When Kairavi finished, there was a moment of silence followed by Paz's booming laugh and the overloud sound of his massive paws slapping together in applause.<br/><br/>"Ah, well-spoken!  And more honest!  I had thought your people knew only flighty little tales of true love's first kiss in shaded bowers!"<br/><br/>This was followed by a nervous rumble of laughter from his fellow Returians that quickly became a more relaxed repetition of applause, as if the Bear's clear merriment freed them from some unspoken bond of courteous reticence.  In turn, it is echoed by the lowlander's shuffling discomfort, as though they had indeed hoped to steer around such stories when dealing with these outlanders.<br/><br/>"But will your lord and master not deign to alight and share our meal and our campfire upon the solid ground?"<br/><br/>Tushar sniggered anew in her ear, slipping down off his mount.<br/><br/>"Since I am welcome," he replied, his voice high and lisping, buzzing unpleasantly in the ears.  "Then it seems only right I ought not burden my loyal servant."  So saying, he sat instead upon Kairavi's knee, the better to silently reinforce their contract.<br/><br/>This, in turn drew Kairavi's attention to a pair of pale eyes...when had the Wolf descended from the heights to join the fire?  For it was she, ever-watchful, ever-wondering, her gaze measuring and studying.  Only when her gaze met the Matriarch's did she stalk back out into the cold and dark, pausing but to whisper in the ear of Paz the Eloquent.  The Bear's expression wavers not a bit, but he turns and calls for some of the younger women to bring more refreshments for the newest guests.