Another world, Celeste

Chapter Eleven, pt 2

In the morning of the last day at the mining town, Erissa is waiting for me when I wake up. Syl and Mint left earlier for breakfast first. Truthfully, I wanted to spend more time idling under the cover of the bed until Erissa drags me out. Jilko and two of her gnome friends join our table. We introduce ourselves. The gnomes are Rimi and Nil. They will be learning with Jilko as Kif' apprentice when we return to Kirashira Village. Jilko and I greet each other by lightly hitting our right fist above our left chest twice. The rest are looking at us weirdly.

Erissa is the first to ask. "You two have been up to something since yesterday. What is it?"

"It's called sign language," I explain. "We made up hand gestures to convey meaning to another person. I thought it would make it easier for Jilko to communicate without having to write things down all the time."

"That's a wonderful idea, Iris."

Erissa and Mint praises.

Syl says, "From what you're saying, those who do not speak gnomes will have to learn the gestures as well."

"That's right. It would be the same thing as having a dwarf to act as a translator, but with sign language, anyone could translate for them."

"It would create a desirable position for those who are interested."

"Nom nom."

Rimi and Nil gladly offer to make the sign language with us. I show them the notebook with drawings and description of the gestures we have so far. Jilko presents more of her ideas into the notebook and we put them into practice. Syl and Erissa become interested and learn as well. With their experience in using signals to communicate in the forest, their input is certainly helpful.

"Some phrases would take too long to spell out each letter."

"Nom nom."

The gnomes agree as well.

"We can abbreviate them into a single gesture," I suggest an idea.

"Yes. Let's compile commonly used phrases, like greetings and introductions."

"'Hello' and 'goodbye' could use the same gesture. How about coming up with a special sign for drinking as well?"

"Nom nom."

Since it involves the gnomes, we leave most of the final say to them. Jilko, Rimi and Nil are enthusiastic about creating a language for themselves that they didn't see Chief sneaking up on them.

"I see you three are already collaborating on a project."

The three of them jump on their seats, literally.

"Mind I take a peak?"