Hikaru
Hikaru is diminutive as a child, and has wings, of all things. This, perhaps, should make him seem absurd - as absurd as Conan Doyle's ridiculous fairy hoax, but for the serious expression he often carries, the knowledge he holds, and occasional glimpses of a hard-earned wisdom in his eyes. ...He is very kind, and seems to know something of my own world. Perhaps he is a being from the far future? It is strange to think of people who may read of people and events that are immediate and so real to me, seeing them as only far distant history as I might read of Ancient Rome... I feel Hikaru is someone I may trust, and his patience with my ignorance of the technology here is appreciated. We have exchanged recipes and I believe will continue to do so. Finding decent meals in this place is a trial and having someone to experiment with will be a welcome relief.
Kai
...Another person gave me a fright in the stacks today. He is of average height and build, however his hair is long and wild, falling into his face so much that one cannot get a good look at his eyes. It makes for a disquieting vision, in the midst of the stacks, though he was not hostile to me. He tells me to call him Kai, as his full name is difficult for me to pronounce. In some ways, he seems even more lost than I am. I told him a bit of my theory of this place, and he seems amenable. He has helpfully provided a map that he has made of the more "stable" areas of the library, but seems frustrated at being unable to do more. I am not sure that a map would help us, but I appreciate Kai's willingness to help.
Charles
...this young man claims to be dead, and I have no reason to disbelieve him. He is called Charles Rowland, and while his language is often uncouth, his manner is friendly and open. I am immediately inclined to like him. He is of average height and build, dark eyes and hair but pale of complexion, and his touch is icy cold. My heart immediately went out to him on our first meeting, as he seems to be missing his dear friend keenly - I understand the feeling all too well... We have promised to assist each other, as he is an investigator, and I seem to be becoming one, myself... He strikes me as a very noble soul, having willingly given up his hope of Eternal Life in order to assist others in finding their rest. I have to admire such a person.
The Bride
...I should fear anyone who calls themself Un-dead - after all, it is an Un-dead monster who threatens all I hold dear back home. But despite this, and despite her morbid appearance - she admits to being a person built of the corpses of others, given unholy life by a man, her creator - she is nothing like the monster I've come to fear, or indeed the monster she seems to think herself. I do believe that if anything were to threaten me here, she would defend me as quickly as anyone back home, even my dear Jonathan... It is strange to me that she only wishes to be called "The Bride" and claims that she has never been given another name. Does she claim that name out of stubbornness, pride, or some other reason that I cannot yet discern? Hopelessness, perhaps...
Viktor
I was restless last night, as I find myself uncomfortable sleeping in such shared quarters...I met a man in the kitchen, Viktor, who I am afraid I pressed most firmly to eat something, despite being a stranger to me. It is only that he looks so ill - he reminds me horribly of poor Lucy, though I certainly hope his ailment is not the predations of an unholy monster. Nonetheless, his sallow complexion, sunken eyes, and general air of malaise has made me very concerned for him. ...He seems to be a scientist of some sort, but his area of study, so he claims, is magic. I know little enough of magic such that I must accept his word on the matter. I would wish there was someone here with some medical expertise, however...
Rin
Rin is a queer person indeed, one of the queerest I have yet encountered. Their appearance is, I must say, nondescript. They are tall, but otherwise unremarkable, apart from the disconcerting way in which they refuse to make eye contact. One can learn so much from the eyes, from their colour, their look - truly the eyes are the window to the soul. Rin simply does not allow for such study, but beyond that, they rarely respond to my queries in ways that make sense to me. Perhaps their world is truly that different from my own - a world of many genders(?), but one in which one may be watched by "security drones"(?) at any moment. For what purpose, I cannot discern. They have, however, provided much data on the nature of the library and how it works - what little we can work out, in any case. Still, conversation with them always feels stilted and awkward - if they are not pouting in the manner of a petulant child, they are silent and avoidant...
Aphra
...She seems at first glance to be every bit as human as I am, though there are a few odd features which give her a slightly uncanny air. However, she seems from a world that is not so different from my own. At least, she understands a good tea service in a way that few here seem to...
Randolph Carter
...I cannot help but compare this Professor Carter with the Professor Van Helsing of my own world. He has a similar air of learning and wisdom, coupled with a profound warmth and humanity which makes him feel very trustworthy. He understands much of the world - much more than I could ever hope to, I feel, but that only makes him more worthy of my regard. A man of logic, but with a profoundly open mind...
Jonathan Harker
Jonathan has come, but he is not
my Jonathan. It feels so strange even to write that, so I must carefully make note of everything here. His appearance is that of a stranger - slightly taller than my husband, his hair white as snow where my husband's is brown sprinkled with grey, his eyes blue where my husband's are a warm, sweet brown. And yet, he is recognizably Jonathan Harker - the same open heart, the same good nature and careful attention to myself. We must, of course, be friends, as there can be no other outcome. I know my own Jonathan - and his own Mina - would only ever want that for us, since we cannot be with them for the moment. He is, at least, someone that I know I can rely on whilst I am here, and that is a great comfort, regardless of anything else...
Misc. Notes
I cannot help but wonder if this - this exile to a strange world, with so many strange people, and then the appearance of a man who is Jonathan but is not my husband - if this is my punishment. My punishment for inconstancy. What would Jonathan - what would any of them - think, if they knew? And what does it say about me, that this Jonathan's eyes which are so blue, sometimes remind me, not of my husband, but of my Prince? Only here can I admit that it is not my husband's voice which speaks to me in my dreams, not his arms that I long for in the night.
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starandhope) wrote2025-11-08 11:45 am
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unfinishedlibrary