Hushed Willows There'll be no more monsters made here!

It took him a second to remember what "maim" meant but when it clicked, his eyes widened slightly. Tambourine shook his head, not in denial but in disbelief. He knew Stark was telling the truth but he wondered why anyone would behave that way. If he trespassed on their lands or stole their food, he could understand if they got angry with him. But attacking for fun?

Stark offered to accompany him on future jaunts and then explained that Tambourine could even make himself useful. For a long moment, the Xi didn't say anything. For some reason, none of that appealed to him. But he didn't want to disappoint or, worse, offend his foster father. So he thought carefully about how to respond truthfully but tactfully.

"I kind of just like wandering by myself for no reason," he tried after a beat, biting at his lip and glancing at Stark's expression from beneath lowered lashes. He loved his pack, so much, but sometimes he just wanted to get away for a little bit. "Is that okay?"