[Not that it would've worked to begin with. Huvrye has been ordered around by much scarier people than the literal child in front of him, and he's not about to take it from Hunter.]

[But he doesn't have to try to argue - the bird does it for him, and it looks like Hunter's not going to argue with it. He gives the bird a sidelong glance and the barest hint of a smile.]

I dunno, I think your bird likes me.

[Stranger or not, having the bird on his side is probably a good thing. Plus, he likes the bird plenty himself. It's been a while since he's seen one that wasn't corrupted, and it's a nice change of pace.]

[The good humor drops when Hunter keeps the conversation going like the bird told him to. What does it mean, to be a homunculus in Lasardhi?]

[Nothing good.]

We all look like this. [A quick gesture, up-down, to indicate himself.] Well, not exactly, but - light hair, red eyes, gold skin, natural wings. Someone wanted to make sure we couldn't ever be mistaken for civilians. The rest of it-

[The war. The murders. Government property-]

It's not the kind of thing you talk about in front of civs. They don't want to know.

[He sighs and folds his wing back in.]

I have a room at the fancy hotel across the street.

[It's an invitation. Continue the conversation there, where they don't have to worry about someone overhearing them. He may know a thing or two about keeping private conversations private.]