"We go everywhere even when we aren't necessarily wanted. We listen and we observe, so that we might find inspiration for our next piece. If that means making an ass of ourselves, well. That's just part of the fun."

And then he flinches and sighs. "We could not take the chance you would be harmed in the process. It was our burden to bear, not yours, and you had been tainted too much by us as it was."