[ Bader made a sympathetic noise, low and keening. The actions of the Porter were frustratingly unfathomable enough, and they were already bringing in children. Of course they would go the extra mile and bring in another animal, but as was her case she could at least rationalize that she had experiences as a human to fall back on. To her, Toboe was only an animal just out of adolescence that was flung far out of its element even with the aide of speech. ]

They can't force you. [ She was confident in that, if nothing else. Politics ] It's hard to explain, but they would lose face if they started forcing us beyond what they've already done by bringing us here.

[ Head tilting to the side, giving Toboe a scrutinizing once over. ] You haven't even eaten yet, have you?