"I don't know, it's just tradition... I have gone three Romance Solaces without getting a mate. After five, they have to sacrifice me to appease the Moon Gods. Else something bad might happen..." He stared out the window, blinking at the bright light from the star they were passing. He had hoped the stars were easier to touch. It seemed they were nothing more than really hot fire. "My family loves me, I suppose. My mother says I am a disappointment and my father gave up on me a long time ago. My siblings picked on me for being different. I don't think any of them like me. And I have ten brothers. You'd think one of them likes me."

He sighed and looked back at Garrison. "Besides, I'm not interested in girls. If I loved men, I'd be banished for sure. Then I'd get eaten by a Oewr or Vinpter, or killed by another tribe..." He shrugged, smiling slightly. "You won't kill me for not liking girls, would you?"