alphinaud

[grigori]

Comments

[grigori]

They've done well for themselves considering their circumstances but... [ they frown. ] It will be worrying to think about what will happen to them.

[arcsplainist]

[ Likewise, his brow furrows. ]

Will our actions affect them?

[grigori]

It'd be silly if you think that your actions haven't already affected them.

[ they're talking about the massive property damage that all of you have done. ]

[arcsplainist]

[ He has nothing to do with that! Oblivious, even. ]

—Ah. Negatively...?

[grigori]

[ whatever you say ]

Children are very impressionable. They've learned some interesting behavior from all of you.

[arcsplainist]

[ Wow. Thievery is not property damage, thank you. ]

I would like to say, for the record, that I take no blame for any unscrupulous habits they have learned since our arrival.

[grigori]

[ okay they'll have to laugh at this. lightly. ]

No, I suppose not. If anything, perhaps you've picked up some unsavory habits from the children?

[arcsplainist]

Me? Perish the thought! I am a man grown, Shamsiel, not a child!

[grigori]

Even grown men can be influenced by children, Alphinaud.

[ they're still laughing lightly if not a bit louder now. ]

[arcsplainist]

I—I did have a proper upbringing, mind, so I am more disciplined than that.

[grigori]

[ if you think this will get them to stop laughing then no. it will not. ]

Is that why you speak the way you do?

[arcsplainist]

[ this bullying? ]

... Do you also think that I speak strangely?

[grigori]

[ okay, now they'll stop and look apologetic about it. ]

I'm sorry. It's not the kind of language that I hear too often.

[arcsplainist]

Hm... No, I suppose not. There are those here who speak in ways I am not accustomed to, as well, though I have been told I sound... stuffy.

[grigori]

It would be fair for it to go both ways. However, I wouldn't call it stuffy as much as proper.

Overly proper. It makes me feel like I should try better.

[arcsplainist]

Hah—you are fine, Shamsiel. I suppose I do come from a particular kind of upbringing, yet you needn't ware your words around me because of it.

[grigori]

M, maybe not but it still doesn't mean I can't try.

[arcsplainist]

[ he shakes his head. ]

You only need to be yourself.

[grigori]

I'll try to remember that.