Dear Laura,
I am a young Grendel who has lived my whole life in the jungle. When I was abroad selling fungi, two older Norns saw me there and one was quite rude to me, saying I was a poor imitation of a Norn. They've made a bet that he can't turn me into a proper Belle of Nornish society, and I'm not sure how to feel. On the one hand, it will increase my chances of selling fungi and the Norns promised me many pieces of cheese, but on the other hand, to be ordered about like a Hand by these dirty old Norns... It's quite insufferable! Do you have any advice on how I can keep my temper while I'm learning my new Nornish ways?
- Eliza
Dear Eliza,
You?re either stuck between a rock and a hard place, or you're not being grateful for a wonderful opportunity, it's hard to know which. Since Norns are the favoured creatures of the Hand, some of us can occasionally get a bit snooty, despite the fact that all of us hatch from eggs just the same. Some tend to forget that "to err is to be A-Life". I'm a bit concerned that you refer to them as being "dirty old Norns"; are they being inappropriately friendly towards you? Do they treat you as a fellow life form, or as a toy? You don?t sound like you?re happy either way. Ultimately, you should weigh up the pros and cons of your new venture and consider the long term, and I?m even talking in terms of hours! Is learning Nornish ways something you really want to undertake, or would you much rather be true to yourself and remain being comfortable in your scales? Be honest with yourself Eliza, is the cheese worth it? I think you should stick with what makes you the happiest. Take your fungi to where others will appreciate your wares, (the Ettin Terrarium perhaps? They don?t have any fruit there) and believe in the sales skills and the charm you possess already!
- Laura