I don't think that's a book

Shiruba had a number of reasons on her list to visit Eas. Ayame was one of the people she had wanted to talk to, and knew she had been working on several occasions with Wake. She had also wanted to see how the city had been preparing to the inevitable likelyhood that the Palace Land army was going to march on it just out of spite for things controlled by Adventurers.

She had also wanted to visit the library branch established there, since she didn't have access to the one in Shibuya. Even though it didn't hold all the same books, it helped clear her mind to be in a studious location. It also gave her a chance to ensure that they were prepared to do the same as New World had done for Shibuya's and remove any sensative information they didn't want potentially falling into Crowned hands.

As such the Cait Sith Wolf could be found at one of the research desks, a couple of the books and multiple notes spread across it's surface, her tail idly swishing with her thoughts behind her. Word was out this was the place to find her to talk to her, before she went back into the wilds to continue improving her archery expertise.

SpritesHero does not belong here. Even though his spriggan form lends a helpful trace of frailty, there is nonetheless something rather brutish about his bearing and manner that has no place in a classy establishment like this one. One would almost expect him to kick off his boots, lean back, and plunk his feet down unwittingly atop sa stack of sacred religious texts. Which, presumably, is why said texts tend to be behind glass. And, presumably, why the resident librarian's eyes narrow the moment he enters. After all, being in the middle of a war is no excuse to relax standards. Not that he pays the librarian much mind.

Framed by the afternoon sun-lit doorway he pauses, gaze skating over the few remaining dedicated scholars before alighting on Shiruba. Really, it's the tail that catches his attentions, the hypnotic way in which it swishes to and fro. His head tilts to the side. One eye squints by a fraction. The fingers of his right hand unconsciously twitch. And he does nothing. Perhaps it is the darkening glare of the librarian. Perhaps it is some lingering remnant of conscience. Possibly it just puts his more immediate goals in jeopardy. Whatever the motive, his temptations are deftly suppressed. He makes his way over to Shiruba, knocking thrice upon her table. "May I join you?"

The knocking probably gets another dirty look from the librarian, but since he didn't do something really disruptive and loud like shout the girl's name, that's all it gets. If he's talking to a guild leader he'll stay out of trouble, right? .... Right?

Shiruba looks up at the knocking, and smiles. "Oh, hello Robert! I didn't hear you walk up." Must be that natural Spriggan stealthiness... or just that she wasn't paying that much attention by the looks of the spread before her. "I was just doing some extra research before they likely have to lock the library up against the potential and very likely invasion." She closes one of the books she had been looking through and slides it back into it's spot on the shelf behind the desk top. "But it's fortunate that you've come by."

She gestures a hand at the spread of note papers. "I've finally gotten together the details from examining that demonic summoning circle... It took longer than I would of liked, but using it in a tense combat situation got some of the information... jumbled. And without Shibuya's branch of the library where I think I've seen some of these references before, I had to make due from memory."

Oh, who knows whether the library is safe from him. The fact that he whips the chair out from the table and sits in it backward does not bode well, however. Nor does the attentive way in which his arms fold over its back. And chairs that aren't rocking chairs really should stay with all four feet on the ground.

On the plus side, Robert is attentive enough. There's a quick grin--a flash of an expression that flits off to go play elsewhere with alarming rapidity. "I have the utmost faith in your ability to extract useful information regardless of the circumstances," he rumbles mildly, lurching forward to balance on his chair even more precariously. He extends his hand. "May I?" he queries. "Or is it easier for you to say?"

Shiruba nods. "You can look them over. Though it may make more sense if I actually explain." She scoops several of the sheets with one hand and slides them towards his side of the desk. "But what it boils down to... is there is a skism between two sects within the Gnoll races, due to a... civil war of sorts. The Gnolls most Adventurers are familiar with are more tribal and brutal pack fighters, who worship an 'old god' who's name I've been unable to find, that escews the use of magic."

Shiruba idly picks up one of the other chainbound books and slides it back into it's slot. "But the Gnolls we dealt with on that mission venerate a newer monster deity known as Yeenagi. Who took his position of power through betrayal, dark magic and demonic influence. And encourages the study of the same to the sect that worships him."

SpritesHero takes her advice willingly enough, and pays considerably more attention to her words than the documents themselves, though his thumb does idly play with the corner of the pages. It is only once she has finished that he turns to glance at her notes, giving them a cursory scan for any additional relevant information. At length he glances up.

"Well, that can't be good," is his not-so-insightful comment. "I suppose it's not the end of the world for us, though. Presumably we just cycle higher-level adventurers down there for ginding, and cycle the newbies out to elsewhere." The documents are neatly re-stacked, and pushed back across the table to Shiruba. "So what am I missing? Are the local Landers unable to deal with them, throwing balance off? Or is it something else?"

"The annoying part," Shiruba sighs "Is that I know I've seen more information on Gnoll behavoirs, but it's in Shibuya where I can't access. And it wasn't in the materials we took out beforehand, that was mainly things that could of been of military value to the Crowned." She gestures in general at her notes. "I also don't know if that demonic gnoll we fought was summoned, or posessed by demon influence... But in either case he was clearly a disiple of Yeenaga and likely sent to continue to encourage this divergent behavoir. Which leads to them using powers and tactics typically not seen amongst their kind of Monster Race, making them more dangerous for everyone. They gave us quite a challenge, and we're seasoned adventurers.... So yeah, not an issue to send newbies after."

"This could very well be another example of this world advancing beyond the aspects of what was a 'game'... or an aspect of this world that seems like it because 'game' is the reference point for many of us." She scoops up the papers as they're stacked and returned. "I am going to pass word along to the Hunter's Guild as well, so they can try to determine which sect of Gnolls is being dealt with before assigning Duties to deal with them. These demon worshipers may be fewer in numbers, but they are considerably more dangerous."

SpritesHero settles back with the thunk of chair legs hitting the floor. "Luckily it would seem that their demonic affiliation is obvious, judging by how it seems to poison everything else around them. So once we know of their presence and the underlying mechanics, they can be classified appropriately."

He stands up, then, returning the chair to its original position. "Perhaps something to keep an eye on in case it metastasizes into other populations, then," he concludes. "But other than that, I think it can probably be left to the Guild. Well, Shiruba. It was a pleasure working with you. I hope to do so again in the future."

Shiruba shuffles her notes together and tucks them away for safe keeping. "Not that I intend to ignore the potential problem... but yes, it can be left to the Guild and they can contact more experienced Adventurers as needed. Neither of us wants such issues to be forgotten because of the war we've been dragged into. But we can't allow them to force our attention away from the bigger problem, either." She scoots her chair back and gets up as well. "If you see Ayame before I do, let her know? As she was part of our party for that encounter, it's only fair she know what we learned as well."

SpritesHero's expression flickers once more, his lips twisting in a tiny moue of discontent. "It's your discovery," he objects, placing his palms against the table's surface and leaning forward a couple degrees. "I hate to steal your thunder." Silence, then, as Shiruba gets a very intent, unabashed scrutiny. It's not at all appropriate.

His lips twist again. The grimace is more pronounced this time. "Are things really that bad?" he inquires. "I've been occupied elsewhere, but...one hears things."

"At least let her know that I have the information to share, then? And she can find me when she has the time to inquire for herself." Occupied with gathering up her materials and making sure the library resources are properly returned Shiruba misses most of the scrutiny. The last question gets a soft sigh out of her though. "I've only heard second-hand from the reports myself... but somehow the Crowned were able to subjegate the Guardians and take control of Mac Anu. The other reason I'm here is to find out if Wake and Olympus have any plans to deal with the fact that Eas is very luckly going to get sieged as Shibuya did, simply for being 'Adventurer Controlled'." Fortunately her arms are full so she can't do something stupidly dorky like an air quotes gesture.

"That I will do," Robert agrees, shifting back away from the table. The scrutiny, mercifully, is short-lived. And very much over at this point. "I am certain Ayame will be very interested in your findings. As for the Baroness..."

Yet another momentary pause, before he resumes. "Well, I'm certain she has plans-a-plenty. She is not a lady I'd be comfortable upsetting. And she does seem to be rather annoyed." He inclines his head towards Shiruba's armload. "Need a hand getting to where you're heading next? Or are you alright on your own?"

Shiruba manages a soft chuckle. "I am use to working around armloads. I will be fine, and I am sure you have your own matters to attend to." Shiruba may of missed the scrutiny but this not really Robert's sort of place isn't lost on her. "And that is true. They've definitely had more time to plan for it than we did. Even if it's only to make it as costly for the enemy as possible." She gives a tilt of her head in lieu of trying to bow. "I am glad this investigation has proven insightful, even if not to some of the more immeadiate issues before us. Safe journeys."

For all his lack-of-fitting-in, Robert does bow. Oh, it's probably the wrong sort of bow for the occasion. Or slightly mis-tuned, or something. It certainly suggests only a passing familiarity with any nuance around such gestures. "And all the best to you as well," he offers, before turning about and marching out.

No doubt much to the librarian's relief.