." He's cautious in his manner, not quite sure what to make of this guy. He seems normal, friendly, and helpful.
And lately, those are red flags for Stiles.
Nodding and listening as they walk, LJ leads them, not to the fairy tales and myths section, but rather, science history. "I doubt the library's recieved much in the past year on that particular subject that you haven't gone through already," he says with confidence, his fingers gently touching and sliding along the shelving like one might caress a beloved object, or handle some kind of sentimental bauble to evoke a memory. "Funding, you see. But little bits of myth have a way of finding themselves in odd places, such as Dr. Wade Davis' exploration of a man who claimed he was brought back to life by a sorcerer." The Scotsman indicates a book from the 1980s, but keeps going. "Ah, here we are." Plucking a book from a shelf, 'Why do Men have Nipples,' he promptly hands it to Stiles and amuses himself by waiting a moment for Stiles to read the title before explaining. "That's a newer book, 2005, but it does explain modern theories on lycanthropy, and has a robust bibliography you can use to find other good source material." Hopefully lightening the mood with that, a few more books are plucked from the shelves, substantially older than the last, and handed to Stiles as well. "Those discuss older medical experiments from the 19th century-onward. Grisly stuff, labotomies, trepanning, but there's a few instances of very strange, weird science with a few mentions of possible lycanthropic mutations you may find illuminating."
Stiles accepts all the books with eager interest, though he does give LJ a look when handed the book about the nipples, stopping just short of accusing the librarian of trolling him. He opens the cover to peer inside, then gives a nod, raising eyebrows, with an okay, fair ponit sort of impressed look. "I admit, I never checked out any of these before," Stiles concedes, tucking the books under one arm. "I'll definitely try 'em out." He pauses, tilting his head back a little, and says, "Thanks. Are... are you new? 'Cause I thought I knew everybody here, and I don't recognize you."
And we're moving! Towards the computers. "As I'm sure you've noticed, myth and urban legend often have roots in historical fact--it's just a matter of knowing where to look." Leaning over to Stiles' electronic session set up with a mouse-clicks and keyboard-taps, LJ says, with a short chuckle, "Yes, you're not going crazy--I've only been around a few weeks. I'll be subbing at the high school and working here part time. The name's LJ, or Mister Knight if you prefer." He then backs away and gestures for Stiles to sit. "Early English Books Online is a good resource; there's an American analogue as well, though naturally the books don't go back quite so far. It's an enormous database of scanned material, so I haven't explored it fully, but just type in some keywords and hopefully the database will have some old texts you can use."
Stiles leans over the computer, taking it in. "That... could be super useful. Thank you," he says, setting down the small stack of books he's once again carrying around. "Thanks, LJ--at least until you show up in class, right?" He laughs softly, clearly a bit amused, and then he slips off his backpack, sliding it to the floor beside the workstation. "I really appreciate the help." Since he doesn't know about LJ or his secrets--and certain pack members haven't seen the need to forewarn him--he takes this to being just a helpful librarian, after all, and goes to sit down and explore the new resource.
LJ returns the praise with a brief, genuine smile and says, "You're very welcome. Take your time. I'll go fetch the other thing I mentioned while you browse the journals." And then he does actually leave Stiles alone for a bit. From a distance, he takes a moment to observe the teen with more precise senses, mostly just verifying Stiles is indeed one of those unfortunate humans caught up in a supernatural world and not some demon spawn in disguise. Largely satisfied the latter situation is not the case, he disappears into a storage area, and then returns a few minutes later. The entire process gives Stiles a good fifteen or so minutes of peace. "Here we go," he says, when in earshot. "What your name again? I'd rather not have to awkwardly refer to you as 'that guy with shifter books'." And then speaking of a shifter book, he places a--clearly very old--manuscript on the desk beside the keyboard. The manufacture of paper is at least from the 1700s, and the title reads, 'A treatise on the more Primaeval of Beasts as noted by the Savages of These Americas.' "This is my personal copy," LJ explains, "but you're welcome to borrow it for a few days. I don't believe werelion is mentioned specifically, but there is at least one werecat."
Stiles works on the computer about like one would expect a student who's very focused to do. The new resource has him much more alert and awake than before, and he quickly pulls out his phone to tap in a few notes and references. (Being a teenager, he also probably answers a few texts.) Then, when TJ returns, Stiles glances up at him with a grin. "Hey, thanks! This is... wow. This is probably the most authentic--well, -looking, anyway--thing I've seen so far." He resists excitedly flipping through it, though, given the obvious age of the text. "And you'd let me borrow it?" His eyes all but pop out. "Does it need a special transport case? Do I need to, like, wear gloves or something?" Once upon a time, books wouldn't have excited him. Times have changed. As an afterthought, he adds, "Oh, I'm Stiles. Nice to meet you, dude."
But there is that little elephant in the room. Stiles, upon mystic scrutiny... not to put too fine a point on it... is very clearly possessed. A being of very obviously demonic origin holds sway over his soul, and from the look of it, a very powerful one. In fact, Stiles is also wearing a ring with a demonic sigil on it, presumably belonging to the same being. Hm.
[Phone] Liam Dunbar texts: found the other Scott at School. He's Ok Drnk But OK
[Phone] Stiles texts: Thank god. Where R U? Im at the library doing some research (to Liam Dunbar)
[Twitter] @StilesBH24: New librarian at #BeaconHillsPublicLibrary seems cool. #summerstudy #research
[Phone] Liam Dunbar texts: At school Gym Just found him.
[Phone] Stiles texts: Good. Try to keep his dumb ass out of trouble.
As it turns out, LJ's divinatory powers occasionally act belatedly. It's like a fortune cookie you'd forgotten about on the dash that suddenly slaps a bit of obtuse truth-crumbs in your eye while you're trying to drive. The realization all but smacks him in the face, but the composed sort that he is, the result is a short, physical jolt that largely comes off like he's a little protective of his book and doesn't want Stiles to flip through it right this second. (And Stiles does have a point anyways, it IS an old book.) "Apologies," he says, affecting some laughter at himself to keep up the charade. "I was just so excited to show you--occult lore is a bit of a hobby, and I don't get to share it with any frequency. But you are correct; I've got a little box for it, and you can borrow my cloth gloves... here," he says, conveniently placing a pair of said gloves atop the book for Stiles' use. "Go ahead and take a look. Let me know if you have any questions." As for questions, should Stiles delve right in, LJ takes a moment to get a good, long look at that ring, and a more than casual glance at the little bit of darkness he's carrying; the panther in him is certainly familiar enough with that.
Stiles is a bit startled by LJ's sudden jump, but he pushes past it easily enough. Librarians are weird about their books and all. He slips on the gloves and very gently opens the book, beginning to look through it with eager curiosity. He has no idea, of course, that LJ has figured out about his little "possession" issue. Though, closer mystic inspection may also reveal a bit more: Stiles isn't just possessed. There's something wrong with his soul itself, as if his mind and spirit have been mystically awakened but just sort of... left to sit that way. An "open door" might be one way of looking at it. Curiously, the practical effect of the possession seems to acting as a sort of spiritual seal across that opening.
So many questions spring to LJ's mind, chief among them being, 'How on earth did this kid manage that?' His brows furrow into a heavier, more serious expression. It's something he'll need to suss out before he starts poking his nose in unaccommodating places. This town, man. For the moment, however, there's nothing he can do about it, so much to his chagrin, LJ leaves the darkness be and forces his brows to relax, lest he start looking sinister. But oh, dear Stiles, you are so getting stalked. Then switching gears, the Scotsman gestures towards the book in a general way, explaining, "There's all sorts of supernatural creatures in there, discussed and catalogued. It's a bestiary of sorts, but there's no author attributed to the book. Some of the entries I'm pretty sure are entirely fiction, but others have least some basis in truth. Hopefully you'll find what you need. And hey, if you need someone to brainstorm with, I'm always happy to chat about this stuff."
Nodding absently, rather consumed by the book, Stiles says distractedly, "Yeah... thanks! Wow, this is... this is gonna be seriously useful." He glances up at LJ, grinning, and says, "I really appreciate it. Like... this could be a serious help to my, uh... project." He carefully closes the book, looking up. "You said there's a box? Wanna make sure I transport it safely, obviously." He tugs off the gloves, then, and sets them down atop the book, letting his hands fall to the desktop, where his fingers begin slowly tapping in a tuneless rhythm against it. He glances up at the time, noting, "Guess I should be packing up. You guys aren't open much later."
It is getting a bit late, so LJ begins picking up the yet-to-be-checked-out stack and says, "You heard correctly! And my pleasure, Stiles. Just give me a moment and I'll get all those books squared away for you." Lifting all the books pulls the sleeve of his shirt up his arm a bit, revealing the assortment of arcane tattoos, for what it's worth. Maybe he's just a tattoo junkie. Or an ex-trucker? He then walks off to get those books taken care of, and returns five or so minutes later with said books in a bag, and the wooden box for the manuscript. "I went ahead and put my number in the box, just in case you need a bit of consultation. Good luck with the project!" He hands the stuff over, and then provided Stiles has no further questions, offers a short salute, and then moves to disappear back into the stacks.
"Thanks, man!" Stiles calls after LJ, and then he carefully gathers everything up, slipping it all into his backpack, logs out of the computer after making a few more notes, and then logs off. Soon enough he's headed away, his mind on all this new information--including the librarian's odd tattoos, which didn't look to him like typical hipster or trucker fare. But maybe he'll do a little more web surfing and see what turns up, once he gets home.
All together, it's been an interesting day.