"It was. Just carrying this hair around was tiring! And because my culture was so insular, a lot of the things I learned aren't useful. What order the four ceremonial toothpicks go in beside your guests' plate, and that sort of thing."

On the other hand, if they ever met a Ninth Empire historian (gag) she could give him or her an earful.

"After what you're learned here, I can see you teaching an entire generation to a new way of life. Being a teacher can be even stronger than being a leader, because all of your allies are so cute." That with a straight face.