[ The difficult thing about arguing with a student of semiotics is exactly what one might imagine it to be. Alhaitham is a master of the linguistic art, and while Kaveh is no slouch when it comes to his intellect, his specialties lie elsewhere, notably in the fields of art and architectural design and all the things that come hand in hand with that. Like art history and physics. There was never any question that the scribe was going to debate him into a corner.

Consider, for example, the fact that Alhaitham is not only on track, but has put into words Kaveh's stance better than the architect was able to himself, even in his own mind.

Not that he's going to admit that. ]

I suppose that would be close enough to accurate that I could award you the point, yes.

[ Despite his having soundly lost the debate, he can't help but feel that the scribe's agreement to the terms of the suggested dichotomy is in fact a kind of victory of its own. What catches his attention, however, is the question asked immediately after said agreement. ]

Hmm— It's not?

[ And of course, he ends his statement by taking the bait Alhaitham has laid out for him. (He wouldn't be Kaveh if he didn't.) His arms fold over his chest, eyes narrowing as his head tilts with the question. Maybe, just maybe, he's genuinely stumped by the suggestion being made here, something he tries to hide by turning the question back on the other: ]

Tell me then, junior: what do you think I wanted to hear you say?