Lost Creek Hollow all my life, i've been afraid of things

Gannet had never in his memory been allowed first pick, but he'd never been in a position of authority or mentor ship before. He'd always been and accepted his place as lowest man on the totem pole, so he'd offered Merrick first go without any thought or hesitation. It was natural.

It wasn't natural for him to be offered instead, and Gannet was taken aback by it for a moment. Not in a bad way, but in an adjusting way.

He nodded, accepting it. He was older, he guessed, and he had caught it. But it still felt odd, even as an older, to be asserting any sort of dominance display over Merrick even if that wasn't the intention. So his posture was rather unassuming as he tucked in, tearing off a piece or two and taking a step back to consume them. It was a good catch! They should both be proud of it.