[ a curious creature, this bird who sails around him, watching him with bright, sharp eyes, as if taking the very measure of his being, and dan heng remains still save for the gentle undulations of his sinuous body, hovering while he is examined. his eyes, however, are also sharp, also watchful, and while there is no defensive tension in his body language, dan heng nevertheless never entirely lets his guard down around those he does not know.

but he allows the thorough measurement without complaint, waiting for the bird to finish and address him again before he speaks. ]

A fair question. By all estimations, you shouldn't.

[ he says, voice smooth, reasonable, his tail swaying smoothly behind him as he contemplates his answer. ]

.. but this place has ways of forcing one's hand, and making you comply. [ the power the house wields.. it is great, and more than a little terrifying, all things considered. ] Of course, that's not reason enough for many, I suppose.

[ as a nameless, after all, it is in dan heng's nature to fight against oppression, but he is a little more discerning when it comes to others. he'd rather not see them struggle needlessly, if it can be helped. ]