"A small animal that climbs trees, hm? Sounds like an interesting creature."<br/><br/>Fredrico looked somewhat amused by the comment, though it wasn't obvious why to anyone except him and Maria. Treecats were aboreal, indicated by their given species name, after all, and they had tails.<br/><br/>Looking to John as he flicked a few hand signs at the loitering Marines, he added, "Incidentally, though I very much doubt you meant to be rude, don't mistake Maria here for any sort of pet. She's just as intelligent as you or I - the two of us share a bond, which is frankly the only reason I'm here instead of a properly trained diplomat. Her people chose her to attend this gathering, so I went along, and the Crown decided they might as well save the mass and crash-train me in diplomacy as well, while serving as her interpreter. I think we will take advantage of your offer to ride aboard your ship, though, for ease of travel...it wouldn't do to get lost on the way to this Citadel."