... Hmm. The girl who questioned the question wasn't punished, even though she slightly insulted the Chosen. We are not supposed to unreasonably challenge authority, we are not supposed to put ourselves forwards to advance our own interests at the expense of the Project's, but we are supposed to ask lots of questions of Keltham, because he thinks that is normal. Does this extend to the Chosen? A fascinating question. Alexandre thinks he will remain silent, for now; he has no very good questions, at present, but he may find better ones later.

"They're all yours," the Chosen says to Asmodia, and departs.

"Let's be clear on something.  The reason why nobody is on fire right now is that - as it so happens - one of the earlier mistakes of Project Lawful was the degree to which too many of us held back from being the first to risk asking a question when Keltham was saying dangerous things.  He'd say something and most of the class would freeze up, until I, or Ione, or Sevar, had to dispel the silence before Keltham noticed.  Or noticed more."

"That's why Sevar didn't hurt you for that stupid fucking question.  The last thing we want to train out of you right now is asking questions even when you're scared.  Being the first to ask questions."

"It was even - almost - the sort of daring clever question that Keltham is expecting.  'Well, if what you say is true, wouldn't it follow that...'"

"In alterCheliax, see, people don't get burned, flogged, flayed, and their bones shattered for questioning authority like that.  They never learned to be scared of asking questions like that.  Or not to anywhere near the same degree as in realCheliax."

"And preserving the integrity of alterCheliax is FUCKING EVERYTHING."

"You worry me, Willa.  You worry me because it was not actually in your interest to ask that question.  It was not wise.  It was not prudent.  And if you imprudently blurt out a clever question like that, which is more probable to be asked in realCheliax, which gives something away to Keltham, THAT is a FUCKING PROBLEM for Project Lawful in a way that asking insubordinate questions of the Chosen of Asmodeus is NOT."

"So YOU are not going to be eager to ask your questions of Keltham, in class.  You will think about your questions before you ask them.  You will wait for Security to relay those questions to me.  You will wait for me to approve.  Then you can ask, if nobody else happens to already be speaking, of course."

"Your behavior outside of class will be consistent with this pattern, whenever Keltham is present or nearby, until Security has confirmed to you that Keltham is out of range to see or hear."

"Congratulations, Willa.  You are now studious, shy, and hesitant."