C-GTCT03 (Nov 4, 1995)
Puzzle
“Ver volant.”
Research | 1 Word
Clue
Hover over the clues if you require!
Clue 1: What does 'ver volant' mean in French?
Clue 2: What does 'volant' mean in English? To be more exact, what sort of terminology is it?
Clue 3: Which 'flying worm' - or more accurately flying snake - occurs in heraldry?
Answer and Explanation
Answer: Amphiptere
Explanation: In French, ‘ver volant’ means ‘flying worm’. The word ‘volant’ is also used in heraldry (in both French and, interestingly, English), and a flying worm that commonly - relatively speaking - appears on flags is an Amphiptere.
Summary of Receipt
44, 35, 71 and the Owner talk to Mr. Three. After clarifying he’s not here to be sent back to the Ouroboros, Mr. Three mentions that he was trying to unlock 35’s Augur powers for the benefit of 35, the Cafe and Diner, and Belphegor - who apparently did things counter to the Cafe and Diner’s goal during the Indigo Affairs. After 35 agrees to it, Mr. Three leaves to turn his serum which would unlock said powers - generally delivered through his fangs - into a drink.
Transcript
RECEIPT #003
FILED UNDER: CAFE-GTCT
DATE: 11/4/95
EMPLOYEE #44
Mr. Three finally spoke up and has left the Cafe—for now. He plans on returning once he gets the proper materials to make a consumable form of his “serum” that should awaken #35’s full potential as an Augur. I would be dubious of these claims but Mr. Three is a very reputable reptile as far as I can tell. There was some interesting tension between Mr. Three and the Owner. While I would personally probably chalk that up to Mr. Three being one the Prince’s children… there seemed to be a lot both of them weren’t saying. Though per Rule No. 10 it’s best not to worry about it as I assume it’d rack up quite a dental bill.
S.O.T.
#71: Allez ver volant.
Mr. Three: Where is [The Owner]?
#71: Busy I’m afraid. I know you have the patience of unending time, but we have other business we need to attend to here and I doubt he’ll be available any time soon.
Mr. Three: Am I in the way?
#71: Not directly, no. But we are in the business of selling caffeine, something to perk up the slothful, no?
Mr. Three: I see. I bring no ill-will.
#35: You bit me!
Mr. Three: Ah. Yes. My apologies. I was only attempting to awaken your true powers of precognition—
#71: Granted by who, I wonder?
Mr. Three: Is she really your enemy?
#71: Not directly, no.
#44: We’re talking about Belphegor, right? One of the Princes of hell?
Mr. Three: Yes. It would seem there is great distrust of her. Is it because of what Sara did in the Indigo Wars?
#44: We aren’t supposed to discuss—
#71: It’s fine, [#44]. The affairs of different cycles are common knowledge to Ouroborians.
Mr. Three: Well? Is that where your distrust stems?
The Owner: No. My distrust is firmly placed in Sophie.
Mr. Three: About time.
The Owner: You’re here because of [#35], right?
Mr. Three: Yes. I wish to awaken—
The Owner: You or Sophie? Or…
Mr. Three: It is in the best interest of all stakeholders—
The Owner: I suspect I can’t stop you from trying. Though, [#35] are you comfortable with this?
#35: With… awakening my powers?
The Owner: Yes. Awakened or not, you’re an Augur and a powerful one at that.
#35: Will it hurt?
Mr. Three: It will not hurt again, I promise. Delivering the serum through my fangs is ideal, but it can be consumed as a drink as well. Though I would require more time to prepare it that way.
#35: Well… let me ask you one thing first.
Mr. Three: Of course.
#35: Is it inevitable? Even if I said no would you still try to awaken my powers?
Mr. Three: That is a difficult question to answer. There is a thin line between predetermination and free will. I suppose you could resist it for many, many years, perhaps until you die. But someone else would take your place. It’s happened before.
#35: …before?
The Owner: It’s your choice, [#35]. Even if you choose not to, you won’t be replaced.
#35: …Okay. I’ll do it.
Mr. Three: Excellent. Certainly, saves us all a bit of trouble. I’ll return once I have the proper ingredients to convert the serum into something more palatable for drinking.
E.O.T.