<span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 9pt;">Temper came quickly and was banked just as fast. That was what had gotten her in trouble in the first place, after all. Her temper, her indignation had forced her hand, had sent her to commit an unspeakable act of violence against the humans and whatever else had resided within that town. Ever so slowly, Cia's head turned to the side and she stared at the far wall, her lips thinning to stave off a wince at his words. Her fingers fisted in silk to hold herself still as her voice lowered,<br/><br/><strong>"Believe me, I know that it is a miracle that I am still alive. Luckily, hundreds of years of flawless service to my river fell in my favor."</strong> And times were changing. She knew that, other spirits knew it, but it didn't mean that her transgressions would go unpunished. At Draven's offer, her head whipped around, brow furrowing in confusion. He had read her quite easily, hadn't he? A hand lifted to flick her hair over her shoulder, an indignant act as her chin rose once more. She wanted to say that she needed no one's protection...but she knew better. But her chin did not lower, nor did the cool haughtiness she enveloped herself in, <br/><br/><strong>"Payment would be simple,"</strong> she concluded with a nod, <strong>"Gold, jewels? My river is grand and many boats carrying bounty have been lost on my rapids,"</strong> she'd been smart enough to lower her voice and not broadcast the wealth she carried to the whole room. Beyond the need for protection, there was the simple fact that so far away from her river...she was becoming quite lonely.</span></span>