“I don’t doubt that, either,” Kire remarked with a smirk at her comment about her potential suitor, then looked behind her at Ruli. She clicked her tongue at the state of his nose and tunic, then turned back to look at Ysaryn’s cooking. “First pick? I’m honored,” Kire said, grinning. “It’s been a while since I’ve had good crab.” She found a bowl to use and picked stuffed crab and squid, though she didn’t touch her food until the rest had been divided up. Once Ysaryn was ready to eat, Kire pulled off the silver ring and secured it in her pocket. Given the commotion her new face stirred, and with Ysaryn eating with her, Kire felt it pointless to use it now. [i]If he’s going to make it difficult to have either face around here, anyway, I’d rather be myself.[/i] 

She ate quietly for a while, savoring every bite. “Seafood really does taste better from coastal settlements,” she said, halfway through the meal. “Your hands are magic.” Then, realizing how that sounded, Kire blushed a bit and went quiet again. “So whoever you choose has to challenge your father? And he becomes chief?” Kire shoveled another mouthful before continuing. “Can [i]you[/i] become chief?”