Tour Guide (Elem)

[I'sona]

10th of Fall, 512AV Everything had to be in its place. Sort of. So far I’sona had moved everything in her room to one side of the wall by the hearth and the table was currently being centered in the middle of the room. It was huge and empty but she liked it. It gave her space to fill. The Charoda could already imagine all the things she would fill the little room with. Shelves of sea glass, little fishes and anything else she could find. Pushing the chair into place she patted the table fondly and surveyed the finished piece. It would work well for her. With hop I’sona grabbed her coat, leaving her sack on her bunk and heading out of the apartment. She wanted to explore the Blue Gem more. If she had thought Riverfall made her feel at home it was nothing compared to this. The walls of skyglass held at bay the waters of the sea and river, all the fish and creatures swimming just beyond. Stretching out her fingers she pressed her palm to the glass, it was cool to the touch and she found it strangely funny how she was touching water but not touching the water. The fish behind the glass, poking at where they should meet and creating a fun game. Her hand would touch one stop for a few moments, allowing the fish to seek out her palm and then right before it could reach she would move her hand to a new spot. Delighted laughter bubbled up as she played with the tiny fish, giving it a small wave when it grew bored with the game and swam to where she could not see. Running out of things to do on her own I’sona wandered to the front desk, watching the people that came in and out. Mostly Konti a race she had seen few times within the seas, their scales fascinated her. Few Charodae came and few of the odd scaled blue peoples came as well but none really wished to talk, most had more work than she usually did during the day. Settling herself more comfortably she found another fish to bother behind the glass, once more beginning her game.

[Elem Bree]

Having stopped at the Antiquities Society for class schedules, Elem found himself in town with little to do. The Sanctuary was several miles away and his stomach rumbled a bit from the walk over. The Kulk was nearby, as always, but he liked the idea of keeping it pristine in his mind. It was where he had such a good time with Caehli, after all. Going there alone seemed weird. He walked to the top of the Grotto and its gardens, surveying the whole of Riverfall. Where could he go? Somewhere different? His mind illuminated at the thought of the Blue Gem, the undersea tavern and inn.

His eyes watched the great port and all of its business as he approached, the noise and business not so different from home. His mind moved from Caehli to the AS to the thought of the Gem. He had wished that Zeltiva could be so welcoming to the Charodae. He had never spoken to one, though he had labored over some introductory tomes of their language, just in case. His pace quickened as he saw flashes of green below, the amphibious races schooling about the Gem as he entered its land based entrance.

At once, the strange diffused lights of the water against the walls and the subdued atmosphere excited him. It seemed so pleasant and tranquil as he walked down stairs to reach the main area which lied beneath the waves. He figured he probably wasn't the first wide eyed human to walk down there, agape with wonder. As he approached the front desk, he found himself around Konti and Charodae. What a great thing! The Konti at the desk was very pleasant, as many are. "Welcome to the Blue Gem, I am Nautilus. Will you be staying with us today?" Elem smiled and shook his head. "No, thank you, Nautilus. I would like to have a bite to eat, however. This place is beautiful. I hail from Zeltiva and I dearly wish we had something like this there."

The lovely Konti smiled and nodded in kind. "Well, thank you. I know of Zeltiva. I suspect it is that all of the funding goes to the University. Did you study there?" Elem found himself brimming with confidence, although this woman was probably his senior ten times over. "Leaning in slightly on the counter, he nodded. "As a matter of fact, I did. I studied Medicine and Herbalism, which I hope to use at the Sanctuary now." Nautilus smiled again. "Kavala will have much to teach you, I'm sure. The buffet is six gold mizas, a meal is four. We also have snack trays which are a mere two silver mizas. Our cook, Silk, will be happy to help you, I am sure."

Elem nodded and said thank you to her in Kontinese, enhancing her smile slightly. Stepping away from the desk, he saw a Charoda woman playing with the fish on the other side of the glass. He stood close without seeming threatening, watching her little game with the fish. His eyes tried to remain on her, but seeing the undersea was so amazing, it was hard to focus on one thing. Within earshot, as she was the only one nearby, he asked, "How in the world do they make the glass so thick but still clear?" Perhaps she knew. If not, it was a fine icebreaker.

[I'sona]

I’sona had heard the man come in, her eyes refusing to move from the fish but listening with curiosity as the footsteps and voice sounded close to her. It was hard work tearing away from the playful fish but she turned to face the other, remembering her intention for being there to begin with. Smiling widely she flashed the man her teeth, “Because it is supposing to. Glass is like magics.” “The fishes like it too, they see us just likes we see them!” For a few moments she let the silence reign, watching the other man carefully, he looked like an Akalak to her. He was only lacking in the blue department. Tall enough, dark hair and he was sturdy looking but the Charoda was pretty sure he was human. Cocking her head a bit she waved him closer, trying to catch his gaze. “You can play with the fishes too. The play chase! You is never having been here?” Her gaze once more returned to the little fish that seemed to have gathered friends, tapping her hand here and there on the glass. She was excited to have someone to talk to but she did not want to pester the man either not to mention she was having fun with the fish, she probably could get them to follow her around the entire Blue Gem. Or she could have the human follow her around the entire Blue Gem. That sounded more fun. I’sona arched her hand around the building, “You is wanting a tour?” her body already poised to go, giving only a finger wave to the gathering of fishes.

[Elem Bree]

Elem's head cocked to the side like a bird as he heard the melodic sound of a Charoda speaking Common. Her natural playfulness and exuberance drew him to her like a moth to a flame. He stepped in closer, his eyes still marveling at the glass. The thickest he had ever seen was in heavy bottles and it was very opaque and warped to see through them. His finger traced against the cool, smooth surface, a fish in the Charoda's group breaking free to inspect Elem's finger, much to his delight.

Moving his finger around in a circle, he watched the fish follow it. It brought a genuine smile to the young man's face. His eyes looked past the little friend out into the bay, seeing the ships moving through with schools of fish in their wake, Charodae swimming to and fro. He was jealous of the sea dwellers and their dance through the silent fluidity of the ocean. "No, I've never been anywhere like here. It's amazing." It really was. The more he learned of Riverfall and its secrets, the more he thought of Zeltiva as drab and ugly.

When she mentioned a tour, Elem's attention turned away from the deep blue and its denizens to his tour guide, who was a marvel in her own right. "Yes, I would like a tour, thank you." he smiled and approached her a bit more. "Also, do you mid if I practice my Char with you? It is terrible, but I have never had the opportunity to speak with a Charoda before you.

He took a deep breath and attempted to ask a simple question in Char, which was hard enough with the clicks and whistles. He hoped it came out right.

"What name is you?"

[I'sona]

I’sona clapped delightedly, it was rare she found many who spoke Char, even her own often spoke in Common. Habitual probably from being around Common and Tukant speakers (a language she was sure only the blue men spoke). “You speak it goodly! Hows about you is teaching me more of the Common and I is teaching you more of the Char?” Trying to get a more work-like feeling she found herself straightening up and waving her arms around, a giggle bubbling up as she spoke, deepen her voice for fun. “This is being the Blue Gem.” Then she covered her mouth with her hands, she had completely forgotten his question in her happiness at someone wanting to learn Char and speaking it with her. Holding out her hand for a shake she grinned again widely. “My name is I’sona and yours is?” Looking around she contemplated where to take him first. The Blue Gem wasn’t small nor was it large. Most of it was housing so they couldn’t exactly just wander into anyone’s room. And she doubted that was really what he wanted to see. Thinking of the rooms that would be open for any one I’sona nodded her head and then moved a little ways past the desk and down one of the clear hallways. “We can be visiting the restaurant first? It has the goodly foods there.” Holding out her hand she motioned for him to both follow and take her arm, a pleasant smile on her face though she was a little anxious. She had never given anyone a tour, what if she forgot things? She would have to be sure to go slowly.

[Elem Bree]

Elem was more than delighted at the Charoda's own delight at his limited knowledge of Char. He was glad he hadn't misclicked and insulted her somehow. Her proposal was excellent and it had not occurred to him to be able to learn Char. "Yes, I would love to trade Common for Char." He smiled and saw that the connection only lightened her already bubbly personality. Her flourishes in preparation for tour guiding were very pronounced now.

He was also happy to see a hand extend in his direction, a sign of civilization and friendship that many had stared at lately. He took the hand with his own marked hand, noting the soft, rubbery texture of it. Fortuantely one of the main things he had learned in his limited teachings of Char was his own name, since at least he could point at himself and say it. At her question, he smiled and responded, "I am Elem Bree. I know my name!" He wanted to say his name was the one thing he knew, but he suspected the joke would be lost in translation. He released her hand, smiling, eager to learn more of the Gem and its friendly guide.

Even more surprising and welcoming was the arm offered. Now this was a friendly, civilized person. Elem couldn't be more pleased with the company. He took her gently at the elbow, adding some Common correction in a pleasant manner. "Yes, let's visit the restaurant. I'd be happy to have a bite."

[I'sona]

I’sona grinned at his attempt and spoke in Common first, “The first sentence is goodly. But you say the other like this.” But she paused for a moment to collect her thoughts, he was almost right, he just needed to at a chirp or two and it would make sense. Slowing down the sounds as much as possible, she corrected his sentence, an easy fix with only a little chirp here. “Is sounding like that.” Happily pulling him along at a steady pace, I’sona listened carefully to his correction, mentally rephrasing the sentence. But it still sounded strange to her. Common was a weird language. “I is supposed to be saying ‘we be…’ no, ‘we can visit restaurant first?’” Watching ahead of her carefully she managed to find the food place easily enough. She had only been there once or twice but was very pleased that they had more food to her tastes than anywhere else she had visited within the city. Using her free arm she gestured to what she knew as the ‘ordering place’ and then the tables, speaking in slow Common. “That is being the tables and the ordering place. They is having lots of foods for Charoda and peoples who eat met too!” Nodding to the waitress amiably she looked to Elem and spoke, “This is how you say restaurant, ‘restaurant’. And this is how to say can I having, ‘can I have?’ Is you wanting to try and order?” Waiting for him to decide or practice the words she asked the waitress if she could have a salad with those delicious carrots and where may they sit.

[Elem Bree]

Elem followed along, listening closely to his Char lesson. It sounded so , well, dry. He imagined that the chirps, clicks and whistles reverberated through water and sounded completely different. It was a shame that he could not breathe underwater and learn the lesson properly. He did find it amusing how she slowed her speech down to point out the small chirp he had missed. It was a strange language, similar to some kind of ancient code, if one were to try to compare it to anything humanoid. That's what humans had to do, though.

He listened to her own rearranging of syllables and words in Common and imagined it was at least as hard for her, so he tried to also slow his speech down, though he didn't wish to speak down to her like a child. " Yes, that's right. A good rule to remember. I am. He is. She is. They are. We are. A different word form, depending on who the subject is." That was really watered down. He grinned to himself at the irony of the accidental pun he made to himself. The two found themselves in a delightful eating area. Because, really, anything in the Gem was delightful to Elem, with all the aquatic scenery.

He listened to her explanation of words to use, or sounds to make which formed Char words. He sucked at his teeth, a look of ponderance on his features before smiling at the waitress. He took a deep breath before clicking and whistling out, " Good restaurant. Can I have water plant and dirt plant? I like plant." He looked hopefully at the waitress and I'sona, hoping most that he had not asked to chew kelp. Somehow he thought he might have said just that.

[I'sona]

“Oh, I is supposed to be saying ‘I am’. I mean, I am supposed to be saying ‘I am’.” She looked at Elem eagerly, hoping she had said things properly this time. Common was funny sounding and she was sure she sounded just like Elem did when he spoke Char. It was cute. The smile did not leave her face even as he ordered, it didn’t occur to her that he wouldn’t actually understand what he ordered so she only nodded to the waitress who helped them to their seats. Casually she waved her arm around the restaurant, “I am…um…I did not eating here before, it is goodly. You is—You like kelp? Most peoples is—are—not liking it.” He speech was slow, mixed with her corrects and frowns. To her is sounded normal but not. She had been aware that recently what people said to her and what she said back sounded different. And it was not as if people had all the time to teach her. I’sona would have to find a better way to pay the young man back than just showing him around here, even if the Blue Gem was beautiful. It was like being home but she was not actually in the water, it was a comforting thing. The Charoda sipped her water quietly, wanting to ask the man more questions but trying to remember manners. Besides, they would have plenty of time to share information when they walked and when their food came. There were a few more places to visit within the building. “Where…did you learns Char?” she asked quietly, thanking the waitress as she brought their food, “Not many people knows it.”

[Elem Bree]

She was a fast learner. Intelligent and charming. It seemed very familiar to Elem for some reason. He waited for I'sona to take her seat, his eyes marveling for the moment at the skin of her forearm and her webbed fingers. Once she sat, he took his own seat, remembering his manners and returning to her gaze. She was stumbling and tumbling all over Common. He apparently was not even crawling on Char, as his fears were realized. He had actually ordered kelp. "Well, I wouldn't say I like it so much, but most of the food in Zeltiva is imported. In fact, the only alcohol we had there was kelp beer. So, I can certainly eat it. Maybe it will remind me of home." His face screwed up a little, regardless of manners, at the thought of the slow glugging of kelp beer.

He took a drink of his own water, to wash the imagined taste out and cleanse his palette. Her question came before Elem could ask any of his own, but at least they could move from the lessons and learn more about each other. " Well, Zeltiva is known for two things. The University and the Harbor. While it might seem natural that I would learn Char at the University, it was actually a Charoda that had lost his way and was trying to ask directions among the fishermen. Some of them were eying him as if he would make a good meal, so I motioned him over. It was funny, because I had no idea what to say to him. I just wanted him to be safer." Elem took another drink of water, remembering the day.

"If you think you and I are stumbling with language, you should have seen he and I." Elem chuckled heartily at the memory. "We eventually settled on patting our chests. He patted his and said, 'Belubel '. I did the same and said my name. He then repeated it to me in Char. It was the most amazing thing I had ever heard. So I tried it and we both laughed. He pointed to the city and said "Mura?" in Common. I shook my head, not knowing then what Mura even was, saying instead Zeltiva. He repeated it, once in Common and then in Char. We spent a few hours back and forth until something beneath the waves seemed to spook him. He waved and went beneath the waves. I never met another Charoda until now."