Welcome Guest
[Log In]
[Register]
| Error in Translation | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Mar 27 2018, 03:36 PM (167 Views) | |
| Crimson | Mar 27 2018, 03:36 PM Post #1 |
|
Ziastros tried his best to figure out Jerrat's language.Time and time again, it slipped his grasp like the most elusive of fish. The pidgin of speech was something he was unable to grasp. He struggled in the city, looking for jobs, any job. The barrier of words was an impenetrable wall, no matter how many times the young man hit it. As the elemental wandered the city, his stomach made a constant complaint to his brain. He hadn't resorted to stealing, yet He didn't know how much longer his resolve would hold out. Had he known he would wind up in this city, he might have sought out someone in the slave camp that spoke its words. Alas, the cursed power he was born with lacked the gift of foresight. Ziastros was intrigued at on e building in particular. He swore it was the same on e, just two streets down. Was that common? While similar buildings were easy to see, this one had a peculiar feature. The door was barely ajar, and when he walked past it, a breeze rushed by it. The door would squeak in protest on its rusty hinges. In that moment, Zi could smell food from home. The thought made his stomach even more vocal. He stopped in front of this house and stared at the door for what seemed like an eternity. His mind raced with questions and results and problems. He felt overwhelmed by the storm in his mind and gurgling in his stomach. The young man shook his head, clearing his mind. A hero doesn't dwell on such things. They make a choice, stuck with the consequence. He took a deep breath, and stepped into the mysterious building.. |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Mar 27 2018, 03:42 PM Post #2 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
In sharp contrast to the outside of the shop, the inside was brightly-lit and as neat as any mother could wish. No mother was present, however. Instead, a man - young in appearance, but old in demeanor - sat behind the shop counter, making an attempt to eat the meal before him while also rocking a cradle with his foot. Every time the cradle would slow, a thin wail would emit from the cradle, and he would be forced to focus his attention on keeping the pace again. As the bell over the door jingled, the crying infant doubled its volume, and Kaeto sighed and put down his utensils to pick up the child. "Welcome to Serendipity," he said in what sounded like lightly-accented Agrysian as he fitted the babe into a sling he wore across his thin chest. "Please feel free to look around, and let me know if there is anything I can help you with." |
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Mar 29 2018, 11:22 AM Post #3 |
|
The inside of t his place looked nothing like the outside. Every inch of the place seemed so neat and orderly, Ziastros almost missed the crying baby and the young man. He focused his attention on the two, curiosity overtaking him. The Agrysian stepped forward, nothing the clear differences between the two. His own blue eyes swept around each corner, alert for danger. Danger. He wasn't sure why he had felt danger...was that truly the right word for this feeling over him? Maybe it was the young man..was it a young man? Zi peered harder, but still was unsure. Th young elemental cleared his throat, and walked up the counter. "Thank you for your hospitality." Zi said."I do not know what you sell, merchant." He couldn't help but glance at the small child. He was reminded of some of the children in Agrysia or the slave camp and a pang of sadness rang throgh him like a mournful bell. "I'm sorry, but how old is your child?" |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Mar 29 2018, 11:35 AM Post #4 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"No need to apologize. Perhaps a few weeks," Kaeto hazarded, his arms curled around the child as he rocked her in the sling. She quieted against the warmth of his thin frame, her hands waving aimlessly in the air. "She is not my child. I am simply caring for her, for a time." He looked Ziastros over with interest. "Serendipity is a curiosity shop. We carry a wide variety of goods, and even some services. If I am not mistaken, you aren't from this place, are you? This..." He waved one hand at the window, which showed a view of the streets outside. "This Jerrat." |
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Mar 31 2018, 09:00 AM Post #5 |
|
Ziastros nodded a little. "Yes, I am from Agrysia originally. I came to these lands for personal reasons, but I have had.." The elemental laughs "Trouble with the language ." His blue eyes swam with mirth as he laughed again. "Unless you have some sort of magical device that would let me understand other people and them understand, I may not buy anything. I will, however, take a moment to look around. Thank you, again." The young warrior wandered the store, is eyes lighting up at all the odds and ends. "Wonderful." |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 3 2018, 09:28 PM Post #6 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"Ah." Kaeto tapped his fingers on the counter next to his discarded meal. "A device for understanding...hm. I see." Going to a large ledger, he flipped it open and began turning the pages while Ziastros browsed. It took a few minutes before he found what he was looking for, especially with the added burden of a baby to juggle, but he did find it. Moving out from behind the counter, he walked through the shop with purpose until he came to what seemed like an ordinary display of jewelry in one of the other rooms. A round, palm-sized pendant made of a bright blue-green stone hung there on a leather thong. When he took it down, tiny carvings in the stone's surface flashed silver. He carried it over to Ziastros. "This pendant is - I think here they would call it an 'artifact', although that seems to be a word reserved for very old items. I acquired it from a merchant a long time ago for research purposes, but I am quite finished with it now. It would allow you to speak and hear as I do." |
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Apr 7 2018, 11:27 AM Post #7 |
|
Ziastros stared at the man for what felt like forever. "Really? That seems oddly specific, merchant." ziastros took the necklace in his hands, eyeing it with a careful eye. The blue green stones enchanted him for reasons he couldn't quite know. The elemental rubbed his chin, his eyes glued to the pendant. After what must have been minutes, he glanced at the merchant. "This seems to be exactly what I need. Unfortunately, I doubt I can afford such a thing." Another thought crossed the young man's mind. "Wait, as you do?" He asks, looking the merchant up and down. "Do you also have some sort of item that allows you to do this?" Edited by Crimson, Apr 7 2018, 02:42 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 7 2018, 02:50 PM Post #8 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"Serendipity," Kaeto said simply, waving his free hand in a gesture that vaguely encompassed the shop before resting it, again, on the infant he carried. "I, too, am a traveler a long way from home. In order to manage the business of this place, I need to be able to communicate with those who enter it. Therefore, the shop allows me to do so." As he spoke, it was evident that the words coming out of his mouth in Agrysian did not match the movements of his lips at all. He lifted the pendant again. "This will allow you the same freedoms. It will translate any language you hear into the language you know best, and translate any language you speak into the languages of those who hear you - even if several people, speaking different languages, surround you." "As for the price..." He looked thoughtfully at Ziastros, his eerily pale eyes seeming to see straight through the other man. "I do not require money. I have no need for it. What I do have need of is someone who can perform a task for me. Perhaps we might be able to help each other." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 8 2018, 01:08 AM Post #9 |
![]()
|
The bell over Serendipity's front door chimed, interrupting the conversation between the two men. Ashath entered the building, heading straight for the counter. After he had received his job from Dustin at the Wynn, Ashath's first order of business--after a full night's rest--was to start consulting his sources. Hattie was one of the biggest gossips in the entire city, of that he was certain. However, getting her to cooperate without demanding a large portion of his reward was always difficult. He had skirted the issue carefully when he spoke to her, and she had finally agreed to help, but didn't have any initial leads for him to follow. After Hattie, he had checked in with a few other 'associates', but none of them had given him anything useful, either. But there was one new source of information available to him--Serendipity. The thief's pockets were filled with unusual pieces of jewelry that he thought he could use as barter to get Kaeto to cooperate. "Doing business with other people? I thought what we had was special." Ashath stood back a little ways with his arms folded, waiting for the transaction between Ziastros and Kaeto to finish. Edited by Cori, Apr 8 2018, 01:10 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Apr 8 2018, 03:34 PM Post #10 |
|
Ziastros watched Kaeto's hand move, as the merchant clearly indicated the s tore as if it were some.. being. Th e elemental's eyes wandered around the store, disbelief and awe in equal parts on his face. Could it be possible? As he focused back on the merchant's words, he pondered them. A hard look crossed his face. "That depends on what you need done, merchant." At Ashath's voice, the Agrysian glanced over at the new arrival. Clearly, the merchant and him had kn own each other. Interesting. With a quick nod to Ashath, he looked back at Kaeto. "State your price, merchant, and I shall see if I am willing to pay it." |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 8 2018, 04:09 PM Post #11 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"Oh, it is you again. Welcome back," Kaeto said to Ashath. His tone was still polite, but somehow it gave the impression that he was about as happy to see the thief as he would have been to find that he'd missed a spot while dusting. "I will be with you in a moment. Please feel free to browse in the meantime." Turning back to Ziastros, he held up his free hand. "Peace, friend. I would never make a man go against his nature. It costs too much. All I need is for you to use this pendant to ask around and see if you can find anyone who might have seen my brother and his companion. A bargain, truly." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 8 2018, 11:30 PM Post #12 |
![]()
|
Ashath started examining items on the shelves as he waited for Kaeto's business to conclude--at least, that's what his hands were doing. His eyes, however, were constantly glancing in the shopkeeper's direction. Watching him and Ziastros like a hawk. What was this about a missing person? Another thread that he might be tempted to follow, if there was something interesting in it for him. He would have to bring it up later. |
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Apr 10 2018, 06:05 PM Post #13 |
|
The Agrysian's face softened as Kaeto mentioned his missing brother. "I am sorry. I should not have assumed you had ill intent. Of course, I shall do this for you. Does your brother look much like you and what of this companion?" Ziastros kept his eyes on Kaeto, shifting from foot to foot with anxious energy. The other man caused him worry, if only because of the cool nature of which Ashath had been greeted. The shop owner seemed a gracious host, and Ziastros had hoped it was not a serious concern. |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 10 2018, 09:52 PM Post #14 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"My brother looks exactly like me - we're twins - but his hair is longer than mine." Kaeto's hands sketched out a length near his waist. "He usually wears it braided. He doesn't wear glasses, either. His name is Amir. His companion, Aria, is nearly shoulder-height to me, with curly brown hair and blue eyes. She's quite pale...not, perhaps, as pale as I am." He mustered a faint smile. "She inevitably wears blue. I expect that won't have changed. They were to seek something in Jerrat, although I don't know what it was, and they never returned. It has been...well, far longer than usual. Long enough to warrant concern. You may not hear anything, but if you could ask, and come tell me if you do hear something, I would be very grateful to you." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 10 2018, 11:24 PM Post #15 |
![]()
|
"If our words are translated by the store, how can your customer be sure that this artifact actually works?" Ashath casually leaned against a nearby shelf, folding his arms. "Seems there's no way of knowing unless he tests it outside of the building. Wouldn't you say so?" |
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Apr 13 2018, 10:53 AM Post #16 |
|
Ziastros listene intently to Kaeto. He filed each detail carefully in his mind. Hair color, length, even the companion's tendency to wear blue. An interesting detail, surely. "Alright, merchant. I can do this for you. I hope I find some relative detail for you." Ziastros turned towards Ashath. "Greetings. I appreciate the concern, but I trust this merchant. If he has some ulterior motive, I cannot fathom what it would be. A little bit of time an d effort on my part to help regain his sense of security and calmness seems like a very small price to play." Ziastros awkwardly stuck out his hand towards Ashath. "My name is Ziastros, by the way." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 14 2018, 02:27 AM Post #17 |
![]()
|
"That kind of blind trust will get you into trouble in this city, foreigner." Ashath didn't take the offered hand. He appraised Ziastros coolly. "Best you learn that soon, before someone takes advantage of it. Take it from someone who's lived here most of his life." A small half-smile crept onto his face. "I'll grant you that your intentions are noble. You're lucky Kaeto hasn't been touched by the corruption in this city." The shopkeeper was too much of a shut-in for that. Ashath was sure he never stepped outside. |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 14 2018, 06:42 AM Post #18 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
Kaeto adjusted the sling with the baby in it as he handed Ziastros the pendant. "Even if this trinket doesn't do as I say it does - and, I assure you, it does - he would still have gained it without paying anything, and he is under no obligation to do as I ask in return. But I would not have asked if I did not feel that he would return, at some point...whether it is with the information I seek or not." He gave an awkward little bow, holding the child against him. "As to corruption, I find it does not benefit me. The cost is far beyond my means, and I am a simple man." |
![]() |
|
| Crimson | Apr 17 2018, 12:13 PM Post #19 |
|
Ziastros chuckled at Ashath. "I commend the advice, but I do not trust blindly. I follow my heart, and my instincts. They have served me well on this sometimes difficult journey. I see no reason to second guess them now." The Agrysian fiddled with a chain around his neck. "We born of the magic know of corruption already. Perhaps it is the lack of it I feel in this place." The elemental looked around the store, and smiled. The smile went ear to ear, but the rest of his face seemed to have taken a moment to catch up ith it. He turned ba ck to Kaeto and offered a small bow. "I shall do this, and may the winds find my face, and yours, merchant." Ziastros floated on by Ashath, staring at his newfound prize. |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 17 2018, 12:18 PM Post #20 |
![]()
|
Ashath followed Ziastros with his eyes as the Agrysian man walked away. His eyes narrowed slightly--thoughtfully. "...Right then." He turned back to Kaeto and approached the shopkeeper. "First thing's first--what on the gods' green soil are you doing with an infant strapped to your chest?"
Edited by Cori, Apr 17 2018, 10:36 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 17 2018, 04:22 PM Post #21 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
Kaeto inclined his head to Ziastros. "May fortune favor you. Please feel free to return whenever you would like!" As the Agrysian left, Kaeto turned toward Ashath, one hand resting on the bundle strapped to his chest in an unconsciously protective manner. "Hello again. It's a pleasure to see you, too. I hope you are doing well," he said in a monotone, head tilted to one side. With the pleasantries concluded, his tone turned more conversational. "Ah, the child. Well, someone abandoned her in my store. I could hardly toss her into the street, and no one seems to be in the market for a baby, at present. Until something comes up, I'm caring for her as best I can." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 17 2018, 10:43 PM Post #22 |
![]()
|
"Be careful that your store does not become a nursery," Ashath warned, folding his arms and leaning his weight on one foot. "There are a lot of homeless and abandoned children in Jerrat." He peered coolly down at the infant for a moment longer before turning his attention back to Kaeto. "At any rate, I've come here seeking information. I've been contracted to track down a dragon, and I'm not entirely sure where to start. Would you happen to have any kind of resource that would pertain to that?" |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 25 2018, 11:20 PM Post #23 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"A dragon...?" Kaeto frowned and directed his attention toward the ceiling, thinking hard. He moved through the store to return to his counter, then paused and returned to Ashath. Removing the infant from the sling, he held her out to the thief. "You'll have to hold her for me if you want to know what I know. I can't have her banging about while I'm trying to dig up books, and she screams if she's not held. It's very distracting." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | Apr 26 2018, 10:38 AM Post #24 |
![]()
|
"You--what?" Ashath unconsciously took a step back, eyes narrowing suspiciously. His hands raised protectively in front of him. "This isn't one of those tricks where as soon as I'm holding it, it becomes 'mine' and I have to keep it, right?" Grudgingly, he reached out to take the baby under her arms. He hoped Kaeto would make this quick.
Edited by Cori, Apr 26 2018, 10:39 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Kyo | Apr 30 2018, 12:16 PM Post #25 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"No. It's one of those things where the price you pay for my help is that you help me in return. Presently, that means holding the baby so that I can find the information you want." Taking off the sling, Kaeto set it on the counter and kept moving. Behind the counter was a large wooden chest, of sorts, with a variety of small drawers, each neatly labeled. Pulling one open, Kaeto began flipping through the cards inside, muttering to himself. "No, they won't have those here. Let's see, I think it had better be...Dragons, Classical, their abilities and inclinations..." The baby stared vaguely in Ashath's direction, her tiny feet kicking under the sacklike dress she wore as her head lolled to one side. |
![]() |
|
| Cori | May 1 2018, 09:46 PM Post #26 |
![]()
|
Ashath scoffed quietly as Kaeto went to work, holding the small girl awkwardly at a distance. Their eyes met for a brief moment and Ashath frowned, studying her. Was it normal for babies' heads to flop like that? He adjusted his hold so that she was effectively sitting in one hand, with his other hand supporting her head--still at a distance. It was tempting to ask Kaeto if he could just put the infant down somewhere, or see how much longer this was going to take, but for the time being he kept quiet. |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | May 8 2018, 09:49 AM Post #27 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
Lost in his own world - a luxury he hadn't been able to afford since the discovery of the infant - Kaeto pulled a card out of the drawer and set it on the counter. Immediately, it transformed from a simple piece of cardstock into a slender, leather-bound folio, which he opened and began to flip through. "Bearing in mind that I have never encountered a dragon here - or anywhere else - these are the traits which dragons seem to have in common: they are large, scaled beasts, with long necks, powerful hind legs and weaker front ones, bearing batlike wings which enable them to fly and often a barbed or poisonous tail as well as sharp teeth and claws; their flesh is protected either by tough, leathery hide or by scales such as those of a snake, sometimes with feathers or fur. They hatch from eggs like a bird or a lizard, but whether they are warm-blooded or cold-blooded isn't stated here. They frequently are able to exhale fire, lightning, poison, or other substances; this ability is largely unexplained and seems to be attributed most commonly to magic. They bear a deep affinity for maidens or princesses and treasure, and tend to choose as their lairs places with good access to sunlight, deep caves or pools, and plentiful prey...no, it looks as if they can be at home anywhere at all - forests, mountains, ancient ruins, deserts, what have you. They are highly intelligent and extremely difficult to kill. Some possess powerful magic, either in the form of innate ability or artifacts of power. The most common magics ascribed to dragons are the ability to alter their size or form, the ability to communicate without the barrier of language, and supernatural senses that allow them to detect magic, lies, gold, or other substances. Some also possess such abilities as the power to influence luck or fate. Various parts of their bodies are said to contain various properties when used as components in magic or alchemy, such as their teeth, blood, bile, saliva, skin, tongue, or eyes." Looking up from the folio, Kaeto raised an eyebrow at Ashath. "Are you quite certain you wish to find one of these beasts? They seem like they could be rather a lot of trouble." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | May 8 2018, 10:17 AM Post #28 |
![]()
|
The part about 'altering shape and form' reinforced Ashath's theory about how the dragon might be hiding within the city. He wondered briefly if Maric knew about the supposed alchemical properties of dragon parts--actually, maybe it was for the best if he didn't know. The last thing he needed was someone begging him to steal dragon scales. Most of the rest of the information sounded accurate to what Dustin had told him. The description, the breath magic, the ability to communicate without speaking...if those things were being confirmed by Kaeto, it was logical to assume that the rest of the information he had could be applied to Shade. If dragons loved treasure so much, that might be a way to draw him out of hiding. "If I was afraid of 'trouble', I would have been dead a long time ago," Ashath said, jerking his head slightly and rolling his eyes. "Besides, I'm being paid for this." And leaving a mythical beast unchecked in Jerrat could throw a wrench into his daily routine. This was his city. Edited by Cori, May 8 2018, 08:46 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Kyo | May 15 2018, 09:48 AM Post #29 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"Fair enough." Kaeto closed the folio and lifted it from the counter. With a flick of his wrist, it turned into a card and soared back into its slot in the cabinet, the drawer firmly shutting itself. Accustomed to the peculiarities of his home, the clerk rested his hands on the counter and thought for a moment, undisturbed by the sudden display of magic. "If you had something belonging to the creature, I might be better able to assist you, but as it stands I think all I can give you is general knowledge. Unless...no, wait, there might be something." Pulling out his ledger, Kaeto began to flip through it. "I know we had one in stock, I just don't know if we sold it or..." The baby began to kick her tiny legs fretfully, her face screwing up and reddening. |
![]() |
|
| Cori | May 15 2018, 11:30 AM Post #30 |
![]()
|
Ashath glanced at the infant and winced, holding her farther away from him. It looked like it was about to start wailing--oh, how he hated noise. "Well, the dragon believes it owns a princess," he said. "I've met her. I'm not sure I'll be able to bring her to you, though. She's being held under lock and key at the Wynn." Even as he said this, another thought occurred to him. If the dragon thought it owned Riyah, why wouldn't it think it owned Kyne, too? Kyne might technically be a queen, but that might not be a distinction Shade was aware of. "...there might be someone else the dragon 'owns', though. Would that even help? Do people count as belongings?" Either way. he wanted to see what Kaeto came up with as well. It was good to have as many options as possible. Edited by Cori, May 15 2018, 11:30 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Kyo | May 20 2018, 10:22 AM Post #31 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"Whether people count as belongings is a matter dependent on who is the owner and who is the owned, with respect to culture, social niceties, et cetera...oh, here we are." Placing his finger on a page, Kaeto read a line silently to himself and then nodded. He pushed his glasses up on his nose as he looked up at Ashath, but before he could speak the baby let out an ear-splitting wail. Squeezing his eyes together, Kaeto crossed the room and reached for her. "I was afraid this would happen." |
![]() |
|
| Cori | May 20 2018, 11:00 AM Post #32 |
![]()
|
Ashath grit his teeth and his whole body tensed up. The infant's voice felt like a cheese grater on his brain. He held her out to Kaeto, grateful to not have to touch her anymore. "This happens every time you put her down? How do you even function??" |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | May 22 2018, 10:43 AM Post #33 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
"Patiently," Kaeto quipped, resting the baby against his shoulder and bouncing her a few times until she quieted again. He made a face. "She's dirtied herself again. I'll have to go take care of that. I might have something in stock which could assist you in locating the dragon, but you'll have to bring me something that belonged to it or it won't work. I'd sell it to you, but frankly it's too useful to let out of the shop and it isn't meant for you anyway. Is there anything else I can help you with?" |
![]() |
|
| Cori | May 22 2018, 12:53 PM Post #34 |
![]()
|
"No." Ashath wiped his hand on the shoulder of his shirt, frowning. It figured that Kaeto would find a way to complicate things somehow. He doubted Dustin would be happy to see him at the Wynn again before the week was up, and even if he did go back, the only thing that he knew 'belonged' to the dragon was Riyah. Getting her out of the inn seemed about as likely as convincing Dustin to do a cartwheel. Telling him about the object Kaeto had to locate the dragon might persuade him to come in with the Princess, but if he wanted to find the dragon's whereabouts himself he was going to have to do the work the old-fashioned way. "That will be all for today." |
![]() |
|
| Kyo | May 29 2018, 07:52 AM Post #35 |
|
Laureate of Lore
|
Tucking the baby back into the sling, Kaeto held her close as he bowed to Ashath. "Thank you for your custom. Please feel free to visit again in the future if there is anything I can do to assist you." |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Serendipity · Next Topic » |
| Theme: Zeta Original | Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
12:26 AM Jul 11
|
Theme created by Sjaelen Auren from Zathyus Networks Resources







12:26 AM Jul 11