Emberwood and i know we'll be together,

bhediya allowed ibis to finish. she didn't move to interrupt and kept her expression neutral. the goal was to foster an organic read of the leader's mind, free of visual influence. 

to ensure that the explanation had ended, bhe allowed a moment of silence. she settled back onto her haunches then, hoping that it might ease ibis's nerves. i was afraid of overstepping boundaries, she explained, defining what you are comfortable with us doing on our own might help.

up until then, bhediya was under the impression that ibis preferred having the final say. had she known that the girl felt otherwise, she might have hesitated to call so frequently. i've been at the border a lot, as you know, she quipped with a smile, are you okay with me accepting new members?