Duskfire Glacier You got a good heart, but you're about as sharp as a marble.

The boy's shimmering halo of Otherness diminished somewhat, and Veteran relaxed an infinitesimal degree. He was still on his guard, as the Other Boy was clearly making his stumbling way toward Veteran, but Veteran no longer appeared to be wholly invested in preventing this meeting. He was just as curious as Arius, it seemed. 

"Rrrrr," Veteran gave a halfhearted growl, because some newly-awakened instinct within him urged him that it was appropriate.