Page 6 of Culture and Curiosities
No.
Getting his way.
“You are welcome.” As I left the clearing where we’d made our camp and used a simple transportation spell to take me to the edge of town, I reviewed the conversation and tried to understand where our problems could be fixed.
His intolerance of the locals bordered on unreasonable, however, their actions were confusing. They were happy to see strangers and were highly generous, but they discussed confusing sexual topics and their conversations were difficult to grasp.
What was aTeam Binkie?
Why were they insistent that Klynn was a member?
We were told by our experts that absorbing the language of anyone who spoke it as a native would be enough to make sure we understood conversations around us but that was not correct. Incorrect.
That was incorrect.
The older woman we had initially used the language spell with did not have the right vocabulary to make the men at the diner understandable.
Advanced age had not given her the broader vocabulary we were told to expect. It seemed like our peoples in the new world had absorbed many traditionally human characteristics in ways we had not anticipated.
They were…unique.
But unlike Klynn, I found them to be interesting and I was drawn to their curious conversation and strange ways.
Especially their social openness and helpful assumptions.
Even as I walked toward the main entertainment hall to experience the party to celebrate a mating, I was waved at and included in greetings as I walked past strangers. The ones who had been previously introduced were even more pleased to include me in their conversations.
“Look who made it.” An older man from the diner smiled and waved me toward what I knew to be a community social building that was not associated with a traditional business. It held a variety of parties and events and included something called playdates which were confusing. The meaning was not what we had expected from our initial language acquisition.
Klynn had been tasked with researching the topic due to his specialties, but he was adamant their information network had not provided helpful information to deal with the curious locals.
“Don’t forget.” The diner man smiled but did not seem to trust my memory of the social rules. “You have to say congratulationsand thenyou’re allowed to point out how rude it was to get married without us.”
I did not understand how I becameusso easily but I nodded. “I remember.”
“Where’s your friend?” We’d stayed hidden until there were enough new individuals for us to blend in with, but that meant the locals had decided we were part of one of the visiting councils. They had also decided we were from what they were terming asmall town.
It seemed to have negative feelings associated with the term, but I may have been reading their facial expressions and exchanged looks incorrectly. I thought we were currently in a small town based on its size, so I knew context was missing.
“He is unable to attend but sends his regards.” I needed to learn the polite way to explain he was being frustrating, but my vocabulary was not that extensive nor were my social manners.
It seemed like some humans were too polite and I didn’t have the correct way to explain Klynn. Some humans were also very curious and I did not have a way to explain it to them either. But pleasant conversation and looking confused helped smooth over many issues, unlike home.
“We’ll make sure you get cake to take back to him.” Several of the men patted my arms and frowned but it was another man who sighed and continued to plan for my departure. “Sometimesthey’re emotional. Don’t worry. You don’t want him being naughty in public, so it was probably a good idea.”
Oh.
Nodding without giving a verbal response got me past the confusing moment but I had no idea what he thought Klynn was doing.
Naughty?
My only association with that word was based on small children misbehaving, and while that did seem to go along with Klynn’s behavior, that could not be what the men meant.
I was saved from having to answer any questions, however, by the rushed announcement that the guests were quickly incoming and we were all hurried into the social building. Which was filled with dragons, mages, humans and…humans in costumes…
It was best that I had not brought Klynn.
He would not have been able to keep his thoughts to himself and I could not predict if he would find the costumed humans frightening or pleasant. I wasn’t sure how I found the costumed humans even after much mental debate, so staying well away from the all-white individuals who were throwing balls and performing some kinds of rituals seemed intelligent.
