”It is, at least, the most peaceful place I’ve found so far,” he acknowledged with a nod and a slight smile as she stepped closer to examine the flowers with him. ”Though I’ve barely begun to properly explore things within the… barrier.” He chose the word with delicacy, uncertain whether naming the thing would bring annoyance or ambivalence. He’d experienced both so far, with natives tending to be unbothered by the world as they’d always known it and outlanders like himself finding the limit of their new home frustrating to varying degrees.
”And I thank you for the compliments, Isla, though I wish I had more to offer by way of explanation.” He sighed, tapping a particular section of the text with an annoyed fingernail. ”Usually I’m quite good with languages, though this one is… tricky. I suspect a lack of vowels is throwing me off, or else some consonants are combined in a way that is difficult to parse.” He gave another rueful smile and then cleared his throat apologetically. ”But where are my manners? I’m Jigano, and it’s a pleasure to meet you as well. May I ask what brings you out this way, aside from enjoying the beautiful day?”
”And I thank you for the compliments, Isla, though I wish I had more to offer by way of explanation.” He sighed, tapping a particular section of the text with an annoyed fingernail. ”Usually I’m quite good with languages, though this one is… tricky. I suspect a lack of vowels is throwing me off, or else some consonants are combined in a way that is difficult to parse.” He gave another rueful smile and then cleared his throat apologetically. ”But where are my manners? I’m Jigano, and it’s a pleasure to meet you as well. May I ask what brings you out this way, aside from enjoying the beautiful day?”
