[ Maia is grateful - surprisingly so, in fact - that Dorian believes him. His questioning is clearly out of interest, rather than disbelief or disrespect. That eases a little of Maia's unease. It is his turn, then, to unbend a little. The switch is easier to make communicating in this way, by writing down the words and transmitting them instantly. Speaking aloud will take more time. ]
Truly. But I do not know anything about the history of our customs around language. My education has been somewhat... unusual. I can tell you many other things, about my world, but not this. Your apology is unnecessary, but welcome nonetheless. It has taught me what I did not realize: that I was coming across, not as polite, but as... disdainful and sheltered. Is this true? Please, tell us honestly. [ He doesn't quite notice himself slip, there. ] I am a foreigner in this place, and must learn not to give offense.
[ His cheeks feel faintly hot as he writes it all, but he reminds himself that it is what's expected, and he will just have to get used to it. He had gotten used to the court, gotten used to the heavy jewels and the nohecharei and the rest of it. He will adjust to this, too. ]
Dorian. I would be happy to do so, as well. May we ask, first, since we have already betrayed our ignorance, and cannot rely on the customs we are used to with regard to names and gender... how we ought to address you in that respect? In Ethuveraz, a name ending in '-an' always belongs to a woman, but we do not know if the same holds true elsewhere.
no subject
Truly. But I do not know anything about the history of our customs around language. My education has been somewhat... unusual. I can tell you many other things, about my world, but not this. Your apology is unnecessary, but welcome nonetheless. It has taught me what I did not realize: that I was coming across, not as polite, but as... disdainful and sheltered. Is this true? Please, tell us honestly. [ He doesn't quite notice himself slip, there. ] I am a foreigner in this place, and must learn not to give offense.
[ His cheeks feel faintly hot as he writes it all, but he reminds himself that it is what's expected, and he will just have to get used to it. He had gotten used to the court, gotten used to the heavy jewels and the nohecharei and the rest of it. He will adjust to this, too. ]
Dorian. I would be happy to do so, as well. May we ask, first, since we have already betrayed our ignorance, and cannot rely on the customs we are used to with regard to names and gender... how we ought to address you in that respect? In Ethuveraz, a name ending in '-an' always belongs to a woman, but we do not know if the same holds true elsewhere.