Nerds of a Feather Learn Together

[chefbayardee]

Who: Open to everyone!
When: Consistently in the evenings of May 9th-12th
Where: Curti Center Library, a larger conference room.
What: The howling hordes of airship pilot- and engineer-wannabes gather in one poor, poor place. And other nerds could probably study there, too.
Warnings/Notes: Feel free to write your own top-levels like with Makoto's birthday.

Wholly out of the blue, a message pings into your iMog slate, through the Kali Shashidhwaja Linkshell. When you open the notification, a horrible sound plays, and the text message's contents burst onto the screen in an explosion of confetti.

So I might've raided the Curti Center's library for everything on space, airships, piloting, and magitek. I also might have conquered conference room 3A in the library for the next few evenings. Come keep me company!

Please. It's quiet and lonely and I'm scared to leave by myself.
And I have cookies! ლ(❛ω❛ლ)

For whatever reason, you decide to head on over to the Curti Center, and you're met with a large conference room, with piles of books on the table divided by a few trays of cookies, and a few dry-erase boards because chalk is for bohemians. One, clearly at Hunk's corner of the table, has a sketch of an airship with arrows and chicken-scratched notes pointing to seemingly-random areas, as well as a blue-marker doodle of a bizarre creature circled multiple times and surrounded by question marks.

Another board across the room is partially taken up by a chart titled SKILLS! and broken into three columns: PILOT, MECHANIC, SCHOLAR. Hunk's name is written beneath each, but maybe you should write your own- there's a reason you're here, after all! And resting in the marker tray are about seven pamphlets on the Vaikuntha Pilot License Examination.

Oh, and there's a moogle sitting sternly upon the lectern next to the door, munching on a kupo nut as he gestures towards the bowl next to him, with "Donations" scribbled onto a piece of paper taped to the side.

Go wild, but shhhh! You're in a library!

( Potential baby top-level ideas include "asking your study neighbor what in the world something means," bellowing "HELLO YES I AM PILOT," and "I wandered in because free cookies but I don't want to be here and can't leave without causing a scene, help." )

Comments

THE BOARD

[chefbayardee]

[ Literally just comment to this with CHARACTER NAME- PILOT / MECHANIC / SCHOLAR in the comment subject if your character decides to let everyone know what they can do and why they're there. Then they all know in- and out-of-character.

Also feel free to add more columns/labels and make it a Hilarious Mess. ]

Re: THE BOARD

[conniemaheswaran]

CONNIE MAHESWARAN: MECHANIC/SCHOLAR

[mech_and_mutt]

RED SAVARIN- PILOT, MECHANIC
(Underneath 'pilot' there's a few extra notes: "AIRSHIP" and "RACER")

Naoto Shirogane - Pilot/Mechanic

[pishirogane]

[Further added column: Pilot-in-Training. Investigating Lake of Ira. Minimize interruptions.]

[spaceforged]

TAKASHI SHIROGANE - Pilot, soldier.
(Underneath - specializes in military grade aircraft and spaceships.)

Adrien Agreste - Scholar

[modelcivilian]

[If Hunk had all the stuff on magitek, he wanted to take a look. Kind of... not a high priority considering his Asterisk, but it doesn't hurt to know along with studying the general history he can.]

[promiselisting]

FUTABA SAKURA: COMPUTER NERD / HACKER

[ SCREW YOUR STANDARD COLUMNS she's a rebel ]

[littlemhigan]

[in frankly appalling handwriting]

CASTOR - BUILDER, PILOT.

[einspine]

PAPYRUS / MECHANIC / SCHOLAR / HANDSOME SKELETAL GENIUS

[Below the note is a doodle of Papyrus with big muscles and sunglasses on his biceps. Yes, really.]

[likewishes]

LELOUCH LAMPEROUGE: SCHOLAR/PILOT

Re: THE BOARD

[kuposcreed]

BONNIE: PIRATE/ASSASSIN/KUPO

open, will match tag style

[chefbayardee]

1.

Hunk seems just a bit preoccupied to notice you. A clever eye might notice a heavily sticky-tabbed copy of the most recent editions of a few nations' Airship Transporation Authority: Rules and Regulations, or a printed blueprint of a basic Manacutter airship. Set aside, almost in quarantine is a book with a sticky note labelled "GARBAGE." It's titled A Moron's Guide to the Dream Width.

Right now he's reading a book titled Magitek Defense and Monster Attacks, Vol. 3: Airships. It's clearly enraptured him, because he doesn't even care that the note-scribbled Pilot Test pamphlet he wedged between his headband and forehead is drooping into his line of sight. Should you announce yourself? Or scare the life right out of him? Or ignore him altogether?

2.

On the other hand, Balmogra can be seen by the entrance of the conference room, glaring at each newcomer. It's clear the moogle wants them to contribute to the donation bowl, because whenever there's not someone at the entrance, the dusty hairball rifles through the donations, counting them again.

And then he sneaks a quick peek at what seems to be a book hidden in the lectern, flipping a page before going back to staring down the door.

3.

It's the end of the night, and most of the guests have left. There are still a few cookies left in the trays somehow, and Hunk is making sure to tidy up before he leaves. That said, he's also taking pictures of each of the boards, in case there's something important that someone wants to keep until later.

But then he notices you're still here, whether you're helping clean up, loitering, or trying to clog your throat with cookies. So he smiles, and gives a little wave, still lost in his own world a bit.

"H-heya. Didn't think you'd still be here."

1

[conniemaheswaran]

Connie herself has brought an... interesting collection of study materials, coming from a variety of fields including molecular biology, microrunes, power crystals, a study on large-scale magitek generators, a variety of more mundane textbooks focused on schoolwork, a small booklet on the Pilot Examination, and three notebooks filled to the brim with sticky notes, neat handwriting, and complex diagrams of machinery, human biology, and magitek runic processors. All three notebooks are entitled somewhat ominously Project Titan: Research, volumes one through three.

She plops her payload down across from Hunk and says, "Um, hey."

3

[spaceforged]

"Course I would be. Can't let you clean up alone, can I?" He slips books back onto their shelves and smiles encouragingly. "...felt a bit like studying in the Garrison but without the ability to reference data on the computer terminals. All these pilots all dreaming of the sky." His smile turns wistful and light. Shiro glances at the printed blueprints still laying out and strides over to them.

"I'll put these back where they belong." He pauses like he has every time he's seen the Manacutter. "...remind me to ask someone about these. If they're just like the ones I've heard about..." If they're the same, he'll have to let Castor know.

She had sounded like she loved the sky. It would be a shame not to let her have that joy again. "Then I know someone who knows how to fly one."

1

[pishirogane]

Staring at the guy currently enraptured with Magitek Defense and Monster Attacks, Naoto's eyes trailed to the heavily tabbed Airship Transportation Authority before looking at the pamphlet in hand. It was one of the required readings even if she would only pilot a smaller Airship - in the event one had to pilot a larger vessel.

However, personally, she did not like being interrupted while in the middle of her own reading, but if she was going to get that book for her studies...

... she cleared her throat to hopefully get his attention without bothering him too much.

1

[mech_and_mutt]

[Red, it seems, was considerably less studious in his selection- after ambling about for what seemed like well over an hour, browsing and passing over book after book after book, before he finally decided on books such as Dangerous: Vaikuntha's Top Guns and The Airship Encyclopedia under his arm. After all, it wasn't like he wasn't accustomed to piloting, fighting with, and working or even living on airships... even if he'd still have to actually prove it to the locals, if that pamphlet on airship licenses was any indication.

But Hunk's studiousness did catch his eye- if anything, it was something of a surprise to Red to see Hunk's enthusiasm tempered by the quiet of this scholarly streak- and alongside it, the sole book that earned a special place in exile from his study. He tapped a fingertip against the outcast book on the Dream Width.]

"Nothin' useful?"

1

[promiselisting]

How about a combo of the first two? He's one of the familiar faces here, so yeah she's definitely coming over to hover at least at one point. Absorb some of that 'i'm around a friend therefore everything is fine' aura. Peer curiously at his selections.

That lone one in the corner of shame too.

"What'd that poor book ever do to you?" she asks, with a slight grin.

Open, will match style

[spaceforged]

1.
He'd been deep in the study of the major cities and their laws when Hunk's message went through. Since then he's taken up residence in a spot within the conference room with his back to one wall and a clear view of the exits. The small stack of books beside him never gets larger. But the content changes frequently.

New copies of the rules and regulations on airships and what is required of an registered airship pilot get exchanged with a manual for airship pilots to memorize about emergency and combat procedures. He glances up when anyone enters the room.

If you're lucky when you come in Shiro is deep in a book with a journal to his left. The pages of the blank journal steadily fill with his organized and easy to discern notes, complete with page numbers and the title of the book the notes are referencing.

2.

Other times he has a series of prints of blue prints laid out from the basic manacutter to the larger ships. He checks a book to his right and makes more notes in his journal. A spare pamphlet for Vaikuntha Pilot License Examination is tucked neatly inside the back of the journal that by now has colored tabs and small notes written on the tabs. Airship types, Rules and regs, city laws, airship crews and requirements, the list goes on.

He looks up from writing down on the page and sighs. "I'm going to need another journal at this rate."

2

[conniemaheswaran]

As soon as the words leave Shiro's mouth, Connie absentmindedly slides him one of the many, many notebooks next to her. Unfortunately, this isn't one of her spares. Rather, it's a rather thickly sticky-notated volume entitled Project Titan Research: Volume One, Background. She doesn't seem to have noticed she gave him the wrong book and continues in her own studies.

Open

[pishirogane]

[ Option A ]

Vaikuntha Pilot License pamphlet on the table beside her, several require and recommending readings beside her, Naoto had herself focused in one of her books. It wasn't covering the diagrams or intimate blue prints of airships presently, but the development over time. From single-passenger/pilot to massive ships made to handle aerial battles and transport, it's always interesting to see how they changed over time.

Though occupied, people might need those books next to her. They covered essentials like: Cargoship Transport: Model Operations, Experimental Flights: Hybrid Aeronautics, Vaikuntha Pilot Manual, and The Art of Warships. Interrupting her might be the only option... unless one tried their hand at taking off the top...

[ Option B ]

When not busy studying for a pilot license, Naoto had something else. A notebook with Friday the Thirteenth underlined was opened before her, a book covering the geography of the Republic of Safer was to the left, and documents on past and publicly released incidents in Tark Varentain rested on the right. The only time her pen scratched was when she was listing something beneath Lake of Ira.

Though there was the occasional 'Hm' and she disappeared into the library, she'd be back in a moment. Now then, to interrupt her or assist in any way?

A

[mech_and_mutt]

So that's where the Vaikuntha Pilot Manual had been hiding this whole time! There was only so much use Red could get out of a long-spinebroken copy of Falcon-Class Helmsman's Manual- and, frankly, he had learned more about indicator lights than he had about actually flying the thing. Didn't look like that guy was actually reading it, either.

"Oh, hey. Mind if I take that one?"

Of course, his polite inquiry didn't mean he'd wait for a response before trying to carefully extract his book of choice from the middle of the pile...

Open

[littlemhigan]

[A]

Unlike the others pouring over schematics and the inner workings of Airships, Castor's book pile is a bit different. She seems to be looking over books on geography and metallurgy, though she doesn't seem to be taking notes. Open on her lap, however, is a map of Vaikuntha which she often looks up from her book to peer at for a few moments before turning her attention back, brows somewhat furrowed.


[B]

Castor is frowning down at the Pilot exam pamphlet while she absently stuffs another cookie into her mouth.

"What shite. Who had the time to sit and come up with all this?"


[ or byop! ]

B

[modelcivilian]

"Isn't that standard?"

Adrien's heading back to the shelves to put his current selection of books back on their shelves. However, Castor's quizzical inquiry over the pamphlet has his attention. Seems like normal advertising to him.

Open!

[boomchucka]

1 - Trains are Bae

If there's one thing that Selphie misses from home, it's the noise and bustle of Garden. The noise and the bustle aren't quite what brings her to the library that evening or even the promise of cookies. It's just being near people, even if she doesn't really speak to anybody because she hasn't selected any of the jobs in question. If anyone were to ask about her qualifications, they might learn that the perky brunette does know her way around an airship but she's ultimately eyeing one of the emptier whiteboards in the room.

With a cheeky grin in place, Selphie easily grabs a bright blue marker and along the bottom of the whiteboard can be seen doodling in a train set. It's more cartoonish than accurate but there's a nice trail of smoke coming out of the engine with bubbly writing indicating that "TRAINS ARE THE BEST!" in bright pink. Once she's satisfied with her handiwork, or someone should happen to catch her in the act, Selphie wanders over to the shelves intent on finding some books on using a Staff and books on Archery.

2 - Clearly not the best student

Notebook? Check. Pen? Check. One student who's been reading the same passage on some strange topic she's never heard of six times over and still can't grasp the concept? Check. With a half-drank bottle of water on the table and a slowly deepening frown on her face, Selphie is contemplating chucking the book across the room. Instead, she gives the confusing passage a very dark glare before slamming the book shut with a huff.

"Yeah... no."

2

[conniemaheswaran]

"Um, do you need any help?" Connie asks, looking up from behind her own book fort. In her opinion, there was nothing sadder than seeing somebody just give up on their academic studies. Then again, that might just be the indoctrination influence of her (s)mother rearing its ugly head once more.

Open! Will match

[promiselisting]

1

[ Y'all may be here for the airships but she's got a more... generalized scope that she's investigating. Hunk's post had mentioned magitek. As in, all magitek. So that's what she's here for. There's... a sizable crowd here which sits on her nerves a bit. But there's lots of books. A few familiar faces, which helps. And ideally a lot of nerding out which will help even more.

For the first while, she'll be wandering between individuals, peering at their work curiously but more curiously, at their book selection. Her eyes dart between spines incredibly quickly - surely she isn't reading that fast?? - and occasionally, if there's an unattended volume that piques her interest she may just. Pick it up. ]

Need this.

2

[ Other times though... well, she'll have sequestered herself in a corner of the room. Behind a chair, making herself almost a little den of sorts. She may have a few books around her, open for reference. But the entirety of her focus is on her tablet.

She's working on something on it, very intently, muttering to herself. If someone were to glance down, it'd be pretty clear she's not playing with the usual applications and features either. It's... possible to get her attention, though it may take a bit of effort. Alternately, you can wait until she takes a brief stretch break, squeaking a bit at how stiff she got while working. ]

2

[conniemaheswaran]

When Connie had arrived in Von Oktavia for the World Tour, she had tried every legal means available to her to get at the very least an appointment with the Linkshell Director at MogNet Central. Attempts at scheduling, wheedling, bluster, and even kupo nut bribes had all been met with polite indifference at best and scorn at worst. It had become incredibly obvious that she wouldn't be able to get any information through legitimate means. And as much as a prodigy that Connie was, she wasn't the right kind of genius to hack MogNet in the space of a month. However... one of her new friends might have that kind of completely ludicrous talent at hacking.

When Futaba takes a stretch break, Connie herself gets up and surreptitiously bumps into Futaba. "Um, hey!" she says, smiling ever so slightly fakely before whispering (genuinely whispering, not stage whispering), "How's progress on the crack? Couldn't get any info on my end from MogNet Central. I might be getting paranoid, but they've got to be hiding something considering the name of our linkshell and the level of bureaucratic security preventing anybody from getting any information whatsoever."

Open, will match style

[einspine]

[AND IN COMES PAPYRUS... with plates of spaghetti balanced on his hands because if someone is bringing cookies, then clearly it is his responsibility to bring a healthy and substantial meal for everyone, and spaghetti brings people together!

Even though it's. Messier than cookies. And they're in a library.

Also, please do pardon his volume.]

GREETINGS, MY FELLOW GENIUSES, ENGINEERS, PILOTS, OR WHATEVER TALENTS YOU MAY POSSESS! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, AM PLEASED TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU TO CONTEMPLATE THE MANY MYSTERIES OF THIS WORLD.

AND ALSO COOL AIRSHIPS.

[Just, uh, give him a second to find a good spot to set down the food. Delicately. It is saucey, after all!

B.

[Papyrus has a pile of books and he's currently squinting and flipping through miscellaneous volumes on magitech and space. But as he pours through it all, he can't help but wonder aloud...]

BUT IS THERE ANYTHING ON THE WORLDS WE'VE LEFT BEHIND? SURELY THERE MUST BE SOME KIND OF HINT. SOME SORT OF ANALYSIS ON THE DREAM WIDTH'S PROPERTIES AND HOW IT CORRELATES TO THE TEMPORAL STATUS OF THE WORLDS LINKED TO IT...

[Maybe? But then again, what does he know? He's a newbie. A still very troubled newbie with many concerns.]

B

[modelcivilian]

[Hey, that's a familiar skeleton face. And if what he said isn't just the million euro question Adrien's had on his mind for a while.]

Maybe it requires going into the Dream Width? Or maybe they could never find out because... well, we're the first mass group of people from other worlds.

[Sounds dangerous either way, but someone or something might have to be sent in.]

Open

[modelcivilian]

[ Option A ]

Unlike most everyone here probably studying for piloting or mechanical reasons, Adrien was interested in other things. Books on history, on the different continents, their cities and towns, past rulers and governments, and legends and lores. Of course, they're only the most basic available - a start, but he personally made a mental note to go and study more later by traveling.

For now, he continued to indulge himself reading a book called Minted: The History of the Min'To Crown. Any notes he took were clean, legible, and evident of someone who had done this way too often. Maybe he could use a break...

[ Option B ]

"No... no... there has to be something..."

The mumbling was coming from the blonde boy scanning over book spines still on the shelves, occasionally pulling one out before shaking his head and putting it away. The muttering might be distracting, but perhaps stepping in could stop it whether by helping or reprimanding him for the noise.

A

[likewishes]

Lelouch was here for both reasons. He wanted to know how the technology of this place worked. Any information gleaned would be beneficial, depending upon the course of action that he would decide upon in the future. In fact, all the knowledge he sought was to help him make a decision. Lelouch wasn't about to remain ill-informed. He was almost relieved that someone else seemed to be studying up on subjects other than magic or piloting.

"How long have you been at this?"

Says the teen reading over Adrien's shoulder, of course.

Open!

[conniemaheswaran]

Books, Books, Books, Ominously Titled Notes, More Books
Connie has brought an... interesting collection of study materials, coming from a variety of fields including molecular biology, microrunes, power crystals, a study on large-scale magitek generators, a variety of more mundane textbooks focused on schoolwork, a small booklet on the Pilot Examination, and three notebooks filled to the brim with sticky notes, neat handwriting, and complex diagrams of machinery, human biology, and magitek runic processors. All three notebooks are entitled somewhat ominously Project Titan: Research, volumes one through three.

She's fairly wrapped up in her work, whatever it is, occasionally chewing on the end of a pencil and mumbling something to herself about materials and nonliving test subjects that the project could work on. Just what is she doing...?

Curricular Materials
Unlike many of you delinquents, Connie is dutiful enough to attend school off the island, and whenever she meets with a particularly thorny problem, she instead switches to her schoolwork. Which is, by and large, for more complex than any kid her age should be doing. Are those trigonometry problems? Is she smiling while doing them? What kind of freak is this kid?