Donovan was getting down to the last crate or two, and he -knew- the little fox had to be hiding behind one of them. But when he moved the last one away and saw not a fox, but a woman... he nearly fell back and tripped, surprise evident both in his movements and on his face.<br/><br/>Hmph. Imagine that. Dean -wasn't- exaggerating. There was no fox, but instead a rather sheepish, almost vulnerable looking woman sitting there - apparently nude or nearly so, if not for her long hair and her arms concealing parts of her from his eyes. Donovan blinked for a moment - he hadn't had a lot of experience with shapeshifters, and most stories he'd heard of them he always believed to be fairy-tales. He knew some mages who could magically alter their shape, but only for brief periods of time, and when they reverted back to themselves, they certainly weren't naked.<br/><br/>She had porcelain skin that looked so soft and smooth that he feared it might actually break if he touched her. Instead, he kept his distance, his hands settling on his hips as he stared down at her. A glance or two about showed that he was still looking around for the fox - as if he still didn't -quite- believe it was the same creature sitting before him. He hadn't -seen- the transformation, after all... this could be some sort of trick....<br/><br/>When she spoke, a wry smile crossed his lips. Slowly then, he lowered himself to squat down to the ship's deck - not getting any closer, but lowering himself down so that he didn't tower over her, either.<br/><br/>"Well, little fox... there's a problem or two with your demands," he said, still half-smiling at her. "First... we're going -away- from land, not closer to it - at least not for awhile. So finding you an escort home isn't likely, at least not in the immediate future," he said. "Secondly... you need not act so shy. You aren't equipped with anything I ain't never seen before," he said. "And thirdly... I mentioned before that I won't hurt you - and I won't. But Dean... the shadow...," he shrugged slightly. "I can't speak for him. So I suggest - and it is only a suggestion - that you cooperate. Don't cause any trouble. Do that, and I -promise-... you will get home safely."<br/><br/>Slowly he rose to his feet - and then took a slow step forward - offering his hand down towards her.<br/><br/>"Now... would you like some clothes to put over your skin? The night is going to get chilly out on the water..."<br/><br/>He wasn't looking to scare her or intimidate her, and his words about Dean were... well... partially true. Dean -would- hurt her, if she pissed him off, but Donovan secretly hoped that Dean wouldn't harm a woman so easily, or without good cause. It was a reason why Donovan felt fairly safe with Dean in the belly of the ship with the dangerous Methuseld - and the enigmatic elf. Since there were yet to be any explosions, screams, or the ripping and tearing of wood, Donovan could only assume that the three of them were getting along splendidly...