Tzirret gave a smile when Ma'tanza laughed, but as she spoke further, the smile faded into a look of realisation, and then of anxiety. It was naive to think that Ma'tanza would not know what was going on in general, but Tzirret's exchange with Qa'habi, however brief, was meant to be kept a secret. Qa'habi said himself that he wouldn't tell anyone. In fact, with the speak of awkward advances and everything else, Tzirret knew that he was completely exposed.

Again, Tzirret looked down and shank into a cringe. "Qa'habi told you what Tzirret tried to ask him, didn't he?" Tzirret said, defeated.

Uthri raised a confused eyebrow, but did not turn to join the conversation.