Ranuk was endlessly patient as Tamlin worked, not moving until the heavy, restricting necklace was off; once removed, he shook himself to get rid of the feeling of the collar, and all the rest of the gold hoops and chains still adorning him danced and clinked in the dark.  They shone brightly, glimmering against Ranuk's brilliant pale fur.<br/><br/><i>My thanks</i>.  Tamlin smiled at that, inclining his head in acknowledgment, more pleased than he wanted to admit.  Ranuk was welcome; they would be together for a long time, and the prince wanted to create at least some sort of amiability between them, some kind of cooperation...  He watched Ranuk yawn, his great mouth seeming to widen impossibly, his fangs glistening and tongue curling-- it was impressive, a bit scary, and Tamlin had to keep himself from stepping back.  Timidness wouldn't serve him here, and he did not want to give Ranuk the impression the elf was afraid of him... even if he was still uncertain.<br/><br/>But the alarm did not last.  As Ranuk stretched, his tails twitched and the fur plumed out before smoothing back down, and then the demon circled in the grass before finding a comfortable spot to lie down.  It was the same thing the hounds did, the hunting dogs kept my members of the court, like Naviin's giant wolfhound.  This did not frighten Tamlin; instead it gave him a sense of familiarity, and his smile quirked as Ranuk covered himself, leaving only his piercing eyes and his narrow snout visible.<br/><br/>Ranuk looked ready for bed, and Tamlin wasn't surprised: it was time to sleep, he could feel it weighing on his shoulders, whispering in his head and tugging at his eyelids.  The prince carefully put the collar down, unable to hold the immense weight any longer, and tucked a tiny, loose braid back behind his slender pointed ear.<br/><br/>"Good night, Ranuk...  Thank you for tonight.  I will see you tomorrow."  And for many, many days after.  The elf's voice was soft, as were his steps, and it took no time at all for the dark, slim shape of the prince to disappear in the blue and black dappled shadows of the night.  He paused at an entrance to one of the castle halls, looking back into the depths of the garden, then disappeared behind the carved stone wall.