<div class="floatright">(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2564/cepheus2.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Andale Mono;">Sasha, joining the group at the table, introduces himself rather formally to each of them, nodding and smiling, then settles in to eat, letting the others talk, and not speaking until spoken to...<br/><br/>Then two people speak to him almost at once, and he chuckles softly, before clearing his throat, taking a small sip of his drink, and considering his words before answering.<br/><br/>"To answer your question first, Mr. Melavag," he says, his voice friendly and clear, his diction precise and formal, "I am Cepheus Russkij, although you may call me Sasha, as everyone seems to, and I find myself rather fond of the name. I am a bit of a student of the sword, or at least I fancy myself such, and I seem to have fallen in with your group due to a desire, on their part, for additional company, and, on my part, quite frankly, for something to do to occupy my time and to take the opportunity to better my talents, as well as to assist in the doing of good."<br/><br/>Giving Allie a small smile that says the beautiful elven bard may have been another small reason reducing his resistiance to the idea of coming along, he turns to Jo. "As for your question, Miss Rhiannon, I'm actually not from around here. I was born and grew up some good ways away from here, and decided, upon coming of age, to strike out for awhile. I wasn't unhappy at home, but merely felt that I needed to see some of the world and gain experience that I could not get there, for although the town I grew up in was once a bustling, and admittedly rather strange, place, it had become very quiet and sleepy indeed by the time I came around, so I wanted to test myself in the traditional way, by adventuring."<br/><br/>Pausing to take another sip of his drink, Sasha continues. "Thus far up to now, I have traveled alone, whether on foot or by coach at times, but I must say, it is rather pleasant to have traveling companions."</span>