Thanatos 7-1

[17:25] * Abraham_Campbell has a backpack full of books and the name of the library, now figuring out how to get there on foot.
[17:37] <Neph-GM> Having read the books he found most interesting from the pile left to him by Dr. Ionides during his stay at the hospital, Abraham decides to return them.
[17:37] <Neph-GM> The library building isn’t anything special on the outside; just one another one of Elysium’s many buildings in style, and not a particularly large one, but on the inside… It’s like entering another world, another age. Carpeted floors, wooden shelves filled with tomes, just another level up as would be expected from the dimensions, but it also extends at least 3 levels down, a glasswork dome at the top capturing the light and pro
[17:37] <Neph-GM> jecting it to a very stylized sun clock at the center of the building.  The smell of books fills the air, as well as a strange sense of nostalgia.
[17:38] * Abraham_Campbell tries to find the book deposit box or whatever, but finds himself distracted by the library himself, drifting to the shelves before remembering why he's here.
[17:39] <Neph-GM> The halls are devoid of people; silence reigns in this place, as would be expected of an era where most information can be accessed from convenient electronic devices. Books are rapidly becoming relics, libraries the museums to hold them.
[17:40] <Abraham_Campbell> "So quick to forget the past...surprising."
[17:41] <Neph-GM> "No, it's human nature," a voice says behind him.
[17:41] * Abraham_Campbell spins about on his heel.
[17:44] <Neph-GM> Facing him is a smiling woman with long, blonde hair. Behind her glasses, her green eyes almost seem to shine. She wears a long, elaborate dress of opaque colors; out of fashion out there, yet seemingly fitting for this place. Abraham instantly recognizes this woman as Dr. Ionides.
[17:45] <Abraham_Campbell> "Doctor...I'm surprised to find you here."
[17:45] <Abraham_Campbell> "Quite a coincidence."
[17:46] * NPC_SELF_INSERT is now known as Ionides
[17:47] <Ionides> "Doctor?" She giggles. "I suppose I could be called that. But there's no coincidence in us meeting here."
[17:47] <Abraham_Campbell> "Oh...are you not doctor Ionides?"
[17:51] <Ionides> "I prefer to be called Mrs. Ionides, or Lady Ionides... Madam..." Her gaze drifts off. "I had never considered how I prefer to be called."
[17:52] <Abraham_Campbell> "May I just call you miss?"
[17:54] <Ionides> "Hmmm... It works. That's what I get called most of the time, as circumstances would have it."
[17:54] <Abraham_Campbell> "Ehm, thank you again for the books."
[17:54] <Abraham_Campbell> "I just came to return them..."
[17:56] * Ionides does a small bow.
[17:56] <Ionides> "Let's see them."
[17:56] <Abraham_Campbell> "The books?"
[17:56] <Ionides> "Of course."
[17:56] <Abraham_Campbell> "Alright..."
[17:56] * Abraham_Campbell finds a table to pull the books out onto.
[17:58] <Ionides> "Ah... what's this...? This one wasn't touched, neither was this."
[17:58] <Neph-GM> She says, holding two books with a look of slight dejection on her face.
[17:58] <Abraham_Campbell> 'I only bothered reading about half of them, I didn't like the premises of those two."
[18:00] <Ionides> "Oh? But you look the type who'd really like them." She leans forward, and her eyes narrow, a predatory smile forming on her face. "And also this one." She quickly steps past Abraham, onto a nearby shelf, from which she almost without looking picks another book before coming back to him.
[18:01] * Ionides places the books on Abraham's hands. "You should read these three."
[18:02] * Abraham_Campbell is keeping both eyes trained on her, lips tightened into a single line...finding all this quite uncomfortable, again.
[18:04] * Ionides leans forward, smiling.
[18:04] <Ionides> "Is something wrong?" She asks.
[18:04] <Abraham_Campbell> "No, nothing...ehm, so what book is that?"
[18:05] <Ionides> "Oh, this is a romance novel. One of my many favorites." She takes a step back while spinning in place, looking around the library.
[18:06] <Abraham_Campbell> "And...you're recommending it to me?"
[18:07] <Ionides> "Of course I am. I'm sure you could learn a great deal from it."
[18:08] <Abraham_Campbell> "I'm not sure thats my kind of book...whats the premise?"
[18:10] <Ionides> "Oh, it's about a boy and a girl, and another girl, who don't understand each other and end up hurting each other... until..." She giggles. "Many other things happen, but it's the boy and the girls that are truly important."
[18:11] <Abraham_Campbell> "See, I can't understand that."
[18:11] <Abraham_Campbell> "People as individuals cannot be more important than the whole."
[18:18] <Ionides> She shakes her head. "Some people are more important than all the rest."
[18:19] <Abraham_Campbell> "I can't imagine that."
[18:20] * Abraham_Campbell takes the book all the same, reads the back blurb.
[18:20] <Ionides> She reaches over and gently rests her hand on Abe's shoulder. He feels it's warm through his clothes. "You, for instance, are very important. For me, and for many people out there."
[18:21] <Abraham_Campbell> "Why? You know what I am, right?"
[18:22] <Ionides> She nods. "You're a young boy, on the verge of becoming a..." she touches the tip of his nose with her index finger. "...man."
[18:23] <Abraham_Campbell> "And what of my brothers?"
[18:24] <Ionides> She tilts her head, raising an eyebrow. "What of them?"
[18:25] <Abraham_Campbell> "If I were to die, what of Belial? None of us are bound for this world long, and though we may look the same I like to think our minds will not be perfect clones."
[18:26] <Ionides> "Clones?" She tilts her head to the other side.
[18:26] <Abraham_Campbell> "You...don't know?"
[18:26] <Abraham_Campbell> "Your the head of the medical department aren't you?"
[18:31] <Ionides> Her smile disappears. She shakes her head.
[18:31] <Ionides> "I don't work for NERV..." she looks down.
[18:31] <Abraham_Campbell> "What?"
[18:32] <Abraham_Campbell> "So...your independant?"
[18:33] <Ionides> She smiles. "Something like that."
[18:33] <Abraham_Campbell> "...Ehm..."
[18:34] * Abraham_Campbell kind of looks worried for a few seconds, then sighs.
[18:34] <Abraham_Campbell> "Well, I guess I'l trust you with that secret...I wouldnt have even mentioned it if I didn't think you should know."
[18:35] <Abraham_Campbell> "But...hopefully, All my worry will be for naught, and you'll never have to meet the rest."
[18:39] <Ionides> She considers this for a moment. "I'm not sure I understand... but I don't feel like you understand it either yourself..."
[18:39] <Abraham_Campbell> 'I really don't."
[18:39] <Ionides> She smiles. "Maybe that's fine, for now."
[18:40] <Abraham_Campbell> "Everything kind of feels like i'm watching life whizz by through a car window...some informative radio station or CD always a few minutes slow and talking about something a half mile behind me."
[18:40] <Abraham_Campbell> "After a while, you kinda just tune the information out and just watch..."
[18:45] <Ionides> "Hmmm... maybe it's time to change the tape?"
[18:45] <Abraham_Campbell> "I'm not driving."
[18:45] <Abraham_Campbell> "That's up too the commander."
[18:50] <Ionides> Her smile disappears, and she turns to look at the sundial down below. “Out there you’ll see what that man wants you to see, and you’ll hear what that man wants you to hear, but here… you can be whoever you want.” She turns around, smiling again. “Don’t you think that’s why you’re here? Why you were given those books?”
[18:51] <Abraham_Campbell> "So I could expand my mind and not lie back idly in a hospital room for hours, contemplating suffocating myself and letting everything be the next ones problem?"
[18:55] <Ionides> She contemplates this. "That's technically a reason... I'm more concerned with the expanding your mind bit, though."
[18:56] <Abraham_Campbell> "What do you recommend then?"
[18:58] <Ionides> "Start with the books you're holding," she opens her arms wide "and then read all the rest."
[18:58] <Ionides> "Oh and, you should also make friends. Many friends. Or just a few special ones."
[18:58] <Abraham_Campbell> "I really doubt i'l live that long..."
[18:59] <Abraham_Campbell> "As for friends...Lianna and DJ seem nice enough."
[19:01] <Ionides> "Then be friends with them. Time is limited for everyone, so you should strive to make the most out of it."
[19:07] <Abraham_Campbell> "But they have more time than me...can't help but be a bit jealous."
[19:07] <Abraham_Campbell> "But I know I shouldn't."
[19:08] * Abraham_Campbell takes out all the books he owes and takes the new ones and the ones he hasn't read.
[19:08] <Abraham_Campbell> "Miss Ionides...you said you don't work for NERV?"
[19:09] <Abraham_Campbell> "But you've worked with us on the EVAs..."
[19:10] <Abraham_Campbell> "What other organizations are we collaborating with?"
[19:12] <Ionides> "I don't know how that man handles things now that I'm gone..." She giggles. "It's not like he ever told me anything, but I was always the best at figuring out what was on his mind."
[19:12] <Abraham_Campbell> "What do you mean gone?"
[19:15] <Ionides> "I live here now. I can only live here now..." she looks away, a sad smile on her face, "my sister should be able to take care of things for him."
[19:15] <Abraham_Campbell> "Wait what."
[19:15] <Abraham_Campbell> "...Are you the same Ionides that took care of me in the hospital?"
[19:20] <Ionides> She giggles and leans back against the railing. "If you see my sister tell her..." she makes a sad expression, "actually... don't mention me. It'd just be painful."
[19:21] <Abraham_Campbell> "I'l consider that an order, miss."
[19:21] * Ionides gives Abe a weak smile, but it feels him with a strange warmth.
[19:25] <Abraham_Campbell> "Ehm...so I wont mention I met you if you won't mention i'm a clone to anyone."
[19:25] <Abraham_Campbell> "Aand...i'l try to get these books back in time."
[19:27] <Ionides> She nods. "Please do so."
[19:27] <Abraham_Campbell> "Alright...have a good night then."
[19:27] * Abraham_Campbell backs away, keeping his eyes on her as he finds the exit.
[19:31] <Neph-GM> The woman turns to look at the fading sundial aftr the boy leaves.
[19:31] <Ionides> "Clones... what a ridiculous thing. Are you making the same mistakes I did... Bia?"