Hoshor Plains Queer Lodgings

The only thing that Mal had been taught in the world was that he had to rely on himself.  Everyone else was unreliable, likely to leave, and they honestly didn't seem to care about him, so that was what he returned in kind.  Why would he be nice to someone who was obviously just going to betray him?  Ibis had already shown that she thought she was above him or something -- that his experiences meant nothing, and here she was seeking his pity.

How? he half-shouted with frustration.  I don't even know what you want.  It wasn't like she'd said -- she just acted like he would totally be able to fix things or something and -- newsflash -- he had not a clue.  She demanded too much and if she was gonna just flounce off now, he wasn't the sort to go try and baby her to fix whatever issue it was she was having.  But whatever.  He's not there.  He's gone, he called as she turned to head off without him.  He was already preparing to give up the search.  There weren't any signs.  She'd have a shadow back to the forest whether she liked it or not.

Perhaps these siblings were a mistake to keep around.