[He shakes his head. Clearly confused, but absolutely fascinated.]

That's so... different. From what I've been told, the First has the same concept. How do you keep the elements in balance without a word for them?

[There's no rude tone to it, no reason to think he's being insulting. He just looks as interested as he does baffled.]

For instance, if the aetheric balance tips too far towards water, the result could be catastrophic storms and floods.