Carlisle reddens at Glacius' teasing. Though truly alien by all appearances -- and sometimes by nature -- he has to admit that his home life doesn't sound all that different from his own in Bear Den. He wasn't sent over to do house work or repairs, no, but it wasn't uncommon for others to do so, especially those who hadn't money to their name. Bartering in work and favors was the norm in his region, and parents often shared the load of looking after the children in the village.

Well, save for him, but his case had been much like his family: unusual.

"They're not terribly fond of humans, actually," he admits, stirring the contents in the bowl. "Like most of the sentient creatures, they view uprights -- the, ah, general colloquialism for humanoid beings -- with suspicion. They are, however, quite fond of magic, as they are rarely able to use it themselves, and so a handful of notable magicians have made pacts with the various kinds, my uncle Benistad included. As there is a village quite close to our family estate, it was necessary."