GULGALLANA and DAWON

[soulping]

The walls of the hedge maze close in around you. Before you is a single stone table covered in quill pens and several sheets of parchment. Even if you normally cannot read or write, for the time being, you find that you can.

Comments

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

Really? Where are you from?

Mmm, we'd really just have to come up with synonyms for the words, right? Like - for avalanche, we could say something about it being a wave of snow or dirt . . . or something like that.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

From what I've heard, it's a time before most others here. We didn't have a great many things I've learned about here, like electricity or democracy.

That's true. Wave of snow, and for canyon we could use divide. Pond for lake, and... Do you have an idea for valley?

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

That's . . . well for me, it's quite a long time ago. [a pause, and then sort of lamely] Mm, you wouldn't have crosswords.

Hmm . . . plains, prairie, flatlands . . . Illinois.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

You aren't the first to say so.

Those are all good suggestions, but may I ask what an Illinois is?

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

All of this must be very interesting to you, then.

Illinois is a state in America. I uh, grew up there.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

You're right. It's fascinating.

Oh! I've heard of that place. It's the same place as... California? If I'm remembering correctly.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

I hope you've been able to learn a lot.

Mm, that's right. California is on the west coast, and Illinois is in the Midwest.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

What was it like there?

As for the story, what about... A wave of snow falls from a mountain, down into a prairie next to a great divide. It fills a pond within the area.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

I wish I could say something interesting about it, but it . . . wasn't all that exciting. I only really remember going to school there when I was a child, but I lived in a small town near Chicago - ah, that's the capital.

Oh - that's works, mm.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

A capital? What is that?

Alright. I can put that in.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

It's usually the main city in a state or region, where the government and administrative center is located. For places like Chicago, it's also one of the main tourist attractions, if someone's visiting the state on vacation.

Thank you.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

What is a tourist? And an administrative center?

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

The administrative center is - all the the governing bodies over the state and the city. There's a governor, who's elected the head of the state, and a mayor, who's elected the head of the city. And there's a number of offices and departments that handle running the city and state. [a considering pause] I guess it would be . . . similar to a king and his council?

And a tourist is someone who travels for fun, rather than business. Someone vacationing, basically.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

Are the people in the lower offices and departments elected as well, or only these governor and mayor people?

I see. And you can travel so easily because you have those things called cars, correct?

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

Most of them are elected, yes. How long they remain in office differs by the position they hold as well.

Mm, or planes, or boats . . . mostly by car or plane, though.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

Do you like living in one these democracies more than you'd like living in a monarchy?

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

Well . . . it's hard to compare, really, when I've never lived in a monarchy.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

I suppose that's fair. Ah, I apologize; I fear I've asked you too many questions.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

No, not at all. You can ask as many questions you like - I don't mind.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

You're certain it isn't boring? I would extend the same offer to you, but I fear it wouldn't be as interesting.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

I'm more than certain - and I'm more than certain the reverse wouldn't be any less interesting, either. I like learning about different worlds, and teaching others about mine as best I can.

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

Then... May I ask what a plane is? And you can ask anything you like as well.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

A plane is a vehicle that can carry a large number of passengers long distances via flight.

Let's see - ah, if it's okay to backtrack a bit - are you familiar what a monarchy is like?

Re: DISCUSSION

[bloodbiter]

A vehicle that can fly? How fascinating! How is that?

That's fine, of course. I am. It's the way the government at home is structured.

Re: DISCUSSION

[beathach]

[oh boy. I hope you're ready for an explanation about air pressure and engines. It's very exciting]

I see . . . and rule is passed down through the family, right?