Keepa stood numbly to the pats and most of the words until the Stranger approached him. Hearing what the soldier had to say, the boy couldn't help but blurt "You're leaving, already?"
Although Keepa bit back his words as they continued after brandishing their tags, they still would have liked to have as many people as possible on his side. For the offensive...for the-

Ashiek's hand to hold him back as they passed by struck the point home...Keepa had almost expected Ashiek to tussle his hair, which would have been responded to with a well-placed bite to the hand. Still, Keepa trudged a step off, bracing themselves by the hatch. "<Its...its really just bruises. The vest did well. Please don't let me worry you...>" Keepa sighed response to Skylar