Of Giants and Men

[Aveilthé]

The sun was blazing hot in the distance, despite the fact that winter
was nearing fast. Yet in Navras's mind, he noted that as the sun
was dissapearing beyond the distant mountains, the atmosphere
should be cooling. Why was it still warm? Perhaps it was not
the sun after all, merely the heart-pumping, crazy episode that
a certain human-like creature and a dragon were going up against.

"Ero, if you keep flying farther down, that beast will be the end of
us for sure!" Navras cried, trying to bellow his strong voice as the
wind swept across his face and through his curly, jetblack hair.
There was a note of panic in his throat, for Navras was an
experienced killer, and his fingers shook at his arrow as he
attempted to aim for the beast's eye.

Navras was a man, handsome in his way, but fairly obscured
by his unnecesary cloak that swept behind him from the powerful
gust of wind as the mighty dragon beneath him flapped strongly
through the air. This dragon was truly master of the winds.

The people below the duo were scrambling madly to shelter as a
great beast, a giant of giants, thundered over the land, roaring.
The sound was defeaning, and very angry.

It was a great bear, a grizzly one at that, and there was no pun
intended - or perhaps there is, for this bear lived up to it's
nasty nature. It was roaring and thrashing the air, trying to get
at the animal hunter flying through the winds. And what was
more dire about the situation, was that the bear rose at a good
five-hundred feet or so, perhaps doubled as it was standing
on its hindlegs. Fur flew and angry eyes never let go of
the dragon and human-creature atop of it. The amber eyes of
this human was staring the bear down as well.

"Watch for the claws!" he shouted, feeling his whole body tense,
yet he did pour his whole trust into his loyal dragon friend. Perhaps
his tenseness can be felt by the way he squeezed his legs over
the scaly surface of the dragon's sides, but it was unintentional.

[Felypsa]

The sun’s strong rays bounced off the shimmering scales of the magnificent dragon, who twisted his serpentine body to manipulate the winds, his wings poised to catch the warm thermals in the air. White glinted off of black blindingly. But even though Erozyn used the sun to his advantage, it did not seem to have any effect on the ramapaging giant bear: it did not seem to mind the blinding light. But grizzlies were half-blind anyway, so this one was clearly using its sense of smell and hearing to bear down on them (no pun intended).

“If I go any higher,” Ero retorted to his rider, at the same time trying to stay above the gaining bear, “the winds will throw us way off course and probably deliver us right into that monster’s claws! Better to stay with the thermals.” But he flapped his wings to gain some height; not enough to leave the thermal’s influence, but enough to stay just ahead of the terrible bear.

Though Navras shouted a warning for the claws, Ero hardly needed it. “Hold on, Navras,” he advised his friend. As the great bear swiped at them, a blow that, should it connect, would surely shatter their flesh and bones at once, the sleek black dragon brought his wings in and dropped suddenly. The bear’s deadly claw passed over them, completely missing. But Ero was not done; as the swipe created a current of air, he opened his wings like a sailor would open the sails of a boat and caught the air. The air wave bore him further away from the mighty beast.

Now for the hard part. They were within striking distance of the bear still. Ero pumped his wings with all his strength and ascended until he reached that thermal again. He glided along, sighing a little in the effort of dodging the blow. “Hurry up and shoot the damn thing,” he shouted at Navras. “I’m getting tired, and I can’t keep up this fancy maneuvering forever. Oh, and try for the eyes, if you weren’t already.” The dragon pumped his wings to stay aloft, glancing behind him with his long neck to check on the bear. It was still raging at its miss, but it was once again gaining on them.

[Wyndbain]

A bright day as such, would be thought of as a wonderful day, were it not for the rather giant bear rampaging about and killing off those unfortunate humans that got in it's way. As a result, many of the town's occupants were running in fear from the giant beast, pulling loved ones by the hand and using the bright day light on such a clear day to guide them to what they thought may be safety amongst thick trees and far from the village where such a ruckus was occuring.

Yet one individual, however, did not heed to the fear the gripped her mind. Nay, instead she was acting against all rational thoughts and staying put, in one spot. Though like her fellow humans, she was taking advantage of the dark spaces and shadows that the village houses provided and in fact, was hiding. Though she was hardly worried about keeping herself hidden from the enormous bear. The day was warm, surely, yet this woman had on a thick cloak, with the hood pulled all the way up and over to cover the top half of her face, leaving only her mouth visible to the faint shadows. A single hand was raised and grasping the hood to make sure it stayed.

From where she stood, she was content because she remained hidden, while being able to observe all that was happening. She watched as the man rode astride his dragon and fought the grizzly. Her conceiled eyes moved to the side as a couple passed, late on making their escape from the town before her attention turned back to the airial battle.

She closed her eyes, pushing away all thoughts so as to leave her mind blank like the fresh canvas of an artist. A song, flowing smoothly like water over the rounded rocks in a stream, was formed in her mind. From that thought, she brought the tune to her vocals, humming softly a solmn melody. It's tune was soft but steadily increasing as she switched from humming to a soft vocalized tune as her lips parted to release the soothing sound.

The song easily reached the ears of the great beast, it's ears twitching as it quickly caught the sound. Any fierce thought that it had been thinking, any movements that it had been planning to make, were suddenly ceased as it came to a steady pause.

Tahris continued on for a moment, but only briefly, letting her voice die down to a whisper and finally stopping altogether. Yet even though the song had stopped, the bear was still in an odd daze, for the spell woven into her voice, had a lasting effect on her targets. Her heart pounding, she moved slowly along the shadows and moved steadily towards the trees. She took great care in avoiding other people, at last walking from the shadows and bursting into an obvious trot. Though other people were running far faster than she was, if her sudden appearance had been observed, it may have appeared only slightly suspicious.

[Aveilthé]

Navras did not let his fingers slip from his arrow that stayed
mounted upon Arauca, the name of his striking bow. "Ero, quit your
complaining," the human-creature growled, frustrated with the
dragon. Erozyn and Navras were just like this at times, so much
alike yet always on eachothers' nerves. Perhaps it was due to
both of their stubborness - not a good combination.

It was then as he lifted his arrow and string to eye-level, did the
bear stop moving. "What's gotten into that bear?" said the
human, more to himself. Now's my chance, he then thought,
tightening his bow even more before releasing it. And it was done;
the arrow was released, whizzing through the air in a blur straight
to the bear's heart. If the bear had kept moving, Navras would have
done anything to disable the bear first, like shoot it's eyes to blind
it, so it would be easier to kill.

As for the bear, for a second it just stood there, as if dumbfounded.
The arrow struck true to it's heart, and it let out a yell.
Then, it spoke, but not to Navras's surprise.

"Humans," it growled, in a deep, booming voice, that thundered
loudly over the land. "Soon you all... shall die... a bitter death..."
With that, the bear began keeling over, it's weight pulling it
toward the earth. People were screaming and pointing at it.
"Oh no, it's going to crash into our homes!" they have said, for their
deep valley was located right beneath the bear.

Navras was watching quietly, his knuckles turning white as he
held the handle of his bow. He was not phazed with what the
animal had said; he was quite used to death threats. However,
he simply watched, as the bear seemingly fell slowly, but once
it had landed, the land quaked beneath it for just a few moments.
Luckily, it did not land on the peoples' homes in the canyon. It
was mighty close, however.

As the chaos was now over, and people scurried over to the dead
bear to admire it's strength and height, Navras wondered to
Erozyn. "I wonder who calmed the bear, eh? Maybe we could find
this mystery person and thank him." In truth, there was
annoyance in Navras's voice, for he was the one who wanted to
kill it in the first place, and not have anyone else butt in to his
business with the animal. Not only that, but money was involved
too, and Navras was a stingy person when it came to money. He
didn't love money persay, but he hoarded enough so that
he and his dragon companion could keep bread on the table -
and perhaps barrels of lambchops for Ero.

[Felypsa]

“Just shoot it,” replied the dragon, not offended by Navras’s rejoinder. Erozyn more than anyone was used to Navras’s irritation when it came to a battle such as this. The dragon twisted his head around so he could see the death and great fall of the mighty animal. “Tuh, humans,” Ero muttered. “They get all the credit. Would anyone ever death-threaten a dragon? No, because the dragon is just the beast on which the valiant human rides. Steeds are so underappreciated.” Of course, Ero did not truly mean what he said: he was happy to live without death threats from giant animals.

It was clear that they had had help; Ero, whose ears were sharper than humans’, thought he had heard a strange, placating melody. It had been faint, but the dragon had felt the urge to just land and sleep. Luckily, he was strong enough to resist the influence. Still, it made him wonder.

He also caught the bitter emphasis in Navras’s tone. “I, for one,” said Ero, “am quite ready to thank our unknown benefactor; it made the killing easier and quicker. And the quicker we got the job done, the sooner I get to eat and sleep.” While he was speaking, he was slowly descending to the earth. At length, he landed, and folded in his tired wings. “At last,” he said with relief, “solid ground! We did not die in the air. That is a great fear of mine, Navras; to die in the air. Imagine the fall!”

The dragon let out a huge yawn, showing his impressively sharp teeth that could tear apart a cow with one bite—something Ero would not have minded doing right then. Flying and fighting worked up an appetite in him. “I say we find our wonderful employer and claim our reward.”

Ero cast his piercing blue-green gaze around at the denizens of this humble land, satisfied. Money or not, it always comforted him to know that he and Navras had saved these innocent people from becoming a monster’s meal or simply being trampled. He didn’t need their gratitude; just seeing them alive and whole was enough thanks for him. “I wonder what has become of our unknown benefactor,” he remarked.

[Wyndbain]

With the bear vanquished, people now began to return, to Tahris's fear, for she rather much disliked crowds. It was one of the factors that had pushed her towards hiding in the shadows earlier that day, aside from just trying to get to a safe place. Despite most others having slowed down in their pace, seeing as how the danger was over, Tahris was still running in the opposite direction of the fallen bear, its slayer and his dragon. Some people gave her an odd stare as she passed, for her clothings were rather thick for such weather, plus most of them thought the danger was now over. They thought there was no need for her to be running from anything.

She took simply a short moment to turn her head and glance back in curiosity, still close yet too far away for her to pick out any details of the man's features, not that she was particularly interested in looking. She turned back around, and gave a jolt, for a horse and their rider had suddenly appeared in her path. She stopped and tried to move away in the confusion, while the horse reared in surprise and gave a great whinny of terror. The man astride its back yelled out, cursing while he tried to calm the animal.

The commotion in itself was enough to draw Tahris some unwanted attention and so she did the only thing she knew that would stop the ruckus at once.

She grabbed the horse's reins, which had fallen from the man's hands and had been tossled in the air while the horse flung its head about in confusion. She pulled as the horse lowered from it's two legged standing and the instant that her voice met it's ears, the horse slowed and calmed, giving a soft snort as it's eyes spun about in a momentary shock. It's sides were heaving and slowly regaining a normal pace of breathing as it listened to the soft song that Tahris was singing. Once she was sure it had finally calmed, she gave the horse a pat on it's overly large cheek, smiled at the bewildered man and took off into the village. Only those standing nearby had been able to pick up the song and all who had, were standind in a state of peaceful bliss, some with their eyes closed and smiling, others simply staring. Though when Tahris had started running, they seemed to snap out of their daze, wondering what had occured to make them so tired.

Tahris ran to the side of a building and stood in the shadows, falling back against the wall and holding her hand over her heart as the was breathing heavily to catch her breath. She decided she would wait until nightfall before moving on. Even a small village had too many people in it for her liking.

[Aveilthé]

Just as Erozyn landed upon the earth, Navras slid off easily from
his scaly back. "Gee, thanks, buddy, now I've got butt-cramps."
He looked off into the distance and grimaced. "I've got butt-cramps
on my butt-cramps." In one fluid motion, Navras slipped Arauca
with his quiver of arrows that was slung across his back.

"Who cares about this person, as long as we get the goods before
he does. We didn't do all that work for nothing. I want to feel
my bag weigh down with coins again--"

"Oi, there you are, good lad!" came a booming voice that made
Navras jump and turn around. "The ministers and I wanted to
thank you for your kind efforts of killing that damned creature!"

The Arilnor Government Administor, as he was known, smiled
merily at Navras as if expecting a response. Navras was also
expecting something else from the Administor. He held out his hand
without saying a word.

"Now, my dear friend, we know our thanks is enough," said the
porky Admin, waving his hand and turning away airily. "If it
weren't for you and the mysterious singer, than our town would
perhaps be destroyed!"

Navras was enraged, but he didn't say anything. His expression
clearly darkened, but the Administrator seemed to not notice.
"Keep up the good work, laddie!" he trilled, trekking off with his
posse, all of whom were gaffawing.

"Great. Just what I've always dreamed of having as a reward.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. What a piss-ant. At least we didn't
have to find him, that saves us a trip. Oh, how grateful of him, since
he is the one that asked us to kill it for the whole city." He rounded
on Erozyn. "Oh, please, stop with all this cheeriness, it's making me
incredibly sick. Lets find this blessed accomplice of ours so I could
have something else to complain bitterly to about my afflicted life
with a giant lizard."

He then decided to respond to what the dragon spoke of dying in
the air. "You're just a big dumb dragon with big wings, how bad can
it be, having the gift of flight?"

It was then that his eye caught the most shady-looking character
he had ever seen. "Betchya my cloak that the person over there
was the mysterious singer."

[Felypsa]

oOc| Sorry for holding up all the action ;-;

[/color]



Erozyn turned his snakelike neck around to face the cranky Navras, staring at him with a harsh gaze that would melt the nerves of any hardened soldier. “You love the pain,” the dragon said airily. “And even if you don’t, you learn to deal with it, because I don’t have to stick around. You think it’s fun for me flying with a big ol’ weight on my back? It’s hard enough to fly by itself, and then here comes along a guy like you who sneaks second helpings when no one’s looking, and as a result…” The dragon shrugged his shoulders, a very human gesture. “I don’t have to deal with that, I could just leave you to walk across the world.” Ero snorted, not truly complaining. He knew that his friend didn’t mean to offend him, but sometimes Navras just needed to be reminded to appreciate the things in life he took for granted.

When the Admin came over, Ero preened and looked most handsome. But when the Admin wandered away, the dragon snorted a little smoke. “Ah, what about me?” he called out to the departing Admin and his gang. “I suppose you thought Navras was just floating up there in the sky on his own, eh? Ungrateful coons,” he muttered. Underappreciation of dragons was a slightly touchy subject with him.

“I would think,” Ero said to his companion, “that it is more appropriate for me to complain about my afflicted life with a troll.” And with that, the dragon took the initiative and walked over to the shady character Navras had just spotted, his long serpentine tail swaying rhythmically behind him. If Navras wasn’t careful, he’d get whacked and knocked to the ground. “Hello, shady-looking character! Are you our mysterious singer?” Ero called out. The dragon not one to beat around the bush.[/color]
[/center]

[Wyndbain]

It took Tahris a moment to pick out the fact that someone had called to her, since not many people paid much attention to her at all most of the time, not that she ever complained about it. It was quite more of a shock to her though, that the one speaking was none other than the dragon she had been watching earlier as he did battle against the giant bear.

"I-..." She cut off her own voice, too nervious to get out anything else. Even if Erozyn had been able to hear the one sylable, he would have to have pretty sensitive ears to pick up her soft spoken voice.

"I...don't...really like singing..." She hadn't really lied...she didn't like using her voice much in front of others unless it was necessary as she had thought it was when the bear had been attacking.

She rubbed her hands together, feeling the need to walk away from the conversation, though she didn't want to be rude and insult him by suddenly leaving just because she felt uncomfortable. She kept her head lowered, which allowed the hood of her cloak to stay low over her eyes.

[Aveilthé]

"Who's the bigger troll?" Navras replied with what sounded like
a grumble, but there was a grin on his face. "The troll or the troll
that rides on the troll? Oh come off it, I was just messin' around..."
He looked at Erozyn's face. "Okay, sorry pal. And as for that
porky fellow, we'll take care of him later. Either way, I want that
money he owes us, none of this 'our appreciation is enough' crap."
There was a slight, uncomfortable pause. "Ah, thanks, bud. You did
very well. If anything all the thanks goes to you, without you I
wouldn't have gotten the clearest shot to kill the bear."

Now, Navras never liked being unnassuming too much, let alone
appreciatative like Erozyn. Perhaps he was a bit too conceited for
his own good, because he never really cared for anyone
else, except his dragon, though he never truly admitted it. But when
he voiced these words, he tried sounding a little grateful. He
didn't want to jeapordize his friendship with Erozyn; he never
liked being alone.

"Wow, Ero, blunt much?" said he, stepping up by his side toward
the mysterious individual. As he heard the soft, bated tones
of the person's voice, Navras's brows lofted in surprise. So,
the cloaked figure was a female! He felt himself redden some,
due to the thoughts prior of him thinking her a man. He was not
graced to hear the indistinct voice of the girl, so it was obvious that
he didn't know.

This event turned a whole new leaf on the young fellow. "Don't like
singing?" he scoffed, trying to ease the tenseness in the air.
His voice sounded different as well; perhaps he didn't want the
girl to feel so uncomfortable. The vibes Navras felt were just so.
"Please, how many people can sing around here? Shoot... if you've
got that tallent, then you are definitely placed among those that
are... er..." He paused to try to think of a better word. "...unique.
So, uhm... ma'am... thanks for helping us out back there. People
around here may seem unnappreciative, but I guarantee you that
Erozyn and I are truly thankful." He gestured to the dragon and
himself, but he bit his lip subconsciously as he did so, for he
was contradicting himself when he spoke of 'unnappreciative'.

"So... uhh... you are the person that helped us, right?"

[Felypsa]

Erozyn said nothing in reply to Navras’s humble confession, but his maw did stretch in a dragonlike smile. Sometimes Navras just needed a little humbling, and then he was all right. Navras was a good guy. Ero just had to remind him that he was every now and then.

This girl, now—why was she being so withdrawn? If they had judged her right, she had just helped save an entire village of people. Why so unwilling to admit her act of heroism? Why so afraid of appreciation? Ero studied her with his sharp-looking gaze. She was unusual—her talent, for one thing, as Navras pointed out, was rare; perhaps that would account for her fear of recognition.

“If you were,” said the dragon, “we’ll thank you and be on our way. Don’t worry, though, your secret is safe with us. We’ll not soon advertise it.” Unless, by some sheer chance, someone overheard them. The thought made Ero look around menacingly, but he saw no one to sneak up on their private conversation. And if they did, well—no spy would stick around if a dragon snarled at them.

[Wyndbain]

(Thus, a thought forms. o.o )
Tahris took her time in answering Navras's question, not to purposefully be rude, but simply because she was allowing what Erozyn had said to sink in. After a moment, her hand rose to her face and brushed aside a hidden lock of brown hair that had fallen before her eyes beneath the hood and nodded. "I-I am..."

Tahris's eyes darted to the side as the sound of clip clopping hooves could be heard stamping along the gravel of the road. Her nerves were already on end from her...conversation...with Navras and Erozyn, although their kind assurances had calmed her, but the growing sound of horse hooves made her feel jumpy again. She just about jumped out of her cloak when she heard a sudden yell.

"You there! Hiding yourself beneath that cloak!" The man on horseback from her previous encounter with him rode up slowly with a warm smile on his face. Although this turned into a frown when he noticed that she held a hand over her heart, which was currently beating uncontrolably in fear...surprise...anything really that related to such emotions.

"Forgive me if I startled you so, but I wanted to thank you for earlier." He climbed down off the horse and patted the creature on its neck, for it was beginning to dance on it's hooves from being so close to a dragon. The man turned and noticed Navras and Erozyn, not that he hadn't seen them standing next to the cloaked figure he had been looking for while he rode up. He tipped his angled hat in greeting to the two, stroking his black, grizzled beard in wonder.

"My my, what a collection we have here. Saviors of the town I presume? Of course you are, it is hard to forget the magnificent sight of a dragon in the sky." Having placed his hat back atop his head, he took it off again, while holding his hand out to Tahris for her to shake, if she wanted to that was.

"I thank you for earlier, as in my panic I nearly ran you over with my frightened beast. Yet you handled him so well, I can barely remember the situation it occured so fast, it was like magic! You have an amazing skill with horses lass."

Tahris looked at his hand for a moment, concidering her actions as though she were instead thinking about doing something dangerous that had nothing to do with the simple act of shaking hands. Hesitantly, she moved the hand that wasn't resting above her heart and slowly grasped his fingers, although the man was the one to really initiate the actual shaking.

He gave a hearty laugh as he pulled his hand away, "Child, you act as though you've never shaken hands before, have you not greeted others?" Though he had been curious, he turned towards Navras and Erozyn, "And you two! Fine work you've made of that bear. I fear my horses may have been devoured by that beast had he lived long enough. It seems I owe the three of you a favor. If you would like, you can stay the night in my barn if you are only passing through. I can provide you meals and bedding..." His gaze ran over Erozyn and rubbed his beard with a gloved hand, "And I believe we could hunt up a deer or two for you..." He mumbled audibly, thinking of alternatives if not.

Tahris took a glance at the scenery around her. The streets were still full of people(though not much, as it was only a small village) running about to finish their afternoon erands as nightfall was soon approaching and their earlier turmoil with the bear forgotten. Though she had planned on traveling at night, she was starting to feel the after effects of using her bewitching voice twice in one day. Normally she wouldn't be so tired, but having had to soothe such a large animal as the bear had taken a great amount of energy. Then again...she wasn't one for staying in other's company long...on the other hand, she was feeling feint...Beneath her hood she turned her eyes to the other two, wondering if they would accept the gracious offer.

[Aveilthé]

Navras nearly jumped out of his skin as a voice called out to them,
but it took only just a few seconds to realize that it was not to
himself or the dragon. But soon as the man introduced himself
to the girl, he diverted his attention to the tall dark fellow and
the giant lizard, but spoke more so to the trio as a whole.

"Saviours to a very grateful town," Navras replied savagely, but
he did not mean to direct it to the man in the hat personally. It
was obvious that he was being sarcastic, as he always was.
He did listen though as the man spoke of a place to say. This
lightened Navras's mood considerably.

"Sounds like a rippin' good plan," he replied with a bit of light
in his voice, this time with no sarcasm. He turned to Erozyn.
"Sounds nice, eh, Ero? Get you all kipped up so you could get some
rest." He then turned towards the young girl, hidden beneath her
hood, but had a distinct feeling that something was wrong. Navras
was usually a heartless bastard, but right now he was feeling well
enough to share some of his good light.

"Miss... I could tell that you are weak..." Of course he was being
blunt, but what else could he say? He was not good with talking
to ladies, let alone ever having any experience with girls and how
to treat them properly. However, he did step up to her, and tried
gently placing a hand upon her back so that he could steady her so that she
could not fall. "We should get her in, fast; she looks like she's ready
to faint." There was a slight pause before he spoke quietly.
"You'll be all right, miss. Once we get you to that inn, you'll be right
as rain, and I'll make sure everything will be okay. By the way...
my name is Navras. The dragon is my good friend Erozyn, but you
could call him Ero if you want." He chuckled some. "It sounds better
than Erozyn anyway." He winked at his dragon, to give a hint
that he was joking. "We thank you for helping us."

[Felypsa]

oOc| argh, I am so sorry for being slow and stuff...



Erozyn was perhaps the only one who did not appear surprised when the horse-owner came up to speak with them. The dragon had heard him approach before anyone else saw heard him speak. Still, the dragon’s nostrils flared, just in case he had overheard the conversation with the fearful singer.

Apparently, he had—or perhaps he had observed the girl perform her strange ability. In which case, Ero was not revoking his promise to her. And, as the dragon further heard the man speak, he judged his character, and allowed that he was a trustworthy sort, a good man. Ero dipped his head in welcome of the appreciation the man gave to them.

“Thank you grealy for the offer,” said Ero. “We shall accept it; it sounds wondrous. But there is no need for you to hunt; I can do that myself. I have discovered that humans become squeamish when they witness a dragon kill and devour prey—so I shall do that on my own. Your offer of a place to stay and of food for these very deserving people” he nodded to Navras and the girl, “is happily accepted as well.”

The dragon sounded far more formal and gracious than he did when bantering with Navras. This was often how it was; he was the diplomat while Navras was just his blatant self. It was not a cold kind of politeness, more like a warm, sincere acceptance that he felt the others might not properly express.

“It is a pleasure to meet both of you,” Ero said cordially, giving a strange dragon-smile that looked more like he was showing off his impressive teeth. But his eyes showed the warmth of his statement. “Yes, please, just call me Ero. As Navras hinted, it is far better-sounding than Erozyn. Though I have not figured out a pleasant-sounding alternative to his name, so unfortunately, you’ll just have to know him by the hideous-sounding ‘Navras.’” Diplomat or not, Ero wouldn’t let Navras get away with a joke like that without replying in kind. “May we know the names of our helper and benefactor?” he then asked, referring first to the girl and second to the man.

[Wyndbain]

Tahris stiffened when she felt Navras's hand on her back for, unless she knew it was coming like the hand shake, she wasn't very comfortable with such contact from others. The action though, had merely surprised her, as did many things unfortunately. She turned her head to look at Navras, though it was difficult to tell where she was looking at all with her hood pulled down as it was. Maybe if they were able to see her entire face, those around could determine what she was feeling at the moment, however, that would remain a mystery. She nodded before turning back to the older man.

"I th-thank you..." She said softly in that timid voice of hers. "Your generosity is...most appreciated."

The man nodded thoughtfully, listening to each in turn. "Splendid!" he proclaimed when they had announced their acceptance of his offer, though Tahris hadn't really accepted, he had taken it as a yes. The man chuckled and spread his arms before moving one to his waist and the other behind as he bowed a bit. "It's a pleasure to meet you all." Straightening back up, he gave a laugh at most of what Erozyn had said. "I suppose you can do your own thing then for dinner."

He placed a hand on his chest and gave a warm grin, "I am Jake, nice to meet you all." He then scratched his head and gave another hearty laugh, "Oh, I already said that. About our meeting that is."

Tahris looked at Erozyn when he asked for their names, taking a moment to respond to such a simple question. When she did reply, it was simply a brief, 'Tahris' uttered in that same soft tone. It wasn't very clear if she was simply tired or was just plain shy.