Then you assigned this one to me for a reason! That is splendid! [Roads plowed over perfectly good nature, and nature was the best thing to be among. Walls and roofs were all well and nice, especially when it was raining or snowing, but nothing could beat flowers and trees when it was warm and sunny out. Or dark.]

Everyone. [He'd hoped that maybe some people had figured Bell was just teasing the way that he teased around. Apparently not. This was a private matter and it had pretty much been pushed on everyone. That bothered Youth a good bit.]

Yes. But I asked him before not to mention things along those lines on the journals again, and he did not listen. That... I expected to be listened to but I have not earned it, and I do not know what to do to earn it.

[Youth shook his head. This was a learning process, and it was goingg to take a lot of work. At least he wasn't against work. At least Stoneface didn't seem to object to his choice of partner. He was not sure why such a thing was a problem, why it mattered that Bell was male. But apparently it caused more insults for Apostle.]

I understand. [He nodded and gave Stoneface a thumbs-up. It wasn't as enthusiastic as usual, but he was not going to let Stoneface down when so much was going on.] I will keep up with my shifts. You are busy and I will not add to that. I am sorry that I have added to your stress.