He crosses his arms, weighing his words carefully.

"There is kindness if you can find it," he says eventually. "But cruelty is practised with an almost casual air. Many prefer to turn a blind eye to suffering, consumed by their own troubles. A beggar could vanish from the street and no-one would think twice.

"However, in times of great, great need...I suppose the goodness of mortals shines through then. 'Tis only a pity that dire circumstances are needed to reveal it."