---
Bat Bat leaned back and groaned dramatically. "This is oppression of small flying intellectuals."
Elena said, "It is grammar."
Bat Bat replied, "It is tyranny."
"It is not."
Bat Bat pointed accusingly at Elena. "Auri knew what I meant."
"But others didn't. You will cause trouble for the young master if you don't learn proper grammar."
Bat Bat gasped as if betrayed by philosophy itself. "I was speaking with natural artistic freedom."
Elena's mouth moved faintly. "You were wrong."
Bat Bat looked at the maid. "Do you see how she attacks my language?"
The maid lowered her eyes at once. "I would never presume to judge, Lady Bat Bat."
That instantly restored some of Bat Bat's dignity.
"See," Bat Bat said. "She understands diplomacy. Like Bat Bat."
Elena exhaled softly, the kind of breath that belonged to people who had once prepared to die in battle and now had to explain pronouns to a bat.
"Again," Elena said. "You are she."
Bat Bat sagged.
