=== Alear & Louis === --- C --- [Alear] Louis? What are you doing there? [Louis] Oh, hello, Divine One. I wasn't doing anything of note, really. [Louis] Merely observing those two over there chatting with one another. [Alear] Um, OK. And you're doing that...why? [Louis] That is the question, is it not? [Louis] There are all sorts of philosophical implications to the simple act of asking, "Why?" [Louis] To which I suppose I would respond... for edification. [Alear] So you watch people chat in order to learn things? [Louis] Precisely. There is deep meaning in these seemingly simple encounters. [Louis] Through observation, many delightful and subtle details reveal themselves. [Louis] When one treats them as one would treat a gallery piece, can there possibly be any harm? [Alear] There, uh... I think maybe there can. [Alear] What's right or wrong goes beyond rules and laws. There's courtesy and decency. [Alear] If you knew they didn't like being watched, you'd stop, right? [Louis] But of course, Divine One. [Louis] I would never elevate my appreciation above their own comfort. [Alear] Just so we're clear. Well then, I guess...I'll leave you to it... [Louis] Very good, Divine One. I trust that I have eased any concerns you had. --- B --- [Louis] ... [Alear] Hi, Louis. [Louis] Ah! Greetings, Divine One. [Alear] Are you doing your people-watching thing again? I can leave if I'm interrupting. [Louis] Oh, you weren't interrupting anything. I was thinking about my family. [Louis] I left three younger brothers behind back in my hometown. [Alear] So you're the oldest? [Louis] Yes, I am the oldest of us four. [Alear] Wow. It must have been tough being the big brother. [Louis] I suppose so, from a certain point of view. [Louis] Our mother passed away before her time, so it was up to me to raise them. [Louis] But I love them nonetheless. We all muddled through together somehow. [Alear] Maybe taking care of them is how you got to be such a good retainer. [Louis] You know, you may be right. It takes quite a bit to ruffle me, as it were. [Louis] And now that I consider it...growing up in that way may have given rise to my little hobby. [Alear] How so? [Louis] Spending one's youth in an all-male household gives one a rather narrow view of the world. [Alear] I... I guess. [Alear] Do your kid brothers do it too? [Louis] They do not. [Alear] That kind of pokes a hole in your theory, then. I think it might just be you, Louis. [Louis] Haha, the mystery deepens. --- A --- [Louis] Thank you for your help, Divine One. [Louis] I always have such trouble deciding on gifts to buy for my brothers. [Alear] It was nothing. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to get any gift from their big brother. [Alear] How's the letter going, by the way? You said you were going to send one with the gifts? [Louis] That was my original intent, but I think I've reconsidered. [Alear] Why's that? [Louis] Well, the purpose of the letter and gifts was that I wasn't sure when next I shall be home. [Louis] But when it came time to put pen to paper, I found myself merely staring at the blank page. [Alear] I wouldn't worry about the best way to say it. Just write whatever you feel. [Louis] Something from the heart... [Louis] "How are you? I am doing well." Ugh, those are the beginnings of a rather childish letter. [Alear] No, it's like the gift. They'll be happy to hear from you no matter what you say. [Alear] The important thing it to make it clear. Take any chance you get to tell them how you feel. [Louis] Wise words... [Louis] You are correct, of course. Thank you. I shall include a letter after all. [Louis] And so long as I'm writing to them, I shall tell them all about you. [Alear] Me? [Louis] My brothers should know how wonderful you are. [Louis] You won't object to me introducing a precious friend to my family, will you? [Alear] Aw, Louis. You're embarrassing me. But yeah, that'd be nice. --- S --- [Alear] Sorry to keep you waiting. What was it you wanted to talk about? [Louis] Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Divine One. [Louis] ... [Alear] Um...Louis? [Louis] Would you care for some tea? [Alear] I'm fine, thanks. So you wanted to discuss something? [Louis] ... [Alear] You're fidgeting a lot today. What's going on? [Louis] My apologies. I had hoped my anxieties would be less obvious for all the world to see. [Louis] I brought you here to ask a straightforward question. [Louis] Yet my hands are shaking, my face is flushed with sweat, and my feet feel leaden. [Alear] If something is bothering you, just ask, and I'll help in whatever way I can. [Louis] It's my brothers, you see. They strongly wish to meet you once the war ends. [Alear] Is that all? Of course. [Louis] That's not all. It's the reason they wish to meet you that has me so flustered. How to put this... [Louis] It would seem my brothers have discovered just what you mean to me, Divine One. [Alear] What? [Louis] The letter I sent them contained some...effusive praise for you. [Louis] In their reply, they said that they absolutely must meet this person I spoke of so gushingly. [Louis] They even included our mother's heirloom ring that I might present it to you. [Alear] ... [Alear] So that's it. [Louis] I apologize for putting you in this predicament. [Alear] What a beautiful ring. And you're giving it to me? [Louis] Pardon? [Louis] Yes. It would make me happy for you to have it. [Alear] Thank you, Louis. [Alear] You've had so much practice caring for your family that I'd feel lucky for you to care for me. [Alear] That's why I have a matching gift for you, if you'll take it. It's the Pact Ring. [Louis] You're too kind, . [Louis] When this war is over, we must visit my home and sample the grapes it's famous for. [Alear] I'd like that. And I'd like to meet your family as well, of course. [Louis] It feels odd to step out of serving you and grow so close. But it's a step I'm happy I took.