Felltree Marsh Unjaded

Her bright green eyes narrowed a bit as she listened, but the action was not done with ill intent.  Warbone spoke of Octavia and Banner found herself uncomfortable even hearing the name.  After all they'd been through with the former Alpha female - not to mention her recent death and how it took a toll on Stark - it hit a raw nerve.  And, being who she was, the dark brown Marauder couldn't afford to touch on raw nerves at the moment.  Not when she'd done a shockingly decent job at this whole diplomacy thing.  Still listening to his words, her head turned to face front again.

She fought with herself for a moment to retort with any number of fill in the blanks: "if Octavia had" been healthy, treated Stark right, been a mother to her son "this would not be the issue." Banner realized then how bitter she felt toward the other female.  And she knew, really knew that none of it was Octavia's fault due to the illness and all that.  She swallowed hard and exhaled sharply in a sad attempt to focus her mind.  These thoughts weren't productive and best left to mull over in quiet, private moments.  I understand the wolf you are, she began.  Most of them had the same instincts, after all.  I can't say I agree with it.  Not when it came to her family and the home she'd grown to love so dearly.  Even as the words left her mouth she knew they'd come out wrong, but she didn't feel any pressing need to explain herself.

We don't know you.  The Keep has always been wary of outsiders - you know this, she finished quietly.