"The Librarian keeps this world safe from magic," Jenkins explains helpfully. "He seeks magical artifacts and brings them here, to the Library, so they won't fall into the wrong hands. Which is a very dangerous endeavor, as you might imagine. The Guardian, on the other hand, protects the Librarian."
"Like a literal bodyguard?" Tom looks over at Jake. "Why me? Why would you need a bodyguard from another world?" And then suddenly the conversation shifts towards colonial architecture and Tom is completely caught off-guard.
"Uh. Well. First Period style breathes the settling of the colonists in every way. They're not designed, they tried to adapt to a new land. Materials brought from Europe, mixing with the timber the land gave to them. Central chimneys because it's the most effective way to warm the house in a cold New England winter. That rawness? It's a visual representation of their will to survive."
"Is... this the time?" Jenkins politely interjects.
"Georgian style, now, that represents the attempt of taming the land with civilization. Modeled after the Italian Renaissance. Culture. Forms. Sophistication, in this new, wild land. Elevated taste, the establishment of an upper class after European models. But the First Period? You can feel the spirit of hardship, despite all odds."
"Yes, well, very fascinating I'm sure. The Djinn, sir?"
Tom blinks again, looking up sharply. "Yes. Why have they brought me here?"
"They seem to think you are the most suitable candidate for the job. Now please let me assure you that the Library is in no way affiliated with the Djinn. We did not participate nor condone your bringing here."
"'preciate it," Tom remarks dryly. "So call them up, tell them that and have them send me back."
"I'm... afraid that's not possible, sir." When Tom's AK threatens to come up again, Jenkins quickly holds up a hand, trying to placate him. "These lines on your hands? They are the marks of a very powerful Djinn curse called 'the Contract'."
"That's a lousy name." Even drier. "Considering I didn't sign anything."
"Yes, well, unfortunately Djinn aren't too hung up on these details."
"That's too bad." The driest of all tones. "Because I am."
no subject
"Like a literal bodyguard?" Tom looks over at Jake. "Why me? Why would you need a bodyguard from another world?" And then suddenly the conversation shifts towards colonial architecture and Tom is completely caught off-guard.
"Uh. Well. First Period style breathes the settling of the colonists in every way. They're not designed, they tried to adapt to a new land. Materials brought from Europe, mixing with the timber the land gave to them. Central chimneys because it's the most effective way to warm the house in a cold New England winter. That rawness? It's a visual representation of their will to survive."
"Is... this the time?" Jenkins politely interjects.
"Georgian style, now, that represents the attempt of taming the land with civilization. Modeled after the Italian Renaissance. Culture. Forms. Sophistication, in this new, wild land. Elevated taste, the establishment of an upper class after European models. But the First Period? You can feel the spirit of hardship, despite all odds."
"Yes, well, very fascinating I'm sure. The Djinn, sir?"
Tom blinks again, looking up sharply. "Yes. Why have they brought me here?"
"They seem to think you are the most suitable candidate for the job. Now please let me assure you that the Library is in no way affiliated with the Djinn. We did not participate nor condone your bringing here."
"'preciate it," Tom remarks dryly. "So call them up, tell them that and have them send me back."
"I'm... afraid that's not possible, sir." When Tom's AK threatens to come up again, Jenkins quickly holds up a hand, trying to placate him. "These lines on your hands? They are the marks of a very powerful Djinn curse called 'the Contract'."
"That's a lousy name." Even drier. "Considering I didn't sign anything."
"Yes, well, unfortunately Djinn aren't too hung up on these details."
"That's too bad." The driest of all tones. "Because I am."