[He looks surprised at the sudden giggling fit, eyes widened and his cheeks actually... reddening a little. Yet he can't help it! A lifetime of a certain manner of speech is so difficult to erase. But he nods, lowering his head slightly to try and hide his embarrassment. His voice is somewhat low, even as the giggling continues.]

...I understand. I will try.

[And then he listens to the information, feeling the bloodflow to his head resume to normality.]

That is my feeling exactly-- I mean yes. Yet until such bonds can be forged Um, until then--

[Gods, speaking as others did was difficult.]

...It is all we can do to form militias formed for the purpose of protecting settlements. Yet that poses problems in itself...