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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 11, 2016 10:45:29 GMT -5
Be safe with her family? The only family she had here was Gevanni, and he was far too busy to be 'safe' with. Aletta scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Boys." She muttered, before taking the new information that Near had given her, and following him. She didn't get far before she lost any sign of him, of course, but she was still within sight of BeachEnd, so she focused on learning to identify the plants he mentioned on sight.
Gevanni, for one, breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the ghost gone. He'd been unnerving, the same way someone from another colony was. They'd only ever docked with another colony once in his lifetime, humanity scattered beyond reckoning. But the experience had stuck with him. Entirely different languages (which in this world didn't seem an issue, since... well. Such a weird thing to have. Was it magic?), entirely different customs. Nothing really made sense. People different from you could be a boon... But it could also reveal your own ignorance. Not many liked that particular feeling.
"L, I wanted to talk to you about maybe using the plants to generate the oxygen necessary for the-" He started, deciding to get everyone bac on track, so that the flow of work wasn't lost in the face of this new body of evidence about how very, very damn quickly they had to get off this rock.
/.../
An impassive stare followed Near as he came into the room. Papers and tomes scattered across the table, Light having been in the middle of researching an answer to the issue of what to do with the excess clear water of this next rainy season. The question was usually answered by a short retort of 'leave the water where it is, and divert it away from the city'. However, according to the portents, this particular season would be longer, and harsher than they were used to. He considered making a storage facility for it, earlier in the year, and collecting it in great large baskets, but now... He was worried having that much flammable material in the city when there were outsiders about that might make use of such a weapon.
The apology was met with a single raised eyebrow, Light practiced in hiding the raging miasma beneath his calm, beautiful veneer. His hands, graceful and strong, gripped the pen he'd held, until it was squeaking in his grasp. The more he heard... The more it reminded him so much of...
He took a deep breath, and hid the raging emotions, trying to sort them out with his lightning-quick mind. First of all, Near had disobeyed a royal decree. There had to be some punishment for that, or people would begin to doubt his authority. Second of all, Near had information on the threat that no one else did. Namely, their language. Third, he had learned the strangers intentions. An alliance... preposterous. Creatures as greedy and heartless as these ones could not possibly be held to their word.
"...You do not have my forgiveness. What' you've done, Near, is very grave." He stood, the scrape of his wooden chair on the gold-inlayed stone like the sharpening of an axe. "You disobeyed a royal decree. You put a royal prince in danger. You could, potentially, have sparked a war."
He strode around the desk and around his kneeling son. He looked into those dark eyes and found he couldn't bear to look at them any longer. He turned to the bookshelf. "...You will pen out a dictionary of their words and language, based upon what you know. You will share the language with each and every one of Rester's regimend, as well as your brother and myself. Until this task is complete, you will not eat. Fast, and repent upon your actions. You will not touch your preistly studies until it is done."
There. Punishment handled. He swallowed back a further outcry, swallowed back the fatherly concern over what Near had done. He had to be king. He had to do what was necessary. "Tell me everything you saw. Everything they said. Sit." He gestured to the chair by the window, and sat back down in his own. "Spare no detail."
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Post by Fateful on Oct 11, 2016 21:25:23 GMT -5
Near looked up to his father when the punishment came to him. It was far less severe than he thought it would be. He looked up at his father and found that he couldn't believe this was as severe as his father would be with him. Somehow, he felt that there was a possibility he would be bled or beaten. Light had done some rather strict things over the years, especially with criminals and those who directly and deliberately disobeyed him. This punishment, even though it may seem severe for a father to give to his son, was entire justified and Near would accept it. However, he felt he had a better way to help Rester and the others, but he would not tell his father this plan at this current moment.
"It may appear grave, but it may not. I had this feeling I should not let that girl die and we can't learn from them if we do not understand them. This gives us the advantage since they can't understand us but now we will be able to understand them!" He wanted his father to understand this was not a sudden and altogether rash choice. He did think and deliberate for quite a while before acting.
The invitation to sit with him made the prince rise from his place on the floor. he approached his father, glad for the opportunity and sat in the chair beside the desk. Then, he started to draw and map out their camp, the ship, and then even drew two of the people, Mello, since he was the human Near had kissed to learn from and Wedy, as she was the one who had been most aggressive toward him. In time, he would likely draw the others so his father could see them, but for now, he told the tale of exactly what happened, almost like a transcript of events in the time it took him to draw these things for his father.
As his father studied the images, Near bit his lip. "Do.. you wish for me to go and speak to Rester now and began translations?"
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 11, 2016 21:47:22 GMT -5
The boy's attempt at explanation only fueled the fatherly anger lying in Light's chest. He smothered it again with the logic that Near was in fact correct. The more information they had about the enemy the easier they could move. The more they knew about language and culture the more they could predict the enemy's moves in advance. Light was already planning for a war he wasn't even sure was happening just yet. He knew, somehow, he just knew that these strangers were dangerous. The prophecy alone proved it. Ryuuk had said 'Steal the heart of a prince'.
He had yet to clarify if that meant the actual beating heart, or the soul of a man, the peice given to someone you love.
He listened intently to every bit of information Near gave him and was already forming strategies. He waved Near away, when the boy asked if he was dismissed, and went back to his own work, jotting down everything Near had just told him, so that he woudl be able to relay the correct information to those around them. Perhaps when the priests came back to himw ith information on what Makneshi wished, he would have a plan that would suit her whims.
As Near walked out of their father's office he was met with his brother, tall and leaning against the wall of the palace as if nothing could affect him. "What did Father say?" He asked, evergreen eyes on his brother, worry creasing a brow. Near had broken the law as well as father's rules, and that alone could be punishable by losing a limb, if Light so chose. He didn't want to see his poor brother disfigured. Somehow, he hoped that his father never lost his senses that much. A wind howled through the city like a wailing widow, and Matt shivered against the tiny droplets, barely there, of rain falling. Clear rain, and almost as one, everyone in the city moved to douse any fires available.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 11, 2016 21:53:41 GMT -5
Again, it surprised Near that he was so easily dismissed by his father. He bowed his head and left the room, grateful for the mercy showed to him. Seeing matt was a welcomed change, and he ran to where his brother was and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry I went without you." He insisted. "But I did the right thing and father seems to know that too. I am doing what's best for my people. I'm trying to help everyone." He insisted, taking his brother's hand. "Come."
The two then went to their room. Near recounted the story of what happened with the strangers a second time, and then what happened with their father. "He was generous and he did nothing to harm me. I will do as he asks, as I am grateful that he did something to spare me some of the more horrible things he may have done." After all, he could have cut off any number of Near's body parts. Taking his hands was something that Near would never recover from, given his intelligence and strength of mind. He felt happy there with his brother and pulled a blanket close, cuddling with the older red head, sighting and deep in thought.
"I will wait two days, during which I will scribe and write all I can. After that, I wish to go back to their camp and speak with them." he glanced up to his brother. "I believe... perhaps you should come with me. You could learn a lot from them. We could learn together. Wouldn't that be such fun?"
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 12, 2016 9:11:27 GMT -5
Listening to Near's story was like trying to peice together a puzzle while the peices were in the hand of an excitable child. Most of them were already conjoined, but in configurations that made no sense. Near told a story of a rescue, while Matt could only see it as the story of a kidnapping. Near told a story of diplomatic negotiations, but all Matt could hear was hostage negotiations. Some might call him overly protective of his baby brother, but when one's baby brother was slated to be taken away any day, back to the goddess' bosom for being born too early, for stealing part of their mother's soul... Well, it was hard NOT to be overprotective.
"That doesn't really sound like an apology to me, little brother." He teased, trying to push aside the nervous frustration singing in his veins. "But I'll accept it none the less. At least you're wise enough to be grateful for Father's mercy. I think it came from the fact that he's distracted. Between the preparations for the festival, the plans for the rain, and these newcomers, you are the least of his worries, for once." ah, did that last part slip out? Damn. He quickly changed the subject.
"Two days is quite a bit of time..." He frowned, "...I'll see if I can't sneak you some bread in the morning. We can't have you getting weaker. Especially if you're to be our embassador to these... people. They seem as greedy and cruel as Restors scouts whisper into their drinks." He sighed, thinking of a few of the men who had told him such wild tales of watching these people interact. Of course, without understanding their language, it was almost impossible to know a species properly. "...ah, Speaking of."
He leaned down and pressed a finger to Near's chin, then, lifting it, stole the language from his brother's lips. "There. Now I won't be caught off guard. If we're to learn anything from these people, which, by the way, I doubt, considering your story, I should know what thye're saying, shouldn't I?" He justified it, but the kiss had also had a hint of affection to it too. Of the brotherly sort.
Wrapping his arms warmly around his little brother, he settled his chin in the curve of Near's shoulder, and slotted their hands together warmly. "...You know, things are becoming quite complicated. Are you afraid of the changes happening? Your appointment to Priest?" He asked because he, personally, was terrified. Becoming the king, the King of Kings... He swallowed hard, thinking that honestly he'd rather run the hell away. But if Near was content in his new position, then... Perhaps Matt could be as well.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 12, 2016 9:33:56 GMT -5
The pressure of which their father was subjected had not been lost on Near. He was well aware of it, and it was the main justification for his own actions. Near wanted more than anything for their father to trust them and to delegate more tasks to them, especially since they were both of age, it meant they had the authority to take some of the burden from him. Since their mother had died, it left a strain on Light, since he hadn't been able to keep a Tinnocht for very long. At the moment, there wasn't one and it was one of the many reasons Light felt so pressured and over worked. Near knew that if allowed the chance, Matt would make a great Tinnocht, especially if he was to be the next king.
"No!" The younger declared. "If he does not wish me to eat, then I will not until my task is completed. I can go far longer without eating, I've fasted for five days." Of course, Near could still drink water and if they found him black water, it would be rich enough to keep him sustained for a stable length of time. Since it was more abundant in the area Rester lived, Near knew that all he had to do was send a message and Rester would bring it to him. He planned on running to see Rester in the morning anyway.
The kiss was strangely reassuring and Near felt better. He smiled after having returned it and held the embrace that followed. "I love you." He whispered. "And I'm glad someone else will be able to understand them but me." Now, however, he was looking up at Matt, curious and thinking. He had a theory, but, he hesitated because he wasn't willing to share any of it yet.
At the turn in the final parts of their conversation, Near's eyes widened. All his life he had been prepared, groomed, really, to be king. Light always said he could see the kingship in his eyes. "I don't want to be a priest." He finally said, as if knowing he was stealing something entirely from his brother. "You want to be a priest and I was supposed to be king." The reality of the goddess speaking through him seemed to finally make itself apparent, as no King had ever held her. But what if one did? Wouldn't it be better for the people to have the goddess speak directly to them? He knew it was too much for one person, that a priest was made to serve the goddess and the king to serve the people. So, he sighed and held his brother's embrace, but inevitably crawled into Matt's lap, as the other was far taller than he was.
"I suppose it will take some getting used to."
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 12, 2016 10:11:18 GMT -5
"I suppose your plan is to rely entirely on the black water then?" Matt had to inject, a little proud of his brother for figuring out such a loophole and also a little annoyed. The black water was actually one of his most hated subjects, because honestly, it tasted awful. Like... Well, he couldn't name anything similar, and that was kind of the problem. He made a face. "If you can stand it, good for you." He teased, poking Near gently in the side.
At the admission of Near's love, he had to smile, and press their cheeks together. "I love you too, little brother. Never forget that." Even if it meant he had to be willing to share the burdens Near placed on himself. Even if it meant ignoring the fever in his fathers eyes when they were on Near, and the coldness of them on Matt.
"...Sometimes, it isn't about what we want." Matt councilled, sighing just a little. Near was warm, and that warmth was encouraging him to take a nap, even though it would keep him awake far too late at night, if he didn't just sleep through the night the whole time. A quick yawn had him blinking sleep from his eyes. "The Goddess chose you because she loves you. And no King has ever held the goddess. Her love is too consuming, too... demanding. That King wouldn't be able to serve his people. It's..." He paused, letting Near settle in his lap, and then got comfortable himself. "It's just not how it's done. ...I suppose we'll just have to guide each other in our new paths."
"I'd reccomend getting started by learning to wake BEFORE the sun rises in the morning." He teased, poking those tiny ribs again. He wondered if Near was worrying as much as he was. It couldn't be good for him.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 12, 2016 10:21:20 GMT -5
"I don't know why you hate the taste so much. It doesn't taste bad," not everyone hated the taste and some even liked it. Everyone was different in many respects, including this one.
While this was all something he knew, it felt good to be told it again. He sighed and knew that part of the love the goddess likely bore for him as because of his mother and it made him feel incredibly guilty. What if she only loved him because of his mother? What if... He stopped himself because it was too painful to consider. these were things he had not considered in almost a week. Since the others had arrived, the earthlings, as they called themselves, he hadn't thought about holding the goddess or being a priest at all. None of that had been particularly important to him. After all, he had a lot of other things on his mind, especially these new and exciting people.
Perhaps part of the reason Near had found something to do, something to fixate on, was to distract him from the worry of taking the goddess and being her vessel. He felt unworthy of such a thing and knowing it had come from his mother scared him considerably.
So, for the next two days, Near woke before the sun and got to work right away. He'd spoken to Rester twice and the man brought him water without having even been asked. It made the boy smile as he compiled book after book of all the words he had learned from the one called Mello. It was in several volumes. He met with Rester before they were to go, but decided on a small party, rather than a large one.
Once they reached the edge of the camp, Near saw Gevanni first and walked out of the trees toward him. "Gevanni!" He called, seeing the bright eyes immediately find him. Near somehow swore that the human's pupils dilated when they saw him. "I brought someone to speak with you." He held out his arm as Rester came from the trees, introducing the much larger and stronger man. "This is Rester, he is..." He paused considering a word for it in their language, but inevitably decided it might be best to lie. "He is an advisor to my father" - not a total lie - "and has authority to begin negations." When the red head followed, Near then indicated to him. "And this is my elder brother, Matt."
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 12, 2016 11:04:40 GMT -5
Another day, another thousand bits of work to do. Gevanni had been overseeing the construction of a few temporary buildings. Staying in tents with all the drizzling rain just wasn't going to cut it. He had to be careful what with the natives demands to 'use only what you need', but... Surely they could understand the necessities of cutting down a few trees. Or... whatever the hell these things were that were tree-shaped. He'd ran a few tests, and some of them had similar properties to hardwood, so they'd be long-lasting and capable. Gevanni could only hope the rains wouldn't get worse.
Already they had seven people down with debilitating fevers and coughs, the damp causing human constitutions to head towards cold-symptoms. He sighed, thinking again about how hard his mother was working to synthesize cold medicine using what little supplies they had.
Working on the construction of a longhouse reminded Gevanni of stories of barnraisings. Everyone pitched in, and he ended up having to strip his shirt off after a while of it soaking up and dripping water. It was just easier, in the heat and damp. His name being called by an unfamiliar voice cocked his head in the direction of the forest. "Oh." It was the ghost. The prince.
The beautiful young prince, who had a smile on his face as he waved towards Gevanni. He swallowed, and headed out to meet them. He stopped a guy named Tomas on the way and gave him instructions. He'd pass them along, Gevanni was sure. Waving a hand, he finally stopped in front of Near and the...
Holy shit. the Ghost brought a giant. And a ginger. Wow.
"I uh... I see the family resemblance!" Gevanni lied, laughing nervously. "A pleasure to meet you, Prince Matt. And you as well, Rester... uh, sir." Damn. He had no idea what title to call the huge, huge man by. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, hoping he could glean some information about the intentions of the giant from this.
The redheaded prince unnerved him too, that spear on his back clearly something familiar. Matt was just as unnerved by Gevanni as Gevanni was by Matt, however. Those eyes... It was rare to see such an odd color. That, and the man was built like a goddamn temple. Sharp lines and strong muscles, and Matt could see the bones underneath his skin, but in the best sort of way. At least now Matt could understand what he was saying in such a nervous tone.
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Post by Fateful on Oct 12, 2016 11:16:52 GMT -5
Near turned his head toward Rester and said something in a strange language. Suddenly, the man began to speak and Near started to talk at the same time, but this time to Gevanni, making it clear he was translating what the man was saying.
"My prince promised to provide you information and I am here to speak upon the behalf of my King to see if we can find a way to come to some form of a verbal, followed by written, agreement."
Matt had always been fairly aggressive and the strength of his body showed quite well. It was similar to their father in a sense, the strength, even the overall muscle structure. All their lives Matt had been told he could be a carbon copy of their father, except for his height and hair color. While Matt didn't like it, he seems to not be bothered by it as much anymore.
The young prince moved his hand out and spoke to his brother in their language, asking, "Can you try not to look so menacing? You're scary enough when you don't try to look like you could kill them." Of course, he could kill them, so there was that... These mortals appeared quite weak to begin with and with how easily they found themselves sick, it didn't surprise Near why Gevanni and Wedy were so nervous. He could smell the sickness here.
Mello came with Thomas and looked almost concerned that there were two older men with the boy. It appeared that Near may just be young or small for their people. Both of the other men there were taller than Gevanni and Gevanni was one of the tallest men on the ship. Somehow, it was slightly disconcerting.
"Near, you're back." Mello approached and told Thomas he could go. "Are you here to negotiate?"
Near gestured to Mello and told Rester this was the one he acquired language from and then translated what he said. He then also introduced Matt and Rester to Mello.
A small group of women who had been weaving blankets and clothing were now intently watching what was happening, curious to see such strong men, especially given what this would mean for them.
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 12, 2016 15:20:33 GMT -5
Hearing Near translate for Rester was pretty... interesting. Matt turned, sweeping his verdant gaze over the crowd of humans. They were spread out over the beach, so many of them. The size of the ship was even more massive up close than he'd believed, and it shone with a dull sort of light. Metal, it was made of, some kind... Ah, probably some approximation of steel. But it seemed to almost bend under the heat of the afternoon, and Matt had to wonder what sort of steel didn't hold up in the long run. Even GOLD didn't wilt under this heat. The people were small and ragged, and dirty. He wondered if they'd taken to washing in the purple sea. That might not be such a great idea...
"Hm?" Near's question, his request to keep from looking so scary made him sigh, "Oh alright." He relaxed his posture manually, forcing himself out of threatened soldier and into bored teen. His nose was picking up illness and malnourishment, picking up a sick and weary people. His eyes catch on blonde, and the man who looked so, so much like Matt's late mother was striding towards them. He stopped next to the grey-eyed man, and he stayed silent as Near spoke with them.
Only when Near introduced them did Matt break his silence, and declare, "I meet you and wish you good fortune. I am Matt, eldest son of the Tlatoani, and future Tlatoani. I come with Rester, sharing in the authority to bring your words back to our King." He made sure their words went through, and not the human word for the tlatoani, because he needed these strangers to understand where they were, and that this was not their home.
"Near has told me much." He quickly translated for Rester, before turning back towards the humans. "Are you intending to build on the beach? The sand won't provide a stable foundation once the rains come. It would be better to clear a portion of the forest and build there."
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Post by Fateful on Oct 12, 2016 15:32:18 GMT -5
"I thought about moving us further inland, considering Near's warning of the rains, but we were respectfully asked to stay away from your city and I did not think wandering around into the woods would be wise, considering this promise." Mello replied, stepping forward to speak to the red head. "If you would be so kind as to give us a place where we might build a more stable camp where our people would be safe, we would greatly appreciate such hospitality. It would mean we could get off the beach and out of the spray of both this flammable water and it would aid our efforts to fix our ship and find a way off your planet."
While Matt spoke to the stranger, Near translated for Rester, who seemed to grow annoyed by the situation, as if he was a step behind everyone else. Around the time Matt proposed the trees, Rester bent toward Near and whispered to him.
"We should go someplace more private than this to speak to these people. it seems a much better idea, away from all these others." Rester then gestured to the observers.
"The only other place to go is the ship and Father has forbidden that I enter again. Somehow, I feel it is more dangerous to do this privately. Their people should know, especially as they have no ruler."
Mello cleared his throat to get there attention. "If you came here to negotiate, then you should be speaking to us as a group. If your brother speaks our language, why doesn't he?"
Near tilted his head for a moment. "Rester is not normally permitted to learn such things and would cause a conflict since he was once my own and Matt's teacher." To have a sort of relationship between them were Rester kissed either one of them would be quite inappropriate, especially considering the century between their ages and the obvious - Near was a vessel for the goddess now, and being on the road to becoming a high priest, there were now social norms in order. However, Near did not feel the need to go into any of these things with these people.
When Near translated this conversation for Rester, the older man arched a brow and asked a question, to which the boy laughed and then shrugged.
Without much other consideration, the giant bent down and kneeled in front of the boy, taking Near's chin in his hand and kissed him. And while the kiss did not appear passionate at all, it lasted slightly longer than a normal earth kiss would. After this, the man stood up and turned toward the earthlings. "Much of our land is sacred. The likelihood that any sort of sanction for you people to build..." He examined the flimsy wooden structures. "Would likely not bode well with the Tlatoani."
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 12, 2016 16:01:47 GMT -5
The redhead nodded, the smallest, politest of smiles touching his lips. The blonde was intent on honoring the spirit of the tentative promise he had with Near. Matt could respect that. Before he could answer as to whether or not his father would be willing to give them some land (the answer to which was no, Matt knew that straight away.), The question of whether or not Rester could borrow the heathen's language came about, and he turned, interested in seeing the awkawrdness that would be this kiss.
What he didn't anticipate, however was the absolute revulsion spreading on the faces of those around them. Gevanni had to flinch away, his instinctual dislike of seeming pedophilia hitting him hard. He didn't now the ages, or their relationship, really. All he had to go on was Near's explanation that Rester (that was the man's name) was once their teacher. That didn't explain to Gevanni why he wasn't allowed to learn their language... Ah, but apperantly that wasn't an issue because here he was KISSING NEAR.
Why did that send a pain along the ling of Gevanni's throat, right down to his heart?
"...I have to agree with Rester on this one." Matt concurred, "My father will not give up sacred land to outsiders. Much less ones that might be visiting. ..." He paused, an idea coming to him that honestly... wasn't too bad. "Although... Near, Rester, what about the Tviktas?" It was a long shot, but they weren't inside the cities, had facilities and buildings, and plenty of room for this number of aliens. "...The ship would have to stay, of course, can't drag that through the forest..."
Gevanni blinked, "Hold on, wait, what? Tuh... Victos? What are those?"
"They're housing complexes. For cultural reasons, they've been abandoned. They're outside the city, so they do not break father's decree, and on top of that, they have houses made of stone, so the rains won't wash them away. They're also probably equipped with leftover D'nahsi hearts, so you won't have to worry about heat, either." Matt explained. "This is, of course, all provisional on my father agreeing and on you all offering up something of equivalent value."
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Post by Fateful on Oct 12, 2016 16:09:48 GMT -5
The kiss surprised the hell out of Mello. Somehow, it made sense and he knew there was no affection behind it, especially considering that since Near had kissed him. The strange part of it was, it almost felt like Near had pulled something out of his body, so perhaps it was better that they kissed their own to spread the language. It meant they were limited in their knowledge and it stayed rooted in what Mello knew. ...Right? That's how Mello assumed it worked. After all, it wasn't like they were kissing dictionaries.
At the mention of them having a place to stay, he considered this. However, he knew very little of what they could give in return. "There is really nothing we have that is of immediate value. However, if your king does decide that it may be worth giving to us, we will need the time it will take him to make a decision to figure out what we can give in exchange." It likely seemed like these people wanted to keep a closer eye on them, which made sense and seemed fair all around.
"Knowledge is incredibly important to our people," Near began. "So if you could hare some information about your ship and how it flies, I'm sure that would be something my father would inevitably agree was worth the exchange."
Rester watched the two boys make plans for this. While it did seem a good idea, he had the feeling they could make this work. After all, there were a lot of places in the Tviktas that they could watch these earthlings. It would give them the advantage, especially if the earthlings planned an attack. They would be downwind and it would not be too complicated to flood the valley.
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Post by otakulady89 on Oct 12, 2016 17:51:29 GMT -5
Knowledge... The idea of knowledge being incredibly important to a people who don't wear real clothes was a bit... Ah, but then again, maybe Gevanni was being humanocentric in his thinking. Maybe they evolved differently? Who knew. He had to offer something else, though. The idea of these creatures reverse engineering weapons and such from the ships... He couldn't be the only one who thought that that was a worst-case-scenario, right?
"What if we offered intelligence on other things. Medicine, agriculture, that sort of thing?" He asked, wanting to see if that would be equivalent. "Or perhaps food preparation, or textile production?" Surely a culture that still beaded their cloth the way this one did would need an automated loom? Freeing up labor... Ah, wait, maybe they could make computers for them, since information is so important! A way to store information that didn't require writing and books?
Matt frowned, thinking this over. "I'll bring each option up to the Tlatoani, and if he agrees he agrees. If he declines, we will send word and have you come up with some other way of evening out the trade. In the meantime, Near wished to share further knowledge of the local plants and animals with you." He waved his brother forward, although he kept his eye on him, watchful, to make sure he wasn't harmed.
"Rester, was there anything else you wished to discuss with the group?" He asked, because Rester was always a mystery to him. Even their lessons when he was a child had to be dumbed down, because the way REster explained them confused the way Matt thought. Near understood perfectly, however, so Rester had proven an apt teacher.
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