<br/>Alphonse didn't know what to say on listening to what the woman had to say in response to Quinta. Rather than just let words flow, as any number of his cousins were prone to do, however, the halfling had held his tongue and tried to let encountering such a perfect specimen of naked female be just another day in the jungle. The strange echoing chorus that was her voice was adding to the overall sense of forboding that he got from her eyes and talons, but he withstood it and waited--arms at his side, body tensed to respond with movement or bladework, as need be. And he listened to the three women speak.<br/><br/>"They gave me sacrifice"<em>I thought there was just the strumming...ohhh...hmm</em>The nakedness of the woman leapt back to the forefront of Alphonse's mind and he fidgeted a little.<br/><br/>"I want you to perform rites here...."<em>Yeah? Oh, wait, is that 'you' as in all of us or 'you' as in she wants the warrior woman.</em>The ranger sighed just a little to himself as he glanced over and appraised Quinta once more.<em>Well, okay, so strange woman have good taste.</em><br/><br/>"Your reward will be great." He let his eyes travel along the woman's gesture and then dropped them to furrow his brow and narrow his gaze back on her; weapons returned to the ready.<em>Reward of summoning Death Birds to ravage friends and family? Of having life ruined? Maybe mind, too?</em><br/><br/>He continued to listen, making note that the woman was called Vash'ti and that he understood what she was wanting and offering.<br/><br/>"Let me understand this," Alphonse began, "you have enemies coming, would like us to handle them, will give us magic things to help, but we must open ourselves, couple here in your place of power, and let you taste of our coupling?" He paused and seemed to be considering what he said, as if saying it aloud was prompting new thoughts that the halfling was still coming to terms with.