"Please, get comfortable. You are my guest after all." Max stated and with the corner of his eye, he saw the albino gazing at the wall of his hunting vessel.

More specifically, he was looking at the wall which held his trophies. "Or you can walk and look around, your choice really." He added then as Augar leaned forward a little bit to observe the Kiande Amedha skull.

"This is from you First Hunt?" The other asked respectfully. "Yes, yes it is. My only criticism about it was the fact that I killed the warrior with a thrust to the brain. The hole kinda ruins the integrity of the skull and just the general appearance." The Yautja stood back up, the rings of honor on his black dreadlocks jingling as they rustled together.

"I do not agree with your statement, or rather your view of it." Max stopped and settled the slab of meat down on the counter, "Oh? Why?" He turned around to look at him.

Augar held eye contact as he spoke, "I believe that it added a certain uniqueness to the trophy... it symbolizes a hard hunt and an even harder fight." He gesture towards the skull once more, "And it is the indisputable proof of your Victory."

The human breathed in and nodded, giving a small clap of the hands, "That's... a very interesting viewpoint actually. I've never thought of looking at it from that perspective... I like it, thanks." Augar gave him a polite nod, "I am only stating the truth."

Max chuckled, "You're doing more than that, you're being honest with me. And that shows that I can trust your character." The hunter gave him a respectful bow of the head, "You honor me with your words hunter Max."

He rolled his eyes, "Come on man, you can be informal with me. Like I told you earlier." "If you say so Max. May I ask what you are preparing?"

The human looked back at the meat. "I was thinking of making a salted filet. If that's alright with you; I know that it's quite uncommon as this dish belongs to a cuisine which is- "Ooman?" "Yes, actually. Still, is it alright with you?" "Of course."

"Well then, give me about twenty minutes and it will be ready." And just as he has stated, twenty minutes passed and the meat had been cooked.

Max placed the two slices on a pair of plates and brought them to the table, setting them down in accordance with the chairs that they would sit in.

"I hope this is enough for you. If you want more, don't be afraid to ask." "It is fine." And together, they sat down and began to enjoy the meal.

"I gotta say though, you are a very interesting fellow Augar." The hunter let out a hum in response as he chewed a piece of the boneless meat.

"You are different from other hunters... and you don't look down upon me for simply being human. The fact that you are now sitting and eating at my table is proof of it." "And I must thank you once more for this meal, it is very well cooked."

Max shrugged, "I wouldn't call myself talented in the art of cooking, but I'll take the compliment anyways, so thanks."

There was some silence as they continued to eat. "How long have you been hunting for?" "Six years, approximately." "Ooman years?" "Yes." "I understand now."

The albino's crystal blue eyes settled on the dozen or so trophies once again, "Those are good skulls and they are quite numerous considering the short amount of time that you have spent as a blooded hunter."

"Well, I tend to participate in group hunts, clan hunts too... it's just that I don't always get to be included, some Yautja happen to be a little more closed minded than you." "That is unfortunate." "It is, I mostly hunt for credits, so there is not a lot of opportunity for me to gain special skulls, though I am sure that this will become a lesser problem in the future."

Augar nodded, "I have had a similar experience Max. I too had to hunt to gain the basic means of supplies for my own ship, but with time and practice, dedication breeds skill and I can now choose what creatures to hunt based on my own desire and not on a need." The younger of the two could not help but ask the next question then, "Just how old are you?"

"A little over four hundred ooman years." It was surprising to see that many scars upon him, considering his relatively young age, "Shit man! I'm a baby compared to you!"

He chuckled, "Under certain circumstances, then yes Max." "I wanted to ask you also, if you don't mind me being so nosy," He placed his form down, "How do you know English so well? It's amazing, the way that you talk is authentic, and I would have confused you with an actual human if not for your deeper voice."

Augar clicked his mandibles in thought, "I have studied your species for long... the remarkable intelligence that you possess in spite of lacking any kind of notable physical attribute is fascinating. And I do find you oomans to be a curious race."

"And I'm taking that as a compliment as well." "It is." And tent continued to talk, about the hunt, about strategies and techniques that were optimal in different kinds of situations.

"I have to be completely honest with you now Augar." The other merely waited for him to continue.

"In these six years that I have been traveling on my own, I haven't had any hunting companions, or friends for that matter." Max crossed his arms, "And I have to say that no other Yautja has treated me with the same respect as you have, and considering that you are traveling as well, I wanted to make you an offer to team up."

He knew that this was very direct and almost came out of the blue, but Max was enjoying his time Augar tremendously, and he really did want to have someone to hunt alongside with, and that would treat him like an equal and not an animal.

The other's eyes widened in surprise, "I... I was not expecting this." "Too soon? Yeah... too soon, it's fine if you say no, this is startling right?" Augar quickly shook his head, "Please, I am just surprised Max. I too do not have friends."

And he had a good idea on why that exactly was the case. "If I may talk now, without the intention of offending you; is it because you are an albino?"

Augar lowered his gaze, "Sei." He replied quietly, "I am not particularly well liked amongst other group of hunters and clans."

Max snorted, "And I call that bullshit. You shouldn't be judged because of your skin color. That's retarded." A small trill of amusement came from the other's fanged mouth, "I must agree with you on this statement."

And in a way, they were both outcasts, Max for being a human (though he had it better thanks to his father's efforts at reinforcing the bonds between the species) and Augar for possessing the unnatural complexion of white.

They both had not had the possibility to bond with other hunters and as such, they were limited in their ability to interact with others.

"But sei, I would like to be able to call you a hunt brother." Max smiled at that, "Well good then... this day has become one of the best of my life." He leaned back in the chair and exhaled.

"But I will say this now: I want to try your cooking as well" Augar looked at him seriously, "Truly? Do you want to?" "I mean, if we're gonna become buddies, then we have to help each other right?"

The Yautja let out an embarrassed trill, "I am not very good at preparing meals. I do not think that you will find enjoyment in what I cook."

Max knew that the hunter was quite reserved: he had noticed it with the way that he carried himself and talked to him, it all spoke out that he was of an introverted nature, which was not common for Yautja.

He was a little of the same, though unlike Augar, he had not been shunned for having a different skin color. He was likely still processing his proposal to form a friendship and the human understood his hesitation and worry. It was a bit of a new experience for both of them.

Still, Augar appeared to be a hunter who was genuinely nice, and he missed having nice people around, so he was glad that he had accepted his request.

"Maybe then you could help me spar? You're nearly four centuries older than me, and you're probably full of tricks, aren't you?" At this, Augar gazed at him, "You will be surprised."

And surprised he became. For he was going to hit a mine of gold opportunity.

"Agh! Fucking hell, that hurt like a buttcheek on a stick..." Max wheezed out as he rolled over onto his belly, holding his side.

A groan followed as he turned over, "God... the hell was that takedown?"

Augar let out the faintest of smiles as he crouched down next to him, "Are you alright Max?"

Hell no I'm not alright! That move you just did was amazing! I'm not going to be alright until you teach me." At this point, Augar chuckled, "You are very eager. I can clearly see it."

"Yeah, I am. Jeez I get it that you have four centuries over me but damn you're good. I've never seen anyone fight like that!" The albino bowed his head.

"Your fighting style is amazing! I've never seen those kind of grapples and feints!" If not for the flaring pain that went from his arm to hip, he would have been jumping up and down from the excitement.

"Thank you Max... I have spent many rotations practicing and experimenting." "And do continue, this shit is filthy good right here. Good grief, and you've never shown anyone else." "No, you are the first hunter to have bored witness to it."

With a grunt, the human got up, "Well then, it's an honor." He winced, "Fuck, and you also hit pretty hard." Concern came over the other hunter, "Are you sure that you are alright? Do you want me to help you arrive to the medical bay?"

Max waved his hand, "No, no, it's fine. You just got me good whilst I wasn't properly defending myself..." Another hiss followed, "Fucking hell, you really got me good. Do your fists have lead in them?"

Despite the pain, he managed to laugh, though it hurt his abdomen to do so. At least Augar chuckled as well.

"But really, those moves were fantastic, you looked like you were flowing like a stream of water. Deadly and elegant." The taller hunter walked a few steps away and back to the center of the kehrite, going back into his combative stance.

"I am ready to begin whenever you want to Max. You may strike first." And he would have done so, except for the constant pain that kept stabbing him in the side.

"Fuck... you know what? I think I'll take your offer from before. Mind helping me to the med wing?" Augar quickly walked over to him and placed his arm under and around his shoulders, helping him support his body weight.

"You must tell me if I am applying too much strength Max." But he also realized that Augar was rough with sparring not because he meant to be, but simply because he did not have a point of reference to rely upon.

And it was sad...

But hopefully, he would be able to gift Max with a true friendship.

And done.