"Forces beyond our control do not necessarily have to act in comprehensible ways."

"My long-term plans don't include Iggy continuing to operate beyond my control."

"Especially since Syntropy's not Downsideable," agrees Pattern.

"I see."

"Neither is Alethia. I think Amariah's almost ready to get together a sub-peal and attack that problem."

"I have not yet spoken to Amariah."

"She's cool. Don't touch her owl."

"Noted."

"Her aura reminds anyone who forgets, but she doesn't always remember to have it out, she's not fully public about stuff at home."

Steel nods. She seems disinterested in asking why she should not touch the owl.

"I saw her over there with Sarion," Pattern says, pointing.

"I will go over there," says Steel. "Thank you."

Amariah is over there! She has remembered to put her aura out; she is witchy and Path is Don't Touch Me.

Sarion is with her!

Steel approaches and observes.

"I See you," Sarion says to her.

"It is evident that you do. I see you also," says Steel, mildly amused.

"Elf greeting," laughs Amariah. "Hi."

"Hello."

"Elves also don't ask questions. Sarion in particular isn't fazed about getting asked things, but if it seems like she's hinting about something she probably is."

"I believe I have typically been found comprehensible to the sort of people who choose to keep company with Bells."

"That is an interesting restriction," says Steel.

"It is not impossible for elves to ask questions. We merely consider it impolite. Demanding."

"When we went to Thilanushinyel we all had tea with another elf and Sarion had to translate. It was funny."