"Exactly." Serra's eyes were bright with interest. "Has anyone ever tried this before? Building a truly mixed-species group?"
"Vayu mentioned some human women who built mixed tribes," Kaya said. "But I don't know the details. It seems rare."
"Rare because it's difficult," Veer said. "Different species have different needs, different instincts. Conflicts are inevitable."
"Conflicts happen in same-species groups too," Kaya pointed out. "The key is having a system for resolving them without the group falling apart."
She stood, moving to one of the cave walls where she'd been scratching notes and plans. "We need rules. A code of conduct. Something everyone agrees to follow, regardless of species or background."
"Like what?" Cutie asked.
Kaya thought for a moment. "First rule: no one gets left behind. If one of us is in danger, we all are. We protect each other, always."
