In Bocca al Lupo

"You've ink in your bones boy, and no help for it..." -Callum Brightwell

[eli-wray-deactivated20210322]

Any thoughts on what's important or necessary in a new motto for the new Great Library of Alexandria?

[rosalind-of-arden]

I am terrible at mottos and things like that.

But I think they’re going to have to keep something about the importance of knowledge in there, just shifting the emphasis, something to show they won’t be murdering people over books anymore. They also need to get the idea in there that they won’t be suppressing information anymore.

What’s a fancy Latin way to say “we’re still giant geeks who love books, but don’t worry, we won’t kill you or throw you in prison anymore”?

I almost want to say make just a tiny change and make it “knowledge for all” instead of “knowledge is all”, shifting the message from power to service, but that might be too easy.

[wolfespuppies]

Knowledge for all is a good one, but I think moving away from having ‘power’ in it would be the best way to go.

I quite like ‘ex scientia vera’, ‘from knowledge, truth’.

[bookloversandscholars]

I agree that the motto should run along the lines of "still love books, wont kill you for em tho". Knowledge for all is a fitting, subtle change, in keeping with the true goals of the Library. From knowledge, truth also conveys the change in direction. I like the suggestion that knowledge leads to truth, and that truth may or may not be independent of the library. This motto more strongly conveys freedom to me. I've been thinking about changing knowledge to wisdom. Omnis sapientias is "wisdom is all"...I feel like the new focus in the library motto should not only promote knowledge, but understanding. Understanding what truth is. Understanding what power is. Understanding how to think for yourself

[actuallyfuckamatonormativity]

It’s getting late outside, the evening turning dark, cold, and lonely. But inside your library it’s warm, cozy, and full of life. You see many people tucked away in corners and between tall stack of books, curled up with the fluffy pillows and blankets available to everyone who comes in. Others are gathered in front of the fireplace, playing board games, doing puzzles, and discussing books, ideas, life, and anything else they can think of. The old cat struts around, demanding head pats from people then quickly becoming satisfied and leaving to perch atop a shelf and gaze down smugly at everyone. Some people protest at the cat’s absence and you think maybe you should look at adopting more. For now though, you offer a plate of freshly baked cookies instead, and what is missing is soon forgotten in what is there. You are surrounded by warmth, love, and community. This is your home. You feel at peace.

[bookloversandscholars]

Yyyyyyyeeeeeessss

[bookloversandscholars]

Hey. So until further notice, I'm on semi-hiatus. I'm always good to talk or review stories. But since I'm taking a break from posting I thought I'd make it official. Please continue to talk to me friends. I could use some support. Love y'all.

[bookloversandscholars]

Two Wrongs

I wasn't there when it happened. No one bothered to come get me, although I felt the shift in energy as soon as it began. I waited impatiently outside the infirmary doors, body sagging against the wall and teeth clenched while the love of my life gave birth to our first, and likely last, child together. Carefully written scripts prevented me from listening through the wall, but couldn't stop me from trying. Rosy light crept softly into the hallway through the cracked infirmary door and I barely spared a glare for the impassive Medica holding it before running to Keira. She was frighteningly still. Dark strands of hair stuck to her glistening forehead, while her eyes trembled beneath pale lids. Hearing my approach, she reached for me and I fell to my knees beside her.

"Keira."

She didn't answer, only brushed me aside to accept a small bundle from a white clad Medica.

"Here he is," she whispered.

"He." I repeated numbly. A boy. My son. Tears stung my eyes, air stuck in my throat. With shaking fingers, I gently pulled aside the snowy cloth. A small face appeared, a high forehead and small pinched nose. Downey black hair dusted his head like the fuzz of a peach.

"He's, he's...beautiful."

[bookloversandscholars]

I'm way to tired to write coherently and provide evidence, but Christopher Wolfe is easily read as autistic.

[bookloversandscholars]

A note on Troll

I see we've all turned our collective fixation once again to the gaping plothole that is Troll. First off, I love the idea that Troll was not Male-presenting at the time, thus leading Wolfe to not remember him. (Also, the idea of AFAB Wolfe has crossed my mind a few times not gonna lie). However, simply because I thrive on a diet of sheer angst I propose to you: the theory that Santi took Troll in. While Wolfe was imprisoned in Rome.

[thegreatlibraryfangirl]

Cast iron headcanon: Wolfe doesn't just need reading glasses, he needs glasses glasses, and it takes a long time and a few embarrassments before practicality overcomes vanity.

[bookloversandscholars]

Santi, attempting to make the glasses an irresistible gift by having them custom made and beautifully crafted after being woken up for the last time by Wolfe knocking things over while getting up to go to the bathroom at night: ....

Wolfe blatantly ignoring them.

Santi: look at the counter

Wolfe, marching over and seeing nothing: there's nothing here!

Santi in exasperation: exactly. They're on the table. Which you would know, if you could bloody see!

[bookloversandscholars]

Spoiler AlertHOLY FREAKING CRAP I WAS RIGHT OMG

[bookloversandscholars]

Because I am lazy and playing catch-up Due to personal reasons, I will be posting an AU and challenge piece on Friday. Nag me about this guys.

[bookloversandscholars]

Y'all did a good job, I'm just irresponsible.

[bookloversandscholars]

My submission for the challenge day, even though fan week is over, is a set of goals.

Complete a short compilation of fluffy stories for Sanwolfe

Write a Jess/Morgan centric piece

GO ONE WHOLE STORY WHERE PLOT IS THE PRIMARY FOCUS RATHER THAN A SHIP DAMMIT

Include everyone in a single story

Anyway, like I said, I know fan week is over, but I really want to try and kick my writers block and lack of motivation, so I'm gonna finish it. This list of goals are how I'm going to challenge myself, rather than trying to churn out a challenging story right now.

[bookloversandscholars]

AU Wip I Never Posted

Warning: blood, some gore, violence, PTSD, Traumatic injury, 

What if, not everyone made it out in time?

It was so close. Even through the sickly green smoke Glain could make out a ragged hole molten into Philidelphia's wall. Heart racing in time with her heavy footsteps, she watched as the members of their little band disappeared into the darkness. Just a few more meters, and everyone of them would live.

Pain, searing and ferocious, bit into the back of her knee. Glain felt her leg crumple beneath her right before she sprawled in the dirt.

"Damn!" She coughed, whipping her head around to see where the bullet had struck. Blood oozed thickly around a metal chunk embedded in her flesh, a hole torn in the muscles critical to providing movement. In a daze, Glain struggled to lift herself up. But it wasn't until she heard the screams of her friends that she truly panicked. Arching over the wall in a canister so small it could have been a bird, was the spark meant to level the entirety of Philidelphia. Arms trembling and tears streaking down her face, Glain forced herself to crawl forward despite the blurriness of her vision. Glaring at the opening of the tunnel, Glain noticed Khalila being hauled away by Dario, while Thomas grappled Jess and Morgan. With a dry mouth, she tried to scream for help. She couldn't blame them for leaving, but she didn't want to die here. It occurred to Glain suddenly, that these were her final moments, the Greek firebomb would hit any minute, ignite the gas in the air and kill her instantly. But just as she considered resigning to her fate strong arms wrapped under her own, dragging her across the rocky ground. Knee shrieking in protest at every jolt, Glain barely noticed when more warm blood trickled down her back where the skin had torn. Her rescuer grunted as he picked her up, lifting her into the hole where Thomas, Jess, and Wolfe now waited. Straining to lift her head, Glain managed to look up just in time to see Captain Santi shove Wolfe away from the entrance as fire flashed behind him.

[bookloversandscholars]

Because I am lazy and playing catch-up Due to personal reasons, I will be posting an AU and challenge piece on Friday. Nag me about this guys.

[bookloversandscholars]

"What's wrong? You have the look of someone who's lost a comrade." Zara settled herself on a barstool, while Glain took a long draw of beer. It wasn't great, but it would do the job. She didn't bother to answer, simply brushed her fingers over her arm, where a gear was tattooed. She would get him back.

[bookloversandscholars]

Et tu, Brute?

Notes: Wooh. So, aside from having a great time and actually writing for once, I am super lazy and wanted to warn yall that most of my stuff this week is probably wip. 

***

Cold sweat raced in drops down his back molding the material of the man’s shirt to his skin. His heart beat a fierce tattoo, filling up the silence of the night. Panic spasmed through his muscles, making it difficult to ignore the terror he felt and walk slowly. No one has a reason to look for you. Unless you give them one. His escape already planned, Eskander turned off suddenly down an alley that ended in a brick wall. From here it was just a climb and sprint to the docks, where a ship was waiting to take him away from this wretched place. Casting a casual glance over one shoulder he confirmed he was alone before taking out a length of rope. But when he looked back to the wall, Eskander was face to face with a ghost. His breath ended in a choke and his entire body froze, unsure of what to do. He had convinced himself that she was gone, that they would never see each other again. And yet, there Keira stood as lovely and damning as an angel. Her hair, normally pinned back, flowed down her back and shoulders in a mussed curtain of dark silk. She wore a simple dressing gown that made it look as if she had fled her room in the tower hurriedly, just to find him. His chest ached strangely at the idea.

“Keira,” he breathed, almost a sigh and not quite certain.

In answer, she stepped forward to meet him, her smooth hands covering his, taking the rope from his fingers. Tightening his grip, Eskander jerked his head up defiantly, expecting to find anger equal to his own. Instead her deep brown eyes gazed at him sorrowfully wrenching more uncomfortable pain from his chest. 

“What are you doing?” 

Those quiet words, thick with betrayal, were the worst thing she could have said. Instantly his temper flared, breaking the spell she cast over them.

“Escaping,” he snarled, threading the rope through a grappling hook and tossing it over the wall. If Keira was here, reinforcements couldn’t be far behind. He had to work fast. With a hard pull, he began to haul himself up and had almost forgotten Keira was there. Until-

“Take me with you.”

Dropping to the ground, he pinned her to the wall, his body pressed firmly against Keira’s. 

“What do you want?” He asked desperately, his voice as ragged as his nerves and half-dreading her answer.

Slowly, she brought her hand to his face. 

“Eskander.”

He flinched at first, straining against her even as she pulled him close. Then their lips met, softly, and he melted into her. Leaning their foreheads together, he cupped her cheek.

“Where is the child?” 

Her eyes misted over with tears.

“Between the two of us, we can protect him. Where is he Keira?”

But she only shook her head, kissing him again. This time there was a new taste, bitterness. And regret. It was only then that Eskander felt the collar close around his neck, the click of the clasp as loud as gunfire. He pushed away from Keira as if she were poison, dropping to his knees while one hand tugged despairingly at the metal encasing his throat. He screamed, the sound raw and horrible, and furious. On his feet again, Eskander blindly struck out at the advancing soldiers, hoping to extend his last moments of freedom. The needle came faster than he expected, and from the person he least suspected. Eyes wide, he craned his head to watch as Keira pumped sedative into his veins. Eskander felt himself go cold as the full force of betrayal crashed into him, freezing his blood and numbing his mind. He stared at Keira distantly, too tired and empty to find any rage. His eyes were more vulnerable than she had ever seen them when he asked-

“Et tu, Brute?” 

[bookloversandscholars]

Ephemera: Private Letter Addressed to Scholar Christopher Wolfe

Scholar Wolfe,

It is my pleasure to both commend you on another excellent year of work, and inform you that our greatest dreams have been realized. Under my tutelage and at my request, the Archivist has agreed to meet with you. Please bring your most recent and impressive work; we must prove that yours is the only mind capable of running the Library. Should we succeed, you will be the youngest Archivist of all time.

- Artifex Magnus

***

Private Correspondence between Christopher Wolfe and Niccolo Santi

-Nic, the letter came today.

And?

-The Archivist has agreed to meet with me! He wants to see my research!

That's wonderful! I'm proud of you. My love, Archivist Wolfe.

-Stop, I'm not archivist, yet.

Yet, my dear. I can almost hear your embarrassment; you are more humble than I first thought.

-Oh? And what else did you first think of me, my darling?

...I will show you when I get home.

-I look forward to it.

Ti amo.

-Ti amo, Nic.

X

***

Private Note Addressed to the Archivist Magister; Hand Delivered

It is regrettable that such talent is wasted on a mind so rebellious. But I suppose compliance never did follow brilliance... Regardless, as asked I have delivered him to you. I hope you will remember our bargain.

- A.

***

Artifex,

Rest assured your loyalty to the library will be rewarded. I will not forget my promise.

[eli-wray-deactivated20210322]

TOTA EST OPUS FANATICUM

IS TWO WEEKS AWAY!

Friends of the Great Library of Alexandria, please prepare to gather and celebrate for seven days, starting Aug 4, two weeks from this Sunday.

Scholars, High Garda, smugglers, Burners, writers, readers, lurkers all welcome! No work too long or too short.

May your coming week be full of many blessings, and may your writing be fun and satisfying!

[eli-wray-deactivated20210322]

Tota Est Opus Fanaticum… Fanwork Is All!

August 4-10, 2019

The big event starts in one month! Here’s the deets!

You can post anything at any time! Don’t worry one whit if you miss a theme day, or don’t finish your piece until the end of the week, or even the next week. Post that content anytime!! WE NEEEEEDS IT, PRECIOUS. AO3 and tumblr are both options for posting content for the event, each one with its own benefits. Use whatever you’re most comfortable with. Ask for help if you need it; we’re a friendly, enabling bunch.

Anyone posting their writing for the very first time gets DOUBLE the points! (Points may be redeemed at any time for many prizes, including well wishes, high regard, extra coolness factor in your life, likes and kudos, reblogs and comments, the magic of shared squeeing, common writers’ injuries and many more!)

The hashtag is #tota est opus fanaticum (see below) AND/OR #great library fan event (also see below), I will reblog anything under either tag.

I will create a collection on AO3 the week before. Please post all your AO3 content to that collection so we can all swim in the collective goodness together. Posting to a collection is easy to do, I’ll talk more about it later. I will also collect together all new original tumblr and AO3 content (and select older stories related to the themes) into master posts on tumblr.

Don’t be afraid to teeeeeeeeease us! Excerpts of stories to be posted during the event can be put up in July to whet our appetites. Help me find your teases with #fan event tease or #tota est opus fanaticum or #great library fan event or just #the great library.

THEME DAYS

The themes are meant to be prompts and inspirations for those writers who wish to interact with them. They’re meant to expand content, not restrict it. Again, you are welcome to post anything at any time!!

SUNDAY EPHEMERA: Whether or not we can spell it, we can still write it! Codex conversations, ink and paper post, crucial correspondence and lighthearted letters. Let’s write some little moments of communication that move the universe.

MONDAY SHIPS: Canon or not, pairs and poly, any rating; it’s a day to revel in romance!

TUESDAY GLAIN &/OR THOMAS: One quarter of our Favorite Eight miss the canon shipping boat, so they can sometimes fly under the radar. Give our most treasured neglected characters some attention!

WEDNESDAY LANGUAGES: Poetry and literature, original and printed text, secret codes and codexes… language makes the world go round, and makes our nerd hearts beat faster. If your story explores any of the above, this is a good day to post it.

THURSDAY AUs: Crossovers, crack and coffeeshops! Zombies, sinning and cyberpunk! Mirror our favorite characters into some other world. The changes can be large (whole different universes) or small (ideas that don’t quite fit in canon.)

FRIDAY CHALLENGE!! Take a chance! Post your very first story! Try your first smut or nonsmut! Write your first poem! Try that crazy idea youve had! Write a character new to you! Your adoring fans eagerly await the chance to support you!

SATURDAY BEHIND THE SCENES: If its a part of your fanning and is not finished fic, it goes here. Feel free to ask, analyze, worldbuild and workshop, puzzle through obstacles or post metas and reread notes. Maybe even look ahead to fic you want to write and get us excited about it!

WARNING: If doing more than one story seems daunting, please do pick your one favorite theme and go for it!

In conclusion, I can say from experience that showing up in this tiny fandom for the first time is met with warmth and enthusiasm, and posting stories brings out the joy and excitement of a small but hardy band of fellow fans. Whether you’ve been around or you’re just popping in, we’d love to read your stuff and we’re so glad you’re here with us. Let’s have a fun week enjoying each others’ company and creativity!

[wolfespuppies]

I’m excited to read what everyone else writes!!

[bookloversandscholars]

So happy this is happening!