20 Jan 2023, 03:09
What are Languagessss?
Jan 10th, 2023"SSssss...Sssss? SSSSSSSS" The anguine sounds vibrated across the room, the source of them came from Professor Aarden himself. It was currently after hours of classes, and the man was up by himself almost completely alone. The only other present beings were his pet goldfish Phillip and a snake with green reflective scales. While Phillip freely roamed inside his fish bowl, the snake on the other hand was confined and restricted within a crafty made cage with oddly made twists and turns that prevented it from moving extremely well. If anything, the cage resembled more of a 3D maze than just a cage.
Gregor groaned slightly, placing a piece of his beard between two of his fingers spinning and fiddling with it. Across the room were stacks of papers, homework requiring to be graded but also a few focused on anatomy, personal notes, and oddly written questions on some. The madman of a Professor was questionable during classes, but afterward, he either seemed as calm as a waterfall or as a cook-cook bird. Unfortunate or fortunate, it seemed he was in a coo-coo mood with his studies, as he continued to make hissing sounds towards the snake: "Ssssss... Hiss... SSSS-SS-SSSSSS.." To any outsider, he most definitely seemed like an idiot or crazy old man with some sort of ongoing mental degradation. Whatever he was attempting clearly wasn't working.
As such, Gregor stood up and left the snake in the cage placing it upon an empty student's desk along the front row close to his own desk. On his own desk, he took some fish treats and tapped a few within Philip's bowl before picking up an un-open letter on his desk. Gregor opened the letter, twirling his beard as he read the terms within as the evening light struck through with grace.An eyebrow rose at the first couple sentences of this anonymous Drew. An old accomplice of Gregor's who he grew up with during his time at Hogwarts. A slight feeling of dread fell upon the shoulders of the Professor, as continued to twirl his beard. He stood himself up, not even giving off a sigh or grunt, and walked towards one of the many chalkboards he used during his lessons. He held up a pencil, but swiftly it transfigured into a piece of chalk in his hand. Gregor was a master of using magic without his hands or words. He typically snapped his fingers to do such magic, but that was a more for-show act for students. With the newly transfigured chalk, he began to write across the board two diagrams. One consisted of the head and brain of a snake, and the other the head and brain of a human. Anatomical accurate drawings, distinct sections crossed off and labeled. Yet, despite his focus, Gregor began to mutter more off-topic sentences: "Animal languages don't exist... for a language to exist it requires discreetness, grammar, productivity, and displacement..." Yet before the young, yet old looking, Professor could continue. A knock came on his door. Gregor didn't hesitate, snapping his fingers for a *ker-chunk* sound to be made and a loud echo of his voice stating, "Come in!" However, he refused to move his body or even look away from the board. He continued to write, draw, and whisper to himself an everlasting description of factors that consist within languages.Dear Gregor,
Or is it Professor Aarden now? I must say you must be at a new low to have considered going back to Hogwarts as a Professor. You better be giving our house the most points and be as cruel as possible with those ignorant Ravenclaws. Besides all that though, I hope you are doing well my friend. Unfortunately, I must decline your offer of visiting Hogwarts as a guest speaker to participate in your teachings of the Parseltongue language. I'm sure you can teach the subject well without my abilities, and we've studied the language for years together. anything I know you would know as well. I'm too busy with my own work at the moment here in Beijing. Perhaps another time, but till then you'll just have to wait. Till then you'll have to try and find another eloquent parselspeaker to torture and experiment on.
Best Off,
Drew
@Mateo Sáez
It is not a loss nor a win. In the end, you all will learn something new.
20 Jan 2023, 21:35
What are Languagessss?
ParseltongueNo rest for the wicked today, Mateo thought to himself with a small smile. Usually, he would employ the Library's house elves to run book deliveries, but today was a particularly quiet day and he had been yearning for a small break in his work to have a proper explore of the school. So he took advantage of this chance.
A neatly wrapped stack of books in his arm, he ventured up to the fifth floor and to the Transfiguration classroom, hoping the Professor wouldn't mind if he took his time to wonder and marvel at the complexity and intricacy of the ancient castle. It might've looked odd to the students, seeing a (barely) fully-grown adult marvelling and staring at all of the historical people in the moving paintings, so much so he nearly tripped. Twice.
However, approaching the classroom's door, Mateo could hear some peculiar sounds. The squeaking of chalk on a chalkboard, and maybe something else? Regardless, he knocked.
The door swung back with such a tremendous force that one may have thought the room's occupant was angry or mad or even been fearful before entering. Alas, when the Professor instructed Mateo to enter, he felt obliged to do so. So he would attempt to mask any slight worries he had. Most people were friendly enough, and they weren't then it was usually down to catching them at the wrong time.
The man in the room, Professor Aarden, seemed rather preoccupied as he entered, back faced to Mateo and was muttering incoherent ramblings of someone who was probably a lot wiser than himself. He didn't particularly want to interrupt, but he wasn't sure if the Professor would ever realise his presence if he didn't say anything.
"Hello, Professor! Mateo Sáez here with a delivery!" he cheerfully smiled, offering a wave. "I have the books you requested earlier. Is there anywhere you want me to leave them?"
Mateo took a quick scan of the room, and spotted a cage holding a serpent placed in one of the rows. Catching its eye, he wandered over to admire it more closely. Carefully placing the books on the table next to it, he crouched down to be eye level with the snake and offered it a polite smile.
"Greetings to you as well, sir. I didn't mean to not include you in my earlier hellos. I just didn't spot you. I hope you aren't too bored here. Maybe someday you can visit my domain in the Library, I think you'd love to slither around the shelves."
The snake nodded in response before twisting itself into a coil and resting its head on its scales, seemingly about to sleep. Standing up and stretching his legs, Mateo turned his attention back to Professor Aarden. "May I ask why you're keeping such a majestic creature confined behind metal bars?"WC: 474 | Interaction: @Gregor Aarden
◉ Not all who wander are lost ◉
29 Jan 2023, 00:01
What are Languagessss?
"Unfortunately he won't be allowed to visit your library, Mr. Sáez. The lil creature is conjured, and I'll have to vanish it later." Gregor responded, without even turning his head. If anything, the old man hadn't even realized Mateo had spoken Parseltongue. It took a minute, but eventually, Gregor stopped his writing mid-sentence of describing the differences between the Broca and Wernicke areas of the brains. It took a minute, but as the Professor finally turned to face Mateo he began to realize the man spoke in parseltongue.
Gregor twirled his mustache between his fingers: "Odd, despite you and a colleague of mine having very different and strong accents, the Parseltongue sounds almost identical. It's almost like the accents just drop completely. Fascinating." Gregor didn't seem surprised by Mateo's ability, an ability many tried to hide or locked away. He seemed more intrigued and puzzled by the sounds and occurrences, the fact he could understand Mateo practically perfectly: "Ah, right. Before I continue, I am not a parseltongue. I studied the language for years and have been able to translate the odd mystical language, but I unfortunately am unable to speak it nor communicate with snakes." Gregor placed the chalk down, seemingly to take a break from his raging studies. Taking a cup of tea from the top of his desk, he took a sip while eyeing Mateo: "Care for some? I only have lemon ginger." The old-looking professor chuckled, taking another sip of his tea while tapping a couple more treats into Phillips's bowl. "I've been attempting to reiterate the sounds of parseltongue to help lead that snake out of that 3D-maze cage I conjured as well. Unfortunately, no attempts have worked so far. The language itself is odd and weird. Languages don't really exist in the animal kingdom compared to that of humans. I'm curious, do snakes know Parseltoungue upon being born, or does hearing the words magically enhance their brains allowing them to comprehend languages? It's like saying a snake that never hears Parselmouth will stay animal-like, but once it hears Parselmouth does it gain some sort of magical intelligence allowing it to be more human-like?" As usual, Professor Aarden was going on a rant. A long questionable rant on the fundamentals of magic and the workings behind it. He could never accept magic to just be magic, there had to be something behind it. He took another sip, his eyes had loomed away and across the room but eventually fell back on Mateo: "Ah, apologies. Just some questions for later, Mr.Sáez correct? I appreciate the books you've brought me, they're the ones on the history of dark wizards with the Parselmouth ability, correct? Would you mind if I transfigure the books into rabbits and send them back to you? You'll have to untransfigure them, but shouldn't be too much of an issue... I hope."
Gregor chuckled, he seemed to be enjoying himself, but he certainly had a bit of an overwhelming presence for some. A piece of him hoped he wasn't overwhelming Mateo as the young Professor asked questions and many other questions upon meeting the Librarian of Hogwarts. He hoped he gave a good introduction and wasn't scaring the young fellow. "Speaking of which, odd of you to use such a tongue in the open. You know some still look down and fear those who have such an ability. I don't mind, but I have to give a talk or two to a couple students who find it funny to just talk in the language thinking their Professor can't understand them." He chuckled again, a question of the ages of stereotypes, blood, and myths. Gregor was curious as to what Mateo was bound to say, or had he already scared the man into considering leaving already? He could only wait as he took another sip of his tea, losing interest in his surroundings and not taking notes of Phillip and the possibly still imprisoned snake.
@Mateo Sáez
It is not a loss nor a win. In the end, you all will learn something new.
23 Feb 2023, 01:09
What are Languagessss?
English | Parseltongue
"Oh, that's a shame. I'd love to have been able to spend more time with the little guy."
The Professor slowly turned to look at Mateo, as Mateo looked up at him. It was rather scary, he had to admit. Though the Professor did look oddly similar to how Mateo imagined Don Quixote would look at his enemies, twirling his moustache. Ominous, yet intrigued.
"Does it? I can't say I've noticed too much, though I've yet to come across many who speak Parseltongue who aren't of my family. Though I suppose, now you've mentioned it, the thought is is intriguing. And it is nice that you have chosen to learn the language. I sometimes feel as if many people don't have a greater appreciation for the more mystical languages, if you understand my meaning."
Smiling at the offer of tea (which Mateo assumed was an offering of peace), he smiled gratefully and accepted. "That would be much appreciated, if it isn't too much trouble."
He allowed the teacher to have his little ramble, listening with a smile. It was always refreshing to hear the passion in people when they talked about a subject they enjoyed, and in a case as complex as the Professor's, it was typically easier for Mateo to simply smile and nod. Sciences and magical theory was never his strongest, but he didn't want to seem uneducated.
"Mr Sáez is such a formal title. Please, you can call me Mateo. And it was no problem, I am always looking to explore the castle. And..." Mateo hesitated slightly. It had been a little while since he'd done transfiguration. Namely, a couple of years. He would much prefer to lift and carry things than have a transfiguration explode in his face. "I suppose I can manage to transfigure them back. And I suppose if I did run into any issues, I could just come back and ask for your assistance..." He chuckled weakly.
Mateo nodded at the Professor's change of topic, a little relieved to be able to finally follow the conversation. "I have never understood why there has been a negative association with being able to understand snakes, personally. Growing up, mi Abuelita my grandmother always told me that it was a gift and it was to be respected and not abused. I had never understood that it was something that not everyone would respect until I was older, and I was and still am upset that some do not feel so fondly of the ability."
Alongside the older man, Mateo smiled. "Although this has not happened to me with Parseltongue, I do know the feeling. I remember, when I was in Eastern Europe, the children I worked with were pleasantly surprised to learn that I had been studying a little of the languages spoken in the region. I think it made them feel more comfortable around me, though I did encourage English speaking in the classroom to make sure they retained their abilities. Unfortunately, I have little memories of the languages now, though I may be able to recall an odd word or two."
The younger shook his head. "But I am speaking too much on myself. How did you come to learn Parseltongue, if I may ask? You mentioned you knew another who could speak it?"WC: 550| Interaction: @Gregor Aarden
◉ Not all who wander are lost ◉
21 Mar 2023, 01:32
What are Languagessss?
Gregor listened closely, eventually turning his stern and confidant gaze into a more childish joyful smile as Mateo finished speaking. He was glad to hear more about the librarian and seemingly create a new friendship with the young lad. Yet, at the mention of his own teachings, he slowly looked back towards the letter he had recently received. With a wave of his hand the letter began to crumple itself up, and be thrown to a near by small garbage can the Professor kept near his desk: "Ah, well I use to attend Hogwarts awhile back. I was apart of house slytherin and with a bit of luck I became friends with a boy who could speak Parselmouth. Over the years he tried teaching me, but I have to say he was probably one of the worst teacher's I've ever had during my entire life. Eventually we agreed by graduation to spend time learning the language outside of school and together. That way he'd be able to teach it better, and I'd be able to learn the language. Took quite awhile, but I was able to catch on." Gregor took a sip from his tea, reminiscing about the past. The calming presence he had established was rather nice especially to spend the time talking with another person than just his goldfish like a crazy person.
Placing his tea down he began to think for a bit, "Actually this may be message from the divine for all I know. For I had recently contacted and just received news from my friend that he is incapable of attending. I was hoping on doing a lesson on Parselmouths for fellow students, to help them get a bit more acquainted and for any of those who are afraid to speak such a language grow a bit more courage. Unlike many others I respect Parselmouths. Probably from spending so much time with one during my years. So perhaps you can assist me Mateo. You don't seem to afraid to use the language, and I'm sure many of the students here would love to see their favorite librarian be apart of a transfiguration lesson." A bit of buttering up to convince the young lad, but it was clear that the sound of Transfiguration and Library were potentially gonna be extremely boring in the mindset of many students. The two would just have to work together to make it possible... if Mateo accepted the offer that is.@Mateo Sáez
It is not a loss nor a win. In the end, you all will learn something new.
13 Aug 2023, 18:21
What are Languagessss?
With a grin, Mateo would nod and agree. "I'm glad to hear that. Respect is important, but I know that some will disregard it. And if we are able to help the youth learn to respect and understand more about people's differences, then I am all for it. I would be more than happy to help out."
However, a glance at a clock would make it clear to Mateo that time was quickly slipping away from them, and the Library was being left alone for an increasingly longer amounts of time. As much as he appreciated the nice chat, he was a little anxious to be leaving the Library for so long.
"As much as I've really enjoyed and appreciated this conversation, I probably should be heading back. You understand, new job, and I'd hate to leave the Library for too long and something go wrong. But thank you very much for the tea, it was very nice. And if you would ever want me to visit and be a part of a lesson you're teaching, feel free to just drop by and let me know when, or send a note along, and I'll do my best to be there!"
Hopefully, the Professor would take up the offer. He seemed like a nice guy, and Mateo was happy to help out. With one final smile, he would let the man continue with his day.Mateo has left the thread.WC: 234| Interaction: @Gregor Aarden
Sorry it's such a late reply.
◉ Not all who wander are lost ◉