"I don't see what the point is of populating the scenario with off-brand Maitimos. I guess I'll find out eventually."

"We can leave if you want."

"You aren't bothering me, your presence is similarly confusing whether you're around or just off-page for the moment."

"You should go."

He looks miserably at Kib.

"Do you want a hug? I'm considering doing the cuddly thing anyway just to pass the time, except none of you are claiming to be my Maitimo."

"We can get him if you want?"

"He's not very cuddly anymore. ...Sometimes if I was wrapped up in a lot of blankets and held real still. You'll bring in whoever you want to bring in, I'm sure."

Shiver.

"Don't feel obliged to entertain me. The movies are great, you should compliment whatever creative orcs you have on the writing staff."

"We're not going to leave you alone and it's probably good for me in the long run."

"Sure."

"But obviously if you'd rather not have company we'll leave."

"You're not bothering me."

"I believe you but that's kind of hard to imagine, given -"

"Even mid-hallucination I had better coping strategies than flinching every time he visited me in my dungeon, seriously."

"I think I'd be significantly less horrified by believing myself at risk than by - being believed to be -"

"Yeah. Not fun."

"And there's really nothing to say, either, is there."

Shrug. "Like what?"

"That would help. I understand you would hardly tell me."

"Most things don't help when coached anyway."

"Usually I don't find myself in need of coaching."

"Yes, well, you seem to be playing the part of 'clueless variant Maitimo' and - you, what's your shtick, is it being very quiet or what."