A benefit of not having pupils is being able to glance at someone without them knowing. Kurt studies Fern out of the corner of his eye for a moment, then releases the squirming fire wolf pup to go and play.

"That's a shame," he says carefully, his tone deliberately even, "it sounded like he cared quite strongly about what happened. And I saw how he was when there was the fire -- he was worried about you, Fern." He folds his arms over his knees. "Friends like that aren't always easy to find, in my experience."