Invitation
By Rey

9. The Perception

The longer I read the books contained in the data crystals, intersperced with references to the language primer, the more fluent I become in the language itself, at least in reading, and in picking up spoken words from the crowds.

I demur when one of the tutors comes to fetch me for midday meal, as there are a couple of books yet that I have not read. They insist, however, saying, "Little ones need to eat regularly to grow big."

"I am already big," I point out, trying to go with humorous instead of offended. "If I eat too much, I shall grow to the side, instead of up."

They scoff, albeit laughingly, to that. "You should know better by now," they chide me, while gently prying my fingers away from the reader. "It is just a ploy for your elder relatives to take greater portions of the meals, most likely. Although they should know better, as well, really. Stealing food from children's mouths is punished severely after the war. – Ha, Interested? Well, if you come eat now, Elder Lúkra shall select you a book of updated laws, and we can discuss some of it together. How about it, little one?"

I frown. – How old do they think I am, for them to treat me like a child? Eðlenstr treated me thus, and now this tutor. Is it because my height is similar to some of the students here and they are all children? Do children here discuss about laws with adults, anyway?

And what will happen to me should I persist in denying their wishes? Are they going to force me? Are they going to punish me for not obeying? What do they use as punishment for children – and perceived children – here, anyway? The Children of Ýmir did not say that. But then again, I did not pay attention to all aspects contained in that thick tome, just select few. Besides, I am here for a knowledge-gathering mission, am I not? Book learning can teach only so much, although The Children of Ýmir has been more informative and comprehensive than most tomes I have read.

Still, somehow, getting punished here for the sake of acquiring knowledge about such topic is… more risky and reckless than I would be comfortable with. I could always just ask about it once I have established some sort of rapport with this jötun, no?

And the rapport would not be established should I disobey…. Damn it.

So, purposefully radiating reluctance, I comply with them.

And they chuckle, even as they take my hand in theirs and lead me away from my reading station.

Damn. I have never felt so small before, and it is not all about the huge height difference between this jötun and I, either.