dia_gan_wazumo-farm_charmer_man

See you around, stranger!

I care for my master's Wazumo. Sometimes I work with the machines to prepare their silk, but I prefer being out here with the animals. I like the way they chirp when they eat. Master says it's the sound of air pockets escaping from between their scales, but it makes me think of birds.

• So you enjoy working here?

  *He nods.* There are worse things a slave can be made to do. Tending Wazumo isn't half as bad as working on a ganura farm.

  And I like these animals. I know they're crippled, but I like to think they're happy when they eat. They're so much fun to watch!

  The conversation ends

• You seem simple-minded. This is just the right job for you.

  *He cocks his head.* Are you trying to insult me? *A shrug.* Eh, whatever. You're right. It's a wonderful job. I can watch Wazumo all day and only have to make sure they're fed and comfortable. Simple and easy!

  The conversation ends

• Wouldn't you rather be free than watch these beasts for a master?

  *He shakes his head.* And what would I do on my own? Used to hang with a bunch of charmers. They'd tell me what to do, too. Taught me how to carve bones. But I like this job better. I get food and shelter and all I need to do is watch Wazumo.

  The conversation ends

*He shrugs.* Master calls it slop. Don't know what's in it. All kinds of leftovers, I think. Stuff they don't want to put in people's food.

It's not that bad, though. Kinda adventurous - every bite you take tastes different! Never know what you're gonna get.

• You eat this stuff?!

  It's for the Wazumo, master would be angry if I ate it all myself. He gives me normal food, a simple ganura mash to keep me fed. But when I watch them eat, I wonder what it tastes like to them, so I sometimes take a little bite before I toss another shovelful to the Wazumo.

  The conversation ends

• Disgusting. It's good that someone like you is a slave. Just imagine, a slop-eater in free society...

  Hey, no need to be rude! You free people eat weird stuff, too, especially those sand elves that come here to trade with master. Fermented things that smell even stronger than this slop! Master says it's a lovely fragrance but I don't smell the difference.

  The conversation ends

• Hmm. Could you let me have a bite, too? I'm curious now...

  *He looks around, making sure nobody's watching.* I really shouldn't, master will beat me if he finds out I give things to strangers. But if you make it quick...

  *He picks up a gob of slop and holds it out to you. Hard as you try, you can't identify what it's made of. The smell is worse than rotten meat, or fish that has been left too long in the sun; you'd be willing to bet this goop contains a good amount of both. You spot a few strands of what you hope is straw, but fear might be fur.*

  • *You asked for it, and he offers you a piece even though he risks a beating. It would be rude to refuse now. Eat it.*

    *You put the stuff in your mouth and bite down. Something cracks. It's softer than bone, but still hurts your teeth. The horrendous smell almost made you gag, but the taste is worse. There's some kind of meat in there, raw and spoiled, sour in flavor.*

    *Strands of hay get stuck between your teeth. You're pretty sure they passed through a Yanaki's stomach before. There's a hint of manure in the flavor, akin to the stench of freshly fertilized ganura fields. As you swallow it down, you notice a bitter aftertaste and hope whatever contributed it isn't poisonous.*

    *The slave shows you a grin.* Like it?

    • *Try to keep your expression neutral and shrug.* It's alright.

      See, told you it's not so bad sometimes! I like trying it sometimes. Makes me feel like I'm sharing with the Wazumo. They're so adorable.

      The conversation ends

    • How can you eat this stuff?! It's horrendous!

      Oh. Looks like you got one of the bad bites. It's not always that bad. But anyway, the Wazumo like it all, even if it's got a bit of an off taste. *He points down to the pit.* See? They're enjoying it.

      The conversation ends

    • Whoever can eat this and thinks it's good deserves to be a slave. I hope you're never set free!

      Hey, no need to be rude! You free people eat weird stuff, too, especially those sand elves that come here to trade with master. Fermented things that smell even stronger than this slop! Master says it's a lovely fragrance but I don't smell the difference.

      The conversation ends

  • Thanks, but I... uh... don't want to get you in trouble. I'll pass.

    *With a shrug, he plops it into his own mouth and grins.* Alright. But I won't offer it again. Lost your chance to try the Wazumo feed... hm... I can taste some ogobi here!

    *Something cracks, and his face distorts into a grimace.* Ow, my teeth! It was shell. Ogobi shell.

    The conversation ends