As his drakefolk companion sorted her inevitable nausea and the human performed an admirable job of disguising his, Koralheim listened to him speak as he moved about his apartment. Speaking solely through Kala when necessary would be inconvenient, especially given that the human hadnâ€™t learned sign. Granted, it was usually a merchant skill, but it wasnâ€™t rare for nobility to be fluent.<br/><br/>He carefully opened a drawer and slid out a silvery-hued scroll with a somewhat reflective surface. He readily unfurled it and held its reflective side to face Pete. As he thought what he wished to say, the words shone off of the reflective surface in a full, blue hue. â€œIâ€™d not want to have to always subject Miss Kala to being my interpreter. She does seem to welcome the opportunity, though, since she gets to practice her signing.â€ it said, the calligraphy clean and precise on the metallic background, fading as a new idea replaced it.<br/><br/>â€œI am old for a merfolk, sir. Without doubting your abilities, I was not terribly worried for my safety. Consider it a sign of trust; I did not leave your essence in the space between planes, you did not slit my throat. Weâ€™re even in that regard.â€<br/><br/>The fish-man sat gently in a finely crafted chair with a slight wince, his back still quite sore. â€œI do work in Goldsands by convenience. Iâ€™m one of a very small group of merfolk merchants actually active in Rez Lagoon as well. I maintain workshops and homes in every major city and a good number of caravans. As it stands, this was perhaps the safest place for us to go. Angels do not appreciate flying in the northgales off the mountains. However, I have business in almost every city but this one.â€ he explained. â€œIâ€™d suggest that if you have potential business here we get through it quickly. If you elect to stay that is your prerogative, but I fear Razorplains is soon to be lost. Northpeak, however, is the frontline of a battle that is fast approaching and yet to come.â€<br/><br/>The spider automaton that was so dutifully clasped to his arm shivered to life and scurried up the back of his chair before perching on Koralheimâ€™s shoulder. â€œI do hate to be curt, but Iâ€™d be surprised if I live through this week, so Iâ€™d like to get some work done.â€<br/><br/>Truth be told, Koralheim had always found Northpeak to be an unconfortable place. It was too full of dark secrets, of things frozen in the ice, and of prying, hungry eyes that characterized residents of the place. Sure, the nobility were lax with their coinpurses, but there was never the same flourishing culture heâ€™d grown accustomed to in the southern cities. Furthermore, it was hard to live a widowerâ€™s wife as a naturally super-social species like a merfolk, and the tendency for people to stay isolated and warm indoors only made Koralheimâ€™s loneliness hurt more. Perhaps he ought to visit Rasha, introduce Kala so that if something happened to him heâ€™d not have shorted his end of the bargain. He really did not intend to hold the young drakefolk to protecting him through the trials that were to come, but he did have the academic urge to leave a successor. Out of anyone alive, only Rasha and Jameson truly knew him, and there was no way heâ€™d let Brass get his greedy hands on his legacy.<br/><br/>No, the colossus needed activating, his armor, the championâ€™s armor, needed claiming, and he ought to pay Sven a visit too. Koralheim was sure Kala would get a kick out of a zombie merchant in the Rez undercity. If not, heâ€™d simply enjoy her reaction.<br/><br/>â€œI need to examine the powerstones Iâ€™ve acquired for potential points of fracture and repair them. My automaton might accompany you through the city if you venture out; it will alert me if the angels come near. Perhaps after Iâ€™m rested a bit Iâ€™ll tell you their story. Iâ€™m feeling old, might as well let the good stories be told.â€ Koralheimâ€™s eyes lit up with a bit of youthful mirth â€œThough honestly thatâ€™s a very elvish sentiment.â€