better and better (joining)

Adya believed the best way to overcome awkwardness was by pretending it didn't exist. He stood up, tried to maintain an amiably submissive stance. Beta. Alpha. Why does there always, always have to be a language barrier? Why can't everyone do things the same way?

The stranger looked too young to have any sort of title, but things were different here. Adya managed to keep a straight face. He considered himself for a moment: he'd hunted rabbits and caribou with some wanderers he fell in with a few months ago, and moder taught him a few things about navigation, but other than that... The longer he kept the stranger waiting, the less truthful his words would sound. Best to get it over with.

"Small animals, and large game if someone helps me drive the prey. A bit of botany. I know the stars, too, otherwise I wouldn't be here - a few of the southern ones are new to me, but I can pick them up."