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Your communit crackles to life and says "*cough* Scuse me, Corian? It's Tara Valentine. Do you have a few minutes?" in Tara's voice.
You say "Tara? Well, hello, of course I have time. Is there something that I
can do for you?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "*snicker* I really do hate to bother
you about something so minor, but I don't know any other linguists. Greer
bought... bought, not brought... about sixty books on various languages. Now,
we can't keep all of these... but I've no idea which ones would be best to
keep." in Tara's voice.
You say "Oh... dear. That does sound like a problem. I can come and offer a bit
of advice, if you wish?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and announces "Yes, please? We're down in K19. A bit of a walk, granted, but I've got tea?" in Tara's voice.
You say "Oh, tea would be wonderful, actually. It has been a bit of a day. Room
K19, on the second floor, yes?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "Yep, you got it." in Tara's voice.
You say "I will be downstairs in just a moment, then." into the communit.
[Travelspam deleted.]
You knock on a door.
The lock on the door of K19 releases with a soft click.
You head into K19.
K19 - Living Room
At first glance, this small suite could be considered cluttered, but a
closer look reveals that it's kept neatly ordered- it's simply stuffed with
cozy furnishings. The walls are painted in creamy tangerine, and the carpet
isn't too badly matched in color, in a medium brown meant to hide dirt
easily. Off to the immediate left as one enters from the hallway, its back
against the outside wall, is a couch upholstered in deep black leather. A low
coffee table, its glass top resting firmly atop the brassy frame and legs,
sits in front of the sofa. A tall bookshelf sets against the wall to the left
of the couch, close enough that one can reach it while sitting there. A
perusal reveals that most of the books are of the juvenile variety, although
those on the top shelf include subjects such as navigation and titles like
'Ship Engine Repair For Dummies'. A pair of overstuffed adjustable lounger
chairs, obviously chosen to match the davenport, flank the coffee table. Both
are angled so that anyone in them can watch the vid unit against the wall
opposite the couch. Beside the unit is the hallway leading to the bedrooms
and necessary, and on the opposite side of that is an old-fashioned wooden
rocking chair with rattan forming the seat and back. Crowded onto a small
desk in one corner is a small computer stained with age. It's always on, and
the background screen shows dozens of cartoonish, animated dancing moose. A
bar panelled in fake wood and attended by a pair of bar stools separates the
living room from the small kitchen area, which is painted in goldenrod with
rich green trim. A card table with four folding metal chairs rests there,
serving as a place to eat. Switches beside each entrance control the soft
overhead lights.
Contents:
Corian, standing by the door.
Tara, staring at the stacks of books in the center of the floor
Obvious Exits:
Hallway Out
Contents:
Tara
Greer
Obvious exits:
Hallway Out
You come in from the Housing Hub.
Tara glances up from her stance over the books through which Greer is happily
digging, offering a weak smile. "Sorry for calling so late, but I just found
out about this. Panicked. I can't afford all these." Greer looks up to beam
at Corian, waving with her Murray-laden hand.
Corian looks as if her words were true, just a bit tired. "There is no need to
apologize," she says with a smile, one that brightens somewhat upon seeing
the walls. "My, what a lovely color. Actually, your call reminded me of the
time. I was working too late yet again." She eyes the pile of books, and one
silvery brow arches. "Goodness. That -is- quite a lot of books. It looks as
if you have been busy, chernubia," she adds to Greer, with a wave that seems
to be for both child and moose.
Tara chuckles quietly, moving toward the kitchen unit. "I'll just get that tea.
Greer picked the color, actually. It's not half as bad as the wrapping paper
she chose for your brothers' birthday presents. And you shouldn't work so
late," she teases, rummaging for the tea bags.
Greer nods eagerly. "I -need- lots of books so I can learn -lots- of languages,
really fast."
Corian casts a vaguely amused look after you. "I was hoping to be awake when Tarrant returned, that is all." She folds herself to a seat next to the books, legs folded comfortably lotus-style. And, as she's wearing pants, this works just fine. To Greer, she nods thoughtfully. "That is a laudable goal, but may I suggest that you learn the languages one at a time, perhaps?" With a hint of a smile, she says, "This is where it is an advantage to be young. You will probably learn them more quickly than most adults."
Tara glances over her shoulder, lifting an eyebrow. "Off again, is he?" After a moment, she brings the tea over- two cups, actually- on a tray, accompanied by lemon, cream and sugar on the side. That gets set on the coffee table.
"One at a time?" Greer's faintly surprised. "Why? I figure if I spend fifteen
minutes each day on eight different languages apiece, I'll learn them in an
efficient manner."
Corian shakes her head to you, with a brief smile. "He is here on Linnae, but is preparing for a trip offworld, which sometimes requires odd hours." She extends one hand towards a teacup, perhaps for permission, then nods to Greer. "That is actually, I have learned, a very difficult way to learn languages. You see, it is very easy to confuse languages when you do so." With a quiet chuckle, she confides. "At one point, I was trying to learn two languages at once, and I could not even count to ten properly. I was using incorrect words and incorrect accents, and it was very difficult."
Greer reaches for one of the cups, offering it politely to Corian. "Sugar?" She tilts her head thoughtfully as she listens. "Oh! I hadn't thought about that. I thought I could keep it all straight in my head, but if -you- couldn't..."
Tara nods affably, settling down on the couch. "Poor guy. Government jobs'll do
that to ya though."
Corian takes the cup with a smile. "Thank you, chernubia. And sugar is
unnecessary." She sips at the tea, nodding her approval, and then nodding to
you. "I have noticed that, yes," she said, a hint of a smile quirking her
lips before she nods to Greer. "I had difficulties, yes. And sometimes it is
difficult to switch between languages. Now, perhaps we can look through these
and pick one for you to learn?"
Greer takes the other cup for herself, heaping in all the condiments. "Well...
okay." She glances wistfully around at the various book stacks. "They're all
such wonderful books though. How to choose?" Tara mumbles, "All such
expensive books too."
Corian takes another sip of tea, then sets the mug aside to ruffle through the books. "If I may suggest," she says, "Perhaps one that has a root language similar to Standard? You would learn that more quickly, and then would take less time starting on your next language." You get a rather sympathetic smile.
Greer pauses. Looking rather sheepish, she asks, "What's a root language?"
Ooh, Corian's player gets to make up stuff, yay! "A root language is that upon
which another language is based. My brother Niko, for example, speaks a
language that is very similar to Terran Greek, so Greek is a root language
for his native language. And Kashidian, which my brother Riley speaks, is a
combination of Edrilac and Standard, so they can both be said to be root
languages for Kashidian."
Greer listens carefully. "So... Kashidian would be similar then? Could I start
learning on that one?"
Corian considers that for a long moment. "You -could-, but I would not
recommend it. Kashidian is one of the more complex languages that I know. You
see," she says, warming to the subject--yes, she likes discussing
linguistics, and really should be stuck in a library somewhere, "Kashidian
grammar and syntax is regional, so the way that you would say, for example,
'I bought these books at the store,' would change depending on where you were
on the planet when you spoke."
Greer blinks. "Oh! Maybe I should wait on that one then, maybe til after I learn Edrilac?" She reaches for one book- a Latin dictionary. "Lotsa medical words are from this language. Is this close to Standard?"
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Corian tips a hand back and forth. "Relatively it is, yes," she replies. "But
Latin is what you would call a dead language; it is not spoken for itself,
but instead used for such things as medical terminology or ceremonies for
some religions." She rummages a bit more, then finally pulls out one of the
thinner volumes. "This is a good one to learn," she suggests. "And I actually
have a text that would be more helpful than this."
Greer scoots around beside Cori to peer at the book. "You do? But what do you need text for when you already know all the languages?"
Corian chuckles very quietly at that. "Ah, but there are many languages that I
do not yet know. And I like to keep the texts for those which I have learned,
to refresh my memory from time to time." She offers the volume, then adds,
with a hint of a smile, "It is something that must be practiced to keep the
learning fresh in the mind."
Greer gives Corian a dubious look. Corian's smart. Corian's married to a neat
kid. Corian can do -anything-. Corian knows all. She reaches out slowly for
the book, nodding as she flips through its thin pages. "This shouldn't take
long at all."
Too bad Corian can't read minds, or her ego just would've gotten a serious
boost. Of course, she also would have been vastly amused. "I can get my text
for that language if you like," she suggests. "It has an audio component that
I believe you would find helpful. There is a shaping of the mouth for the
dipthong that really cannot be described; it is easier to hear the sound and
to try and duplicate."
"Oh, I don't wear thongs," Greer notes absently, looking through the book.
"Those are for grownups." She grins up at Cori. "Yes? Please? If you think
that would help?"
Yes, that's a stifled laugh from Tara.
Corian blinks for just a moment. She is, yes, very sheltered, and it takes a
moment for her to figure out just what the heck is meant. "Oh," she says
finally. "Oh, chernubia, you misunderstood. A dipthong is a combination of
sounds." She demonstrates, as Mr. Webster doesn't seem to have a concise
definition. This particular one is a kind of a-o sound, through her nose.
It's the one that caused her player such fits when Portuguese was being
learned.
Greer's eyebrows rise, and she attempts to echo the sound. She doesn't -quite-
make it, but it's a heck of an effort. "I think I see what you mean. I don't
know -how- you would spell that."
Corian's smile is one of someone remembering something. "Yes, I think I said
the same thing, when I was first learning about these. But the text that I
have will be helpful with that, yes. I can bring it to you tomorrow, if you
like, and if your mother would not object?"
Tara shakes her head with a slight smile, murmuring, "No objections." Greer
glances toward her, and smiles in a warm beam before nodding to Cori,
clutching the book to her chest. "I would like that, oh, ever so much! You're
helpful too, you know, not just your text."
Corian's answering smile turns just as warm. "I am glad to be helpful,
chernubia. And I would be glad to assist you as I may in your new
endeavor--though," she cautions, "I will be going offplanet for a time, so I
am not altogether sure how available I will be."
Tara arches an eyebrow. "Second honeymoon?" Greer looks more than a little
crestfallen at that news, but she smiles sincerely anyhow. "Thank you,
Corian. I hope you have a good trip."
Corian shakes her head to you, expression as pleasant as ever. "It is for our
work. There is some translating that must be done off-planet." The
crestfallen look from such an adorable small child gets her a look of regret.
"I hope I do as well, and that it will not be too long, so that I can come
back and assist you."
Tara's other eyebrow goes up. "'Our' work? You're working for the Alliance now,
Cori?"
"You're welcome to visit anytime," Greer says with a bright smile, to which
Tara nods confirmation.
Corian inclines her head, with a brief smile. "For several months, yes, with
Tarrant. And I have continued my work with the diplomats on a part-time
basis, to allow us to keep those quarters upstairs." That last is with a
brief smile. Though she hasn't had quarters like that in the past, often, she
-likes- them. Greer gets a warm smile. "Well, thank you, chernubia. I will be
sure to visit."
Tara chuckles softly. "I'd do the same, more than likely," she murmurs.
Greer grins in relief. "Good! Murray likes it when you visit," she adds hastily.
Corian flickers a quick smile to you, then nods soberly to Greer, reaching to pat at one of Murray's, uh, arms? Something like that. "Well, yes, I do want to keep Murray happy. He is a very sweet moose, after all."
Greer nods vigorously as she reflexively hugs said moose with a grin. Doesn't
he look happy? "He's a very -very- sweet moose. He goes everywhere with me,
and he likes everything I like."
"Well, he is a very wise moose," Corian says, with a smile, "To have such an
excellent friend as you." She pauses a moment, then suggests, "Is it,
perhaps, time for Murray to get some rest, though? I have to say that I am
rather fatigued, at least."
Greer blinks, and checks her wristunit, a motion that Tara copies
surreptitiously. "Oh!" the girl exclaims. "It's late. And I must be up
early." She bounces to her feet, graceful in the movement, then pauses to
peer at Cori. "You wanna see my room?"
Corian gets lightly to her feet. "I would love to see your room," she replies,
with a smile. "Will you show me? Though it should be quick, probably, as it
is late."
Greer nods happily, reaching for the linguist's hand in an attempt at draggage.
Greer moves past the vid unit and continues into the hallway.
Greer has left.
Corian chuckles quietly, and lets her hand be taken, though she follows along
such that draggage isn't necessary. After all, she looks less graceful when
she's being dragged.
You move past the vid unit as you head down the hallway.
Hallway
Only about twelve feet long, this narrow hallway is painted in the same
tangerine color as the living room. There are three doors- one at the end of
the hallway, and one on each side of the corridor.
Contents:
Greer
Obvious exits:
Right-hand Door Left-hand Door Living Room
You walk here from the K19 - Living Room.
Tara arrives here from the living room.
Tara has arrived.
Greer moves through the doorway on the right side of the corridor.
Greer has left.
Tara grins apologetically, shrugging a little. Kids- what can ya do.
You move through the doorway on the right side of the corridor.
K19 - Greer's Bedroom
In soft pastel, each wall of this cozy room is painted a different
color- rose, blue, purple, yellow. Beneath the single window is a high canopy
bed, its lacy white covers lightly brushing the floor. Simple flowers, each
with four large petals, are stitched on the comforter in white thread. The
curtains, though not of the same design, match the colors of the bed. A small
dollhouse rests in one corner of the room, its occupants placed precisely
around a miniature dining room table. A purple beanbag rests beside it on the
floor. Several books are stacked neatly next to the Winnie-the-Pooh lamp on
the night table. A long low footlocker at the foot of the bed serves as a toy
box. On one wall is a large paint-by-number picture depicting a chestnut mare
with her foal tottering along at her side. A sliding door leads to a narrow
closet, but is left open, revealing the half-dozen pretty dresses hung there,
all facing the same direction and spaced evenly on the bar.
Contents:
Greer
Obvious exits:
Hallway
You walk here from the Hallway.
Tara comes in from the hallway.
Tara has arrived.
Greer whirls, throwing her arms wide, and comes to a stop to grin at both
women. "I decorated it myself. You like?"
Corian's brows quirk just a bit at the order, though, really she didn't expect anything else. "What a beautiful room," she replies, with a smile. Apparently, that's a yes. "I do like the colors, Greer, very much--they accent well, but aren't bold enough that they would be difficult on your eyes after extensive reading." She pauses to peer at one of the pictures. "And this, I like this -very- much. Could you tell me where you got it, perhaps?" She thinks she knows the answer, but, hey, asking is fun.
Greer -beams-. "I made it! Well, I painted it." She digs into the closet to dig out a box. "I can't draw very well, but these help." She looks back up at Cori thoughtfully. Tara knows that look, and lifts a hand to hide a smile.
Corian is very good at this. Her surprise is mild enough that it could be
unfeigned. "-You- did this? Goodness, Greer, that is far, far more than I can
do. You see," she confides, "I never quite manage to stay between the lines.
But you did a marvelous job with that."
Greer giggles, confiding, "I put tape along the lines, so I couldn't go over. I
did that with Admiral Riley Gregor Addison's ship too. That way you can still
be a little sloppy, and not worry."
Corian blinks at that. "Tape. Now that really is an excellent idea. I had not
thought of that." Yes, she's probably going to go to the toy store and get a
paint-by-number kit and try it." She quirks a brow, though. "My brother's
ship?" she queries curiously.
Poor Tarrant- another toy to get hooked on. Greer nods with a grin. "For his
birthday. I made a little ship, and we put it in a bottle, and Mama said
Mister Niko gave it to him, and he -liked- it."
"I will have to ask him to show me this gift," Corian decides, with a smile.
"But a ship is definitely a good thing to give Riley--quite a good choice for
his birthday."
You faintly hear a chime mark the hour.
Greer gestures toward her mother. "She thought it up," she tells Corian proudly. "I picked out the ship though. They got a whole bunch, down at the toy shop. They've got mooses there too! Ones just like Murray."
Corian doesn't look surprised by that. "I daresay that is where Tarrant found Murray." She pauses a beat, then inquires, after a mischievous look towards you, "Have you seen those toy guns, Greer, that shoot the foam discs? I have heard that they are popular with the people in Security."
Tara groans, very softly, and snickers. Greer's eyes light up. "They are!
Mister Niko's got one! He let me shoot it. I think the sight needs to be
adjusted a little. But it's fun!"
Corian tsks very quietly. "Niko should be more careful with his toys. Those
-are- fun, though, are they not? I even have one," she adds, with a very
quiet chuckle. "Ah, but it is getting later, and I should probably be getting
home, so that you two may get to your rest."
Tara grins wryly, gesturing Greer toward her closet. The girl dips in one of
those hand-over-heart bows to Corian, and disappears into the closet to find
a nightgown. Her voice floats out, muffled. "You like toys too? Good!" She
does sound pleased, and Tara offers a sheepish grin, keeping her voice low.
"I do appreciate you coming down, Cori."
Corian shakes her head, with a smile that's briefly wistful before it turns warm. "Not at all, Tara, not at all. I enjoyed myself very much. And I do hope that I helped with the situation with the books."
Tara watches Greer for a moment before turning to open the door into the
hallway. Funny, she's seeing that wistful look -everywhere- these days, and
she grins. "Wait'll you have a little one of your own. It's not a rose
garden, I'm afraid." She nods fervently. "Yep. And I shut off the online
buying option on our computer, believe me."
Corian calls quietly over her shoulder, "Have a god night, Greer." Starting for
the hallway, she can't help but laugh at that last. "Ah, I think that's an
excellent idea." She doesn't comment to the child issue, instead making a
gesture that's something of a nod. Apparently, she doesn't seem to think that
explaining that having an assassin spawn is probably not the best of ideas
would be good.
Greer sticks an arm out of the closet. "You too!"
Tara heads out into the corridor.
Tara has left.
Greer was waving, naturally.
You head out into the corridor.
Hallway
Only about twelve feet long, this narrow hallway is painted in the same
tangerine color as the living room. There are three doors- one at the end of
the hallway, and one on each side of the corridor.
Contents:
Tara
Obvious exits:
Right-hand Door Left-hand Door Living Room
You walk here from the K19 - Greer's Bedroom.
Tara moves down the hallway and into the living room.
Tara has left.
You head out into the living room.
K19 - Living Room
At first glance, this small suite could be considered cluttered, but a
closer look reveals that it's kept neatly ordered- it's simply stuffed with
cozy furnishings. The walls are painted in creamy tangerine, and the carpet
isn't too badly matched in color, in a medium brown meant to hide dirt
easily. Off to the immediate left as one enters from the hallway, its back
against the outside wall, is a couch upholstered in deep black leather. A low
coffee table, its glass top resting firmly atop the brassy frame and legs,
sits in front of the sofa. A tall bookshelf sets against the wall to the left
of the couch, close enough that one can reach it while sitting there. A
perusal reveals that most of the books are of the juvenile variety, although
those on the top shelf include subjects such as navigation and titles like
'Ship Engine Repair For Dummies'. A pair of overstuffed adjustable lounger
chairs, obviously chosen to match the davenport, flank the coffee table. Both
are angled so that anyone in them can watch the vid unit against the wall
opposite the couch. Beside the unit is the hallway leading to the bedrooms
and necessary, and on the opposite side of that is an old-fashioned wooden
rocking chair with rattan forming the seat and back. Crowded onto a small
desk in one corner is a small computer stained with age. It's always on, and
the background screen shows dozens of cartoonish, animated dancing moose. A
bar panelled in fake wood and attended by a pair of bar stools separates the
living room from the small kitchen area, which is painted in goldenrod with
rich green trim. A card table with four folding metal chairs rests there,
serving as a place to eat. Switches beside each entrance control the soft
overhead lights.
Contents:
Corian, standing by the door.
Tara, standing by the door.
Obvious Exits:
Hallway Out
Contents:
Tara
Obvious exits:
Hallway Out
You walk here from the Hallway.
Tara gives the books an amused look, chuckling, as she moves toward the door
leading out. "She'll find another way, I suspect. Maybe it's time to give her
an allowance."
Corian nods as she, too, heads for the door. "It is not a bad idea--budgeting,
financial responsibility, it is never too early to learn that sort of thing."
Okay, maybe having Corian spawn is not such a good idea. Though she does have
an element of humor in her words, as if aware that she sounds just a bit
stuffy.
Tara grins, tabbing the door open. "The basics, at least, you're right." She pauses to laugh. "Quite a night for both of us, I'd say it's been."
Corian smiles as she pauses by the open door. "It has, but it has been a good
night. Thank you for asking me here, and dream sweetly." With that, and one
of those Kashidian bows, which she does -far- too gracefully, she glides from
the room.
You head out into the General Housing Hub.