Gadriel is used to being stared at. Especially since arriving here. But even back home, when he was among mortals, they always stared, most of the time with a mix of respect and uncanny discomfort.

Here, he mostly got stared at with a look that was tabulating property damage. But this one was different. Maybe it was the skulls. Maybe it was the scar tearing down the left side of his face. But there was also something measuring, in the other man's long look. Another warrior, evaluating.

"It is not always like this. Sometimes it is worse." Astartes Optimism!