Ma'tanza's embrace was at first surprisingly distressing for Tzirret. He had even less space to breathe and was on the verge of lashing out for fear of transforming. However, he did as she said and focussed on her. His breathing was uneven and shuddering for the first four breaths, but by the fifth, he felt his shoulders relax. He still could not fill his lungs to the fullest until about the tenth breath, and his beast spirit did not leave him alone until the fifteenth. All the while, he either had his eyes closed or fixed his gaze on Ma'tanza's eyes. About a minute later, on the twenty-third breath, he felt calm enough to stop.

[i]"Okay, Tzirret thinks he is okay now,"[/i] Tzirret murmured, looking guilty. [i]"He thought he would not be afraid of this any more. He is so sorry."[/i] Tzirret's shame caused him to scrunch his eyes shut, trying to avoid tears. [i]"He just needs...he just needs to focus now."[/i]

[hr]
"Yes, I suppose you're right," Gallus conceded, "I will focus on keeping watch and I'll let you know as soon as possible if something happens." Gallus then gave a brief reassuring grin, then lowered his face just as quickly.

Glancing to Colours, Gallus felt bad for keeping him out of the conversation, but there was one more sensitive matter Gallus wanted to broach. "I was actually referring to your other veneer, Meesei," Gallus said quietly. He wasn't sure whether Meesei would be comfortable confiding her personal feelings towards the plan here, but she did not have to answer.