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31_days2014-12-27 03:21 pm
seta-suzume.livejournal.com) wrote in 31_days2014-12-27 03:21 pm
[Dec. 27] [original] Handmade Words
Title: Handmade Words
Day/Theme: Dec. 27, 2014 "because hands speak more intimately than words"
Series: original
Character/Pairing: (WWI-esque) soldiers
Rating: PG
Over the sounds of the bombardment, it wasn't as if anyone could hear much of what their colleagues were saying anyway. The lieutenant relied on hand signals, passed down the line, to coordinate his men for a volley in return or if (heaven forbid) they were going over the top. Everyone had been instructed so that they would understand the official signals properly.
The unofficial signals, which the lieutenant used to try and supplement his chatty nature when the men were simply waiting things out, were not as universally understood.
"It's not sign language, see," Private Neal tried to explain his frustration with the system one day, "Not official sign language, that is. He's just making it up as he goes."
"But you know the official sign language, so it's annoying?" Private March guessed.
"Yes, that's it precisely."
The five men around the small fire fell silent, considering this.
"I think he doesn't want us all to be able to understand," March decided, "He's having personal conversations that he only wants the people involved to get."
"Like what?"
"Like he's flirting with," March's eyes glanced off to the side toward another soldier from their company not seated with the group, "Well. You know."
Neal shook his head. "I guess we're laughing because we think you've made another point."
Day/Theme: Dec. 27, 2014 "because hands speak more intimately than words"
Series: original
Character/Pairing: (WWI-esque) soldiers
Rating: PG
Over the sounds of the bombardment, it wasn't as if anyone could hear much of what their colleagues were saying anyway. The lieutenant relied on hand signals, passed down the line, to coordinate his men for a volley in return or if (heaven forbid) they were going over the top. Everyone had been instructed so that they would understand the official signals properly.
The unofficial signals, which the lieutenant used to try and supplement his chatty nature when the men were simply waiting things out, were not as universally understood.
"It's not sign language, see," Private Neal tried to explain his frustration with the system one day, "Not official sign language, that is. He's just making it up as he goes."
"But you know the official sign language, so it's annoying?" Private March guessed.
"Yes, that's it precisely."
The five men around the small fire fell silent, considering this.
"I think he doesn't want us all to be able to understand," March decided, "He's having personal conversations that he only wants the people involved to get."
"Like what?"
"Like he's flirting with," March's eyes glanced off to the side toward another soldier from their company not seated with the group, "Well. You know."
Neal shook his head. "I guess we're laughing because we think you've made another point."