(no subject)

[thewidewideworld]

{Continued from here}

Sinric heads down the stairs and out into the gardens, a wrap pulled around his shoulders and his hair still damp. He breathes in the scent of approaching evening as if committing it to memory before turning towards the lake.

He has no idea which way Athelstan might have gone but the lake always seems like a good place to start.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

"Even now, when a turn in conversation may send me into silence or flight? And even I cannot always know what will bring it on? I'm not fit company for anyone."

So he spends as much time as he can get away with in solitude, or the company of animals.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then if it will bring you peace, I have no right to ask you to change your mind." He nods a bow. "But I hope you will allow me your company, until mine becomes tedious."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Of course."

He doesn't think he'll ever find it tedious, exactly.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then, with your permission, I'll keep you company a little longer. I need to learn more Tamil before I return. I already know more than I'm letting on but less than I'd like."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Tamil is the language they speak in India?" he guesses.

[thewidewideworld]

"For the most part. The people of the port speak many languages, as with all trade ports everywhere but the musicians speak mostly the Tamil of the provinces and inland. I can make out enough to follow most of the time but I'd like to learn more."

[athelstanthescribe]

"And here, there are many ways to learn even without a native teacher."

[thewidewideworld]

"And the Bar is very generous with her teaching tools. The tablet computer She gave me has been very useful."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Did you find it difficult to master? Being so different from all we know?"

[thewidewideworld]

"It is, but there are similarities in the way it's spoken to some of the other languages I know. Enough to pick up the way of it. It's a guttural language compared to some but in the right rhythm, it can be quite beautiful."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I meant the tablet computer - but the languages, too. And any language can be beautiful in song."

[thewidewideworld]

"Oh, of course." He smiles apologetically. "I have used it on several occasions and for several languages including Nippon. It is a very clever thing and quite easy to use. Would you like to see?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Yes, please", he says immediately. "I've seen things like it, but probably not quite the same."

[thewidewideworld]

He reaches into the pouch at his belt, drawing out a slender book. A book that seems rather larger than should fit in said pouch.

He runs a finger down the spine and feels it open to the touch. Inside are two screens, each lighting up under his fingers.

He moves to sit beside Athelstan, showing how the tablet scrolls through the words, speaking them aloud at he touches them.

Likewise, he's able to speak to the tablet, the words appearing on the screen and letting him know where he's pronunciation is off.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan watches all this with fascination - and no surprise at the pouch's capacity, since he has one of his own.

[thewidewideworld]

And Sinric has cause every day to be glad of that pouch.

"And it can be loaded with any language I request. I need only ask."

[athelstanthescribe]

"There must be languages in the world we have never even heard of."

[thewidewideworld]

"Many." Sinric smiles brightly at the thought. A linguist with no end of things to learn. "And those that have changed over the ages."

[athelstanthescribe]

"You've set yourself to the languages of the future, as well?"

[thewidewideworld]

"I have." He shrugs modestly. "The form of Anglish spoken most commonly here."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Most don't bother", he says with respect, "as the bar translates for everyone."

[thewidewideworld]

"From time to time I ask Lady Bar not to translate for me, so I can learn from the conversations around me."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I didn't know it even could be selective in that way."

[thewidewideworld]

"I had to ask her to help me with it. At first so I could practice my Norse with your and Ragnar."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan nods.

"I do remember that."