You’re used to skipping dinner, you can go a day. And if needs be the silver should last you a few good meals.

Harsh? You were going easy. You didn’t even touch him.

And you already apologized to Janko. Zeb just told you that he’s willing to throw the whole search for Iron over some religious nonsense. And need you mention that his God isn’t too fond of your kind? Why the hell should you even respect that?

Fine, you get it. You forgot he’s soft and delicate.

You’re not good at this religious stuff… It makes zero sense to you. But… you are grateful for what he’s given you. The food. The clothes. The shelter. Even the brush. …That’s all real.

You start brushing your tail.

After some time you notice Sister Roni stomping up towards the door, “The perversity of that Bovani to just up and vanish!”

She looks to you, “At least you know how to follow simple commands.”

You remove some matted fur, “Janko’s already with Lightkeeper Kivari.”

“Are you—” Roni tries to calm down. “Fine, fine. Okay… that is just splendor.”

She adjusts her glasses, “Well, no need to sit on the floor like a stray, come. If Lightkeeper Kivari sees prospects in you, then I will do my best to see it as well.”

You follow Roni to her study. The room carries the aroma of coffee and parchment. She spends time preparing notes and ink.

You glance to Sister Roni, “So, is this your punishment? Looks cozy.”

Roni blushes, “I’m not… speaking about this.”

“What? I’d kill to be able to do this. Y’know, just peace and quiet— reading what’s before you?”

“I owe my devotion to this covenant for the splendor — of course I am gracious for it. As I am for the sight they have granted me.” Her magnified eyes blink.

She continues, “As for you, child, you should be gracious for just how blessed your position is. Not many commoners get to speak to a lightkeeper, let alone be entrusted with a holy mission.”

“I am gracious… But—”

“But what, hm?” she huffs, “What more does this picky Sorrova ask of?“

“Being blessed is good, but blessed and packing iron? Better.”

Roni rolls her eyes, “You undervalue the blessing then. Lightkeeper Kivari has destined you to succeed — and by extension, God has as well. You need not the thunder arts.

“— And besides, you have those illegal cloud bombs. If the balls hit the lathe, then just yank on those strings and run. What better tool of chaos to have when venturing into the dens of savagery?”

You pause, “You don’t make my… mission sound very appealing right now. You know there’s this metaphor from back home: ‘Don’t follow the scent of the match.’”

“Do you think Mandasko illuminated all of Hovehko by being passive and feeble?” Roni barks. “No. We toil so that we may not perish. Progress takes backbone, child. Find yours.

“—And that’s not a metaphor, that’s an idiom.”

“Can I get to know a little more then? Like, what exactly do the rituals… do to people?”

Roni thinks, “Beyond what I told you, I only know that one must not participate lest they fall into wickedness. Also it might be wise not to cut one of them again. I heard they like that.”

“That’s it? And what do you mean by ‘liking it’?”

“I’m but a mere daughter, child. I know not more than I must about this matter.”

“So… to state the obvious… if they offer me something, I shouldn’t eat it?”

“No. To state the obvious, not a nibble. Eat anything they give you, then it’s in God’s hands at that point.”

“And if they offer?”

“You made it this far without corrupting yourself, yes? I’m sure you’ll find a way.” her tone grows impatient.

“Right…”

Her gaze returns to her desk, “Now — if this matter is settled — then I wish to present you with this.”

She opens a book and flips through pages, “Are you familiar with any of the chronicles of your people?”

“Only by word of mouth… I can’t read that.”

“Your own tongue too? Oh sweet child…” Roni sighs.

“I mean, I know some characters… and I can speak it just as good as any other Gnomanyan.”

“Just as well.” She corrects you. “Regardless… I am sure anything can be of use.” She points to a page and you see the familiar script. “This is a passage I’ve been working on translating; it was written by the astronomer Copper Lens in 1535. I shall read the translation to you.”

“’To the illuminated seat of scholars I, Copper Lens, along with my assistant, Cotton Sky, and a few other distinguished apprentices, have managed to observe with much diligence, the theorized explanation to our Green Queen’s apparent temporary discoloration, that of the existence of a sky and clouds that cradle the world, like our own.

To celebrate, I treated my colleagues and kin to engorge on poison water. As expected I stayed lucid as I stood eager to clear the records for my publication.’”

Roni, squints, “So the discovery of this astronomer makes sense to me. Though, that he throws a party with poison water in order to kill all of his colleagues to claim all the glory, all of which was written openly in the publication… is quite perplexing. Is this behavior common in Gnomanya?”

You twirl your hair, “No, because who the hell drinks water at a party? Are you sure that’s what it was?“

“I believe so — Look here, ‘poison water’ is ‘Guckzak.’”

“’ ‘”, you correct her in Wulnic, “Yeah, that’s ‘booze’. They got shit-faced, essentially.”

“‘Shit-faced’… Your folk have the way with words… ‘Hukshak?’” Roni attempts to match your pronunciation.

“No, ‘Ghuk-zhaak‘. Like you’re trying to hock a clinger.” 

“Gross.”

“’ ‘”, she repeats it back correctly.

“There you go.” you smile.

Roni blinks, “Hm, that feels strenuous. Is this why your voice sounds… exfoliating?”

“Sure, I guess…”

“Okay, so the poison water in question is actually libation— that makes more sense. Wulnic is a strange tongue; complex things are easy, but simple ones are not. So many layers of meaning behind ideas, and the rules are hardly as they seem, even with your names.”

She thinks, “Come to think of it, what is your name in Wulnic?”

You reply in wulnic, “‘ ‘”

Roni nervously smirks, “One more time please?”

“’Zoditzetzekgwarzhal.’” You repeat back slower.

“All that just to say ‘Glass?’”

“We usually just say ‘Zodi’. I only got called the full thing if my mom was about to beat me.”

“Yours too, eh? I know that feeling. My parents used to hit me with a shoe for bumping into things because I couldn’t see.”

Roni smiles, “Anyway, let me make a few notes and some corrections, and then we can work to translate the next part. The aid of an actual Gnomanyan is proving to be quite useful. Thank you, it is very fascinating actually hearing Wulnic. ”

Your mind wanders back to the discovery in the book, “So, sister, mind if I ask a question?”

“Sure.”

“What’s the ‘Green Queen’ exactly?”

“It’s a planet in the heavens. You know what a planet is, no?”

“Of course. We’re on one. Shaped like round-shot, right?”

“Yes.” Roni’s eyebrows raise. “Very good! Your people named this one after its coloration, but over here we call it Rhiornethaine. From what I’ve read, The Kingdom had telescopes powerful enough to see it so vividly. Your people were quite the enlightened ones. It’s a shame you don’t know this.”

You sigh, “Don’t get me wrong, I wish I did. Being dull is kind of getting old.”

“As much as that stunt you pulled wants to make me think that your brain has been sanded smooth, perhaps you are just starved for knowledge. Otherwise, I don’t see why Her Radiance would take such an interest in you.”

You shrug, “Well, I like to learn.”

Roni raises an eyebrow, “Okay, we have the day. Hmm, would you like to know about your people? I have many more Wulnic texts you can walk me through.”

You smile, “I’d love to.”