Random Encounter chat 03

[wonders if she missed anything while writing and hands Helmine a sheet of paper with the address of her school and some names]

You'll want to talk to Mandra for the very basics; if he's not available, ask around.
The others are the best teachers for air manipulation as far as I remember. If it turns out you work tactile, make sure you get into Eralai's class, she's worlds better than the rest.

Thank you.

[grins at Sebastian before running off]

[waits until Helmine's gone]

Do you think I should have mentioned that learning the basics will take five years at least?

She didn't ask, did she?

[nods]

And it seems like people from your family tend to have a lot of time, anyway.

Doey fire. Big sharp implements. :D

I thought Baskerville likes fire? Or whom do you want to kill now?

Really? All kinds of fire? I thought maybe flammable liquids might work. [frowns] Besides, it contains soap, to which he seems to be allergic.

I meant in general terms as a shutting-people-up method, though.

[Chuckles]

Homeworld details encore! [appears to have been reading said details avidly, skimming the romance bits]

For the record, the dog is completely heatproof and strongly flame retardant. (I said retardant, Weft.) Well moderated, by the way.

[Looks slightly uncomfortable]

It's not that. I was hoping he'd want to go blow something up.

[waves manual] I'm reading as fast as I can. What's a black saucisson?

Suitov: Kind of fuse. Black powder inside a cloth tube. If you get hoisted by your own petard, do not come crying to me.

Weft? Are you planning to blow up something specific, or are you just improving your general education?

I haven't thought that far ahead, really... I thought it'd be wise to prevent Baskerville from getting his paws on this thing.

Why, got any applications in mind?

No, just wondering.

Good thinking, though.

Confusing all round, honestly, though it was funny too.

Mutt: It was pretty confusing to write an' all.
Weft: When you're joking and someone suddenly starts reacting seriously.
Mutt: Yes. That often jars me horribly.
Weft: I sort of dread whenever one of those two brings the topic up...
Mutt: Don't worry, their minds aren't on dissing you.
Weft: That is knot what I meant. The two of them were cute enough... besides, getting complimented at the time made me preen much more than is seamly...
Mutt: Egads, I remember, I remember. Two days before you stopped gloating.
Weft: It was nothing like that long. Anyway - I was referring to professional guilt.
Mutt: Yes. Your conversation with the elder brother afterwards was so clear in my mind that I'm thinking of making it canonical.
Weft: ...Tortile confuses me. [sniffle]
Mutt: I rather like him. [grin]

I want to hear the conversation!

I've been toying with writing it down. What's it worth?

It's worth something? Oh come come. I thought you were a writer and entertainer, not a greedy trader. Gratification isn't enough? Why am I not getting paid!

Gratification's hardly a given. Entertainment less so. My dear cub, I thought you knew a little about writers - especially ones whose confidence has been taking knocks.

Anyway, just to be clear, which conversation? The ki- I mean, Weft mentioned two.