literature

PMD: AG Mission 1 - 2 of 2

Deviation Actions

Published: Feb 7, 2012

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Literature Text

        So how do you propose we find the library? René stated the million dollar question as they stood on the cool stone floor of the castle's interior. He realized that their plan should have been much more thought out – critical details had been pushed under the rug until now, and he realized that it probably wasn't the best of decisions to roll with the punches when time wasn't on their side.
        Well… Like, gimmie a second to think, m'kay? René jumped; he still wasn't used to when Calvin talked with him telepathically. He was glad that his partner at least had the sense to shut his mouth in the castle, however. He nodded curtly, patting the messenger bag to make sure the books were all still there.
        After a moment, Calvin "spoke" again. Well, we could, like, walk until we find it.
        René felt like face palming. Calvin could be such an idiot it was embarrassing. Resisting his instinctual urge to grab the Gallade's scarf and choke him with it, the Lopunny instead managed to spit out slowly, Calvin, that would take hours. We don't have that kind of time right now. He pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. He really needed more sleep sometimes to put up with his partner's antics. He hoped to god Calvin was just acting.
        Okay, okay. Well…what if we just dropped the decoys in the hallway with a note that says "take to library?" Calvin's childishly proud face expressed the fact that he thought it was the best damn plan to have ever been conceived. Noticing this, as well as their lack of time, the Lopunny caved.
        Fine, but we can't waste all our time standing around waiting for someone to come by. We'll need a backup plan just in case, René answered, yielding. Calvin grinned before grabbing the messenger bag and nodding eagerly.  He fished out the books and wandered to the end of the hallway that they were in, his partner on his shadow.
        They were in a small hallway that lay adjacent to a larger corridor decorated elegantly with a long rug and mounted candles that cast eerie shadows on the dark, windowless passages. Hopefully someone would wander down the hall and take heed to their note. René rummaged around in his bag and pulled out a small notebook and pen that he had slipped in as they departed the guild. The front page was covered in lose scribbles and maps and had a few notes jotted down about the mission. He flipped past these filled pages, settling on a fresh sheet before writing in elegant script, "Please return to the library to be shelved." He carefully ripped it out, handing it to Calvin.
        The psychic Pokémon glanced both ways as if he were crossing the street before darting out and dropping the books and note in a neat pile directly in the middle of the corridor. Anyone passing couldn't miss it. The duo then proceeded to melt into the natural shadows cast by the wall to wait as their time ticked away.

        René wasn't sure how long had passed – it felt like an hour, but could have really been twenty minutes in reality – when they heard movement down the hall. He cautiously quirked up an ear to listen, hearing the approaching footsteps long before Calvin. He motioned for silence and the pair subtly glanced around their corner, staying low as an uncomfortable looking Flygon picked at the edge of her maid's dress as she walked down the hallway. Wait… She? René stared at the approaching dragon, realization dawning on him as he saw that this dragon was, in fact, a male.
        Oh, god. There is something wrong with Merlot. He nearly recoiled in horror – it was evident that the Flygon had not volunteered to wear the attire by the grim expression that seemed set on his face. In fact, he was so absorbed in picking at the frills and laces on his uniform that he all but tripped over the decoy books.
Stumbling, the Pokémon managed to right himself before he ended up sprawled on the ground. He let out a sound of annoyance before turning to stare at the offending object that had been in his way. He picked up the three titles and seemed to be skimming the note. "What I'd like to know is why she just leaves things lying around like this. Rather strange." He said aloud, obviously talking to himself. "Well, I suppose it can't be helped…" He emitted a weary sigh before tucking the books under his arm and turning around and walking back the way he came.
        You think he's, like, going to the library? Calvin asked. René nodded, eyes glittering in the dark.
        Come on; we can't afford to lose him. Stay low, keep quiet, and maintain your distance, he reminded before slinking out of the safety of their hideaway.
Like, jeez, I know. You don't have to keep reminding me; we've done this before, you know, Calvin said, sounding almost exasperated. The Lopunny merely waved him off (Oh, the nerve!) and crept after the dragon like a Glameow stalking a Rattata. Calvin followed like a shadow, adjusting his glasses.
        They had to duck into small passages and alcoves or hide behind pillars a few times to avoid being caught by other passing maids or wandering Pokémon. Sneaking was tedious and painstaking work that required the utmost concentration and stealth, René realized. They passed numerous other hallways and rooms, and he made sure to commit their journey to memory so they could trace their path back easily once their task was finished.
        The fidgety Flygon eventually stopped outside of a pair of grand oak doors that far overshadowed any that they had passed so far, and the assassins darted behind a nearby column to remain hidden while he knocked twice on the doors. The sound echoed lowly in the empty hall, and his voice shortly accompanied it as he called, "I have some books that need to be re-shelved as per Merlot's request. Could I be able to just leave them outside here or should I enter to put them somewhere specific-"
        His sentence was barely finished when an irritated looking Eevee pulled open one massive door, a feather pen lodged behind one ear and a clipboard clutched in one paw. "For Arceus's sake, please do keep quiet when around the library. Your voice is voluminous enough to wake the dead," he quipped with an annoyed tone.
        The Flygon blanched noticeably from the chastisement, his tail flicking with a nervous air to it. "S-sorry," he answered, voice barely above a whisper, "but Merlot wanted these books returned, so I came immediately…"
        Lexy stared critically at him. "At this hour? I find it highly improbable that she would be awake, much less adamantly requesting that these volumes be returned." He glanced at the books that were clutched in the Flygon's grasp. "In fact, I don't remember her taking out these volumes anytime in the past. They belong in the reference section, which is completely unsuitable to her… particular… taste in literature."
Now it was René's turn to pale. Was the librarian suspicious of their plan? The Flygon seemed to think similarly, baffled and flustered as he was being made out to be a fool.
        "Well, perhaps Caldera checked them out to her for researching purposes," Lexy guessed, his tone indicating that he clearly didn't find this to be a strong possibility but was using the farfetched idea anyhow.
        The Flygon smiled uncomfortably, handing the books over to the Eevee's outstretched hands. "Um, that was probably it." He didn't seem to want to voice the fact that he found the books lying out in the hallway, evidently fearful of receiving more chastisement. Lexy balanced them with his clipboard as he looked to the other Pokémon, who didn't seem to have any intention of leaving.
He arched a brow, standing in the library's massive doorway. "Can I help you with anything else?"
        "Oh! Uh, no, sorry. Thank you," the dragon said nervously, tugging at the dress's hem once again.
        "Very well. Goodnight, and take care not to make such a racket next time you find yourself near the library," Lexy answered with an almost exasperated tone, quietly closing the door once again.
        The Flygon sighed dejectedly, muttering something under his breath with a hanging head as he shuffled down the hallway wringing his hands. Calvin and René waited a few long moments in tense silence before René signaled to the door. Let's go. We need to get to the reference section before the Eevee, or he'll realize that something's up.
Calvin nodded, and the duo quietly pushed open the large door after crossing the empty hallway. René's breath was momentarily taken away by the sheer grand splendour of the enormous room.
        Glossed wooden shelves housed what appeared to be thousands of volumes and books, all ranging in age and appearance. The room's enormous ceiling mimicked that of a cathedral, supported by buttresses and towering pillars carved with intricate designs. Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting soft glowing havens of light to dispel the darkness. All it was missing as the stained glass windows.
        Wow, Calvin's single word penetrated René's mind. He had to agree – this Lugia must've had money to burn if this was what her library looked like. After a few seconds of gaping and staring in awe, René was snapped back to reality by his partner. So, like, where is the reference section?
        Fuck. Of course there had to be another complication. If they couldn't get there fast enough, the Eevee would see that the shelf already housed the books he was carrying. Just as he was about to punch Calvin in frustration for not thinking out their plan more thoroughly, the Gallade raised his hand for silence. The Lopunny's ears twitched, straining to hear what the other was motioning about.
        After a moment, he realized that a soft echo was being thrown around the library. The Eevee's footsteps. His panic momentarily under control, the Lopunny breathed a barely audible sigh of relief. With his hypersensitive ears he could detect exactly where the sounds were originating from. He motioned quickly to Calvin, pointing down an aisle far to the left. Come on, this way! Hurry, we need to get there before him!
        Calvin didn't even bother to point out that he already knew that. Instead, he offered a quick and serious nod, the urgency of the moment setting in. René made use of his quick and silent feet, springing with the ease and grace of a dancer and speed of a Rapidash as he darted through the sections in pursuit of the Eevee. He saw small title cards labeled on each bookshelf: Fiction, non-fiction, historic fiction, mystery, sci-fi… the genres were endless and became almost a blur as he dashed with the silence of a ninja through the bookcases.
        His partner nearly smashed into him when René stopped short, catching sight of the "reference" title card. Oh, Jesus, slow down! Calvin's sentence was, for once, short of any valley girl quirks.
        Shut up and look for the books, René replied, darting into the aisle and feverishly scanning every title.
        Tch! Why don't you look by the Pokémon's name, yeah? Calvin said irritably. Clearly he was annoyed by René's attitude under pressure. Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
        Yes, yes, alright. I'll find Palkia if you search for the other two, the Lopunny said absentmindedly, hurrying over to the other end of the enormous shelf. He could hear the Eevee's slow footsteps approaching like a rhythmic grandfather clock as his panicked eyes darted around the shelf. Omanyte, Omastar, Onix, Oshawott, Pachirisu… Palkia! He grabbed the book off the shelf with lightning quick fingers and jumped back to Calvin in two enormous leaps.
        Gah! Like, watch it! The Gallade jumped, nearly dropping the book he held in his grasp. René's eyes flicked to the cover – Dialga.
        Give it, he ordered, snatching the book from the Gallade before he could even react. Calvin huffed once he realized what had happened, and crossed his arms. Evidently he couldn't hear how close the librarian was with his sub-par hearing. René stuffed the books in his messenger bag, trying to stay as silent as possible even with his adrenaline, which seemed to be impairing any sort of silent and stealthy skills he possessed. Now help me find the last one!
        Calvin rolled his eyes, obviously annoyed by the display of panic that he didn't understand. Fine, fine, like, don't get your panties in a bunch, he drawled sarcastically. Nonetheless he allowed his eyes to dart all over the shelves – E's, F's, G's… Ga's, Ge's, Gi's… Before he could react René's arm shot out like a Croagunk's tongue and snatched a volume off the shelf. Wordlessly he stuffed the book roughly into his bag and jumped in enormous strides back the way they had come from, leaving Calvin momentarily dazed.
        It was one moment too long – Lexy's small form appeared as he rounded the bookcase's corner, and Calvin could feel his blood run cold. He now understood the reason for his companion's anxious and stressed rushing as panic sank its claws into him. His mind fled, leaving him to run on autopilot as he could feel himself begin to glow.
        Teleport, teleport, he though frantically as he became outlined in a blue aura. His wide eyes met Lexy's for a fraction of a second as the Eevee looked up tiredly. His job never ended, it seemed.
        Suddenly Calvin was outside, on the castle fence's exterior. His heartbeat beat like a drum in his ears as he placed a hand over his heart, feeling it flutter like a Pidgey in a cage. Had he been seen? He gave a few moments to allow his breath to even out, and he then questioned whether or not he had imagined the Eevee locking eyes with him. After a few long moments he figured that he had been seeing things in his moment of uncertainty, though a pit of unease still lay in his stomach.
        Where are you? The voice drifted distantly into Calvin's head, causing him to perk up anxiously before he realized it was only René.
        I, like, teleported outside, Calvin answered. He left out his close encounter with the Librarian for his partner's sanity. I'm waiting for you. He could hear a groan from the Lopunny, and smiled. Like, don't worry. We have time, Calvin stated, aware of what might be going on through the other's head. He didn't bother to add that it looked like the sun was just about to peak over the horizon with the lightening sky.
        Some things were better left unsaid, especially to René.

≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥≤≥
             Omake:

        Lexy closed the door, irritated that he had to deal with such idiocy so early in the morning. Some of Merlot's "maids" were truly pitiable. The Flygon looked new; Lexy had never seen him before and he certainly didn't seem to know what he was doing.
        He balanced the books in one arm and rubbed at his eyes tiredly. Sometimes he wondered why he put up with them. With a sigh, he started the long trek to the other side of the library. Of course the reference section had to be at the other end, with his luck so far today. He had been in the middle of categorizing a new set of books that had been imported to the library, apparently a gift from one of the maid's families as a 'thank you' for her employment. They were old and dusty volumes that must have been left untouched for quite a few generations – if he didn't handle them with the utmost care and attention, pages would fall from the ancient spines or the covers would separate from their pages.
        He began his walk through the aisles, the towering bookcases a familiar comfort to him. He knew each and every one of the library's books, and exactly where to find them, just by memory alone. Yes, books were certainly his pride and joy, and he sometimes couldn't understand why some Pokémon disregarded them as useless items only suitable for kindling. With the knowledge one could find between the covers it was possible to know how to triumph in the toughest battle situations or discover the most valuable treasure troves, discover the daring exploits of fictional characters, or even how to craft delicious recipes or useful equipment.
        His soft footsteps echoed around the large library, just as always. Even when Caldera was around, his ghostly floating offered no contact with the ground and he left utter silence in his wake. His thoughts drifted away to how long it would take for him to categorize the new library additions, mentally adding and subtracting shelf space and availability with the new surplus.
        As he rounded the corner of the bibliographical shelves, he paused to adjust his grip on the small pile of books that he held in his arms. He paused when he caught something out of the corner of his eye, and his head snapped up reflexively, sensing something was amiss in his library. His eyes made contact with something – is that a Gallade? – and widened as he stared at what appeared to be a shimmering stranger standing in his library.
        He blinked in confusion, and when he opened his eyes again it was gone. He quirked an ear in utter perplexity. Hadn't there been someone standing there but a second ago? Lexy blinked and shook his head. Perhaps he had been reading too many ghost stories before bed after all. He scratched his head before turning to the reference shelves.
        Hopefully categorizing would help set his mind straight.

UGH I GOT SO LAZY WRITING THIS FFFFFF.
Last minute writing FTW. /not
I wish they could've stealthily killed someone, but alas, it was not meant to be.

Part One

Mission ©