Ranuk did not look away either, which meant the two were staring at each other quite intently-- not something odd for anyone else, but it felt strange considering their people's pasts, their own backgrounds...  The demon's eyes were so intimidating, and Tamlin felt like they could see right through him.<br/><br/>So when Ranuk began to sign, he let his tentative gaze fall to the demon's massive hands, watching his fingers carefully.  Every movement was oversized, sweeping, but it meant the elf could follow along without much trouble.  So he could speak elvish...<br/><br/>The prince blinked at the sound of the elvish words coming from Ranuk's throat, his ears lowering; he couldn't help being taken aback at the noise.  It didn't hold the light, ethereal quality, or the fluid intonations... It was rough, broken and hacked out, like it took tremendous effort to push the words forward into the open air.<br/><br/>Tamlin's face heated, turning his thundercloud cheeks a darker tint.  He had simply assumed Ranuk didn't want to speak elvish, for any number of reasons; he hadn't really considered the issue of physical form, that perhaps it would be hard for Ranuk to speak.  That embarrassed the prince, that he had made such a biased leap without thinking, and a bit of guilt sprang up in his chest.<br/><br/>"I, I understand... You speak it well, for--" Tam paused, trying to think of how to phrase things delicately.  "... For someone it isn't made for.  But," he added, voice still quiet and thoughtful, "I think sign is best, at least until I learn your tongue."<br/><br/>If he could.  He didn't imagine he'd sound much better; the little bit of the demon language he'd heard was hard for his ears to pick out, let alone distinguish what might be words.  Hesitantly, Tamlin brought his hands up and started signing.  He normally only signed when there was real necessity, but his brother's servant had been a helpful teacher.<br/><br/>[There are... many elves... use sign in court.  Some need, some for trade...  Brother's servant, not talk.  Use sign, taught me.]  He paused, then continued, his question slow and unsure.  [I not know you name.  You teach me?]<br/><br/>To clarify, Tamlin used his voice, now looking his future husband in the eyes again, still timid but not willing to let himself shy away.  "I mean to say, I do not know how to pronounce it properly.  Your son said it very clearly, but, I'm afraid I don't know the right way..."