Ari hadn't even noticed the blacksmith come in.  Had she, she would never have considered doing what she had done, even as a dare.  Usually quick on her feet with excuses, this one time she only managed a stutter at Alcindar's query as she felt her cheeks going bright pink and not just from being caught out, but at how far she'd actually taken the joke.  She glanced over at Xhol, wondering if he thought she'd been serious.  Fortunatly or unfortunatly, she wasn't sure which, he decided to hide behind Gara's mug, looking decidely wary of Reya's father...<br/><br/>Her father!  Oh, goodness, she wondered how much he had heard or discerned.  She knew Reya's papa was smarter then he let on.  Not some simple blacksmith, but... well, deep as sea as they say.   Realizing she was still holding her hair out in her small fist, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her dress, her cheeks still warm and not daring to meet the eyes of the others as Gara teased Xhol.  Really, there were times when she wished she could be as bold and playful as her friend.. She smiled a little at that.  Seemed that the green eyed monster had visited her today.  About the only one she hadn't felt jealous of was Xhol so far.  She shook off the feeling as the T'skrang began to sing, suddenly forgetting all else but his voice and his wonderful tale.  Without even noticing it, her hands relaxed, the four hairs floating slowly to the floor as she turned, wrapped up in his tale, her eyes going somewhere very far far away, the voices of her friends lost to her.<br/><br/>Oh, this was what she lived for, what she dreamed of.  Not only the telling and learning of new tales, but to make them herself, to live them.  It wasn't something she had ever admitted to anyone, well, perhaps on occasion, but she'd always laughed those admissions off as flights of fancy.  As well a note of sadness crept into her heart.  That she would never be as good as he was and that, even if she had been, she was trapped in this little village serving ale and entertaining the same people day after day.  A sudden meloncholy desended upon her and her vision became a little blurred...<br/><br/>Turning away from the master troubador she caught some of the laughter and jokes going around the table, as well as the discussion about going 'fishing'.  She dabbed her eyes with the corner of her sleeve, trying to be inconspicous, her usual sunny smile finding it's way back to her face.<br/><br/>"I'm game.  Not that I know a thing about fishing, but I'm sure it can't be that difficult.  After all, most of us are smarter then fish, or so i hope!"