‘Thank you – most kind’ he chimed as he stepped over the threshold of the doorway – just about managing to hide the reactive flinch upon his face as he felt the presence of an old yet no less potent protection upon the place. He wasn’t sure whether it was something recent or something in the ground itself, something as old if not older than the bricks of the building, but it was there – and it would no doubt prove to be rather irritable if he didn’t do his best to ignore it all together. ‘It is rather bitter for this time of year – it doesn’t bode well in my experience when the weather becomes this bitter all of a sudden. Speaks of bad things abroad in the world.’<br/><br/>Upon entering the considerably warmer kitchen, he released the clutching grasp upon his robe and reached one slender fingered hand up to the hood that covered his face – pushing it back from his forehead and down between his shoulder blades. His face did indeed look young – his somewhat pale skin blemish free, with rather chiselled features that might not be out of place upon a male model posing for the latest range of aftershaves. His hair was raven black – quite the contrast with his skin, and was pulled back into a loose short ponytail, showing his rather pointed ears. ‘It wouldn’t do to hide my appearance from you any longer, seeing as you have been so kind and trusting to take me into your home… My name is Parne, and as you can no doubt guess I am not quite the usual clientele of this no doubt fine establishment.’<br/><br/>The older woman hadn’t stirred from her task in the slightest since he entered the room-  her eyes focused intently upon the dough she was kneading, yet he knew she was studying him closely, watching his mannerisms and attempting to size him up. From what he could see upon her face – which was marshalled almost expertly he had to admit, she had come to no conclusion over him or his presence so far, but she would no doubt be wary of him.<br/><br/>On best behaviour then, he thought to himself. ‘Tea would be wonderful, thank you’