Ursalo was mostly teasing the prince. After Jera's slip up the other day Ursalo had dogged Ranuk for more information about elves and their family structures. It was so different than what the demons do that he couldnt help but poke a little fun.<br/><br/>In reality, Tamlin marrying Ranuk would not have made Tamlin a paternal figure to any of Ranuk's children, least of all Ursalo who was firmly of adult status despite still living in his father's household. Ranuk was adamant that Ursalo finished his education before finding himself appropriate suitors and the snake was inclined to agree as that would only increase his marriage price. Also, Ranuk had a tendency to hang onto his children longer than what was traditional in demon families, and was highly selective in arranging marriages for them. His children were precious to him and he raised each one as a pinnacle of demon excellence. He did not let them go until he was assured they would not only survive, but thrive.<br/><br/>Ursalo calling anyone but Ranuk as father was laughable, but apparently elves expected that when marrying a spouse already with children, as far as Ursalo understood. The snake haired demon had expected Tamlin to be intensely uncomfortable with calling his former enemies his children but the prince's reaction was curiously lacking.<br/><br/>There was some uneasiness yes, but more from the awkwardness of being assigned such a moniker by a complete stranger rather than abject disgust of calling a demon his son. Ursalo was slightly stunned when Tamlin gave him permission to call the elf by name, without all the assorted titles Ortel was so adamant about teaching him.<br/><br/>Elves were supposedly sticklers for protocol and proper address as the conversation between Jera and Tamlin confirmed, but apparently the elf prince did not care for it as much as his peers. If Ursalo was remembering his dark elf lessons correctly, being on a first named basis was a sign of trust and intimacy. Ursalo didnt know whether he should be flattered or if this was a trick.<br/><br/>Tamlin smelled sincere. Even as he complimented on Ursalo's dancing, there was not a hint of deceit in his scent or beating pulse. It left the snake slightly offkilter but he hid his astonishment easily with a humble smile, hidden politely behind his hand. He gave a slight curtsey, but the small movement held as much poise as his showy bows.<br/><br/>"I did not think I would do well with such a mixed audience but I'm glad to see that there are few elves who can appreciate a demon's grace," he simpered back, unable to keep himself from sending Jera a sidelong glance.<br/><br/>Before it could get any farther than that, Ortel and Ranuk finally arrived.<br/><br/>The white demon had abandoned all his intricate baubles just as Tamlin had, dressing down in what was appropriate for a hunt. His kilt was of tan leather, simple but sturdy with slits along the sides that allowed him full range of movement. The bracers on his arms were much of the same, and his snow white hair had been pulled out of their braids and fell in wild tumbling waves across his neck and shoulder.<br/><br/>Ranuk looked like a wild animal as he walked beside Ortel. The snake demon walked upright with a dignified posture. He wore fine wine red robes that accented the red undersides of his throat and spines and seemed allover a highly intelligent and extremely important demon. Meanwhile the white demon lumbered on all fours, shoulders rolling and head hanging low to the ground, his 7 tails lazily flicking behind him. Ranuk was nearly as big as a horse but he seemed even larger when compared to the slenderness of the snake.<br/><br/>They were conversing as they walked. Ranuk spoke in low, rumbling growls and gentle barks, and Ortel responded back with breathy hissing and expansive gestures of his hands, the extreme length of his talons adding a sense of danger to his words. The snake seemed slightly agitated, and that only increased when he caught sight of Ursalo.<br/><br/>Ortel's green slitted eyes narrowed, and Ursalo's smile turned slightly unnerved as he strategically placed himself so that the elves served as a wall between them. That probably was not a wise move, as it allowed Ortel to get a proper whiff of the red headed elf that smelled damningly like sex and snake.<br/><br/>"<b>I cannot believe you</b>," Ortel hissed at Ursalo.<br/><br/>Ursalo held up his hands in supplication while Ranuk further embarrassed him by openly and obviously sniffing at Jera. The white demon got close enough that his nose brushed against the elf's chest, which was extremely rude even in demon standards.<br/><br/>"<b>Father please</b>," Ursalo said, despairingly through his stiff smile.<br/><br/>Ranuk sat back on his haunches and cackled with laughter. For anyone who has never heard a fox cackle before, it was an alarming and disturbing sound.<br/><br/>"<b>Three times? Truly?</b>" Ranuk wheezed. He had expected that's where Ursalo had run off to, but the elf stank so strongly that Ranuk didnt need his highly sensitive nose to know that they must have gone at it all night.<br/><br/>"<b>Four, actually</b>," Ursalo couldnt help but admit, and Ortel made a low his of extreme displeasure. That only made Ranuk cackle even harder.