[had he used the word wrong somehow? He wasn't sure but it all felt like mixed communication to him. Maybe he was trying too hard. He should tone it down a little.

He wasn't really concerned by Marco's worries. Not even Pops knew that all of the time. He had thought very carefully. Wondered the next step. Especially with big things. Thatch had learned to watch him, too, over the years and he was pretty sure Marco could as well--at least instinctively.

At the question, though, he shrugged]

Are we? To be honest, I don't know, mate. You say we are but we're staying here, following their rules, fighting their battles. What does that make us?