Eshalu rose from the bath, the now cool water pouring from her body. She was pleased that Aeryn had found her peace again and reassured by the human naturalist reverting to her collected and controlled demeanour. That's the way Aeryn had been when they had travelled and fought together and that was the way she preferred Aeryn to be. That confidence gave Eshalu strength and support in places in which she could no longer rely on her Lodge-Sisters.<br/><br/>Though she assented to Aeryn's request that she be dressed, she found the need for the green fabric robe bizarre. She had never worn a robe in her life and when she had finally slid it on, it stood limp and loose and soaked with water, and open in front of her and she could only ask herself why her host's lodge required it. But she saw no point in objecting. It stood to reason that each lodge had its customs.<br/><br/>Accepting Aeryn's invitation, she followed her host through the door and into the bedchamber, surprised at how her wet footprints lingered on the floor. She stole a quick glance at Aeryn's sandals and decided that human footwear was likely to be uncomfortable like their clothing.<br/><br/>"If you have never coupled with an elf before, you are a very keen observer," Eshalu complimented. She took a moment to memorise the contours of Aeryn's bedchamber, mentally slotting the space revealed to her with all that she had seen of the Chapterhouse until that point. The smell was different. An aromatic wood, perhaps? A faint odour of spice and something musty, but not at all unpleasant. Perhaps the room had been shut for too long. "I never thought you would have such skill and instinct in pleasing me. I only hope to be worthy of your challenge, for I have never lain with a human before."<br/><br/>Eshalu padded around the bedchamber, running her fingers over wood, over the odd, elevated structure on which humans chose to sleep, the wrought metal of the washbasin and the coloured fabrics of the curtains. Everything seemed new. She could guess at the purpose of many of the things there, but at the same time they seemed exotic and intensely strange. This time, though, she felt no homesickness nor revulsion. Since she had met Aeryn, she was beginning to feel genuine, passionate curiosity.<br/><br/>"<em>Marriage</em>?" Eshalu queried, labouring the sounds of the unknown word, "what I spoke to you is a vow a ranger will always give her band-mate, even if she is human. No hunt and no raid can be successful unless there is perfect trust between each member of the band. Once the hunt is over, the vow is released until the next hunt, because the Moon Huntress's spirit is only present when there is blood on the trail."