The Midnight Hotel January catch-all

[gistful]

Characters: Anyone, everyone.
Date: Month of January, 2016
Location: The Midnight Hotel
Situation: Catch-all post! Feel free to use this post for anything that happens within the Midnight Hotel over the month of January, using the subject header to label specific rooms or for specific people. Please also see the OOC note at the bottom.
Warnings/Rating: None thus far.

The Midnight Hotel was among the few buildings which showed no sign of having been damaged by the invasion six months ago. That followed, of course; the Hotel hadn't even been present. But either way it stood out, and many of the kedan knew by now that the building, so different from the architecture of the rest of the city, was a safe-haven. Too many mistook it as a Foreigner safe-haven alone, but not all; even now there was usually one or two kedan present.

Some of them were gang-members, ones with whom Anton had forged closer relationships before the Foreigners' year-long disappearance or simply those who chose to visit in defiance of the general public's opinion.

Anton had taken great pains to give the Foreigners structure and normalcy. While the means of payment were, in some cases, not much more than an illusion, he gave as much in the way of purpose as he could. As a result there were now many Foreigners on staff at the Hotel, though of course the rules were still in strict effect. Anton himself was readily available at most given moments if needed for assistance, questions or otherwise.

There was also an oddity in the lobby: a construction in one of the corners where a long bank of three public consoles was being built. The Metalworkers responsible for its construction were generally taciturn and more concerned with their work than with interactions, but they didn't seem worried about being observed or by the close proximity of the Foreigners.


[ooc: The Midnight Hotel's status page is available here, with the rules at the top and ongoing status at the bottom. PLEASE POST TO THE STATUS PAGE IF YOUR CHARACTER WOULD LIKE A ROOM. Anton will manufacture means of payment until Foreigners are able to properly offer recompense or choose to move out, so you can assume they're 'paying' in some method.

If you have a specific job for your character to do around the Hotel (eg working the kitchen, security, house chores) please also note that so I can keep track of Anton's casual staff.]

Comments

[inkulcation]

She's confident enough in her skills to be sure that if something breaks, it will be his work, and it will almost certainly not be because of anything she did. Mostly China just wants to know what allowances she's going to have to make, and, fortunately, it sounds like very few.

Well, Shudder usually at least has competent companions, if not tolerable.

"Of course," China says. Taps her fingers on his notes for a moment, idle, thinking. "Where may I find you otherwise?"

[pushtheboundaries]

"I've found a place in the Metal District, though it isn't much." He's made what home of it as he can, but it's mostly for the fact that he feels as though he's not being given charity that makes it more appealing than the hotel rooms. Sure, he's working and earning his keep, but he's always been proud - sometimes, too proud.

But all that's moot. Apparently he's interesting enough to be worth another discussion? "I'm a regular visitor here, with the work. If you wanted to upgrades, I wouldn't mind."

The thought that Anton might isn't even at the edges of his mind. Why would he?

[inkulcation]

Yes, why would Anton mind. China hasn't the faintest idea.

She does note, however, that he's apparently one of the very few Foreigners actually living outside the Hotel. And among the more recently arrived, too. That says something about him.

China nods, then, and her smile is easy. "Yes, I think I'd like that," she says. Which is, as ever, true more because of the opportunities it grants her than for any genuine interest in Callaghan as a person. But he's not objectionable. That's something. "Shall I leave you to your work, then, Professor? --or do you prefer Robert?"

*to watch the upgrades. whups

[pushtheboundaries]

"Ah..." There's a brief hesitation, because as pleasant as it is to hear her say his name...perhaps, whatever distance he can get from this headiness is best. He can't keep his head in the clouds, not for someone he's just met, as pleasant as she is. "Perhaps Professor would be better," he admits with a rueful smile. "I'm- used to hearing it from more than just my students, though you have me a little interested in what sort of knowledges you've collected over the years..."

It's as good a way he can think of, to phrase how he would not in the slightest be against seeing her again. Talking with her again.

I was p sure that was it c:

[inkulcation]

Oh, good, she can keep 'Robert' in reserve for when she really wants something. Which she may have to, since Shudder has proven to be quite cranky about anything more overt on her part.

"Of course," China says. This is both about the form of address and about his interest; he's a scientist and academic, after all. And Callaghan does seem reasonable, which she will take. Perhaps even pleasant to converse with. "Professor Callaghan. I suppose I could be convinced to share."

Half-playful teasing turns to a shade of wistfulness, and it's one of the more honest things she's displayed today. "Were we in my world, I might invite you to my library. The texts are mostly magical in nature, of course, but you might well learn something."

And, of course, if her library still existed. Details.

\o\ /o/

[pushtheboundaries]

That whimsical offer does seem to catch his attention - if only because having a library of magical texts implies that there have been a variety of writers on the subject, and it lends to its credibility. "How big is it, if you don't mind me asking?" he wonders, leaning back a bit. "I wasn't able to keep much of a personal collection, but convincing the institute to keep their own library up to date wasn't difficult..."

Still, if things had gone differently...maybe he'd have been able to focus on building a better selection for his own use. But he'd gotten so focused on other things...

[inkulcation]

"Among the largest in the world," she says, with a note of pride. "Thousands of volumes." And then, blasé, as if it is not something that's going to sting for months or years yet, she adds, "Or it was, at least."

Hundreds of years of effort, gone in moments.

"It's a shame. A good library is a priceless resource." That's both for her own and for his lack of capacity to keep a personal collection.