Perhaps I am kind to you because I want to be, Itachi. Is that so hard for you to accept? You seem eager to place me into a category without accepting that maybe I'm just being me.

I can be polite and soft-spoken and still show you my harder side when the situation calls for it.

[Al's eyes calmly turn away for a moment, listening, then thinking over the words. There's still the feel of a storm cloud, just after a lightning strike, emotions roiling just beneath the surface.]

We know very well of our weakness, Itachi. But the strength of that connection, the benefits, far outshine any drawbacks. You simply managed to hit a very raw nerve. If you cannot behave yourself, I'd appreci-

Do not speak with him.

I'm not asking you to be nice to me. You can just be yourself. But that doesn't mean I'll respond well to intentional cruelty.