They liked him well enough, he seemed good-hearted, his extreme interest in them and their land was flattering, but his constant references to their families and their beliefs was a little....worrisome..."And so, honored Leader, if I could have your spirit_of_grace to take the cottage, I would be glad to impart the spirit_of_understanding in the way R-gird (a famed inventor/teacher ancestor) and in the spirit_of_jeho, the wise..."
"The spirit_of_giving fills us and we would gladly walk in the path of Emmanos (the leader who was servant of all) but we are also swayed by the spirit_of_wondering what will come to our children because of your work?"
What will come? Atrus spread his hands to express his confusion. Elder Sirach responded by opening his own arms formally toward Atrus, attempting to express ~with decent distance~ his acceptance of the traveler's person, while leaving his concerns upon his face and eyes. Atrus looked uncomprehendingly at him for a moment then realized the arms were still reaching toward him. Atrus smiled and accepted the double armclasp. hmmm.......hands out? AHHH.......They wanted presents? Well, he wasnt surprised at the request. Many cultures expected an exchange of gifts. Apparantly his training would be considered part of his privileges, rather than repayment of the favor of the use of the cottage & land for his experiments & observations. He could do as they asked.
Happily there were a great many extra models, sketches, and design pieces that would make admirable toys and other gifts if required.
Now he needed to know how much would prove his good intentions.
"I seek to bring only that which gladdens the Creator_spirit. Does the spirit_of_wondering cloud your heart and your grown folk as well? I could offer the burden of Magira too.....but I must keep the spirit_of_freedom......
The elder smiled and rubbed one of his unusually pointed ears. "Our clan is pleased with your heart, my friend. Only a few feel the spirit_of_worry/fear descend in large measure. Can you speak about what you will do up in the rocks? It is not good for crops or beasts and it is dangerous there alone in the cold season when the feather-water falls from above. We use it only as a watchtower."
"I am filled with the spirit of hope that I shall be ready soon, at least by spring. But may I use the cottage this winter?" Early observations on the Age would be helpful to establish a few baselines. "I would not be in it long"
"You should not be there at all. We offer the fires and food of our guesthome whenever you have need of it but the cliff cottage has nothing in it to keep you.. What do you seek here?"
Atrus sighed, then strained his memory for the correct references to describe his plans. This time when he had finished, everyone was longing for a conclusion.....and supper. The elder sensed this. Out of affection he had been attempting to lead Atrus to state his aims clearly, for Sirach sensed a misunderstanding building, but this had proved difficult, if not impossible. It was time to go on.
