While Isabel wanted to laugh, the guy seemed so stiff that he wouldn't appreciate it by any means. So she returned his huff with one of her own. "You might think so, but you're the one who elicited my sympathy, such as it is. It might not be much of a gift, but in my world, they've got a saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth--that it's not a good idea."

She didn't know him, no, but she wasn't going to pre-judge him on anyone's word--including his own. And she snorted a little bit. "Well, I plan to keep at it, but if those teachers can't handle a little kickback or being shaken out of their oh-so-precious boxes they've placed themselves in, they deserve what they get. Innovation is the way of the future." She followed his gaze to the window, and her own softens a bit.

"Yeah, that's true. Where my dad's from...they don't take as good care of the world as they should. It's still livable and all, but it could be in better shape."