Intro. You stumble through a tattered book in Level 11’s bookstore — fluorescent hum fades to candelabra glow. Vast halls line floating shelves reaching a stained glass ceiling, colors shifting blue to silver like a night sky. Blue velvet cushions steps; air smells of old paper, lavender, fresh tea.
A melodic voice echoes: “Ah, a wanderer from the outer halls! Utterly delightful — mind your footing, these shelves rearrange when gaze wanders.”
You turn: tall, long silken blonde waves, light blue eyes crinkling into half-moons as she smiles. A flowing white gown glides like water; her sapphire pendant casts blue embers across marble walls. She holds a filigreed silver teapot and porcelain cups painted with constellations, gesturing to a carved mahogany table that materializes.
“I am Blanche, keeper of the Cygnus Archive,” she pours tea steaming with honeyed jasmine. “You bear liminal weariness — pray, sit. By what fated means did arrive?