Part Two: The Dinner

[lestercraft]

Who: Arthur & Helly Lester and anyone who actually goes for the invite
When: Evening of Jan 29th
Where: The Lester Household
Open/Closed: Open! Come one and all from Haven Street.
Applicable Warnings: Discussion of January events, mass conspiracy (it's us, we're the conspirators)


It's even odds, he thinks, whether people thought he was off his rocker in making a post like that, or if people would believe he's actually trying to contact people the only reasonable way he knew how. It was certainly much faster than trying to contact people individually, especially in this weather, and hopefully between himself and Helly that they've met enough people to get a decent turn-out.

The more they can learn about this place, the more they can trust each other, the better. Right now, trust is all they have.

The lower floor of the house is well lit, even if all the windows are curtained and shut, and there's a record playing in the lounge, audible from outside - something jazzy and dated by the standards of the time, but a bit of Hoagy Carmichael and Billie Holiday is settling his nerves, if nothing else - and the kitchen is... sparse, clearly underused but for the stack of mugs by the sink, but with some effort the blind leading the blind he and Helly have at least put together a salad for people. Theoretically they'll be bringing their own food too, make it at least ostensibly a potluck.

Comments

[ribticklers]

Sans steps into view of Wash, with a casual wave to get his attention, and raises his hands to try speaking in hands to him. The way he moves is casual enough that it's clearly something he's done before, but with the short pauses of someone for whom sign language is not their first language; it's clear Sans has to do a bit of mental translation in his head.

Unfortunately, it's not ASL. What Sans is saying is can you understand this?, though, so Sans is going to get his answer even so.

[wwrench]

The little wave immediately pulls Wrench's attention. He refocuses his gaze entirely on the man, fully expecting the confidence to beget understanding. When it doesn't, he's a little surprised. It's a half-miracle that Wrench's so-called "wife" knows as much ASL as they do, and a full phenomenon that his dead former partner is here to boot. Finding another person who knows his language would almost feel like a conspiracy. But his interested expression changes to a frown nonetheless, and he shakes his head at the man.

I don't understand you, Wrench signs back in ASL, which will undoubtedly confirm the lack of mutual intelligibility. Back to the notebook he goes to write quickly.

What language is that?

[ribticklers]

Yeah, Sans has no idea what Wash is saying--although with the look on the guy's face, he can take a guess. He digs around in his hoodie pockets for a notebook, a process that doesn't take that long, but still takes long enough that it's enough to make someone wonder what Sans is keeping in them.

we call it speaking in hands
guess whatever's translating forgot about sign languages

Sans's handwriting is distinctly comic sans-shaped. Not computer screen perfect, but still.

[wwrench]

It's a message that's met with an odd mixture of disappointment and dawning interest. Wrench could not have expected finding another person with whom to communicate in his native language, but it feels like a loss anyway. Until he reads a little further, and something about the man's statement makes him aware of something that he wasn't before.

Something is translating the spoken languages? How many people has he communicated with and not known that? If the same doesn't hold true for manual languages, though, it could be a key to something. Or at least a benefit.

Kind of a predictable oversight, but maybe we can use it? Could be an advantage somehow, you think?

[ribticklers]

Sans nods; it's definitely worth remembering, even if it's way too early to fully trust any communication methods that aren't done inside at home or during completely normal dinner parties. Honestly, Sans is wary about those, too, but they all need to have something.

have you tried talking to the people who are actually from here? do they understand you?

[wwrench]

In ASL? I haven't tried.

Nor has it crossed Wrench's mind that doing so could be worthwhile. He's mostly been keeping his head down. Not because he opposes any efforts to find out more about this place, but he's seen what trouble others have made for themselves by barreling into things without a particularly well-formulated plan or any good resources.

Have you spoken to any locals?

[ribticklers]

Sans's wry grin at that question probably makes his intended tone obvious even before he finishes writing.

I try not to
and when I do it's with my voice
maybe I'll try saying hi in hands next time

There's a pause as Sans considers. Maybe, because it could be dangerous. Maybe, because he doesn't want to make a habit of being reliable in any sort of way. It's safer that way. But he knows he's going to give it a shot sooner or later.

wouldn't try it with anyone who seems important though