Ansalia was surprised and dismayed both by the monks' impassive refusals and lack of stirring at Alyx's wiles (unbeknowst to herself she was having a thought similar to Rygel's, that perhaps they were celibrate or even eunuchs) - and even then moreso by the inhuman skin of the old man, and the dark aura he radiated before her briefly concentrated-upon paladinic sight. She wondered whether the evil were his mind and heart, or if he were some sort of innately dark creature like a man become undead, or both.<br/><br/>"We are given to understand your ministration to soil and seed are to be respected and would impress, and teach others," she began. "As you must know, this is a bleak land we share, and folk we represent are perpetually fending off starvation just outside the door. Surely you feel the sparks of benevolence to help such folk, and would find no small satisfaction in being held as saviors by them? Rewards can be negotiated...such as, by not leaving us to fend for ourselves, us doing the same for you if the monsters we know of nearby - giants, unclean beasts, and the like - threaten to take you to your graves and your agricultural knowledge with you."<br/><br/>"But enough of our needs...what are yours?" she stepped slightly closer, glancing back and forth between the two. Her manner was feminine, slightly damsel-in-distress, but barely consciously so and not seductive at all. "Surely there must be something men of wisdom such as yourselves seek, even simply news of the world or knowledge of ours, for the beginning of wisdom, as you know doubt know, is to know that there is much you do not know. Or if your desires are more tangible, but speak, and such can be arranged, even if they are the sort you would not have your brothers within know of."<br/><br/>That made her think of a slightly different negotiation tack (appeal to ego), and so she made a slightly dejected sigh, turned about, and cast a yearning glance over her shoulder. "Forgive me...do I speak to the wrong fellows...I thought surely you two had the power to make such decisions of your own. But if you are beholden to other brothers within, upon their leash and so unable to deal with us, I do apologize.