That's right! [ If anything, Cain's amused by the way Chuuya tries to stretch an extra inch of height. Rather than drawing himself up in a similarly confrontational pose, Cain relaxes his shoulders and rocks back on his heels. ] It reminds me of home, actually. That was one of the main tenets of Idelva, that your worth was judged not by lineage or wealth, but by your ability. Any who could prove themseves could be granted status if they were willing to work for the good of the kingdom.

[ His smile turns a little nostalgic. He can't help it, when he's thinking so fondly of the place he's from, of the people he misses. With a quick glance around to make sure there aren't any El Nysa natives to overhear, he leans a little closer to Chuuya and lowers his voice, confiding: ]

Maybe it's a little foolish, introducing myself with my old rank. But I like to think that Idelva's not gone forever, that we'll find a way to save our worlds from the Storm. That I'll go home again.