[ with a sympathetic smile, he waves his hand dismissively. Rather than bad manners, Zara was interpreting his questions as friendly interest. ]

There's no need to apologize. If you're curious, I'm happy to share details about where I'm from, though I must tell you I've only lived in a small part of it. [ he's never been outside the country - at least not that he remembers. He was separated from his nomadic parents at a young age. ]

It's part of our culture. To us, it seems... uncouth, perhaps, is the word. Children often run around in animal form, but as we grow older, we transform less often.