Things seem to have settled down a bit, and I’ll go with Weekend Writing Warriors as a regular Sunday blog. That allows an 8 sentence upper limit, which is what I’ll normally post. The Unofficial Six Sentence Group will be once a month, the first Sunday of every month, with the 6 sentence limit, so each first Sunday I’ll post 6 sentences and sign up for both. I’ll probably be late getting the link on the facebook page unless I remember to do it just after midnight – I’m about as far west as you can get in the US.
We’re still in War’s End, and Ginger has just finished using the reader to find out what Maungs eat.
“Give me the reader back, and I’ll try to communicate with it,” Audi said as the creature entered the clearing. The reader had a small keypad, and Audi fussed with it until the screen showed a complex pattern—mostly green and blue, with touches of gold. Then she held the screen where the creature could see it.
The Maung immediately flashed the same colors and pattern over its body.
“Friend—friend,” Audi muttered. “At least I think so. Let me try ‘stay with us’ next.” She worked again with the keypad, and showed a new pattern to the alien.
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I like the way you use colour for communication. It will be interesting to see what other colour combinations mean.
Color and pattern. And Audi’s about at the “me Tarzan you Jane” level of using it.
I agree with Clare, the color communications is a very clever idea. I hope nothing goes wrong with the reader, that’s what would have happen to me. Great snippet.
Communication’s modeled on cuttlefish.
Oh, I LOVE it – what a terrific concept for the communications. You never disappoint with your technical details! Excellent excerpt, can’t wait to see what’s next…
We happen to use sound. No reason other species can’t use other senses.
That is so cool! I certainly hope the translation is correct . . . Or that in Maugish, ‘friend’ doesn’t mean ‘species I haven’t drained, yet.’ 🙂
More reason to worry that Audi has the pattern right.
Love the colours for communication idea! Yes, here’s hoping that “friend” was the correct surmission. Great post, although I had a little trouble finding it. When I clicked on the WWW linky, it brought me to their page, not yours, so I used Google to get here.
Thanks for catching that Deb. I went to the linky list and changed the URL to the the Homecoming blog’s url. All good now. 🙂
Thanks, You’d changed it by the time I got Deb’s comment.
I just checked, and clicking my name on the WWW page brought me right here. The logo on top takes you to the linky page.
I love the idea for the communications. I hope the understanding is correct. Great snippet loved it.
The mating display of cuttlefish was the inspiration.
🙂
I like that they’re communicating. Let’s hope nothing’s lost in the translation. Also, Audi’s enthusiasm is infectious. I agree with the others — your color concept is very clever.
Audi has met Maungs in friendly context before, though only in the company of Roi, who she knows will protect her. And she believes they are better adapted to the tropics of Rakal than Humans are.
I adore the idea color communication! Very different, yet so very viable. Way back before I wrote for a living, i trained as a color therapist, I now often use colors people wear to judge how they are feeling, so I can see how color could be interpreted to meet your needs of communication. LOVE IT.
Color and pattern, though there are “aggressive” colors and patterns.
Very clever! I like it.
Thanks. I’ve had the Maung reproduction and its danger to Humans in the background for a long time (it’s behind all of my books) but this is the first time I’ve tried to write one in as a character.
Awesome! If they can communicate with it, things should go better. I wonder what kind of personality it will turn out to have. Could be fun.
Oh, it has a personality, all right.
Using colors for communication bit…it’s different and yet effective. Nice snippet.
Colors and patterns. It’s still a bit tricky, as different species “see” in slightly different wavelengths.
Very creative world building! Enjoyed the snippet and look forward to more.
Only a few more weeks to go on this scene. Earlier ones are under Six Sentence Sunday in the index.
What a clever communications technique!
It’s what the Maungs use among themselves, but the reader color screen is a rather halting communications method, especially as Audi knows only a few phrases.
some people see words as colours… article about it in the Globe but forget what it’s called. so it perfectly makes sense to use colour for communication 😀
I think it’s synesthesia. The Maungs can hear all right, but they don’t have anything like our larynx and can’t make complex sounds.
Love that you used colors for communication. Interesting. 🙂
The patterns are as important as the colors.
Ah the power of communication! Hope it’s friendly!
Communication is a definite plus.
I also love the colors and patterns, also that you say that specific colors have meaning. I did note that the reader was returned when it was requested. It’s going to be fun to follow the new communication method.
Their having only the one reader is going to be a problem.
Your snippet is always so interesting, Sue. Communication is such a fascinating subject. Does Audi know approximately what “message”, or idea she is giving the maung with regard to specific color patterns?
She’s in the position of knowing half a dozen simple phrases in the Maung language, including “friend” and “stay with us/me.” Also “Yes,” “no,” and “I don’t understand.” I found the latter was necessary when I had a native Japanese speaker as the head of my Master’s committee. I learned very quickly never to ask a question that could be answered “yes” or “no”, because if he didn’t understand me he’d say “yes.” (I was doing a lot of trying to get his papers into understandable English.)
Love the idea of communicating with colors–there are many species on this planet who do so, too. Cuttlefish comes to mind right away. Even humans do a bit of color communication–blushing, red lips. . .
Cuttlefish was what I had in mind.
Great way to connect the species, Sue Ann. Good snippet. 🙂
The Maungs are considered valuable trading partners buy the R’il’nai, as the two species trade botannicals (often with medicinal properties) that prefer the growing conditions one species or the other cannot tolerate.
A very vivid scene. I love your use of colours.
Glad you like it.
Love the use of colors and patterns! What a great snippet!
There’s no reason communication has to be by sound.