Beg pardon?

Eh?

Mr. Benedict?

Hm?

May I ask what you just said?

I think I said--"Hm?"

No, the other language.

(OOC: mun is laughing, though)

Er...H'm! I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Smith, but I don't quite understand you?

You were speaking in another language. You don't remember?

No...no, I'm afraid not. How have you been?

I've been fine. How are you, your wife and your children?

They're quite well, thank you! Although to be quite candid, it's disconcerting; they all have a--a strong work ethic. I think they got it from their mother.

So they take more after their mother?

Well--Hannah does, certainly. She's very like Aiko. Beatrice is much more of a Cheshire Cat, I think. Quite an accomplished disappearer! And Makoto...he's such a serious little boy. Sometimes he says he wants to be a shrine spirit!

A shrine spirit? Shrines have spirits?

He wants to be a guardian of a shrine. When we visited his grandparents last, Makoto spent every chance he could wandering about with one of those totoro gentlemen. He met all sorts of spirits and such.

It sounds like a very fulfilling career. They help people who come to the temples?

Well, no. They don't speak to humans at all. I gather it's very--meditative. Contemplative.

Although, I suppose he could help people secretly, if they're respectful of the shrine.

Oh. Very spiritual?

Um. Damn my devotion to science rather than French. Um. "Incredible. I had ..." something something something. "I am a cat! But not an ordinary cat, not 'my auntie's cat.' I am a large orange cat. And I cannot stop the mouse ..." something. ... Something something something.

Er. Cheshire?

Eh? You had something about a cat?

Oh! OH. A dream I bet. ... um, but I didn't have it. That's what your um, entry says. ..... in French.

Are you feeling ... normal, relatively speaking?

Well--I have a bit of a cold, but otherwise, I'm feeling quite well. And yourself?

Er.... I see. *wishes Hermes were around but oh well*

I'm doing quite well, thanks for asking!

I'm glad to hear it. Tea?

... Sure!

So. What's been happening recently with you?

You don't mind pouring?

I've been on my usual rounds. Stopping by Hermes' place, talking to Namor, supervising the kittens' lessons. Oh! Have you seen _theoi? Rather a nice little temple.

I'd be honored to! *does so -- one into a saucer, one into a cup*

What are they learning now? And I have seen that. It's rather intimidating, though, I thought I'd wait a bit to stop by.

Thank you.

They're studying the history of Europe. Their mother teaches them mathematics; it's really something I've never had a head for.

How are your friends? Still coming back from the dead?

It's always nice to hear about the young getting a solid education these days. If I hadn't been into chemistry I might've done something with history.

Oh, they seem to be doing well with that. It's all very gratifying.

Say, uh .. have you eaten anything out of the ordinary lately? I'm just curious. Maybe something French?

I had a café au lait, but the coffee was said to be from Hawai'i.

I never knew anyone who died until I started using the internet. I can see why Namor dislikes it.

... very puzzling.

Yes, I can too. Although perhaps Namor takes it to extremes. But then he is sort of a man of firm beliefs.

A monarch ought to be, I think, if he's the sort of monarch who accomplishes things. Do you know, I think I caught this cold from him?

Very true! ... ahah, did you? Hmm.

I'm not sure, but it might have been.