the_central_library | [Video--with subtitles]

[The view from this video is a bit odd, as it's clearly at angle. Ammy has propped up her bookmark, after figuring out how to get it to show moving-pictures and sort of thinking at it that she'd like to do one herself.

Which means the first view people get is a large white paw, then a black nose and white muzzle sniffing at the screen. Then the figure backs up, and moves into view more properly. An easel with paper on it is nearby, as Amaterasu comes into view. She's a medium-sized white wolf, with red-markings and flourishes visible along her fur. Occasionally, a blue disc that shines with a sun's corona is seen above her shoulders, fading in and out of view.

There is a "woof!" in greeting, and her tail wags. Beside her, on the paper, Japanese characters appear. こんにちは。私は天照です。 "Ammy"は簡潔にするために大丈夫です。私は神話を担当する助手司書です。 As the words appear on the paper, a subtitle appears on the video-screen for everyone, in case they do not read Japanese.]

Hello. I am Amaterasu. "Ammy" is alright for brevity. I am the assistant Librarian in charge of Mythology.

[Ammy turns to look at the easel and paper, then back to the screen with a satisfied nod. More writing appears on the paper. 私があなたを助けることができるなら、私に来てください。私はもともと日本から来たものです - あなたの多くが慣れ親しんでいるよりはるかに古いものです。]

Please come to me if I can assist you. I am originally from Japan--a much, much older one than many of you would be familiar with.

[Ammy's head tilts, as she's thinking for a moment, before giving a canine-yawn. One more set of characters appears on the paper on the easel.私はこの形で人間ではないという点だけが限られています。私はそうでなければ能力があり、あなたに会うのを楽しみにしています。]

I am limited, only in that I am not human in this form. I am capable otherwise, and look forward to meeting you.

[That should be good, as far as she's concerned. Time for a nap. Padding forward, the closing view is of a white paw reaching out before the video-feed cuts.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There is a blink, Ammy's ears twitching as she listened. Amused, and she gives a canine snort. Looking at her paper-pad on the easel, this will require a new sheet. Behind her, Ammy's tail twitches, and the sheet of paper is cut neatly across the top. The old one flutters to reveal a blank one beneath which Ammy uses for her writing now.

私はいくつかの国、特に中国を知っています。私たちの北の島であるカムイもあります。私は、今のところ、私はあなたの時代に関連して「古代日本」から来たものと推測すべきです。写真に関しては、私はノンフィクションのセクションで何が見られるかを見なければならないだろう。またはあなた自身の写真をペイントします。これは簡単ではありません。

Vertically written, that almost took up a whole sheet on its own.]

I am aware of some other countries, notably China. There is also Kamui, our northern island, that seems almost to be its own country sometimes. We should presume, for now, that I am from 'ancient' Japan relative to your time. As for pictures, I would have to see what can be found in the Non-fiction section. Or paint you pictures myself--which will not be easy to do.

Edited 2017-02-12 18:30 (UTC)

I won't make you paint pictures! I can imagine how hard that'd be. [Wry grin.] Wish I spoke as many languages as my friend, but at least you can do this much, yeah?

I'll check out the nonfiction section and we can talk about comparing experiences, sound good?

Bet it was gorgeous though! What little I saw already was.

[Ammy grinned a canine grin. 私はこのフォームとコミュニケーションする方法を見つけました。]

I have found ways to communicate with this form.

[Then Ammy has to get to a new sheet. Again the sheet seems to be 'cut' somehow, cleanly across the top to reveal a new page as the old flutters to the ground. Behind her, Ammy's tail had twitched. 私の土地は美しい。もし私ができるなら、私はあなたを見せたいです。いつか私は時々年上の兄弟に尋ねることができます]

My land is beautiful. I would love to show you if I could. Maybe sometime I can ask Ji-niisan.

Ji-bro?

[兄は、「サー」と同じように、住所の一般的な形式としても使用できます。それは図書館員の私の愛称です。]

"brother" may also be used as a general form of address. It is my nickname for the Librarian.

I understand!

Are you close friends then?

[私はここで彼に会っただけなので、私はそれを言っていないだろう。しかし、私は彼が私のニックネームで楽しまれていると思うし、時には彼の同情心を感じる。私は彼が親しみを許すことを光栄に思います。]

I would not say that, as I only have met him here. But I think he is amused by my nickname, and I sense a kindred spirit in him at times. I am honored he allows the familiarity.

[Oh no, that's so cute! Rose beams.]

Good enough to me! You only nickname or adopt pretty close friends. My team at Torchwood were pretty like that. Besides he's probably flattered to have such a great sister, I know I'd be.

[Amaterasu is looking at her pad of paper on the easel. There is a twitch of her tail, and then the top of the sheet has separated as if cut. The written-on one flutters to the ground, before there is more writing.

実際には、それはまた、見知らぬ人の丁寧な、しかし中立的なアドレスとして使用することができます。例えば、2人の参加者の年齢に応じて、自分の名前を知らない場合、彼の陶器をつかむ店主は、「叔父」または「兄弟」とも呼ばれます。]

Actually, it may also be used as a polite, but neutral, address of strangers. For example, a shopkeeper hawking his wares would also be called 'uncle' or 'brother' if one does not know his name, depending on the age of the two participants.

Ehhh? Really? So what would I be?

[Ammy tilts her head, and blinks. 私はあなたを知らないが、もしあなたの注意を喚起する必要があり、人間として話すことができたならば、丁寧な「姉」を住所の形式として呼び出すかもしれない。]

I do not know you, but it is likely if I needed to get your attention and could speak as a human, I might call out a polite 'Onee-san' as a form of address.

Like a big sis?

[Oh Ammy if she could tail wag... she totally would be.]

[私はそれが翻訳されるかもしれないと思います。それは私が知らないあなたの年齢の見知らぬ人に対処する単なる丁寧な方法です。]

I suppose that is what it might translate to. It is merely a polite way of addressing a female stranger of your age whom I do not know.

[But Ammy's tail is wagging, beyond just her writing. She is amused by you, Rose. お名前は何ですか？]

What is your name?

[Video--with subtitles]

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