Artisanal Linguistics

Log Info

• Title: Artisanal Linguistics
• Emitter: Alaryn
• Characters: Alaryn, Telamon, Slixvah, Patch
• Place: Lower Markets
• Time: August 19th, 2022
• Summary: Alaryn is busy doing some tinkering at her stall in the lower markets as Telamon is searching for sundries for his brewmaking. Slix is searching for supplies and Patch is looking for a bite. Introductions are passed about for Alaryn's sake before she has to go, and talk turns to more philosophical perspectives of magic, as well as less than pleasant ventures and linguistical intricacies. Lunch time rings, and the gang splits.

And so... having moved her cart back to the market area, to the stall that she usually occupies, Alaryn has still been tinkering. She has a handful of the 'tread' mechanisms attached to the underside. The cart is still up on blocks while she lies on her back, reaching up to attach some of her mechanisms to the undercarriage.

Parts of her artifice, of her work are all strewn about her stall. She's not even really doing any merchant business at the moment...

The early evening is cloudless, and the stars twinkle in the sky... and so, Telamon has sallied forth, seeking -- well, not adventure for a change. He's on the hunt for something a bit more mundane. Pausing at an herbalist's stall, he begins to banter and barter, his cheerful, lilting voice carrying on the night air.

"Yes, two pounds of the chilies." Telamon laughs softly. "No, I'm not planning on eating them. I'm experimenting with some alcohol infusions. Also, a pound of ginger, and -- is that blueberry tea? Gods, Lana would kill me if I didn't get a box of that."

It's a bird! No, it's an airship! Wait, no it's actually a bird.

Sorta. A bird person! A red and white feathered egalrin swoops down to come to a run to bleed off their landing. Countless ribbons of various colors sway behind them as they slow. She cracks her knuckles, and sets out looking for supplies for her recently acquired venture.

The beribboned woman stops by Telamon, catching his voice. "Two pounds of chilies? Ya makin' some Alexandria's best hot sauce or somethin'?" she coos, grinning cheekily.

Her attentions shift over to the artifice strewn about a stall. Hmm...? "Whatz goin' on ova there?"

Instead of a flamboyant coat, Patch can be seen walking the market in a maroon cloak, cowl cast back as she eyes a stall of fruit a ways away from where Alaryn works on her artifice cart. She picks out a pear, choosing it before the change of seasons makes them scarce. It's quickly paid for, coin greasing palm as she rubs the fruit on the fabric of her blouse before taking a bite.

"Still tinkering, Alaryn?" Patch asks, chewing on the crisp bits of her treat, swallowing and motioning to Alaryn's cart.

It's not just one other familiar voice, but two that get Patch to turn, seeing the other part of the market contains Telamon and Slixvah, her small smile suddenly broad. "Well, what a busy day it is... damn." a hand risen to wave after Silx, and a nod cast towards Telamon. "Is it just one of those days?" she asks the two at this greeting.

To Telamon, Patch can't help but watch him curiously after Slix's tease. "Cor'lana made you lunch I do believe, Soon-to-be Prince." her words coy, and wrought with a double meaning in her play.

Sliding out on a board with wheels attached, Alaryn sits up and looks left, then right. She has what appears to be a wrench in her hand. Her other hand comes up, and she folds and twists the tool about until it looks like some other funky thing. A traveler's any-tool is perfect for an artificer.

She reaches for a brace that has three wheels set at the same level, and one wheel recessed up a bit on either end. It's about a foot-long tank-tread brace without treads on it. Taking that, she plucks a chain-linked series of metal plates on the ground and begins wrapping it about the foot-long device. She glances up at Patch and grins with a smudge of grease on one cheek, "Oh this is just some downtime routine to rest my brain. I've spent all day working mana infused crystals into the material of a cloak for a friend." she adds with a smile. Yes... building something like this is what she considers -rest-.

Telamon glances up as he's counting out coins, and the packages are going into his haversack... strangely, the haversack doesn't bulge, nor does he seem weighed down by it. "Ah! Slixvah, Patch, good to see you! It's been a bit of a busy day for me, all things considered." He smiles at the mention of Lana, his eyes sparkling. "I'm sure she has."

"But to answer your question, Slixvah," Tel continues, walking over to join the flamboyant egalrin, "no. I recently came into possession of a book of recipes for brewing magical liquors, and I've been working on crafting them. One recipe calls for hot chilis, so..." He shrugs with a grin. "We'll see how it goes." His eyes slide over Alaryn and her ... mechanism? "I'll be honest, I have no idea what I'm looking at, besides the lady."

Slixvah looks over to the familiar voice, her perking up and waving with a wing. "Heeeya Pattie! Glad ta see ya doin' betta," she coos, taking a step towards the elf. "One of them days!"

She tilts her head to the side, then snaps a finger. "Ah! Right, I remember ya talkin' bout it! Lemme knew if ya need a taste tester!"

Now to Alaryn, she tilts her head to the side, "Hon, if this is rest, I fear ta see what not restin' looks like. I kno' a guy that works on stuff like this, and he's chillin' lots after doin' all the work!"

"It's good to see you Slix. I am mostly well." Patch muses, taking another bite of pear and chewing. "Oh, yeah! When I was last over... that was some of the brewing, yeah? To drink and see a night sky no matter where you sit? It's fascinating stuff." the topic catching Patch's fancy.

To Alaryn, Patch smirks. "The apple brandy you shared last night was enough to keep me out a long while. How do you do it? I couldn't imagine that kind of labor after." she says, laughing softly to herself. "Slix's is right. Easy for you, still looks like work."

"Moderation is the key. I had a single goblet, and even that was only half filled." admits Alaryn. "I just wanted to share the fire and some chat. Plus I like the flavor of the brandy, but I have learned to only drink a little bit of it."

And then she turns her head to regard Telamon, "Magic booze? Now you're talkin'. I heard of someone sellin' healing potions based on mead, not water. That sounds pretty tasty to me."

And then she stands up and brushes her hands off on her backside before saying, "Well, compared to infusing raw mana into items to make them enchanted... this -is- mindless and simple restful stuff. Trust me." she admits with a smirk as she reaches up to lift her goggles' lenses off of her eyes. They were there to protect the eyes while underneath the cart.

Telamon nods to the others and grins. "I've heard of those mead-based potions as well. It's an interesting idea -- Lana and I have both grumbled that potions almost invariably taste terrible, and it'd be a novelty to have one that doesn't."

"But, I don't believe we've been introduced, ma'am," Tel addresses Alaryn. "Telamon Atlon at your service. But to answer the question, yes. Eventually I will be comfortable with testing it on a slightly larger group, so I'll be sure to let people know." He scratches his cheek lightly. "So far, the effects have been benign, if odd. A hallucination of a night sky overhead, or a sense of warmth and well-being. I'd hate to inflict something on someone that was unpleasant or worse."

Patch has reconnected.

Slixvah bobs her head to Patch before she quirks her head to the side, sky blue gaze sliding over to Telamon. "... aight, /now/ I gotta try this stuff," she enthuses. "I know some good healin' mojo to fix stuff if ya need ta undo problems."

She folds her wings tightly behind her, her adjusting some of her robes. "And I'm Slixvah Unmesi! Pleasure pleasure!" she coos, fanning out her hands in presentation towards herself. "But yeah, infusin' mana inta stuff is exhaustin'. Done it a bit m'self wit' some stuff."

"That's a fair point, but after that show... it was easy to drink a bit much." Patch accepting Alaryn's advice at least.

To Slixvah, Patch smirks at the glance, her eyes too going to Telamon. "I was too wound up to try it that night. More, afraid to. Now that I see it's safe, I admit to being tempted." her admission coming in jest.

"I don't think I require an introduction here, but if anyone need reminders... I am willing." Patch notes, glancing back to Slixvah and speaking in a hushed tone. "You did mention you had some talents there. Is it really so bad? The infusing."

Patch has partially disconnected.

Her hands wiped mostly clean, Alaryn steps forward. "Well, yeah. Potions that taste good could be hugely important. But yeah.. " She grins, "It's not that it's hard work physically. It's just super boring... and takes forward. I think I spent at least seven hours on it today before my brain needed a break with something easy..."

She gestures to the tank tread assembly and shrugs. "Really, I just needed to change mental tracks I guess. Oh, right.." She grins and glances back to the group, "I am Alaryn, Mistress of Artifice and Traveling Merchant, at your service."

Telamon nods politely to Patch and Slixvah with a grin. "When the next bottle is ready I'll be sure to let you know so you can sample it. Should be interesting." He rubs his chin, as he looks over Alaryn and the tread assembly. "...Hm. Well, mistress Alaryn, I admit I am totally out of my depth when it comes to artifice. I am a middling fair sorcerer, a decent enough diplomat, but this, well... please use small words if you try to explain it to me."

Alaryn has disconnected.

Slixvah raises a brow. Missed a show? Dang. She just chuckles and shakes her head, a hand resting on her hip. To the hushed words from Patch, she chirps back in the same quiet. "Eh, a lil bit tiring, takes a lot of coin, I just know how ta make stuff echo some of my mojo is all," she hums, pulling out a darkwood wand with a white feather dangling from the haft.

Twirling the wand between her fingers, she snaps a finger gun towards Alaryn. "Nice ta meet'cha. Ya should meet Robert. Swap notes."

"Heck yeah," to Telamon before moving to the treads. "Yeah, I can prolly piece together what power goes where, but that stuff is waaaay past what nerd stuff I do."

Patch watches Slixvah with a raised brow, bobbing her head as she listens to the woman's explanation and flaunt of wand. "Yeah, I can see how that would work in theory."

"Artifice though, it's its own thing. I wouldn't even know where to begin." Patch freely admits like the others, but a glance is spared for Telamon as she speaks with a calmer tone. "My repertoire of knowledge is fairly broad, but like you both... my magics are more personal and not academic in nature."

As Alaryn takes their leave, Patch hrms and watches after her. "She is good people. She was at Blar's tribute to those lost in the Sendor War. One of the few that knew what she was watching."

Telamon watches Alaryn depart, and nods to Patch. "A reminder that sometimes there is no more chance for words -- sometimes, you have to stand and fight." He shakes off the gloomy mood with a smile, and nods to Patch's comment about her magic. "The talent, as I call it. You have the art -- magic through study and practice. Talent, through innate ability or a strange twist of fate. Devotion, the path of the divine. And then I've been contemplating a fourth, for the preternatural abilities of monks and primal warriors."

He absently tugs at his forelock. "Maybe 'the instinct', since such skills seem to be borne solely of instinctive need, driven by necessity."

Slixvah continues to twirl the wand through her fingers as a wing waves goodbye to Alaryn. "Well hey, some day I can show ya how I do it," she cheekily coos. "But ya magic is till ya own, and that's right as rain on its own right. Both of yas."

A glance to the artificer heading off. "I'll keep that in mind Patty. Good people are good ta know."

She turns to Telamon, brows raising as her interest grows. "Talent?" she echoes, thoughtful. "I guess by that logic, I'm I got the Art. But...hmm. Instinct. That's interestin'. Grit. Determination. Lotta interseting ways ta pin that one."

She's very interested in this philosophical idea. "Where'd ya figure this one Tel? This is fascinating."

Patch slaps a fist into her hand, nodding to Telamon's observations. "That's catchy, and extremely logical. I like it." she admits. "I have talent!" musing these words with a laugh. "I would like to think so anyways."

"Yeah, Alaryn hosted some of us after the tribute, and Magpie and I got a little soused. She took care of us all nice, and proper." Patch says in a quieter tone. "It was a heavy night, Telamon's right. Sometimes you need a reminder."

"So, you uh.. mean that? Show me how you work on such things?" Patch asks about that infusing and crafting. "I've been curious, it's confusing, and not my field."

Telamon chuckles. "Not my field either, Patch, so don't feel too bad. Though the magic booze has been rather interesting to work with -- maybe it's worth exploring the field further."

He smiles at Slix. "Honestly, it's an extension of things I studied when I was younger. Sorcery is sometimes referred to as 'talent' there in Ylvaliel -- typical elven understatement. Mostly to differentiate it from wizardly magic, because the two are not always the same. From there, it's just a jump to define the favors of the gods' chosen -- priests and whatnot."

He taps his chin thoughtfully. "I'm working on a paper on the subject. At some point I might present it to the Society, see what they think of it. But in the meantime..." He gives Patch and Slix a smile. "Remember, it's about what you do with the power that makes the difference."

Slixvah's eyes alight with a grin as there's applause. Yes, very fascinating indeed. "Of course ya got talent, shug," she laughs, a wing elbowing Patch lightly. "But yeah. It's good ta have a reminder."

Her attention shifts to Telamon. "Oh? Interestin'. That's a good way ta splice that definition. I like it. I might yoink that," she winks. Though, a little sigh leaves her and a talon scrapes against the road. "... yeah, I'm aware. That's what I'm doin' wit' my mojo. Give it a good name. Hey uh, if you write that paper, can I give it a read?" Slix requests.

Then, to Patch, a hand rests on the elf's shoulder. Her gaze softens. "Yeah, 'course I mean that hon. Might get a bit confusin' wit' some arcane mumbo jumbo. But it's good ta know a lil' bit."

Patch laughs at the elbow, batting the other woman's arm in play with a soft touch before. "Come now. I was mostly just preening." she muses as she accepts Slixvah's hand and next words, laughing as she leans into the woman. "I'd appreciate that lesson. Even if I get confused."

"I'd be curious too. I imagine it would be a fascinating read. I do like arcane theory, and applications. Especially in fields such as ours." Patch comments to Telamon with a firm nod, and a thoughtful glance. "I more just describe things as they feel to my senses and how expressing those sensations invokes power. Vaire's blessing is not always something I understand myself."

Telamon nods. "I had planned to let Lana look it over first anyways, but I don't see any reason why you can't. Either of you. I'd always appreciate more input." He steeples his fingers before him. "While 'talent' draws upon a wellspring of personality and willpower, it never hurts to cultivate some scholarly pursuits. If nothing else it's good for shaping your own arcane gifts."

His smile turns wry. "Of course, the problem I have is what language to write the paper in. Oh, tradespeak is fine, but I honestly wonder if using sildanyari, or draconic, might be more precise."

Slix takes the hand into hers, the fortunamancer snickering. "I know, I know shug," she hums, leaning back against Patch. "Coo'. Sounds like a fun plan!"

Her head nods towards Patch as he speaks to the half-sil. "It's right facinatin' ta hear how Pattie's mojo works," she chirps. "But yeah. If you want some input, I've always got my beak in a book and theory. Talent ain't much without some cultivating to enhance aptitude."

At this, she perks up and points a finger up. "Oooh! Oooh! Draconic! It's hard ta get the translations wrong from time and age as its linguistically strong! Not to mention, and no offence, sildanyari might be riddled in double speak, while Draconic is a bit on the nose. Perfect for academic papers."

Patch snorts at Slixvah's words, shaking her head with a laugh. "The difference between blunt, and flowery." this tidbit of languages amusing her. "Draconic is riddled with subtlety, but it's in body language, and inflection." a finger rising to grip at her chin. "Written it is perhaps too direct at times, but yes... flowery and double speak is about par for both sildanyari, and Sylvan." pointing to Slix as she looks to Telamon. "So, that's two of us? I don't know. I'm more a student than an expert."

Telamon hmmms. "Well, my oruch is good enough I could probably write it in that. Although if you want a technical paper, it's hard to go wrong with khazdul." He shrugs. "I'll lay it out in tradespeak first, then consider whether I want to translate it to something else. You have to be careful you don't miss something in translation."

"But no, writing it in Sylvan is... probably not the best. Sylvan is wonderful for poetry, but not so much for trying to write something practical." He smirks. "Although I had a moment not long ago when I realized I didn't know a word in Sylvan for... well, let's call it an exotic foodstuff."

Slixvah laughs with Patch, her bobbing her head as her she speaks with a tone that rumbles against her usual silky tone. "The difference between rock and steel is the point." <Draconic>

Then, the gravel abates to a singsong, "But the tenor splendor is a proper mender!" <Sylvan>

She snickers, shaking her head before giving a thumbs up to Telamon. "Yeah. My second tongue is Khazdul. Stuff's /really/ good for contracts and measurements. Directions too! But yeah, Trade first. And /heavens/ no, technical writing in Sylvan sounds like a freakin' nightmare, hon."

Now /that/ gets the eccentric witch's attention. "Oh? And what, pray tell, might that be?"

Patch shakes her head at Slixvah, clearly amused at her linguistic antics. "I.. I am impressed with you both. I don't know the Khazdul tongue... and hadn't thought to learn it." she admits. "I might now, but I had been toying with the idea of some others, but that's a discussion for another time."

Along with Slixvah, Patch's attention seems to be seized on that last bit of Telamon's words. It's his smirk that draws the Bard's brow and broad smile. "I have to know now, too big a hook to not bite."

Telamon rolls his eyes. "Slix, you're as bad as me when it comes to curiosity. But since you asked... mountain oysters. Which, before you ask: no, they are not oysters. I've a friend who likes them pickled." He spreads his hands. "Look, the world has all manner of people in it. Who am I to judge?"

He just shakes his head. "In any case, Patch, I have a knack for languages. My father expressed interest in me following him into diplomatic work, and hey -- I might still. A diplomat with sorcerous power would be something to reckon with, I imagine."

Slixvah rubs her neck. "Aw, thanks hon," she hums to Patch, a wing giving her a quick side hug before looking to Telamon.

She blinks. Blinks again. Then bursts out into an uproarious laughter. "Oh, oh gods," she gasps. "That's great. Yeah, there's like ten ways ta say that in Sylvan."

The eglarin squints in a smile. "Oh? Diplomat are ya? That makes two," she grins, jabbing a thumb to herself. "Languages are fascinatin', Patch. There's a lot o' stuff ta learn, whole cultures that encompass them!" the nomad hums happily.

"I think my mother just wanted me to be normal, but that's likely why I was schooled by my father." Patch muses, though her words sound serious. " You seem the diplomatic sort for sure, Telamon. I see such tempering in your manner. I can do such things in a pinch, but... only when it's needed. I find my skills have been best used in research." she admits.

Slixvah gets a nod, Patch's glance flowing to her as she bobs her head about this discussion of languages. "I should likely find as few to study more, but I often have to juggle the four I know already."

It's then Patch finally asks her question, Slix's reaction to Telamon's words causing her cheeks to burn in embarrassment. "Mountain oysters that aren't oysters." yeah, a confused glance and a flick of ear. "What is it then?"

Telamon looks at Patch kindly. "Sometimes, it's complicated with parents. But... it works out, eventually." He grins at her. "It's just a matter of mindsets, I've found. Granted, I may not be 'normal', seeing as how I am fluent in ten. Mind you, that includes handspeech -- silent hand language."

He snorts at Slixvah, "Yeah, Lana said as much. I was thinking in the wrong direction, so to speak. Sylvan can be... a little obtuse at times. Great for romantic poetry though." At Patch's puzzled expression, he exhales, trying not to laugh. "Bull balls, Patch. Ranchers either learned... or perhaps they cooked up the idea themselves... that they could sell the, ah, results after gelding a bull to nobles wanting an exotic foodstuff."

Slixvah pats Patch on the back. "And out and about! I've seen ya work, shug, don't discount ya worth." Her brows raise at Tel. "Dang, honey. "That's a lot. I got like, seven in my noggin'. Need a lot fo' talkin' ta folk. Handspeech is right interestin' tho, never had a chance ta learn. Hard ta see 'round mountain passes and Auran travels far fo' that."

She snickers. "Yuuuup. Bull balls. I mean, ya don't want the animal ta go to waste. That's disrespectful ta Dana and Gilead, ya dig?"

Patch is quick to make a face, and wrinkle her nose at Telamon's explanation. Ick, ICK! It's a short moment of her thinking on that before she speaks. "Oh, no. NO! Even if they said it was worth ten-thousand gold. I wouldn't eat it if it was free, and I was hungry." the realization just sending a shudder through her. She already has a shaky relationship with meat, this just being a firm line she has to draw. "I don't judge /you/ Telamon. I will judge the ranchers. But I have been already."

Patch seems content to let that issue go, Slixvah's pat and comfort probably the only thing keeping her mind from causing her to gag. "I'm not discounting! Honest. I just know where I do best. I can move when there is need. Hell... I have jumped off a horse or two." this is a lie. She was bucked, but she fell with style. "I just like my books and music. I read tomes, and sometimes pass the tests that come with them. I do useful things. I'm just not a linguist or diplomat."

Telamon can't help but chuckle at Patch's disgust. "Well, Patch, if it helps, I have a friend who agrees with you wholeheartedly. He thinks they're icky too." He snorts. "Well, you'll not face that at our table. We're not -that- rich, and neither of us are interested in that sort of... uh... delicacy."

Hurriedly, he shifts gears. "Ah, you ride? I've been meaning to try and pick up the basics. I never learned, and the only times I've done it was with a conjured steed and I'm not sure you -can- fall off those."

Slixvah further pats Patch. "There there, I get the lack of appeal." She does pause a beat, tapping her beak in thought. "Hmm... been a while since I had that. Not my fav, but, eh, if that's all."

She too swaps gears, ceasing her soothe and instead putting the arm around the elf's shoulders. "I ain't learn how ta ride, ta be honest. Usually didn't need ta back home, just glide everywhere in the mountains."

The bird's brain catches up, her blinking and looking down at Patch. "... wait, what? I thought ya didn't like hitchin' rides. Thought ya liked ta hoof it?"

Patch takes a breath, leaning into Slixvah and giving the woman's waist a hug. "The short story is... I don't like horses. I prefer to walk wherever I go, but I have been forced to ride many a time outside the city's walls." her annoyance with this clear in her tone. "I got bucked good, and a feisty girl named Culix barbed me good with her words. It was enough. I'd been embarrassed one too many times by a steed to not learn how to ride them proper." her admission coming with a heft of breath and shake of her head. "Some skills are taken in by necessity. I still hate riding, but it's something I can do." smirking finally and offering a shrug. "I'm no cavalier, but I can show someone the basics." a nod dipped towards Telamon. "So if you have a desire, I'd find some time."

Telamon waves a hand. "Don't let it get to you. When I came to the city, it was on foot... leading a donkey. Not what you'd call the arrival of a dashing hero, eh?" He gives Patch a cheerful grin. "Still, you're not the first to have to work at something to fill in a hole in your repertoire, and you won't be the last."

He glances at the sky, and mutters a curse. "And on that note, I'm afraid I must leave you. Lana is probably expecting me, and I certainly don't want to keep her waiting." He smiles at Slix and Patch. "Take care, and don't be a stranger, ladies."

And with that, the elegant half-elf heads off again, moving with his usual easy stride.

Slixvah hums warmly as the elf draws close. Though her brows furrow a bit at the story. "Hmm..." she intones. "Tel is right, don't let it go to ya. Some people ain't armed wit' the right words. But tha's somethin' I'll keep in mind."

And also keep some choice words in mind for Culix.

The egalrin waves to Telamon as he heads off. "Catch ya on the flip, Tel!" she coos to him. "Tell Lana I said hi!"

Her attention falls to Patch, head tilting to the side slightly, eyes crinkling in a smile. "You wanna grab a bite? No oysters, honest ta gods," she snickers.

"I am not too worried, Slix." Patch muses as she looks up as the Egalrin woman draws her close. No qualms, no objections. "I knew when I set out on things that I wasn't armed with everything I needed to know. Telamon does have the right of it. Personal growth, yeah? I mean, it was spurred, but I grew all the same." a laugh hefted as she turns to wave after Telamon.

"I'll come visit. I heard tales of a Grandfather I should meet. Something about food, and merriment." Patch calls after in answer.

It's that question from Slix that has Patch smirk, her free hand she'd kept away from the woman rising to flash a half-eaten pear. "I'd like that. I was on the prowl before I ran into you. I just thought continuing to eat it once everyone was talking.... well, it's rude."

The egalrin bobs her head. "Yea, all of us learnin', growin', sharin', improvin'..." Slixvah quietly laughs. "Considerate of ya! Let's get our bellies full then," she coos before seeking out sustenance for the two of them.

"Oh. Grandfather is a freakin' cutie."

-End Scene-