#btwd

It must be such a head scratcher for any canid outside of Aisling. Like, how do you deal with your mistrust, your resentment toward ermehn when in a situation where it could very much reflect on Aisling and the canid as a whole?

Because, while I'm sure on an individual level canid have just as much diverse opinions on image and politics than any other species, on a cultural and structural societal level? We're speaking of a militaristic, probably utilitarian and productivist society. While political conscience may very much be discouraged, or reprimended, discipline, on the other hand, is very much expected and required. You are part of a pack and your attitude reflects on the group. If you're in a position where your relationship with another species might be perceived as threatening or bloodthirsty (cuz you know you're not in your home turf where such a stance is accepted) then what do you do? You don't want to impose your views in an overt, violent way. You want people to see you as the reasonable party. And as far as we know, most canid seem to think they ARE the reasonable party. Now add to that the fact your nation (arguably) has the most powerful army in the four nations? What seems like a no brainer turns very quickly into a slippery slope. You can't just do or say whatever you feel like. Quick solution to avoid any problems? You don't discuss it with non-canid. Hell, I'm sure such a topic of discussion is discouraged amongst themselves sometimes - at least in the army. And for poor fugitives ermehn, how do you approach that canid fellow that visibly isn't in the military? Can you trust them to not cave in to prejudices? If so, how much? I'm sure most ermehn do not take chances. Even if someones isn't actively part of an armed group that hunts you down they could very well be supporting it - the army, as far as we know, isn't self sufficient, on the contrary it seems to very much rely on the broad citizen class to alleviate the war effort. So the mistrust is very much shared and present on the side of the ermehn as well. That canid across the street may not be your personnal enemy, but his actions may have an impact on the broader scale. Especially so if their profession sustains the military in some shape or form.

But it's also important to note that ermehn south of the wastes (and outside of Aisling) may not have a strong incentive to be personnally invested in that conflict outside of a direct confrontation or a personal vendetta. And unless they are in an ermehn collective, I'd imagine holding on to their grudge could be very damaging for their safety in the long run. Why antagonize a species that has an advantageous situation (as in, is part of the four nations) and a significant army force to boost? Why indeed. Survival is better than revenge. That's why Nessa, and probably a large part of Navran's territory, is so interesting. The setting nullifies part of that tension, to the point where amicable relationships and even friendships can be possible between the two species. This also points to how much influencial vulpin society must be on the international level. But it is also very interesting to note that the friendship we readers are presented with is between an omega and an orphan.

I'm pretty convinced that Cain, even with a lineage that could be perceived as prestigious, is so far removed from the chain of power and command that his views, his associations, do not matter in the slightlest. Simply put: he's poor. Even if some of his fellows might dissaprove, judge him for it, his stance has no bearing on the larger scale. Yurk is also in a situation that, while derived from the conflict, has no strong cultural, personal ties with it. He is Nessan before being an ermehn. They are both removed from that tenuous relationship because of their upbringing and social status.