"Interrogation meeting?"
The Empire, a distant clock chime echoes.
In a grand workshop resembling a Sacred Place, an aging craftsman sighs lightly, "The best part about the Association is that no one likes to pretend."
"Huh?"
The dull young man, still studying the watch, looks up at his teacher.
He doesn't understand.
"Once you're wearing a contrived façade, you can skip even the act. Can't stand seeing someone do well, can't stand newbies making a name for themselves, can't stand others being better than oneself... Even a budding talent faces probing immediately."
The old craftsman sneers, "Should one say 'true craftsman' or 'typical craftsman'?"
"I don't understand."
Andel shakes his head openly.
"If you don't understand, you don't understand. Everyone lives their own way; knowing everything can be exhausting."
