[ Louis doesn't know - he doesn't ask a lot of questions about people's personal lives. He doesn't really want that sort of bond with anyone anymore. He shuffles his hands through his pockets, getting another cigarette as his current one is coming to an end. It's just that sort of time, lately. He doesn't light it, though, just shifts it between his fingers. The action itself is soothing, helps him focus. ]

Same. Though some people here have thought that a world of animals is magical enough on its own. But I guarantee it's not that different than a lot of humans.

[ A sigh. ]

I like your optimism. I knew someone like that, too. Anything he could do to help, he would. Makes being called idealistic a compliment somehow.

[ But it's not like that for him. He doesn't need to say it, it's fairly clear. Louis wants to make changes to the world, even if he has to do rotten things to get there. He can't help everyone along the way, but if it makes the world ultimately better, then it's ok. People get hurt on the path to peace. ]

Be careful, though. The people native to this place are real hit or miss with our kind.

[ It's leadership, really. Louis has never had a good relationship with the powers that be. He was a victim of keeping quiet and maintaining the expected back home, up until his father did the unexpected. And even then, they had to act like that unexpected thing never happened. Even now. Even after he died - Louis never really got to tout the type of hero that his father truly was to him. ]

Political leaders are often agents to maintain the norm. They're not always as eager for change as they let on. I keep my expectations low and do what I want to do to help the people around me.