Hadama might not have been happy with the turn that things had taken, but it didn't take the Attuned Bond to realize that Harper was upset at the not-inconsiderable gaffes that Koa had made so far. Youthful earnestness could only push so far into regional sovereignty, and as much as Hadama strove to encourage international diplomacy there were still limits.
Harper's firm, blunt honesty and more stringent restrictions on the Dragoons' authority within Torchline balanced the mermanta's softer touch, but it did make it harder to find a middle ground to move forward with. The Stalwart threw the ball back into Koa's court, and Hadama held his peace until he heard what the Dragoon had to say.
Apology was followed by explanation, and Hadama gave a slow nod of acceptance and agreement with both points. There was, perhaps, the tiniest tilt of his head at Koa's attempt at lightening humour, acknowledging the metaphorical extended hand it represented, but at the moment he could not simply be the young man's friend. He was a ruler of a region and protector of its citizens, one of whom the Dragoon wanted to question alone under concerning circumstances...
Until Koa offered an alternative.
A very acceptable alternative, and one that had the Tidebreaker nodding approvingly. "I appreciate wanting to make the Wilds safer," he said slowly. "And in the future perhaps a joint patrol of the Oerwould could be negotiated, since it lies between our regions." Then he turned to Harper with a questioning tilt to his head. "But for today, I agree with this. And I am willing to share whatever new information we find with you. For the protection of all our citizens traveling the Oerwoud. What do you think, Harper?"
Harper's firm, blunt honesty and more stringent restrictions on the Dragoons' authority within Torchline balanced the mermanta's softer touch, but it did make it harder to find a middle ground to move forward with. The Stalwart threw the ball back into Koa's court, and Hadama held his peace until he heard what the Dragoon had to say.
Apology was followed by explanation, and Hadama gave a slow nod of acceptance and agreement with both points. There was, perhaps, the tiniest tilt of his head at Koa's attempt at lightening humour, acknowledging the metaphorical extended hand it represented, but at the moment he could not simply be the young man's friend. He was a ruler of a region and protector of its citizens, one of whom the Dragoon wanted to question alone under concerning circumstances...
Until Koa offered an alternative.
A very acceptable alternative, and one that had the Tidebreaker nodding approvingly. "I appreciate wanting to make the Wilds safer," he said slowly. "And in the future perhaps a joint patrol of the Oerwould could be negotiated, since it lies between our regions." Then he turned to Harper with a questioning tilt to his head. "But for today, I agree with this. And I am willing to share whatever new information we find with you. For the protection of all our citizens traveling the Oerwoud. What do you think, Harper?"
