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[sprent]

crystal, action, book, misc

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[sprent]

(It is briefly remarkable to Gela that a year ago she would have ducked, frightened, underneath of this question, dodged it entirely, and then wondered for days afterwards what had lead Gwënaelle to believe that of her.

How things change.)

I do. Are you in need of my services?

[elegiaque]

I don't know if that's how I'd put it, but you're not wrong. I've already asked Orlov and Carsus, but I have this book I need to translate — myself — so I need to learn the language, and I thought I'd make use of the resource that is, well, you. And them. If you're up for it?

( this doesn't sound like work. gwenaëlle, very likely, would approach a professional necessity differently than this. )

[sprent]

Oh! (How unexpected, but not unwelcome.) Yes, I'm happy to help with that. May I know what book?

[elegiaque]

It's a collection of Nevarran poetry in the original— I'm only familiar with a few of the authors, in their Orlesian translations.

[sprent]

And — this was a gift, to you? (Perhaps from her lover? Though why he'd get her something in Nevarran, when she doesn't read it...)

[elegiaque]

Captain Flint left it for me, ( is agreement, not correction. ) An occupation in his absence for book club.

( what a dick (affectionate) )

[sprent]

Oh, I see! (Perhaps a test, then.) And so you'd like to learn Nevarran — from scratch?

It may take you a while before you can start to read the book. (Especially because it's poetry... the layers of metaphor, the rhyme.) Is that okay?

[elegiaque]

( lightly, ) Unless you know of a different way to learn a language.

But I do speak three. I'm not unversed in how it works or how much time needs to be invested.

[sprent]

Alright. When would you like to have lessons?

[elegiaque]

( with the air of having relaxed a little for getting her way thus far: ) Cedric suggested dinners for the four of us; he's a bit worried Vanya doesn't get out enough. Their schedules won't be too challenging to coordinate, but if you're free a particular evening...?

( vanya "i have guard duty that night" orlov vs gwenaëlle "not any more you don't" baudin, we all know who's winning. )

At my cost, obviously. You're doing me a favour.

[sprent]

(Actually I think you'll find Gela is getting her way, because she gets to have free dinners with nice people. So there.)

I'm free the evenings I'm not working — I will check my schedule for the coming weeks and get back to you, if that's okay?

[elegiaque]

More than, ( agreeably. ) Let me know— I'll be working out if it's easier to go somewhere or just have the houseboat catered.

( maybe the latter. intimate.)

[sprent]

(Happily,) I do love your houseboat.

I'll come back to you soon, then. Thank you for organising this, I'm looking forward to it!