Far'lan and Horro had been visiting from Or'sol on official business when Bridled King got called out to deal with a… situation. Apparently, one of the aerobics called Boti had gotten into a territorial squabble with the native Kinswe, and it was now affecting Hakira's trade route with a colony in Mireh.

"I'm sorry about this," Bridled King said as Far'lan and Horro followed him out into the desert. "I'm the closest thing we have to a pack patriarch around here, so it's my responsibility to deal with disputes like this when they start to concern us."

"It's no trouble," Horro said. Bridled King thought the way he was moving must've been uncomfortable, with his head upright and his body in a snaking motion, but he didn't say so.

Far'lan laughed lightly. "We're not unfamiliar with situations like this. It seems like the two of us get into a lot of strange ones, especially here lately."

Bridled King dipped his head. "Well, I appreciate the two of you coming to help me. You didn't need to do that, and it means a lot." The sound of squabbling in the distance cut him off from saying anything further, though– it seemed like the three of them were coming up on the two natives. This would be convenient.

"I was here first!" Boti shouted, his wings outstretched to make him look bigger. Not that it was really necessary since he already towered over Kinswe. "I've left my marks, you need to respect them!"

"Where I come from," Kinswe hissed, "we respect the disabled, and we respect our elders."

"How dare–"

Bridled King cleared his throat. "Excuse me, you two. I'm Bridled King, these are my friends Far'lan and Horro. I hate to stick my nose in this, but your, ah, fight–" he nodded to the scattered feathers and the sluggishly-bleeding scratch marks on Kinswe's body– "have disturbed some of my colony's business, so unfortunately it's become mine."

Kinswe narrowed his eyes. He didn't get along terribly well with the colonists he'd met, but now it was three tsabhua against two tark'ee. Maybe these strangers would be sympathetic to him after all. "Horro, Far'lan," he greeted. "Bridled King. Perhaps you fellows can explain to this feathered friend of ours how things work around here."

Horro looked over at Boti, guessing he'd appreciate another tark'ee. Although… whether or not he'd talk to a draconic would depend on how old he was. "What seems to be the problem here?" he said, trying to keep his tone level.

Boti fluffed up further, if that were even possible. "I claimed this cave first!" he declared, still speaking very loudly. "It's a perfect roost and he came along trying to take it from me!"

Far'lan and Bridled King winced at Kinswe's growl of displeasure. "I. Have. No. FUR!" He gestured wildly toward the cave, clearly at his wit's end. "It's a fucking cave! I need to be out of the sun!"

It was, indeed, a cave. A nice one, too. The pale sand of Issiq gave way to the dull red sandstone that made up its insides. A smooth slope led down into the shade and comfort of the rocks below while a nice flat stone surface sat on top. The consistent breeze that blew across made it seem like the surface up top would be both a nice place to sunbathe and a nice place to take off from. It was clear why this place appealed to both of them.

Horro looked at Bridled King and Far'lan, and then at Boti and Kinswe. "Well… can I ask, Boti, do you have any real interest in sleeping underground?"

The aerobic faltered. His wings flinched inward and his feathers flattened somewhat, giving him a more wilted appearance. "Ah… no, not really. I've… spent more than enough time underground lately."

Far'lan made a thoughtful noise. "And Kinswe, forgive me if I am mistaken, but you would be spending most of your time underground here, wouldn't you?"

Kinswe crossed his arms. "Yes, most likely."

Bridled King saw that while Boti seemed to be smoothing down, Kinswe still seemed upset. "Well, clearly you're bright enough to see what we're getting at," he said. "The aerobic can take the roost and the takeoff point, and you can take the cave. But you don't seem satisfied with that?"

Kinswe shook his head. "No, as a matter of fact, I am not. I want somewhere quiet to rest and sleep! I'm a grown adult, I'm out here by myself for a reason! I'm not looking for a noisy young roommate to skirt around."

Bridled King looked over at Boti, holding his hands out as if to say, well?

Boti looked bewildered. "What? Uh, how would I even…?"

Horro stepped in, hoping to salvage the situation. "Boti, you could promise to be quiet, couldn't you?"

"Sure," he said, seeming a little hesitant, "but what if I can't be for some reason?"

Far'lan thought for a moment before he said, "Well… maybe you could give Kinswe something in compensation if you have a hard time keeping quiet. Kinswe, forgive me if I'm wrong, but I suspect you have a bit of trouble hunting, don't you?"

"Mm. I suppose."

"Well," he continued, "with those big wings Boti has, finding and catching choice prey should be easy. How about he shares a portion of his kills with you, to sweeten the deal?"

Bridled King nodded. "That could work. But, then, Kinswe should also do something so that Boti isn't being punished just for existing."

Horro looked to Kinswe. "Do you have anything you'd be willing to do?"

Kinswe still had his arms folded, but he didn't look quite so annoyed. "I'm good at making dyes and baskets," he said. "Do you have any interest in that sort of thing?"

Boti smiled. "Well, I think we can figure something out, at least!"

"Then it's settled," Bridled King said. "The two of you will be roommates, at least until one of you decides to move on. Good luck, and happy hunting."