Xarces did not have to wait long for the response he was looking for. Though he could not see the woman's eyes ,as his own where held respectfully upon the floor, he could feel the harpy's gaze burning down upon him. Xarces knew that he had stepped into a volatile situation, and as the harpy flings Hubert to the side he would smile to himself. (Good, her attention is off of the old man, I would have hated to see her snuff out such a valuable source of information.....admittedly she did not release him as lightly as I would have preferred....but her attentions have shifted away form him nonetheless... ))<br/><br/>Her insults falling on deaf ears as Xarces was used to hearing such belittling talk from dealing with men and woman in positions of power in the past. His body suddenly freezing as he feels the queen's power take hold over him. His arms and legs spreading outward on their own accord, though his wings remain tightly tucked beneath his attire. (Hmm...this is new....at least my wings have remained hidden......so whatever means she implements to perform such feats, she must have precise control over it.....localizing it to Hubert's throat, and now it seems to only be effecting those parts of my body that she can see, and is aware of....) he showing no significant reaction, more curious then anything,  as his body is lifted into the air, hanging suspended before the crowd. His exquisite physique displayed before all as he can feel a great strain working upon his muscles. Xarces remaining completely relaxed, his cyan eyes, hidden beneath his hood would remain locked onto those of the queen, a calm and pleasant smile spread across his lips as he offers no resistance to whatever she intended to do to him. (Well this is.....given the circumstances not entirely unexpected.... This certainly is rather painful.....not the worst pain I have experienced.......I am just glad that she is taking her anger out on me now, as apposed to the old man.....I shall allow her to release her pent up frustrations, enduring whatever pain she has in store for me.....and then she shall either simply storm off and I shall tend to the old man, or perhaps with any luck, having proven myself capable of withstanding her assault she shall show an inkling of respect and give my proposal a second thought.) Xarces confident in his abilities to endure whatever punishment the queen wishes to inflict upon him. He simply forcing a nod as she raises her other hand, as if giving her the go ahead to proceed.<br/><br/>Just as Xarces was preparing for the worst, a voice calls out to Julianna from the doors of the meeting hall. Xarces feeling the pressure upon his body releasing immediately as he would land gracefully upon the floor below, taking a moment to shake himself off, rubbing his shoulder as they ached from the experience. He ensuring that he had regained complete control over all of his limbs and that no lasting harm had been done to any of them.<br/><br/>While the dragon and merwoman spoke to Julianna Xarces heads over to Hubert's side while everyone else is distracted. Kneeling beside the old man checking to see if he is all right, he reaches out to offer a supportive hand to help him to his feet. "Are you all right sir? I hope she did not do any permanent harm to you...I apologize but I couldn't sit idly by and allow her to continue unleashing her anger upon you."<br/><br/>His ears all the while would take in the talks between the others, he having judged that the other three must possess positions similar to that of the harpy. Waiting for a break in the royalty's conversation he would stand tall once more after the merwoman had said her piece, Xarces steps confidently into the center of the clearing once more, taking a moment to nod respectfully in the direction of the three before he would speak."Indeed, we should not fret over rumors and speculation, we should not let such news instill fear in our hearts,or lower our spirits. and yet we should not simply turn a blind eye to such dangers and claims. For should ever a time come where such a thing  comes to pass...." His voice filled with calming and inspiring tones as he pauses for a moment, while looking out at the crowd, at the faces of the men and women who have gathered around the source of commotion, his eyes coming to rest briefly on Sasha and Jules each in turn as he did so . "You can all rest assured that I shall be ready, and willing to do whatever it takes......" A second pause as he lets his words sink in before continuing "As I am sure each and every one of you will be willing to do the same, to do what you can, and play your part no matter how little or seemingly meaningless the task may be, so long as you band together there is little in this world that can stand against you." Xarces finishing with a bang wanting to inspire and lift the spirits of those around him as much as he was able as he had often found his ability to leave an impact on those settlements he chose to appear in was quite substantial, he well aware of the power of the spoken word.<br/><br/>After finishing he turns back to the harpy using whatever commotion he had caused within the crowd around him to help mask his voice from reaching too many ears. "As for you my queen." He bowing slightly speaking in a very polite and professional manner as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred between the two of them. "It was an honor to make your acquaintance, and should you ever have need of my assistance in the future,..."  his words carrying with them an underlying trace of seduction as he nears the end of his sentence "....or if you would ever like to make use of my body again to vent your frustrations.....The name's Xarces." A sly smile creeping across his lips satisfied with the impression whether initially good or bad that he had made with her, content to simply let it settle within her mind and allow her to draw her own conclusions.<br/><br/>With that Xarces steps back looking to the three, to Julianna, and to Herbert, hoping his words posture, and actions would have a positive effect upon the crowd, would have some good come from such an initially violent display.