Kal looked up at the human and nodded, "I apologize if my presence has in any way affected your relationships with your comrades......" Looking down he snatched a bite from his food, then blinked at the taste of the meat. It was odd, yet very enjoyable surprisingly. Chuckling he nodded to James when he joked about Rethea using her staff on him. He had to admit though....... "I've seen her use it.......and more often then not I've gotten the occasional view of an enemy's entrails........" Realizing something he didn't continue with the subject and merely nodded quickly, "Pardon. I know you are still eating." Gnawing on another of his many steaks Kal glanced over at Rethea, then to the human named Cassie. Indeed, he could spot resemblances between the two; in both personality, and the way they carried themselves. Both were confident warriors. Kal sighed, "I wage they will warm up to each other in due time. Rethea may be stubborn like a rock is hard, but she cant keep to herself forever." From the other table, Rethea's expression had turned into that of frustration and uncertainty. The human ambassador and Juso were contemplating putting her into work with the human Cassie. They really thought doing that would get her to 'like' the human female? Glancing over to said human Rethea snorted softly. But, something of what the ambassador had said made her grimace. Cassie had been through just as much pain as she.....maybe worse. Akin to her, the human female seemed to be strong, proud, and ready to defend her race at the drop of a hat. Rethea thought on the subject for awhile, then tilted her head and sucked in a small breath. Yearning for her family and her home rose up into her chest and she clenched her fists. Maybe she could try it.....she had nothing to loose.....if it would get the others off her back and settle some things between Captain Wellens. She had to admit she didn't like the tension between them. Slowly, the female Sangheili clicked her mandibles and stood up from her table. Leaving her untouched meal she grabbed her staff, then staring at the ground she strode over towards Cassie's table. She also chose this moment to turn off the comm between her and the ambassadors. There was nothing more to hear from them, and she was beginning to trust Ambassador Juso with Hays. Without a word Rethea came to Captain Wellens' table, then sitting down she stared at the countertop. What was she to say? If anything? She didn't know how to speak to these humans. Blue eyes lifting to the ODST Rethea muttered, "I hope you don't mind if I join you." --------------------------------- Juso nodded, looking over the screen on his datapad with unwavering interest. He only glanced up when Ambassador Hays mentioned teaming the two of their commanding guard together, and chuckled in agreement, "I think that would push them both along quite nicely. It would be good for Rethea to work with another female as well." Hearing of the trading opportunities with Aurora he nodded, although rather stiffly. "Since the end of the Covenant Sangheilios has taken a hard turn. Not only has our Agricultural status fallen, our ability to manufacture technology such as weapons and aircraft has lowered without the presence of the San Shayum." A growl tinged his voice, "We were foolish to put so much dependence on those worms.....and now we pay dearly for it." He added, face softening as he looked up at the human, "Sangheilios will do as much as we can in assistance with Aurora. The stability of our treaty, and the wellbeing of our people are our priority." He would do everything in his power to make this mission go smoothly. If Aurora accepted their propositions, then many things for both the UNSC and the Sangheili, would improve.