Language LOL: Translator Malfunction

[rumham]

You know what's cool? Chatting with your pals. Reading the Internet. Navigating the roads because you can understand the Gods-damned street signs. You know what's not cool? Not being able to do any of that. By that metric, one might describe today in the Nexus decidedly uncool.

It's utterly without warning that the multiversal hub goes from automatic to manual translation. Shop signs, radio and television broadcasts, conversations on the streets between vendors and friends and businesspeople are suddenly a jarring cacophony of dissonant languages. Then there's the silence. Then there's the shouting. Turns out people get pissed off when nobody understands them!

Momentary chaos dies down as the average people of the Nexus come to grips with their new situation. Shopkeepers wait outside their stores and stands with expectant expressions, impatiently waiting for the translator to pull itself together and start working again.

Except...

It sort of doesn't.

No, it super doesn't.

Citizens of the Nexus, it would appear you're going to have to adjust...

((The temporary LANGUAGE LOL is now underway! It's freeform fun until you're done and participation is completely optional. Don't feel like this event should stop you from making threads which are unaffected by the LOL in the mean time. If you want your Language LOL'd character to interact with a non-LOL thread, please ask the OP if they want to play that dynamic first. For the OOC and organization post, GO HERE. ))

Comments

[losthunter]

Hunter reads the note, and then shrugs his shoulders slightly.

"The magic I can use is not really defensive in its nature. Though I was able to bring a portrait to life... so I am working on that."

"As for self-defense... I lived on the streets for a few years. I know how to defend myself when the situation is necessary."

[fiveofnone]

If you can bring a portrait to life, can you paint something that will defend you? If that's the plan, it's a good one.

Caspar looks a little surprised at that. He hadn't assumed much about Hunter, and a life on the streets wasn't part of that. Did you ever have to?

[losthunter]

"It has worked better when I have an emotional connection to the painting. Just painting something that will defend me... might not work. If there is no real connection between me and my artwork." Hunter explains.

"The artwork that I brought to life to protect Hermione, when Bellatrix attacked us... I was extremely connected to." Hunter looks away for a moment. Trying not to reflect on the fact that Kendra's painting is gone.

He glances back, at the second question. "Yes. I had a drug dealer aim a gun at my face."

[fiveofnone]

That's a shame. Caspar can think of all sorts of things that would make good paintings if he didn't need that emotional connection. He doesn't quite understand the look that Hunter gives until Adia whispers something in their native tongue.

Right. The destroyed artwork. "Συγνώμη," he says, before shaking his head and writing down his thoughts instead. Sorry to hear that. But at least you know it's possible.

Adia blinks at the mention of a drug dealer with a gun. She hasn't heard this story! She frowns in worry, but Caspar seems eager to hear the tale. This is a story he can relate to. How'd you get out of it? Please let the answer be some cool fighting and not talking it out.

[losthunter]

Hunter frowns for a second. Looking at the paper. And the question.

He doesn't like talking about this part of his life.

"I used my body force to try to wrestle the gun away from him. The gun went off. And he ended up dead."

[fiveofnone]

Adia picks up on Hunter's reluctance far more easily than Caspar does. She says something quietly to the Cylon, who purposefully softens his expression.

Better you than him. Adia frowns a little at the words, but Caspar only shrugs. It was a good instinct to try to take the gun out of the equation, but you can't protect someone from themselves if they're determined to use violence.

Take it from someone who knows.

[losthunter]

"There are other options. That man would have not been there... if he had a different upbringing. And that is why I created the Foundation."

"To give others a choice..."

[fiveofnone]

That is a long stretch to expect Caspar to care about some drug dealer who had a shitty childhood, but at least Hunter is changing the subject. Before he can ask about the Foundation, Adia explains it to him in their native language, a smile on her face, clearly proud of her friend's accomplishments.

So you don't spend all your time in the Nexus, then?

[losthunter]

"No. I have not completely cut ties with my world."

"And my dad and I are trying to reconcile right now."

[fiveofnone]

How's that working out? Adia writes after Caspar seamlessly hands her the sketchpad. I remember you said that your father had problems with the change in your appearance.

Caspar keeps silent. Aside from false memories of a loving but uninvolved father, he doesn't know what it's like to have a dad. Although he does know what it's like to reconcile with family, especially made more difficult when you're the black sheep. (In this case, a well-deserved title.)

[losthunter]

"Slowly. But I have changed a lot, since I last lived with my father. All we can do is to try to mend those fences."

[fiveofnone]

Adia smiles. Slow progress is still progress, as far as she's concerned.

Caspar, naturally, is less optimistic. Has he changed?

[losthunter]

"A little. Not much. But change can take time."

[fiveofnone]

If you need any help Adia writes, biting her lip and looking up at Hunter sympathetically. Not that there's much she can do to mend a rift between a father and son, but it's the thought that counts.

Caspar gently nudges her and says something in their native language. She nods thoughtfully and writes, Caspar wants to try one of the computers in the Plaza to see if can get more information about the translator breaking. Will you be all right here?

[losthunter]

"I will fine. I am going to look for Jim." Hunter gives them a slight smile.

[fiveofnone]

Adia nods. That's a good idea. She'd be feeling so much more lost without Caspar, and she's pretty sure that Jim speaks the same language as Hunter. So... should be fine. Right?

Stay safe Caspar writes down. He tears out their conversation, then hands the sketchpad back to him.

Patting the metal tulip tucked into Caspar's lapel, Adia gives her friend a sweet smile before they head towards the Plaza.

"I find it hard to believe he was ever an asshole," Caspar whispers to Adia in their native language as they walk away. "He's too much like you."