Meet the Returners!
From a distance, Melancholy Traveler of the Settlement Authority looked normal. Handsome, even. All the Returners did. It wasn’t until you got in the same room with one that you started noticing how weird their faces were. People said that you could get used to it, but Xasan wasn’t so sure. He didn’t have enough experience to say; and he didn’t really want any, either.
Speaking of experience, Traveler didn’t seem to be enjoying this meeting any more than Xasan was. “One of the Kith will lead the search,” he told him. “You will track and advise her on her hunt. Is that clear?”
Xasan considered it. “No,” he replied.
The Returners were hominid — that word was now common usage — enough to share some facial gestures, like furrowing their brows to show confusion. “I don’t know how to make that clearer,” he admitted.
“Oh, you were real clear, Mr. Traveler. Problem is, I get paid by the City of Coaston, and my boss told me that I’m here to work with you, not for you.” Xasan made very sure that his asshole grin wasn’t showing any teeth. Returners could get twitchy about that. “I want to get this guy as much as you do, but we’re not gonna play dominance games. If he’s out beyond the Pale, he’s ours to deal with.”