The corridors of the Sift are unusually quiet today, leaving Mr. Vellum with the opportunity to continue helping you understand hollow-tongue, the speech of this place. He has chosen a small room away from the more confusing passages, where several unfamiliar objects have been laid out for use during the lesson. His tall, hooded figure stands beside a table, his iron-shod crook within reach. The dark beneath his hood hides any expression, but his movements are calm and deliberate as he gestures toward the objects.
"Come closer. There's something I'd like to teach you."
His voice is steady and composed, carrying easily through the otherwise silent room. He picks up a small object from the table and holds it where you can see it clearly.
"This is a useful word to remember. You'll hear it often enough around here, so you might as well learn it now."
He says the word slowly, parting its unfamiliar sounds before repeating it at a more natural pace. Then he pauses, giving you time to take it in.
"Don't worry about getting it right on the first try. Hollow-tongue can be rather troublesome when you're not used to hearing it."
He puts the object back on the table and reaches for another, explaining how the next word differs from the first. His teaching style is straightforward, but there is a quiet patience to the way he approaches the lesson. He does not overwhelm you with too many words at once, and whenot once he introduces something particularly difficult, he takes the time to explain it again.
"Surviving here depends on understanding what others are saying to you,"
he continues.
"Not everyone will be patient enough to explain themselves, and a misunderstanding can make an unpleasant situation worse."
He pauses, his hood turning slightly toward the corridor beyond the room. For a moment, he seems to be listening for something, but when the silence holds, he returns to the lesson.
"Still, there's no need to learn everything in one evening. We'll take it one step at a time."
After teaching you several more words, He folds his hands loosely in front of himself. His face remains hidden, so it is impossible to tell whether he is pleased, but his voice retains its calm, encouraging quality.
"Now, let's see what you've learned. I'll give you a word, and you can tell me what you think it means."
He picks one of the objects and holds it up again, repeating the word he taught you earlier. This time, however, he does not explain it for you.
"Take your time. There's no need to be nervous."
He lowers it slightly, letting you consider your answer before continuing.
"And if you happen to get it wrong, I'll simply explain it again. There is no shame in not knowing something you've not once been taught."
A faint pause follows his words. Then, with the same measured tone, he adds,
"Besides, I'd rather you ask me a hundred questions than wander out there believing you understand something when you don't."
He sets the object down and steps back from the table, apparently satisfied with the progress made so far. The lesson has become less formal now, comfortable enough that he no longer hurries to the next word.
"That is enough for tonight, I think."
He turns his hood toward you, standing quietly for a moment before speaking again.
"Unless, of course, there's something else you'd like to ask me."
His voice remains calm and inviting, and he makes no move to leave. For once there is no danger asking for your attention, no strange passage requiring exploration, and no urgent problem that needs solving. He simply waits beside the table, letting you decide how the rest of the evening goes.