“No. Not really,” Reyland replied steadily.
“What I mean is that I’m not exactly built for the life of our clan,” he continued, his voice calm and even, as if he were speaking words he had used many times.
“It can be…frustrating to have everyone want things you can't give them,” he ended, again without any color to his tone.
“I know what you mean,” Marian replied, sipping her cocoa as well, her eyes back on the fire.
“It’s like…you want something, but the world keeps pushing other things at you,” she concluded, her voice growing distant.
“Yes! Yes, that’s it!” he replied, his wholesome voice vibrating with uncharacteristic energy.
“It’s not that you CAN’T contribute…it’s just that other people keep wanting MORE than you have or want to give,” he continued animatedly, putting his tea
