Pausing to pose for thought, Gallus looked at the table and stuck his tongue between his cheek and his upper back teeth. He slowly rotated his head to Colours, then to Meesei, and then to Fendros, not saying a word. Fendros felt it appropriate to give a small nod through his condescending silence.

"Okay," Gallus stood up from the table and looked to Orub, pretending to be disappointed, "Fifty percent it is."

[hr]
With a nod, Tzirret returned Ma'tanza's gaze and spoke, "Tzirret had Gallus teaching him, and he helped, but he was never a father. This one was a part of his pack from when he joined the clan. Peiter has always been a brother as well, but it took a long time for this one to even...stop feeling lonely around them. Tzirret was too scared to make other friends on his own, so they were all he really had until Gallus split from his family's pack to form his own. That was two and a half years ago. And then we started this journey with the champion's pack. They are mostly very nice as well." Tzirret tried not to focus on his own misery and attempted to brighten his voice, "The rest of the Bruma clan is like Ma'tanza's, though. People help each other. It was not as easy to find help before Meesei came along, because of the factions, but for the most part, as long as you did your fair share of work, you never wanted for much. Things were very structured. It kept Tzirret...together. Also, there was Najirra, he helps everyone with wounded minds in the clan. He helped Tzirret to learn how to manage his fear."

In some acceptance of the comfort, Tzirret brought his hand up and placed it on Ma'tanza's upper arm, giving it a small squeeze and letting it go. He grinned for a second at a thought and then closed his mouth. "This one does not think Ma'tanza was as bad as Tzirret at making friends. How long has she known the others?"