Yoshi smiled wryly. "I don't think Helly has ever shouted at anyone," he murmured.

"Ne just said I might get put in a foster home in Enodia if I keep breakin' the no-fightin' rules," Liya went on, copying Yoshi's own offhanded tone. She freed a hand from folding the quilt and the nerves in it shot through with silver light. "Lemme see your face."

Yoshi let her place her palm on his cheek; the bruising around his dark eye and the scrapes on his lip vanished, and the cut in his shoulder sealed over, leaving only a tear in his uniform behind.

"Ah," he said, awkwardly. "Well...thank you for your help, anyway."

"'S worth it," Liya said shortly. They tucked the ends of the quilt together and started on another fold.

"I don't get why they pick on you so much, though," Liya said suddenly, frowning. "What've monsters got to pick on? Is it 'cuz you're a halfbreed, or what?"

Yoshi flinched visibly, not seeming to have quite expected that. He shot Liya a wide look and said, "Yes, it is. And I don't know about where you're from, but 'halfbreed' is a terrible thing to call someone here."

Liya immediately flushed with embarrassment. "It is? Jesus, I'm sorry, I din't know."

Yoshi tucked the now completely-folded quilt into his arms. "Most people just use 'mixed species,'" he said quietly.

"Ain't that pig guy your boss, though??" Liya wanted to know, still red in the face, though Yoshi didn't seem incredibly offended. "An' he calls you that??"