Jera's palm was slightly rough, just in a few places and along his fingertips; he might have been a royal servant, but he was still a servant, and he had done other, less respectable jobs before gaining his position.  The demon seemed very interested in the new gesture, but when Jera asked his questions, he pulled back and showed off his claws-- they looked wicked sharp, curved like little scythes, and the redhead understood.  It was hard to shake hands if you could accidentally cut off someone's fingers.<br/><br/>The snake was on the verge of constant laughter, highly amused; it wasn't malicious, but Tamlin wasn't sure it was meant without some amount of mischief.  Not that Jera cared, since he thrived on that kind of attitude anyways.  The prince's eyes caught the quick, precise movement of Ranuk's thick fingers, and was surprised to realize he understood it.  Or at least, he thought he did... it looked like trade sign, like the hand language used by merchants for communication.  Others in the castle used it too, like Naviin's servant Mirin, so Tam had learned it passingly.<br/><br/><i>Don't.</i>A message for the other demon to behave himself.  Tamlin said nothing, though now there was some curiosity mixed with his hesitant fear.  He couldn't tell what Ranuk would be like; so far he was getting mixed messages.<br/><br/>Jera meanwhile was transfixed by the snake demon as he spoke, demonstrating the ways demons greeted each other: first, a bow to their superiors.  The demon moved so elegantly, so gracefully it was like watching art, and Jera openly stared with wide eyes, nodding his head just a little to show he was paying attention.  Much more beautiful than any bow he could do...<br/><br/>Then the demon showed the next kind, for those who were of the same background.  It looked like an offer to dance, but he figured it out fast enough.  A little like a handshake, but safer; when prompted, Jera did as Ursalo did, touching his wrist to the demon's with a look of interest on his freckled face.  That would be one to remember, as well as the bowing...<br/><br/>And then the demon stepped closer, closing in the distance between them until he was well within the elf's personal space.  The redhead gazed up at him, much shorter and having to tilt his head to meet Ursalo's eyes properly, and his ears flicked at the low, sensual tone.  It was impossible not to notice that playful glint, that almost lecherous gleam in the demon's hypnotic yellow glance, and Jera felt his face heat up, cheeks burning as they turned a soft silver.<br/><br/>Goodness, was this how demons were...?  The flirting was a big surprise, but instead of being embarrassed or acting offended like another elf might, Jera just gazed wide-eyed and gave Ursalo another bright smile, lopsided but brimming with delight.<br/><br/>"Oh, well, we do some things like that, too."  He could play games too; surely that's what it was, a game, to see how he'd react.  He could definitely play.  "Not so different, then."<br/><br/>Tamlin didn't know what exactly he was looking at-- or rather, he did know and didn't want to think about it-- but it was trouble.  The elf gently pulled Jera back from under Ursalo's shadow, trying not to be rude but unwilling to allow things to continue, and said something softly to him in archaic, short words.  It was, in essence, the same as what Ranuk had told his companion--<i>don't</i>.  The servant nodded, the flush still present in his cheeks, and he cleared his throat.<br/><br/>"Ah, you seem to know who we are, but who are you?  Part of the Queen's company...?"  Jera sincerely did not know who Ranuk was, and Tamlin was now regretting his refusal to talk about the meeting... If he had, perhaps the servant would be a little more caring in his conversation.  Again, probably not.