[ He prickles a little at that last statement, guilt and annoyance building in his chest. ]

They're not retainers. [ But that's an argument for another day, and he lets it go for now. ]

I know it's not always as easy as I want it to be, but if I give up and start thinking that trying to solve everything peacefully won't work then it really won't work. Using force... isn't even an option for me. I'll do anything I can before resorting to it.