Gallus smiled to hear a more relatable side of Meesei. Though it was perhaps a stronger thing for her, Gallus felt that he had a similar obligation to Tzirret and Peiter. Tzirret more so, perhaps because he was generally very anxious.

The question that came back at Gallus was one that made him chuckle uncomfortably, but he was in no position to avoid the question. "Meesei, many have said all sorts of things about the mistakes I make with romance. Even my own pack mates will joke of it regularly. My father knows it - divines - the whole Bruma clan knows it by now. However, for all the women I have been involved with, not once did I sacrifice my responsibilities. Not once." Gallus looked ahead and smirked with self reflection, "Perhaps that is my problem with women; I have never had that princely urge to give one everything in life." Gallus became serious again, "My pack is my family, and family has always been the most important thing. As for the rest of the clan, well, they know that they cannot fault me for my competence and duty. It is not as if my relationships have ever compromised that."

Gallus became casual again sitting cross-legged and leaning forward. He looked to Meesei, "So you see, Meesei, as long as you do the important things well, your friends will follow you anywhere." He tapped a finger on the air in front of himself, "Now, that is a loaded statement, but it is the moral of this story. I should think you would have wisdom to understand."

Gallus lowered his hand, but he squinted and smiled, not done, "Have you had a bad experience trying to lead and love, yourself?"

[hr]
While he listened quietly, Tzirret was empathetic to La'khay's tears. She was trying to hide the anguish it caused her, but Tzirret could infer all that he didn't see by what he heard. He was quiet for a few moments after the story, feeling a lump in his throat and the burn of tears forming. He looked at La'khay's neck rather than the tears running down the sides of her head. "That is...beyond cruel," Tzirret said sadly, almost whispering.

Finding that a tear did escape from Tzirret's eye closest to the ground, he brought his arms all the way around La'khay and hugged her especially tightly, pressing his chin onto her shoulder. "La'khay did not deserve such an experience," he whispered to her, "Tzirret wishes he could unmake the past for you. He is sad that La'khay feels she has no love." Though he sounded hopeful and trying to comfort La'khay, his next words were clearly naive, "One day, Tzirret thinks you may find love again. Not for himself, but...somewhere."