"I'm sure that nobody will. They've seen stranger things, that I can assure you. I take it that means that you are not actually an elf?"
He hadn't even thought of that possibility, but it made sense now that he thought about it. How many creatures gallivanted through the imaginations of children with ears such as hers? Certainly they wouldn't think that anybody who looked as innocent as she did would be anything more wicked.
Hannibal decided he shouldn't presume to think in this case.
"I could say the same in my case. I think we tend to think our backgrounds are worse than they really are. After all, if we didn't have them, we wouldn't be the people that we are, would we? Don't disparage yourself too much." There was a slight pause. "And yes, I would rather that you didn't offend me either. So I guess I should ask if there's anything in particular you need help with? I've been here quite a while and perhaps can answer any questions, if they haven't already been taken care of."