"That's so mean." Zynfi said with a frown, reaching over to touch his hand. "Don't talk about yourself like that."

It was hard to hide his surprise at her brazen touch and chiding words-- not to speak of the strange feeling that sprouted in his chest in response.
"You can't honestly say you have no bone to pick with us." He persisted. "If you don't hate or fear us, surely we must at least be a nuisance."

"I don't think Sangrians are a nuisance." she said, then paused, withdrawing her touch so she could rest her cheek in her hand. "But no, you're right. I mean, we're in a war. An odd war that stops all the time and then starts again, but... yes, most people here aren't... very fond of Sangrians."

"So then you and your sisters..?"

"Well, we're just trying to do what we can to lessen the damage." Zynfi said. "... I don't know too much about how it all happens, you know. They leave me out of most things. But... I know that when we find Sangrians on our land, they bring them here. And then after a while, they leave."

The wording was ominous, but it did track with what the doctor-- Rhea-- had told him. "Catch and release." He put in.

"I guess so. That sounds like something you'd do with a stray. You're not a stray, though. You're a guest." she assured him.

"Ordinarily guests are allowed to leave." He pointed out.

Her lips twisted to the side. "Okay, good point. You're like... ooh, you're like the princess in the castle from all those old fairytales!! Isn't that fun?"

I'd rather be home, he was about to say, but the phrase never left his lips as he reconsidered. The thought was sick, but home meant living under his father's thumb, something he dreamed of leaving behind. But still... not like this.
"What does that make you?" He wondered.