There are many things that might cause a young man to be running through the halls of the PPC. Ships are not one of them, unless said young man is running from a shipping war before cannons, not canons, are brought into it. However, during this time of year, ships can lead somebody to run in search of somebody to be shipped with. Such was the case of young Jay (not to be confused with the original Jay, who probably has no idea what a shipfest is), also known as Jay - Awesomeness Central, also known as Awesomeness Central, also known as JAC, also known as AC, also known as Awesome, also known as Central, also known as Center, also known as That Guy With Way Too Many Names. After having considered for a long moment, the Author decided to split the difference between a long and a short name and go for Central, both for convenience's sake and to avoid confusion. Anyways, Central was very excited for this year's Shipfest, and, having hoisted Aegis up into the air before throwing him at Granz, he ran off, laughing and preparing himself for what was going to happen next. Of course, what did happen was slightly unexpected for him, if not for the audience.

"Ooof!" a voice cried as Central ran into him. There was the sound of something clattering to the ground as Central staggered back. He looked up, and was rather shocked at what he saw.

"GHOST!" he yelped. His skin was pale enough to be one, and even if his hair was brown, his blue eyes were pale enough to counteract that. He seemed like he might be a very angsty ghost, given the fact that his jacket, pants, and, presumably, shirt, were black. Maybe the shirt was for Evanescence, or something.

"Not a ghost," the other young man muttered. "I'm Badger. Badger421. I'm just going to the library." He bent down and picked up his glasses, which had made the sound Central had heard.

"Oh," Central said. "Sorry."

"It's fine," Badger said, turning to face Central. "What're you running from, anyway?"

"Shipfest!" he replied. "I'm just trying to find somewhere to wait for what happens next." He grinned. "I think I'm gonna get a bite soon."

"Oh, right," Badger said, rather unenthusiastically. "Shipfest. Yeah, I threw my name in the ring this year, too. I'm not all that hopeful, though. It's not like I talk to a lot of people. But, enough of that. You're looking for a shipper, right? You can probably find one in the library. Do you want me to show you the way?"

"SURE!" Central shouted. Badger raised an eyebrow at him. "I mean, sure," he said more quietly, embarrassed.

"Alright. This way, kid," he said, walking down the hallway. Central followed, as much as one can follow when walking side-by-side with somebody, not even noticing he had to take three strides for Badger's two.

"So, you're excited, right? I know I'm excited," Central asked.

"Like I said, I don't really talk to people. I mostly lurk, so I don't think anybody's really going to be interested in me this year," Badger replied.

"Well, that's kinda a downer. I've only been here for a little while, but I really hope somebody ships me!" Central said. "But if they don't do you, I'm not so sure..." He trailed off, and his steps faltered a little.

"Don't worry about it," Badger said. "It's mostly because I lurk. If you're active, you should be fine." Central began to grin again, and was so excited he actually started skipping a little.

"I threw two people together just a while ago," he said. "Think that'll be enough?" Badger laughed, both at the the skipping and the comment. Geez, this guy had energy.

"That should do it," he said. "You'll probably see at least one or two things floating around with you in ‘em."

"YES!" Central shouted, "I knew it was the right call!" Badger laughed again, then noticed that one of the PPC's peculiarities had manifested itself.

"Hey, we're here," he said, pointing at the large oak doors to their left. Central stopped and stared at the doors.

"Weird. I thought it was gonna take longer."

"It was, but then you ran into me," Badger explained, if that could be considered an explanation. It wasn't enough of one for Central, who still wore a puzzled expression. Badger just smiled and shoved open one of the doors. Central shook himself and followed the older male, before stopping to gape at the wonder that is the PPC Library. It wasn't just full of books. Manga volumes, DVDs, even binders that contained printed-out webcomics, the Library had it all. Badger's smile widened as he saw the newbie's reaction. Wow, he really was new, wasn't he? However, Badger couldn't just stand there watching - okay, well, maybe he could have. What could he say, the newbie was kinda cute. But, he did have something very important to do, one of two things he had come here for. As nonchalantly as he could, given how very eager he was, he walked over to one of the large armchairs by the Library's fireplace and fell into it. Ah, perfect. He'd never tell anyone, but sometimes, Badger felt rather cold in the PPC, and so he'd come here to sit back and warm up a little. The fact that the chairs were so comfortable you could fall asleep in them (something he may have done once or twice. Or dozens of times) didn't hurt at all. He sighed contentedly, and stared into the fire. Nothing could be better. Except, maybe, being shipped, but that ship had sailed a long time ago. He snorted at the pun, and looked over at Central. The awe had worn off, and he was looking around, walking around the room, checking every shelf. It seemed he was incapable of sitting still.

"So, how long do I have to wait?" Central asked.

"No idea," Badger said after a long pause. "I haven't been shipped, and I spend most of my time here, but I've seen people walk in and immediately get dragged out again." Central had to resist tapping his foot, for Badger was talking rather slowly. Maybe he was sleepy? He subtly - or so he thought - walked around the room and flopping into another one of the armchairs so he could see the him. Oh. Oooh. Wow. Okay, he understood why Badger was so slow. This was heaven. Absolutely perfect. A dopey grin spread across his face, which Badger, who had started watching him, saw. He smiled. Most people had that reaction. "Most of the time, they just wait in the chairs."

"That sounds like a good idea," Central replied, closing his eyes. "I think I'll do that." Badger smiled, and returned to watching the fire. The two sat there, almost dozing, occasionally stealing glances at one another. One time in particular, Central lazily glanced at Badger, and was surprised to see him almost glimmering. He soon realized it was just the fire, but still, it was oddly perfect, like a field of snow. From that point on, he kept his eyes just a little open, hoping to catch another moment like that one. Finally, after some time, Badger decided he ought to do the second thing he'd come to the library for.

"What're you doing?" Central asked slowly.

"The reason I came here in the first place. A guy asked me to get a thing for him," Badger replied. He stretched, then, after deciding he was warm enough for the moment, shrugged off his jacket. Central's eyes snapped all the way open. Yum. Very much yum.

"What thing was that?" he asked, sitting up a little straighter.

"He wanted me to find a book for him," Badger replied. "What was the title again... No, wait, it was a manga. Puella Magi... Kazumi Magica, I think."

"I'll help you," Central said, standing up and darting over to one of the shelves. "Would it be over here?" He bent down and started searching. Evidently, he planned to go bottom to top.

"Might be," Badger said, staring at Central before shaking his head and turning to a shelf on the other side of the room. Nah. That was just daydreaming. "I'll check over here." The two started searching, and thankfully for Central's patience, they weren't all that difficult to find.

"Found it!" he cried, triumphantly pulling the five small volumes off the shelf. He zipped over to Badger, but didn't hold the books as tightly he should have. The top one fell to the floor, and in a very predictable turn of events, both bent down to grab it. Central flushed as his hand touched Badger's, who most definitely noticed. He smiled as he straightened.

Well, if this was your plan all along, I guess it worked, he thought to the one who had sent him there. Out loud he said, "Alright, newbie. You wanted to get shipped, right?" Central looked up at him, and the volumes fell to the ground. Shock once more filled his face, but it was replaced with eagerness- and, of course, something more.

"Very much," he replied. Badger grinned and pulled him back to the hearth, which a rug was conveniently placed in front of, before slowly lowering him to the floor.

Somewhere else in the PPC, a certain other Boarder smiled as he turned off the monitor. He wasn't going to intrude on such an intimate moment. There was a fine line between shipping and creepy, one he didn't wish to cross. But, still, he was quite happy to have done this. A little request, a bit of tracking, and voila! Two people... satisfied..., and revenge taken. He hummed as he walked off to go see what others had in store for him, and then began to sing. "Okay, okay. I see what's happening here. You're face to face with greatness, and it's strange..."