"We used to steal them, you know," the fellow said quietly but without much thought to the words. "The plaques people use, when I was younger, I mean. Even then I always wondered why such heavy bits of rock had so much value for what little was chiselled into them."

English had so many rules, and exceptions within, and formality and diction and structure played more into status than most people could ever realize, if they'd been raised with it at least. The words could waffle and become chains of long, near inscrutable sentences. To be concise was rare. Perhaps even refreshing.

"If it were so easy to make your point so quickly, you'd think everyone would know Correspondence," they said with evident sarcasm, finally turning to follow the Chimeric Professor out of the small space. "Or maybe not, considering the risk of flammability to one's attire and reputation."