Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
The word for what they were doing seemed to be flirting, but that form of communication was not saturated with expensive information.
No.
High-value information.
It was, however, fascinating to watch and provided cultural information Klynn may find relevant, and it provided me with confidence to approach them when they were alone outside the building. So I performed the action of stalking without the negative association and ignored all others to approach them outside.
My notes for this outing were going to be highly confusing.
However, one positive interaction I would be able to draw…no, illustrate, was with the dragon and mage pair who understood what Team Binkie meant.
Extending his hand in the human greeting, the stern dragon spoke with confidence and without asking for my Team designation. “Hello, Pierce. We’re not from around here and it looks like neither are you.”
They weren’t town members.
That explained the lack of Team Binkie questions.
“It is very nice to meet you.” I was becoming very proficient at greetings and even touched the dragon as the mage smiled. “I’m not local either but I am here to help facilitate fixing the…issues that have recently occurred.”
Truth but not enough to make them uncomfortable.
“I’m from Texas and here about the issues as well.” The dragon Pierce shook his head and looked around frowning his displeasure. “I’m concerned at the lack of supervision of it, but that’s something we can easily remedy.”
If it was easy, why had it not been done already? “I was surprised by the lack of attention as well.”
“We were talking about hiring someone to monitor it full time. Is that something you think your community would support?” Pierce used is hand to gesture to the other man. “We’ll have to divide out the finances that will be needed. It wouldn’t be fair to make them support that here, and I think it will give everyone more standing to question what’s going on.”
His frustration was amusing and not misplaced. “They like questions but not about topics that would be pertinent to the situation. They’re more…curious.”
Pierce’s sigh provided much information and was what humans would define as funny.
“They’re insane and incredibly nosy. From what Merritt’s told me, they’ve been trained to respond to safewords.” Based on another gesture, Merritt was the mage he was sitting with.
Safewords.
Yes, that was a word that needed more explanations.
Pierce paused, deliberately altering his tone to sound educational when my lack of knowledge seemed to become obvious. “Words that will stop a situation or conversation that aren’t the word no. Sometimes people need extra clarity that you really mean for them to stop. So in this case, just tell them red to stop the conversation and yellow to get them to change the topic or back off.”
“Fascinating.” With the way the human language English had many words for the same object, I should have expected them to have something similar for behavior. “I will remember that and it does explain a few curious instructions I was given.”
But as I wondered how Team Binkie attached to the need for a safeword, the mage Merritt giggled and wiggled on the seat. The diner men’s comments about Team Binkie members needing additional stimulation were starting to make sense.
Interesting.
Looking under the table, I found Merritt to be rubbing his feet against Pierce’s leg and finding the activity amusing.
If anyone could explain Team Binkie, it would be these men. “I apologize if this is an inappropriate topic of conversation. I am from a very small town and social norms are hard to understand here.”
Pierce made the human sound of a huff and seemed to agree with my assessment. “You’re not kidding. Not much internet access, huh? I know some areas are still much further behind than the average American on either coast seems to understand. Let me know if you need information on satellite internet. We had to install that out at the ranch.”
The information-based portal. Yes. Maybe Klynn was wrong about how much knowledge it contained? “Yes. It’s prevented me from educating myself on…on topics that are considered appropriate here.”
Both men laughed, although the mage Merritt’s sounded lighter and still allowed the dragon Pierce to be the one to speak. “I don’t know how much you’ve traveled, but I promise the locals are not a good example of reasonable or appropriate. But in this case, please ask your question and I will let you know if it’s too personal for me to answer.”
“Thank you for your understanding.” Hopefully I had the right words to explain my lack of information. “I have noticed a significant number of relationships that I think are unconventional.”
Pierce frowned but contained his frustration and immediately provided information. “Yes, you’re seeing a lot of nontraditional relationships around town. I don’t know why but people around here are more open than other areas. It’s probably the number of dragons. We don’t always make…well, let’s say we don’t always think before we act.”