|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:41 am
howthpost eight"Oh. Well, all right."
He was honestly surprised that she wanted to waste her time tinkering with new technologies. Not that he thought it was a waste, but he had always considered Xaawo to be more interested in the experimental side of battling than the experimental side of... experimenting. Had he influenced her in some small way? Not that he had done much experimentation since they had ventured north. When he realized he had been staring at her blankly for half a minute, Howth shook himself a bit and chuckled.
"Will you pay or shall I?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:41 am
xaawopost nineHer eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she wondered where he had gone. Was it so strange that she wished to nurture her creative impulses in new ways? Was she not a painter? Had she not left home out of curiosity, rather than to gather information?
Maybe that was a bit harsh. Not all of her sisters were single minded spies.
"I can." She pulled out a small bag half full of gems and looked at the Yaeli expectantly, ready to trade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:41 am
howthpost nineHm. For all that she seemed to have been... flirting a minute before, Xaawo had gone chilly again, or at least indifferent. Many of their conversations these days seemed to have several confusing layers to them, and he was unequivocally horrible at evaluating more than the top few. The only option was to move on.
"Thank you for this," he said to Inalda. "I suspect the danger of me falling into a camouflaged chasm has been lowered by at least fifty percent."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:41 am
xaawopost ten"Probably more like twenty," she countered. "But any time I can spend not watching out for you will be good for our expeditions."
Inalda seemed disinterested in payment, loosely waving at Xaawo's bag of gems.
"Anything you want to give me is fine, including nothing at all. I don't do this to be paid, I do it for the conversation, and both of you have been well worth it."
"Thank you," Xaawo replied, a pleased lilt to her voice. She never really enjoyed being a novelty, but maybe being entertaining might not be so bad. She leaned in, picking through the bag until she found two smooth gems, green and yellow, each a little larger than her thumbnail. Xaawo held them out and Inalda took them, an acceptable exchange. "And now," she gently pat Howth's shoulder, "We ought to be getting back to the poscuta."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:41 am
howthpost tenHe didn't feel conversationally intriguing. Howth felt confused and slightly uncomfortable, like he did most of the time these days.
"Yes. Jasla will be missing you." He nodded at Inalda, relief clear on his face. "I will always be grateful for these. Untl we meet again."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
