Felltree Marsh i was in darkness

"The scars are my kill count."

Banner's eyes instantly met his again.  Kill count..?  Aware enough of her body language in this moment, she was very careful not to have a strong reaction of any kind.  Well, except for a small, thoughtful frown.  He'd been so matter-of-fact in his statement.  Not sorrowful or boasting - just bland.  She wondered how it was possible for a wolf to react this way to killing.  His previous distant behavior suggested that he hadn't interacted with others much.  And now this?  She swallowed, hoping the sound wasn't actually as gratingly loud as the echoes in her head.

She didn't have long to think on his admission before he answered her question.  No pack.  The short Marauder nodded, the only response she could think of at the moment.  Now that she was closer to him, Banner noticed his tail.  It was.. docked.  Her bright green eyes betrayed her as they widened again.  It wasn't often that she saw a wolf without a tail - what kind of accident had caused this?  Her own tail twitched, her thick fur rustling softly with the movement.  Oh, she couldn't imagine life without her tail.  How awful that he didn't have one!  Realizing that she was staring again, she looked back to his silver eyes.

"I'm sorry," she murmured softly, not bothering to clairfy if she was apologizing for staring at him (again) or if she were apologizing for whatever incident caused him to lose his tail.  Or that he didn't have a pack.  She managed a barely-noticeable cringe.  Banner had so many things to apologize for.