10-09-2016, 10:17 AM
The library at Trinity College closed at 1 am. So Jaxen arrived at 12:30 for a quick walk through. He need to scope the layout of the library at night, specifically, in order to compare it to daytime activities. He found that first experiences exploring in the dark gave him insights and perspectives he'd miss if he walked it in daylight first.
He had to show a fake college ID to get inside, that was easy as hell to duplicate. It wasn't like it was a Custody Identification Card or anything, just a college pass. He made sure to dress like a college student, too, to look the part. He wore gray denim jeans, his boots, a pull-over sweater and a short leather jacket. It was cool at night, but not anywhere near as cold as Moscow. He left the jacket unzipped as he walked.
The main hall of the library was a famous sight. An arched, two-story corridor stretched far as he could see. On either side, two levels of books anchored the walls, supported the high ceiling almost like pillars. Heads dotted the quiet tables running the length of the floor. Not many, but not empty either. Nerds needed to study after all.
Trying not to look like a first-timer, he walked the length of it, craning his head back to look at the gilded ceiling above. Really, he was studying the likely camera angles. He needed to find blind spots. Vulnerablities. Course, the ancient power gave him an advantage. He could probably design some sort of reflection to perch in front of the cameras, bending light like he had to alter his own appearance. But to do so, he needed to find the cameras first. And the book he wanted.
The Book of Leinster, the book that described the four treasures and their locations, was housed in a restricted research archives. A locked area only open six hours a day. He stopped near the entrance, reading the sign by the door describing admission process. He'd need to sign up, work with an archivist, and handle all the books with great care before being allowed entry. Fuck that. He could wear gloves like anyone else. The security was rather advanced, too. He would need to work out the passcode before breaking in. Of course, the Ancient Power made his work a lot easier. It meant smashing his way inside. The intrusion would probably trigger secondary alarms, so he would need to hurry his way out.
"I'll see you tomorrow night,"
he said to the room and turned. A shadow moved around a corner, then. Jaxen frowned and wondered if a student heard him. It was almost time for the library to close. As signal, the lights flickered, and he stood very still. Were those footsteps? He drew on an the Ancient Power to enhance his hearing, but there was nothing but the sound of his own breathing and distant chairs scraping on the floor. "Guess not,"
he told himself and dropped the power.
On his way out, a sign for historical artificats caught his eye. He paused to read the list of prominent objects waiting inside, unaware that something of a museum repository was housed in the library. The Hardiman Atlas was a set of seventy maps of the most significant locations related to irish interests surviving. There were ancient statues, bronze boxes, medieval brooches. All kinds of shiny things that he made note to browse the next day.
For now, the librarians were waiting at the front to lock up. He smiled as he passed and emerged into the cool night air, deciding to take the rest of the night to walk the exterior grounds and learn his way in the dark.
He had to show a fake college ID to get inside, that was easy as hell to duplicate. It wasn't like it was a Custody Identification Card or anything, just a college pass. He made sure to dress like a college student, too, to look the part. He wore gray denim jeans, his boots, a pull-over sweater and a short leather jacket. It was cool at night, but not anywhere near as cold as Moscow. He left the jacket unzipped as he walked.
The main hall of the library was a famous sight. An arched, two-story corridor stretched far as he could see. On either side, two levels of books anchored the walls, supported the high ceiling almost like pillars. Heads dotted the quiet tables running the length of the floor. Not many, but not empty either. Nerds needed to study after all.
Trying not to look like a first-timer, he walked the length of it, craning his head back to look at the gilded ceiling above. Really, he was studying the likely camera angles. He needed to find blind spots. Vulnerablities. Course, the ancient power gave him an advantage. He could probably design some sort of reflection to perch in front of the cameras, bending light like he had to alter his own appearance. But to do so, he needed to find the cameras first. And the book he wanted.
The Book of Leinster, the book that described the four treasures and their locations, was housed in a restricted research archives. A locked area only open six hours a day. He stopped near the entrance, reading the sign by the door describing admission process. He'd need to sign up, work with an archivist, and handle all the books with great care before being allowed entry. Fuck that. He could wear gloves like anyone else. The security was rather advanced, too. He would need to work out the passcode before breaking in. Of course, the Ancient Power made his work a lot easier. It meant smashing his way inside. The intrusion would probably trigger secondary alarms, so he would need to hurry his way out.
"I'll see you tomorrow night,"
he said to the room and turned. A shadow moved around a corner, then. Jaxen frowned and wondered if a student heard him. It was almost time for the library to close. As signal, the lights flickered, and he stood very still. Were those footsteps? He drew on an the Ancient Power to enhance his hearing, but there was nothing but the sound of his own breathing and distant chairs scraping on the floor. "Guess not,"
he told himself and dropped the power.
On his way out, a sign for historical artificats caught his eye. He paused to read the list of prominent objects waiting inside, unaware that something of a museum repository was housed in the library. The Hardiman Atlas was a set of seventy maps of the most significant locations related to irish interests surviving. There were ancient statues, bronze boxes, medieval brooches. All kinds of shiny things that he made note to browse the next day.
For now, the librarians were waiting at the front to lock up. He smiled as he passed and emerged into the cool night air, deciding to take the rest of the night to walk the exterior grounds and learn his way in the dark.