Quondam Library -- Homura Akemi

Summary
Homura, looking for any information she could on Epoche, visited the Quondam Library in the hopes of digging up something that an ordinary citizen would not tell her. She seemed to get lucky with finding the restricted section, even managing to sneak a book out of there without the librarians noticing. However, when she was finally able to get to a quiet place in the library to read it, she discovered that it was a basic book on plants with medicinal uses -- or at least had been, as the book was thoroughly damaged. As it turned out, the “restricted” section was just for older tomes that were no longer usable, likely for record keeping at the library.

Transcript
PANDOR. Exploration commenced. Homura It's cold out tonight, Homura's not felt that in a long time, hopefully this library will alleviate some of that as well as leave her with a better idea of where she is. Not having her weaponry on hand is off putting, but she should be okay here, it's just a library after all. If she could just find a few books on local myths or legends maybe she might find something relating to her situation, perhaps some way to get back to Mitakihara City or pull assistance through. To make a start she tries to look for some form of markings, hopefully the library is organised enough to have different sections that she can look through. PANDOR. Indeed, the library is clearly labeled overhead with a banner to denote each section. You need only find the subject or genre you are looking for, and the clear walkways will guide you to the right spot. Homura It's a little difficult to see without her glasses, those unfortunately were in her shield when she was pulled here, but she still decides to go looking. Specifically she's looking for local legends that involve portals or other similar situations to the one they're all in now. If this has happened before it's legacy would have dripped down into legends or myths. Failing that she'll try look for anything akin to a tourist guide, the dos and don'ts of Epoche and interesting places for her to look at. PANDOR. There is one section, mysteriously tucked away into the back corner of the library, that does not appear to have a label as you get closer and closer to it. The books look to be older than the ones on the shelves around that section but unfortunately, the area is blocked off with a "RESTRICTED" sign. There's someone, probably a librarian, attending to the books there. Homura It's times like this she wishes she had the ability to stop time again, but regardless she doesn't have a hope to convince the librarian away. Deciding that a distraction of some form is the best option, she looks for something that could be knocked over, or make a loud enough noise to try lure the librarian away from the restricted section. That should give her enough time to find a book relating to her situation, hopefully. PANDOR. As if the library was reading your thoughts, a loud crash sounds from what is likely the complete opposite direction of the restricted section. The librarian's head snaps up, their brow furrowed, and they storm off muttering underneath their breath about the trouble. They don't even appear to notice you on their way over. Homura Homura knows she likely doesn't have much time, certainly not enough to actually think about reading these books here and today so she takes another option. Running in she begins looking for those books on Mythology and Legends. It's her aim to grab as many as she can and make a break for it as soon as possible. Getting caught here is almost guaranteed to result in consequences. She just hopes her heart can take it. PANDOR. Unluckily enough, the library isn't short staffed today. Before you can even find a book matching your interests, another librarian rounds the corner, probably also on their way to the commotion until they noticed someone was already on it.

"Can I help you? This is a restricted section, you see." Their voice is kind, but firm - you've clearly been caught in a place you shouldn't have been. Homura It's time to put an act on, if Homura acts like she's supposed to be here hopefully this librarian will get off her back. Putting on her most authoritative voice in an attempt to act like she belongs, she responds. "No need, I'm just here to move something. A book on myths and legends was put here by mistake so the other librarian asked me to put it back where it belongs." She tries to keep a casual, but firm tone, one that should broker no disagreement. PANDOR. The librarian regards you for a moment more before sighing. "Well, I suppose that's alright. Please make sure you're careful handling the tomes."

They walk off without making sure you leave, the act you put on just enough to get them to drop their guard. Homura For a brief moment she's stunned that actually worked, before turning her attention back to the bookshelf, intent on finding as many books as she can that relate to her situation. Things like mythology, legends, portals or things that sound similar to the magical girl system. All the while she's on the alert for the other librarian to get back, ready to run with what she has if they come back. PANDOR. There's one book in the stack - old, the title on the spine faded. It stands out from the others due to its age, but doesn't give away anything about its contents. You can choose to run, but it's a frail book that seems like it will fall apart in your hands if you handle it too roughly. Homura It looks like a change of plans is in order, instead of taking it and running it's time she tries to keep that facade she's started going. Taking both the old book and one that looks much less restricted she decides to leave, concealing the frail book with the other in a bid to simply slip past the librarians and read this in her own time. PANDOR. You almost make it to the front door when one of the librarians, the first one you ran into, calls out after you. "Wait a minute please! You will need to check those out at the front desk in order to take them. Otherwise, you'll need to stay here to read the books." She recognizes you, but doesn't realize that either of the books are from the restricted section she was just in. You could make a run for it, but after all the trouble lately in Epoche, there are a few more guards than usual posted at many of the public buildings, even the library. Homura It's likely too risky to attempt to make a break for it and Homura would rather not risk the wrath of the gods here. Especially without any other means of distraction, instead she decides to try find a secluded part of the library, observing the librarians to determine where is least likely to be checked as she reads through the restricted book. If she finds that place she'll keep the decoy book close and switch to it occasionally when or if she sees a librarian. PANDOR. There is one section in one of the back corners of the library that no one is occupying. You didn't see any librarians as you went towards that area, so it looks safe for the time being. Homura Seeing the disused section Homura walks in, setting herself up to read this restricted book and using the non-restricted book as a shield to make any onlookers think she's reading that instead. PANDOR. No one passes by through this empty section of the library, so you're free to peruse the restricted book as you please. Luckily, it doesn't come apart and stays intact, even as the spine makes a little cracking noise.

But alas, as you open the front cover, you can begin to imagine with that section is "restricted." A little piece of paper flutters out in neat, spidery handwriting with the following message:

"This tome has been deemed unusable by the head librarian, due to excessive wear and tear. Another copy is available in the general section, under the same title: "Basic Plants and their Medicinal Uses.""

As it would turn out, the books in that little restricted area of the library are really, truly just old, as the one you happened to pick up has no clearly legible information left. There are, however, many wrinkled pages, ink that has been washed away no doubt by water or other liquid chemical compounds, and some completely covered in dirt, likely from harvesting of plants.

At least one "rumor" holds true: there really isn't anything special of note in the library and even the restricted section only holds basic information that you would be able to learn by chatting with the locals. Homura It's... Nothing. Her "sleuthing", her convincing. All for nothing. A waste of time that she does not have. Homura slams the book shut, leaving it on the table as she storms out in anger. Her time is wasted staying here any longer. PANDOR. The librarian at the front watches you walk out, but seeing that you don't have either of the books from earlier, they don't say a word this time. Meanwhile, Epoche's secrets, if there are any, still remain shrouded in mystery, with no help from one of its main information sources. The sunset looms over you as you exit the library, almost taunting you with its serene look.

Exploration ended.