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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 4-3, It's Pronounced Cameo

Gift-of-the-Earth did not travel at his usual spot beside Metal-Eyes that morning; his mind was a jumble with the numerous thoughts that wouldn't leave him alone. It didn't seem to bother the Shaman, however, as he was accompanied by Roaring-Flood, who was all too happy to ask him endless questions, pointing at strange sights and inquiring after as many things as a young cub might do on his first trip out of the village.

Directly to the side of the big black bear, Sanmer took each and every opportunity to provide Roaring-Flood with the answers he DIDN'T seek. While the fox obviously realized that the fisherbear had questions about the city, what Sanmer DIDN'T know was what those questions were, so he made up for it by playing tour guide. Roaring-Flood spoke to Metal-Eyes in the Tribal tongue while the fox only understood that of the Stone Tribe, so, even though he would eventually get around to a topic that interested _Gift-of-the-Earth'_s brother, there was far more talking than was necessary.

One such discussion came up when Roaring-Flood looked to Metal-Eyes and pointed at a large golden-colored dome, "Why does the Stone Tribe use metal for building?"

Sanmer took it upon himself to answer the question he THOUGHT was being asked. "Oh, that building? That's the Museum of Progress... it's a big monument to everything the University of Progressive Thought has brought to the world. THEY built it, of course, and make sure it has enough funding to keep running. There's plenty of impressive stuff inside if you're the kind who likes looking but not touching. I've been in there once or twice 'after-hours', and, let me tell you, it's a LOT more fun then."

Roaring-Flood glanced back at Gift-of-the-Earth, "He speaks so fast... do you know what he's saying?"

Gift-of-the-Earth shrugged, having understood most of it except for some of the stranger words, "I think he was explaining what that building was. He probably thought you wanted to know about it and not just the roof."

Roaring-Flood came to a stop and the fox almost ran into him. The black bear knelt down on one knee so he and Sanmer could be face-to-face, and he tried using the Stone Tribe's language, "Why do Stone Tribes use..." he paused and glanced back to Gift-of-the-Earth, speaking in their native tongue, "How do you say 'metal'?"

"Metal."

The fisherbear tried again, "Why do Stone Tribes use met-uhl on huts?"

Even in his own language it took Sanmer a moment to figure out what the bear was asking, "Oh... you mean the dome? I think the University chose it because it reflects the sun at dawn and dusk so their big gaudy building becomes even MORE obvious."

Gift-of-the-Earth realized that his brother was having more trouble understanding the fox than even he himself. He tried to explain it in the Tribal tongue, "He said it's to make the building easier to see at morning and night because it glimmers in the light."

Roaring-Flood nodded with a grunt, stroking his chin. He was obviously figuring out what he was trying to say, and he finally made the attempt, "It is big. People see it easy even with rock top."

The Shaman spoke up for the first time in relation to one of Roaring-Flood'_s questions... or was it because of Sanmer's answer? "_The Museum of Progress is like a holy site to many of the people here. The metal on the top is a decoration, just like the beaded totems or the obelisks outside the Winter Heart Cave."

Gift-of-the-Earth knew enough of what Sanmer had said that it didn't seem to equate to a holy place, but he also knew not to contradict the old bear. Instead, he asked for clarification, "The Stone Tribe has the houses of the Men of Symbol... but that does not look like one of those, Metal-Eyes."

The Shaman nodded calmly, "Because it is a different kind of belief. Gift-of-the-Earth, you have been around the Stone Tribe more than long enough to see that they are not exactly known for being unified."

The discussion could have gone on longer, if not for Nicholas, who was walking after Gift-of-the-Earth, "We're in Newport... can you maybe try NOT to get every last person on the street looking at ya like you're Tribals?" The man spat off to the side before continuing on, lugging the large sack that contained Kesst.

Roaring-Flood was direct in his response, "We ARE Tribal People."

The human rolled his eyes, "Well you don't have to tell the whole bloody city by talking in that language of yours! I thought we wanted to do this all quiet and all you're doin' is walkin down the street talkin' in that--"

Gift-of-the-Earth decided that Nicholas needed to calm down, and he tried reasoning with him, "There are very few people out. You will get more attention shouting than we will by talking in our own tongue."

Theo, who was walking behind and to the side of the human quickly added in his own thoughts before Nicholas could, "We are almost to the University... we don't really need to start an argument in the middle of the street, Mr. Poole."

The sailor grunted and crossed his arms over his chest, grumbling, "It's not 'arguing'... it's 'fixing a problem'."

Gift-of-the-Earth had traveled with the human long enough to know that his objections would not be easily silenced but, thankfully, Metal-Eyes was able to completely change the direction of the group's discussion, silencing the objection, and getting them closer to their end goal all at once. The older bear stopped, and turned to regard the group, speaking to them in the Stone Tribe tongue, "Theo... please bring Mr. Poole and Sanmer with you to the University and wait for us there. I am just bringing Gift-of-the-Earth and Roaring-Flood with me."

Sanmer's tail lashed, "I love hearing his name in their native tongue... Waka'Mine... it sounds so manly." Gift-of-the-Earth also noticed that, while the rest of the Stone Tribe adhered to Metal-Eyes' request, the fox continued after them.

The Shaman also noticed, "Sanmer, you should join them as well."

The rogue shrugged casually, "In my experience I tend to get into trouble whenever I'm somewhere and I see expensive, one-of-a-kind prototypes... I think we're all better off if I get into trouble right here." and the fox accentuated his suggestion by easily and nimbly scaling up onto _Roaring-Flood'_s shoulder, "Hey... I can see my house from here."

Gift-of-the-Earth sighed, but the fox's presence didn't seem to be the least disruptive to the Shaman, who continued on unabated. He did, however, switch back over to the Tribal tongue, "I would like to show the both of you something very important."

Metal-Eyes brought them to a tall black tent set up on the corner of one of the large village's many stone streets. The structure seemed unlike the rest of the buildings as it was made of cloth and not stone or wood. Other than being black and of some kind of Stone Tribe woven fabric it could easily have fit into any of the Tribal villages without anyone having looked at it twice. The Shaman walked straight into the building and began immediately talking to the crane standing within.

Gift-of-the-Earth tried to keep up with their discussion but he realized after several exchanges that the two were not speaking what he recognized as the Stone Tribe tongue or, if it was, it was a different version of it, like trying to understand someone from the Oak Tribe who was speaking the Bone Tribe dialect. The languages were very similar regardless, and the bear realized that Metal-Eyes was engaging in some kind of transaction.

When the Shaman placed several coins into the crane's talon he turned and waved the rest of the group inside, speaking up in the Tribal tongue, "Gift-of-the-Earth, Roaring-Flood, come in please."

Both bears complied, and, as a trio they did a fine job of filling up nearly half of the large structure. The crane moved to the opposite side and set up a strange device that looked like a three-legged cooking stand for placing over a campfire... only much taller. On the top of the three metal legs was a metal and glass box, almost the size of one of _Gift-of-the-Earth'_s paws clenched into a fist. The crane leaned over so his face was hidden behind the device, and he said something to the side.

Sanmer acknowledged, "Sure thing." and stepped inside before closing the two flaps on the tent, bathing the entire group in a twilight-like darkness.

The crane, barely visible in the faint light spoke again, this time directly toward the three bears. Metal-Eyes translated, "Gather closer... on either side of me. Roaring-Flood, here. Gift-of-the-Earth here. Good."

The bird nodded, and leaned forward again, and Gift-of-the-Earth finally recognized some of the words the man said when he spoke slowly, "Good. Stay there."

The Shaman quickly added, "Stand still. There is going to be a great flash of light. It will not harm us."

Sanmer giggled off to the side, "Wow... first photographic. This is going to be great. I remember the first time I saw one of these."

Gift-of-the-Earth didn't realize he was looking toward the fox until Metal-Eyes corrected him, "Look at the bird, not the fox."

"Yes, Shaman."

No sooner were the words out of his muzzle than the crane started counting backwards. Gift-of-the-Earth recognized the numbers; he'd had a lot of experience counting in their language as a merchant. At 'two' there was a quick shift and a rustle to the side, and Roaring-Flood grunted. A bright flash all but blinded the bear but, by the time his vision was coming back, the crane had already opened the flaps of the tent and he saw Sanmer climbing down off of the black bear's back. The fox grinned wide, "Wow... this was almost like the first time too."

The crane quickly bid what Gift-of-the-Earth took as a farewell to the bears, speaking again with the strange dialect that made him hard to understand. Fortunately, as the four headed away from the tent, Metal-Eyes translated, "It will take an hour before we can go back and pick up our purchase."

Roaring-Flood rubbed the side of his face, "What did we buy?"

"It is called a 'photographic'." the Shaman replied; the Stone Tribe word sounded strange, "It is a picture that is created by light instead of being drawn or carved."

Gift-of-the-Earth slowed slightly as he considered whether or not his question would seem insubordinate. In the end he spoke it anyway, "Why did we go to that man to purchase one of those things when we need to go to the University?"

Metal-Eyes came to a stop and turned around. While Gift-of-the-Earth might have thought he was displeased, the expression on the old bear's muzzle hinted that he had been hoping someone would ask it, "Because, my friend... this place is full of things you have not experienced and things you do not understand. This is just one such case when you will have to listen to me and do as I say."

Both Gift-of-the-Earth and his brother bowed to the Shaman, "Yes, Metal-Eyes." they acknowledged in unison.

He nodded at their complaince, "And, the most important thing is that you call me by my Stone Tribe name when we get to the University."

Gift-of-the-Earth refreshed the name in his muzzle, "Julius Blackburn."

The old bear nodded, and provided some clarification, "PROFESSOR Julius Blackburn."

* * * * * *

If waiting for the bears hadn't been bad enough, Nicholas was forced to sit on the stone bench even after they had arrived. Professor Blackburn continued talking to the two Tribals once they caught up, leaving Sanmer free to join him and Theo on the bench. The fox was whistling as he approached, stopping only once he was within talking distance, "So... we went and got a photographic made."

Nicholas had heard of a photographic before, but he'd never considered having one done; he had better things to do with two days of wages. "So we had to sit here and deal with all these scholars staring at us so you four could go make a pretty picture?"

Theo smoothed out his robe, carefully picking a small piece of lint from his fur, "They were staring at him, actually... not us."

The sailor turned and scowled at the Ermine, who simply smiled back. Nicholas wanted to be mad at the scholar, but he only realized that Theo was getting used to returning a punch for a punch, at which point the human promised himself to figure out how to fire the next shot in a skirmish that was far from over. He didn't have much longer to consider it because Professor Blackburn and the two other bears finally joined them.

Theo stood, "So... do we have an audience with one of the Professors?"

The old bear nodded, adjusting his spectacles, "I do."

Nicholas scowled, "So... basically we're just sitting here on our asses while you have tea and muffins?"

Professor Blackburn chuckled, "Actually, Professor VanHousen doesn't eat muffins... they don't agree with her."

The sailor didn't bother countering the obviously snide remark; he settled for spitting on the nice clean marble floor instead.

Theo, however spoke up immediately, "Her? You mean..."

The old bear nodded, "Professor Cadence VanHousen... she's the only female professor with tenure here at the University."

While the Ermine was obviously impressed, Nicholas really couldn't have cared less. Likewise, Enarork was obviously focused on other things. The white bear spoke up, thankfully in the common tongue, "Professor Julius Blackburn... what do you wish Waka'Mine and I do until you have returned?"

The Professor smiled, adjusting his glasses before sticking the fingers of his paws into either of his vest pockets, "Stay here with Nicholas and Sanmer. Remember... you are guests here. The Stone Tribe has a different way of doing things, and guests are at their host's call, not the other way around."

Two men in University Guard uniforms approached the older bear, greeting him by name. He acknowledged them and, shooting one last glance back toward the party, turned and accompanied them up the stairs. For what was probably the twentieth time in as many minutes, Nicholas scowled, thinking to himself how assinine the high-and-mighty University was when it came to formality and etiquette.

His musings finally erupted in a grunt, "I can't believe I'm actually here."

Theo nodded vigorously, "I know... it's a great honor being allowed into the University of Progressive Thought without having a Writ of Notice, being enrolled, or being accompanied by a Professor. I remember the first time I stepped through the--"

The human's scowl deepened, "I mean being surrounded by all this crap, wasting my time getting eyed by all these better-n-you quill-scratchers."

Sanmer, sitting next to Theo, gazed around as well, feet drumming out a rhythm on the floor as his busy-fingers flicked repeatedly against his pants, "Everything here looks so clean... and expensive."

The Ermine scholar let out a deep breath and addressed Nicholas, "You should probably keep an eye on him... I need to go sign in." and, with that, Theo headed for the enormous desk at the center of the room, easily four times larger than most bar tables Ncholas had seen.

The human lost track of how much time passed. Enarork and Roaring-Flood spoke quietly in their own language, which suited Nicholas just fine so long as they kept to themselves. He watched the scholars come and go, most glancing past him and to the bears-- yet another thing he didn't mind. In the end, he assumed nearly a half hour passed before Professor Blackburn showed up, accompanied by what had to have been the oldest, ugliest, fur-barest monkey the sailor had ever seen in his entire life.

The bear was respectful in his introduction, "Nicholas Poole, this is Professor Cadence VanHousen."

The crone wasted absolutely no time in pleasantries, "Yes yes... whatever... now... show me this clockwork dragon."