Zmerr "mhmed" at Pyria's gratitude. "I understand stress. I had a lot of it myself. But this place? I'd rather be here than anywhere else I know. At least people here respect me." Zmerr chuckled a little. "I'm thankful for that. That among a million other things. I was born a quote 'hybrid-'" he removed one hand and formed quotation marks with his fingers "but not like you. Same race, different cultures is all. I was chastised for it nonetheless. That's why I'm more than one color." He pointed at the white patch around his right eye even though he knew Pyria couldn't see him standing behind her. "Also, blue eyes are unnatural for my father's side of the family. His were red."