Assessing

Sentinel Island - Haven
JP with Omni and Lorem

Gonyaul’s synchronized hands and tongue came to a perfectly timed halt. He had explained everything, in rigorous detail, of his time and account to the present. He was clear to add that it was from his perspective, and thus the tool of his memory while sharp and handled carefully was incomplete of everything. He came across as sweet, authentic and humble if he was being shrewdly judged by his audience. There was no instrumentality in the way he spoke; he was not trying to play them.

Watching the entire historical tale was like watching a gracefully choreographed dance of gestures. The tone of his voice and words were as sweet as honey to the ears. The Vauxian tongue flowed well, was gentle sounding and saturated with musicality. They even experienced a little of his singing when he shared parts of a song he had made for his friends.

It had taken a while to get through it all. It had also taken a toll, he could feel himself yearning for rest. Gonyaul was grateful that they had been curious, generous perhaps, or at least not rude to allow him the length of interval to share his truth.

Now he sat there calmly in silence, with braided hair and simple Allosi tunic. His eyes gently going back and forth between the two women once again studying them. His posture was waning ever so slightly, the only indication of his physical exhaustion. His stomach growled with hunger, but the sound of the nearby ocean lapping at the island drowned out the noise. There was a curious glint in his tired eyes as he wondered what would happen next.

The younger woman, her expression a blend of slight bewilderment and concentration, seemed to be scrutinizing Gonyaul as if trying to piece together truth and significance, while the older woman, allowed a rare, bemused smile to dance briefly at the edge of her lips.

A chuckle escaped the elder, who then exchanged words in their native language with her daughter. To which her daughter responded in a doubtful, questioning tone. The conversation continued in a mixture of tones, both lighthearted and serious, yet carried an undercurrent of wonder and inquiry, as if debating a point of interest or contention about him.

Gonyaul's attention sharpened when he caught a few words in a language not entirely foreign to him. 'Grandfather' was mentioned, albeit in an archaic form that the Vaux reserved for matters of direct ancestry, followed by 'Helias' and 'Vaux.' The context, however, eluded him, the conversation quickly reverting to what might as well have been gibberish to his untrained ears.

Draza approached Gonyaul then, her actions swift and decisive. She pulled him to his feet, an unexpected gesture, only to then lift his tunic, exposing his abdomen. The display seemed more for the older woman's benefit than any concern for his well-being.

The elder approached, her walking stick in hand, and peered at him closely, squinting as though assessing his condition or worth, much like one would examine livestock. There was a clinical detachment to her gaze, one that may leave a person feeling distinctly uneasy.

Without warning, the old woman directed Draza with a brief prompt, and before Gonyaul could brace himself, Draza's fist connected with his stomach.