No, that can't be it... It sounds too weird to be a dog. It's probably some type of super-powered cryas arte or something they use at the knight academy.
But nice try, Sophie!
[Don't be fooled. He still doesn't know the answer himself. Gee, mun, sometime today?]
[ Hrmmm. It -could- be a cryas arte! She's willing to believe Asbel knows better than her - he knows everything after all! He could say it was a delicious flavor of ice cream and she'd believe him. ]
[Asbel laughs a little at this - but it's all in fun.]
Well, I've sure never seen one, have you? All the dogs I know are covered in fur, not scales.
[Or maybe it's something even better than a cryas arte! Either way, the suspense is killing him, but it doesn't look like the mun's ready to tell yet.]
Right. And I'll bet you've never seen a hairy lizard, either!
[Oh. Um. Good question, Sophie! Asbel scrunches up his face, arms crossed in DEEP THOUGHT.] Hmmm... Now let me think...
[Scal-ee-wag...]
[Scal-ee-wag...]
[Scale... Wag...?]
Hey, I know! I'll bet it turns an enemy's legs into a fish tail so they can't move around easily on land. Or you could use it on yourself and swim to safety. It'd be a great escape tactic! Don't you think so?
Sorry, Sophie...I don't know how to do it either. But, hey, maybe I'll learn it when I become a knight someday. Then I can teach you how to do it, too.
[He's more amused than anything. Asbel's enthusiasm just makes him happy. ....He may or may not definitely be having thoughts along the lines of HANGING OUT TIME as well.]
A swag wouldn't have a clear meaning at all. It sounds more like how children talk about things before they learn the names for them.
[He says in all of his wisdom of twelve years, as if this entire discussion is not about them not knowing the name for something.]
A scallawag is a dangerous creature of the seas, said to roam the brigs of pirate ships and other ocean liners. They bring misfortune wherever they go and can even cause ships to sink, that's why you'll hear some folks say things like "why, you dastardly scallawag!"
To keep them away, you have to keep a healthy amount of sea bream porridge with you at all times.
[ The things you say with a straight face, Malik. ]
[He's not grounded, he can go explore wherever he wants, he gets to see all his friends. Definitely not complaining.]
Does it really have to? There are plenty of words out there that don't make any sense at all. Like... [um.] like highroad! It gives people the wrong idea, you know? Since it's not high at all.
[...Wait. Richard did you just call him a child? It sure sounded an awful lot like it. Almost.]
They are very, very large. And can shapeshift! So you have to be careful. But they're not common, so you shouldn't worry too much.
[ Here comes a ridiculous explanation. He's just gonna keep going... ]
Sea bream are the natural enemies of scallawags. Sometimes ships will enlist special sea bream wranglers who can corral the fish alongside a boat to keep it safe. These people are trained professionals though, and are very expensive to hire, so for a cheaper alternative, simply carrying lots of sea bream porridge will keep a crew safe.
Of course, that's as long as it's just one scallawag. If there's several, well...
[Asbel's pretty caught up in Malik's tall tale by now, leaning forward, wide-eyed.]
Big... Shape-shifting... [Maybe he should be a little worried. But he's not. Not too much. ...Ha! He could totally defeat a scaleewag if one ever showed up! Probably.]
And they live in the ocean, right? Then there's no way one could ever make it to land and survive!
[Unless...it shape-shifted? Huh. Maybe he should keep some sea bream handy, just in case. He wouldn't want Hubert or Cheria to get scared or anything...]
As long as they're in their usual form, you've nothing to fear. They can shape-sift however, so it might be best to stay on your guard.
[ Captain... ]
If there's more than one then you need to bring out something special! Something so vile that even a dozen scallawags couldn't handle it! And that is...!!
[ Dramatic pause!!! ]
Edited (so many edits I'm sorry) 2013-08-15 16:30 (UTC)
On my guard. Right! [This guy's obviously pretty strong, and he knows what he's talking about, so Asbel should listen up. Even though there aren't any sea monsters around, he straightens, hands fisted, and tries to look confident and tough. It's not very effective...]
[He waits, eyes locked on Malik's face for the key to defeating a dozen scaleewags at once. If he can master it, he could probably handle just about anything!]
[Oh man, it's even worse than he imagined! Asbel stumbles backwards from the force of Malik's words. None of the substance even needs to be present for Asbel to grasp what a SERIOUS AND DEADLY WEAPON it is.]
N-nooo! N-not...natto!!
That stuff is lethal! If you use it, what'll happen to everyone else?!
[They'll all die - the scaleewags and the crew, too!]
I know, I know. It's very dangerous. I've seen it take out scallawags and crews alike-- the casualties are always numerous. [ Sighing. Ah yes, the price to pay for safety. Gross, fermented soybeans. ]
That's why you must only use it as a last resort. Why, the stench alone is strong enough to hold back five or six scallawags. As long as you've got natto, you have nothing to fear.
[ Malik, you're getting a little carried away... ]
[today in Richard pretending to know things he doesn't] That one makes sense because the highroads are the more important roads, so they're higher in the hierarchy of roads. [IT'S LEGIT
wait Asbel's giving him a look. What did he do? D:] What is it?
[Asbel slowly recovers. Eughh... The power of natto is just that intense.] Y-yeah... You don't have to tell me that twice!
But if you've seen natto in action a bunch of times, then you must've found a way around the smell, right? [He brightens.] What's your secret??
[Tell him how to build up natto immunity! And because maybe it's a little nosey, and this guy's obviously got talent and he should probably treat him with more respect, Asbel adds:] Do you think you could teach it to me, sir?
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