[ Maia reads the message for a few long moments, feeling aggravated and hostile, but... he can't deny that Dorian has a point. Perhaps all those things he'd been told when he arrived would not have sounded preposterous to Vedero, or someone who was more educated about the stars and the planets and the movements of the universe. He does not want to become like lord Pashavar, frightened of change and therefore declaring it impossible.
Once he has mastered his flare of temper and his feeling of embarrassment, he replies: ]
We believe there has been some miscommunication. In our world, this is the polite form of address for all people, not merely royalty. We have observed that it is common custom to use the informal first and refer to oneself as 'I', but in our world, to do so to an adult would be [ He takes a few moments, trying to decide on the right word to describe the complex social connotations, and finally settles on ] either very rude or very intimate. We... suppose we must adjust, if we are to live here, but we are finding it difficult.
[ Perhaps it shouldn't be as hard as it is; logically Maia understands he won't be giving offense, or implying anything he doesn't mean to imply, but language patterns are something that is so ingrained, so automatic. If no one else, he will embarrass himself badly enough that he's just been avoiding conversations altogether. ]
You are correct. To maintain an open and humble mind, yet not become like a child, gullible and foolish, is as delicate a balance as a tightrope walker's. Our doubt over the intentions of those who captured us should perhaps not be allowed to dictate our belief in the origins of those who have been spirited away as we were.
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Once he has mastered his flare of temper and his feeling of embarrassment, he replies: ]
We believe there has been some miscommunication. In our world, this is the polite form of address for all people, not merely royalty. We have observed that it is common custom to use the informal first and refer to oneself as 'I', but in our world, to do so to an adult would be [ He takes a few moments, trying to decide on the right word to describe the complex social connotations, and finally settles on ] either very rude or very intimate. We... suppose we must adjust, if we are to live here, but we are finding it difficult.
[ Perhaps it shouldn't be as hard as it is; logically Maia understands he won't be giving offense, or implying anything he doesn't mean to imply, but language patterns are something that is so ingrained, so automatic. If no one else, he will embarrass himself badly enough that he's just been avoiding conversations altogether. ]
You are correct. To maintain an open and humble mind, yet not become like a child, gullible and foolish, is as delicate a balance as a tightrope walker's. Our doubt over the intentions of those who captured us should perhaps not be allowed to dictate our belief in the origins of those who have been spirited away as we were.