text: [Themes: Science Fiction]
  
  > Describe the surroundings
  You are in the bookcrafter's workshop, a spacious hall for copying, illustrating and repairing books where artisans like yourself work.
  
  The staircase leads up to the library.
  
  You can see your colleague Arjang here. He is sitting behind his work desk.
  
  > Go upwards
  You climb up the staircase.
  
  You're in the Library of Arg Varkana. It's a big but cozy hall lined with rows of bookshelves. Reading tables are at the center and by the
  
  > Go south
  large windows which allow sunlight during the day. A chandelier hung from the ceiling upstairs along with several glowstands scattered around the library provide extra illumination in the evening.
  
  Spiral stairs lead up to the museum, and down to the bookcrafters' workshop. The exit is to the south.
  
  You can see Librarian Houtan here.
  
  Engraved wooden pillars support a high wooden roof. Some chairs and tables have been brought here from the library's interior, as is usually done in warm seasons. There are even some rugs and cushions on the ground for more relaxed reading.
  
  The entrance to the library is before you to the north.
  
  > Go south
  You see a fountain with benches and potted plants in the middle of the square. There are roads leading in different directions.
  
  > Go east
  East leads to the vineyards. The library is to the north. Northwest leads to the town center. The town bazaar is to the west. The school is to the south, and there's a road to an old temple to the southeast.
  
  You can see many kids playing here.
  
  > go to the north-west
  Rows of vines stretch far and wide to the south, southeast and east - where they nearly reach the eastern cliffside. Occasionally the vines are made to climb circular wooden frames to form leafy pavilions.
  
  The stone pathway leads to the square to the west, the shady park to the north, and eventually the terrace to the northwest. On the ground you see some drops of oil.
  
  You can see Rasha and Nivanen here.
  
  Nivanen is now dressed up in her colorful guard suit and carries her six weapons on her back. Rasha wrinkles his nose and watches you suspiciously.
  
  "Ha, thanks again for bringing Rasha to me. What's up? ... I'm going to the town center. Remember the lunch will be served on the cliffside balcony, and it's your turn to be my guest." You thank her and assure her that you'll be there.
  
  You cross the shady park, and climb up the stairs to reach the terrace.
  
  You are on the open terrace by your room. The way to the north is blocked by the high walls of a private estate surrounded by tall trees.
  
  Some stairs lead downward, to a shady park to the east and eventually to the vineyard in the southeast. More stairs lead upward to the west. Your room is to the south.
  
  > Go west
  This is a round hall with a single hexagonal pillar at the center. Bath chambers line the wall, forming a semicircle, and mirrored dressers are placed around the central pillar. There are some chests at the entrance to keep people's extra belongings. Above them, clean bath towels are hung from the wall.
  
  The entrance is to the east, and the swimming pool is to the south.
  
  You can see Hairdresser Rana here.
  
  > give the paper
  (papers to Hairdresser Rana)
  Hairdresser Rana has better things to do.
  
  > ask Rana for the paper
  (the paper)
  Knowing Hairdresser Rana, she will probably allow you to have one of her artistic provisions if you ask her for it nicely.
  
  (papers)
  "Mind giving me a sheet of paper please? I need a neat one for drawing."
  
  "Of course not. Here, do you like this speckled beige sheet? It's actually more suited for drawing than origami."
  
  "Yes, many thanks!"
  
  > look at the paper
  (the paper)
  A nice sheet of paper from Hairdresser Rana's exquisite supply.
  
  > check your inventory
  You are carrying:
  a paper
  a quill pen
  a bottle of kingberry juice
  a ribbon (being worn)
  a glow orb (providing light)
  some jewelry (being worn)
  an outfit (being worn)
  
  > Go east
  You are on the open terrace by your room. The way to the north is
  
  > go southeast
  blocked by the high walls of a private estate surrounded by tall trees.
  
  Some stairs lead downward, to a shady park to the east and eventually to the vineyard in the southeast. More stairs lead upward to the west. Your room is to the south.
  
  Rows of vines stretch far and wide to the south, southeast and east - where they nearly reach the eastern cliffside. Occasionally the vines are made to climb circular wooden frames to form leafy pavilions.
  
  The stone pathway leads to the square to the west, the shady park to the north, and eventually the terrace to the northwest. On the ground you see some drops of oil.
  
  You can see Rasha and Nivanen here.
  
  Rasha continues walking to the direction of the square, looking back once in a while to see if his mistress is following.
  
  "I'm very hunrgy! Well, see you in the cliffside balcony..." Nivanen walks off the road to the west, occasionally calling after Rasha.
  
  > Go southeast
  You take the path westward which leads to a square in the town.
  
  You see a fountain with benches and potted plants in the middle of the square. There are roads leading in different directions.
  
  East leads to the vineyards. The library is to the north. Northwest leads to the town center. The town bazaar is to the west. The school is to the south, and there's a road to an old temple to the southeast.
  
  You can see many kids playing here.
  
  You can also see Nivanen here.
  
  You climb a steep road upward and enter the old temple.
  
  The interior of this old temple is still relatively intact. There are shallow pools of water, and a beautiful dome overhead. The water is provided by a natural source boiling out of the mountain rocks and flowing from a wall behind a pair of statues. One of the statues represents the goddess Amortaad and the other her beast counterpart Senmervae.
  
  You see a little boy sitting on a bench in here.
  
  At the foot of the statues you see some flowers.
  
  > draw Senmervae
  You put the paper and the ink bottle on the floor and carefully start tracing the figure on the paper. After a while, the little boy comes up and watches from behind your shoulder as you add the details.
  
  "How do you do that?" He finally breaks the silence.
  
  "Drawing? I train a lot. It's my hobby and job," you reply while doing the finishing touches.
  
  He leans on you as you hold up the finished drawing, his nose almost touching the paper. "Whoa! It's superb!" Due to his sudden weight on you, your elbow tips the kingberry juice bottle which rolls away and crashes into a shallow pool. You sigh in relief for holding the drawing up. He apologizes and gets back on the bench, promising to clean up the mess later.
  
  > examine the drawing
  It's a drawing of the statue of Senmervae in the old temple, signed by your own hand.
  
  > look at the pool
  The fountains don't work and the mossy pools need cleaning. Still, stream water flows gently in the pools.
  
  > go north
  The natural terraced balcony is surrounded by ornate gardens and overlooks the deep canyon down below. It's a popular spot for celebrations and other public events.
  
  Numerous tables and chairs are occupied by townspeople, on which tasty food and good wine are served. Waiters constantly move about and tend to every request.
  
  The staircase leads up to the town center.
  
  You can also see Nivanen, Ashtartan ambassadors, some friends, some townspeople, Marita, Lady Atossa, Rasha and some waiters here.
  
  Nivanen beckons you to a nearby table populated by a group of your friends. You both go there and sit down, getting involved in conversation and eating.
  
  > sit
  What do you want to sit on?
  
  > sit on the chair
  But you're already on the chair.
  
  > look at the ambassadors
  They are handsome men and women indeed, all wearing neat gold-embroidered suits decorated with medals and insignia. They are seated at two tables, with Lady Atossa and some other high-ranking officials, and are busily engaged in conversation.
  
  However, you can't find Ardavaan anywhere among them. This suddenly alarms you... Looks like he didn't go joining his colleagues as he had told you. You wonder what Nivanen would make out of it.
  
  > examine the lunch
  Saffron rice with roasted almonds, turkey in pomegranate and walnut sauce, barberry glazed chicken... along with sherbet and wine. Everything at its best.
  
  You notice Rasha climbing up the stairs. He then quickly runs off and disappears from sight.
  
  > say MMMMMM pomegranate
  Whom do you want to say that to?
  
  > talk to Atossa
  She's sitting far from you. At any case you wouldn't dare disturb her.
  
  > examine Atossa
  The sovereign of Varkana (also called Argbaan, which in local dialect means "the guardian of the fortified town") looks strikingly regal, which is not due to her glistening tiara or amazing blue dress but something more profound.
  
  She's seated at the same table with some Ashtartan ambassadors and diplomats. But she doesn't quite participate in the seemingly heated conversation which is going on around the table and has a rather thoughtful air about her.
  
  Marita, her cheetah companion, is snoozing at her feet.
  
  [Picture number 6 here.]
  
  > look at Marita
  While still a cub this cheetah was rescued from a fire incident in the woods by a group of firefighters accompanied by the then Argbaan to-be, Lady Atossa herself. She favors Marita a lot and the two are good friends. Some even say Marita is likely to express the feelings her mistress hides behind a calm face.
  
  Marita has stretched her graceful, variegated body on the floor near the table. She's seemingly snoozing at her mistress's feet. Her long tail, however, is tapping on the floor in an uncomfortable rhythm.