Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

Kano's mind buzzed with a relentless swarm of questions eager for answers. What was the story about? What is real - did it happen before? What's a Temporal Drake - what are their powers? How do you know what symbol to inscribe when? What part does the instrument play in the inscription process?

But of course, he also remembered his "training"! Despite his fervent curiosity, he couldn't act upon his instinct, lest he evoke the Elder's ire.

Kano, though, was a child of simplicity. He lacked the finesse of social subtleties - such as saying one thing and meaning something else, or thinking something but showing something else. His face directly reflected his thoughts, and as his stomach was bursting with incalculable queries, his visage warped with an emotion displaying queasiness.

The Elder, as an adult, was quick to pick up on these queues.