<span style="color: #00FF00">"Hopefully that thing doesn't tear the building down trying to get to us," Valehna said, circling around the creature as widely as she could. It seemed to be concentrating on Tal for the most part. <br/><br/>She made her way around the courtyard and towards the staircase. Once she was close enough to slip through it quickly, she turned around to face Tal and the rock wraith. Pointing her staff at the ground below the wraith, she started up another small earthquake wherever it touched the ground. She hoped to unbalance it enough to give Tal a decent chance of getting away from it.</span><br/><br/>Mesaraih nodded at Ester's initial response. Had he expected her to say anything different? He continued to look at her, searching for any sign that might point to what was going through her mind. She seemed almost upset, which he found strange. Though on second thought, it couldn't be easy being indifferent for as long as she had.<br/><br/>"Yes," he responded to her question, his lips quivering slightly in what threatened to be a smile when she put her hair behind her ears. He had seen her do it before, and there was something in the motion that he liked. "A little surprised."<br/><br/>He realized after a quick second he was being unclear. He felt a bit distracted by his own thoughts, and by Ester's expression. "That you weren't upset about the kiss," he added. "Though I'm glad."