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[I]Walkie-talkie. Walkie-talkie. Walkie-talkie. [/i]

The phrase echoed into Benjamin’s head, the syllables performing a haunting melody as they replayed over and over. The intricacy of the definition betrayed the actual outcome. Dame Patel had an explanation that was both precise and informative with an endless supply of chip and patience. The result was in a word that he had somehow never heard before, a technology that had not crossed his mind in his near century. The device was as mysterious as his smartphone, a relic from an era of communication.

And it was called a [i]walkie-talkie[/i].

The snort that had erupted from Ben was both wholly unnecessary and shamefully humiliating. After the Dame went out of her way to acknowledge them and he had been sure to remain as pleasant as possible, to remain humble despite the honoring, it was outright disgraceful that he would dare to react in such a way. But no amount of willpower or exercise or leaning into old habits could save that distinct chuckle of his to escape.

Shameful. Absolutely shameful. 

Who, however, could blame him wholly? Could they have not used a pair of words that didn't speak to his inner juvenile? No. No, for his lineage it was inappropriate to react in such a manner. The class had only just begun, he needed to get better control of himself. Even if he had to bite down on his tongue to ensure he would remain silent, he would do so. An arduous task, he realized as the dame repeated the word, but one worth committing to.