Moonspear Quiet and silent does a body good

Kindle's brows popped just a little higher as she finally spoke with a little firmness and passion. He was feeling out her boundaries, still, and trying to figure out how best to speak with her. Internally, he labeled her "touchy" and moved on.

"I never said you didn't try," he reminded her, though he did doubt it, then and now. "Just that easier and safer aren't the same."

He stood, feeling restless and wrong-footed.

"Listen to what you're saying, too," he told her. "We came here to meet you. No one came to us. Katmai, at least — when he wants to make a friend, he goes out and he finds one. That's why we're here, now."

Kindle didn't know if he felt the same way about himself. He'd sort of stumbled into Cosmo and Haedwig, and he felt much closer with one than he did with the other. He was surely riding on his nephew's coattails in terms of connections. For now, anyway.

"Look, never mind that," he said, still a bit huffy. "My apologies if I've offended you. I'm glad to be here now — and I'd like to get along with everyone, if I can."