"Does this mean that I am stuck here for a few days or a few years?" Areus doesn't get a nifty translation effect. But he doesn't sound like he is talking about some terrible uncertainty.

"Not years. Definitely should be possible to send things and people your way after a few months. And we should talk once a week. Could be more, but: end of the world."

"Yeah, how long do we have to talk? How are things? And everyone?"

"At least a few minutes, maybe a dozen or so. Our family is fine, but overworked. They cancelled the visit to Vitek's world after the portal you took visibly malfunctioned. How about you?"

"I am alright, mostly doing menial tasks to pay for my keep. A translation artifact would really help, and if you send one I will throw it away because it's more needed over there."

"Noted. We could only see glimpses of you, but you appeared to be well."

"I am. The main problem is feeling bored and my skills wasted on. We have been trying to bridge the language gap. They have a lot more kinds of people. Also, Evil, Good, Law and Chaos are tangible things for magic. The person who left, is Evil. He is not interested in help people that he isn't close to."

"I guess that makes me Evil? I am sure your mother would agree. And maybe Temperance's mom."

"Changing the topic. Tell me more details on how is everyone?"

Sevet elaborates how specific individuals are doing.

Well. Looks like they just have this one, for now. They can work with that.

He starts going on excursions with Rropp while Areus is doing other work, in the hopes that the damn fool can pick up some better magic. He continues to talk alignment with Areus as they continue to add vocabulary. By this point, between Rropp dedicating all of his spells to translation on most days, they've covered most of what needs to be covered.

After the end of the second week, Merves is ready to actually discuss things that matter.

By that point Areus would really like the chance to do something meaningful with his time.

"Maybe I am selfish, but I want to repeat the alignment topic. We discuss but not enough words. Now we have enough, maybe, to discuss."

"Maybe enough to discuss," Areus agreeable. "But why you need to discuss it?"

"Important you understand alignment. Alignment affects much. Alignment affects who are friends and enemies. Alignment affects where you go after death. Alignment affects who trusts you and who- opposite trust?- who not trusts you. Alignment affects what you want and what you say and what you do."

Areus nods. "Alright Opposite of trust is distrust." He tries to revise their conversations on the topic under the lens of having more words to communicate concepts. "Can aligment change?"

Nod.

"Alignment can change, but very very slow. You want alignment change, alignment change. Most not want alignment change. Alignment is what you want for you and what you want for- city, people, world. Respectful, prudent, or independent, and altruistic, realistic, or ambitious. Lawful, neutral, or chaotic, and good, neutral, or evil."

"Is that origin of problem? Actana is in danger. Actana people fight for it. Some actana people are evil. But still help."

"Alignment not origin of problem. Alignment- people fight about what world should be. Evil people no help unless things help them. Actana in danger, good people help, no if. Always help. Neutral people help maybe. Evil people help...more maybe. I want help but I want things."

"Alignment makes ..." They really didn't have the word for obvious "trait people can see. Precise see. People divide caused alignment. Question, Good and Neutral people not want Evil people help?"

"Good people not trust Evil people. Neutral people maybe trust Evil people."

"What if someone make friend with good people and friend with evil people?"

"Good people trust Evil people small things. Evil trust Good people big things, maybe. Maybe Good people bad at things, because Good. Good harm self for help others."

"You say that, makes Neutral appear better. My people would not say in your words. Maybe Areus Neutral."

Shrug.

"I say Evil best- Evil is ambitious, Evil wants more things. Good is no way for people to be if want things. Maybe no, maybe I am wrong. Important thing is, I want help your people, but I say what I want. If you help me, I help your people."

He makes a point of repeat the shrug. "Yes. That is maybe a good trade. What you say thing you want?"