And why would you wish to be kind, Alphonse-kun? I admit that puzzles me--in nearly every other way you seem quite intelligent.

Yes, you can. As you have demonstrated.

[Itachi remains still and watchful; at the moment his emotions are so far beyond unreadable he might as well be a robot.]

Much better.

I do not think I will refrain from conversing with him just for you, Alphonse-kun, but I will not actively provoking him. I have no reason to. I learned what I wanted. If my methods were cruel, than so be it.