Keo watched from the corner of his eye. Moordan seemed unaffected by his jab and only scowled at his bowl, wiping it with the hem of his sleeve.

Fierra introduced the two new boys who took to Keo quickly when they could see he was cut closer to their own weave of material than to Moordan's. Soon all at the table but Moordan were laughing as they each shared antics or adventures from their homes.

Ardle, the taller of the two new boys, said to Keo, "Moordan said you think you're going to be a creature handler."

There was challenge in the boy's voice, though there was also an edge of wistfulness that said, he wished he would, too.