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That was true, though Suluksati saw no reason why she should hurt little Magescan orakoi in barns. Out hunting, perhaps, and only a little bit then to dissuade them. And even then, she'd rather convince them with words or, failing that, scary roars. Hurting children was a measure of absolute last resort.

She groomed any residual blood and meet scraps from her face fastidiously. "Well, that was very unkind of this khehora." she said. She couldn't remember if she had said that before - she was certain that the other khehora had been mentioned previously.

"You wish to be like your parents?" she murmured, "Admirable. Respecting your parents is good." And what had she done? Nothing of the sort. "So you are caring for... plants? Yes? And animals?" She blinked, "This is... not where you first lived?" Her tribe, back when she had bothered with family and tribe, had been static - living in one area. She knew of other tribes that moved around, and she herself had no one place to return to or call home. "I did not know that magescans were nomadic." she said, surprised. "I thought that with all the buildings and territories... land? And such, that they stayed in one place...?"

She stretched her wings thoughtfully, rearranging them on her back carefully, delaying her answer to the orderite's most recent question. "Well... I used to live north of here. Now I wander." she said cautiously - not because of any harm the information could do, but because, well, thinking of her family hurt a bit. A lot.

Sulu shrugged with her wings. Well, whatever the girl wanted to believe. She hadn't met this khehora that she knew of, but if he was scaring children and stealing their food then he couldn't be all that good.

“So you have territories, then. That expand.” That made sense, “And on these territories, you grow plants and animals for food.” it was nicer than hunting, definitely. “And you pass down knowledge of how to grow this food from generation to generation...” She murred, licking water from her feathers, “I think this is a system that can be appreciated...”

She bowed her head. “I am most grateful for your offer.” she said, “And I may perhaps take you up on it. I feel as though I must offer something in return, though...” she rumbled thoughtfully, seriously. “Mmm... If you ever need help that one such as I can provide...” she said, finally, “You need only ask. It is only fair, an offer for an offer.”

“... You feed the plants so that they feed you.” How circular. Suluksati wasn't sure what fertilizer was, but she assumed that it was not edible by non-plants.

She preened at the comment that she was 'nice'. It was, after all, nice to be nice. Normally she was called 'insane' or 'annoying'. It was a welcome change.

“Thank you.” she said, “Er...” A thought occurred to her, and she felt she had to ask. “So you... intend to farm? Your whole life? No hunting dragons or such things?” She flicked her tongue out in annoyance at her own awkwardness.

Good job, Sulu she thought to herself sardonically, Excellent job at being subtle

Suluksati let out a satisfied purr, tension leaving her body. “No hunting. That's good.” she said, relaxing, “That's very good.”

Self-defense was fine with Suluksati: after all, if it was not, she herself would be guilty of the very sin she fought. And dead, many times over.

“I can appreciate someone with such a policy” she said, stretching, “This world is so full of unnecessary death... would that more thought like you and your father.” Her voice was longing. It would make her life so much easier if the Magescians – and her own kind – did not seek out the deaths of more than prey, or of creatures that had no meat to give – like dragons – without cause.

She nodded, understanding the rationale. “I am not a theif.” she proclaimed, “I know enough to know that the sheron were not mine. I would rather go hungry than take what is not mine.” and she often did. “Many of my kind, and others that eat meat, do not make that distinction, however.” her crest flattened in embarassment, “And it wasn't next to me when I fell asleep.” of that, she was sure... she would have noticed.

“Mmm. But I think I would like to meet this father of yours, if he is so similar to yourself.” she commented, thoughtful. “Perhaps some time when I'm here next, if he is not available now.”

“Ah, well.” said Suluksati, somewhat disappointed, “Perhaps I will meet him at another time, then.” she said, inadvertently promising that she might well return. “As I will likely no longer be a burden to you before nightfall... I...” she looked reluctantly at the comfortable hut, the food, the pleasant young lady... “Must continue to patrol.” She sighed, giving in to desires that cried at the edge of her conciousness, desires not in tune with her usual ascetic lifestyle. “...But I shall be here for a few hours more, at least.” she relented, stretching and coiling into a comfortable resting pose, her stomach warming her into a pleasant haze.