He can repeat the sounds Henry says, sure? But the translation mechanism does not work for understanding anything that is recorded unless Henry, Gabe, or Thomas repeat it out loud afterwards. It also does not seem to work on any of the text on the phones.

So it apparently only works on humans, or at least it doesn't work on non-living machines. If either of the two are interested, this kind of phone comes with a language learning mechanism and can take vocal commands.

Sure, they're game.

Henry sets it up. One local and one foreigner may work together for the purpose of this. The phone will ask for a word or phrase, a foreigner may translate, and then the local can provide the translation.

Taharqi is kinda busy with construction but Sendhei is a lazy bastard a dancer and not cut out for much manual labour so he'll help.

...Henry was going to suggest Gabe to help him with the task. But on consideration, Gabe can help with the manual labor. Henry will recite the phone's words for Sendhei to repeat back.

Gabe mock pouts, but will go help to lift heavy things.

Is it because Sendhei and Gabe would definitely start fucking? It is because they would definitely start fucking, isn't it.

He pouts, too.

They would definitely start fucking, yes. Sorry, but they have stuff to do. Henry reassures the lazy bastard dancer that there will be a nice orgy at the end of the day.

Ooh, Sendhei is happy with this. He'll also probably jump off the ruins afterwards because he should go back home to check on the wolves but yes definitely orgy beforehand.

Henry pats him on the back. They will try to not leave him too tired for that task, but still satisfied. And presumably he can swing by for more orgies.

He probably can! He did attune his bracelet to this obelisk just now when Taharqi brought him with so he will not need an escort next time.

Good. Henry is sure he and Gabe will have a lot of things in common. Also, please this phrase: "show me folder named videos".

He says it in his language.

Good. The phone reacts accordingly. They keep working on this, while making more bits of his not-magic-technology through magic. Taking breaks when Henry needs to install something in a specific area of the structure. Hopefully, this means that Sendhei will be able to access videos and pictures by himself. Maybe even filming one.

Sendhei is... honestly tempted.

The panther kitty meows some more and is fed, and panther not-kitties downstairs react to this as well.

Should they do something about those?

Taharqi can behead them if they get to be too much of a nuisance but he's fine just letting them be if the others aren't too bothered. They'll have to be dealt with eventually when they go down to set up any necessary beams and pillars, though.

Thomas' crystal power is controlling earth, he can use it offensively with enough set up? He wonders if it's worthwhile fencing off the area with electric fences or something.

...with what again? That sounds like a very good idea, especially given the purges.

Purges? Electricity is the same thing as lightning, and tiny precise amounts of it is how many of their technology works. Larger, less precise amounts of it can be put through metal lines for added security. It can hurt real bad.

Oh, man, purges. Uh, every now and then there are coordinated attacks around his camp for reasons he can only speculate about. He has so far managed to hold them off a few times but they've been getting worse over time.

Yikes. Thomas will make a mental note to design more thorough defenses. Maybe excavate a moat around their base?

The soil is too uneven; these ruins are set atop some hills and cliffs, and there isn't enough structural stability for a moat. This does mean that any purges coming here will face similar troubles, though, and the electric fence should be a good deterrent.

    "Not for the giant snakes," says Sendhei.

"Probably not for the giant snakes," agrees Taharqi.

How giant are the giant snakes?