Winter's sharp eyes caught the way the queen took an almost unconscious step away from her.

[i]So, she's not a complete simpleton. The other one though… such an entitled little brat.[/i] 

She cast her gaze down and gave a short bow of her head. "Forgive me my lady, it's just this place that you chose to meet at… I'm afraid I'm not accustomed to such places. That man is not the first here to have… approached me." With that, Winter lowered herself into the proffered seat slowly, making sure to steady her hands. This was no time to let her emotions get the best of her. Anger still licked at her skin, long-buried memories of fear and pain rising to the top of her mind in the presence of the queen. She just had to wait. She had a job to do. Her eyes snapped to the sole male of the group (or at least he was, until the two guards thundered into the tavern) at his bold words. She blinked and stared at him for a moment before turning away in a show of timidity. She remembered the way he'd sprung up from his chair at seeing the fat man approach her.

[i]How fascinating,[/i] she thought dryly, [i]a gentleman and a pig, all rolled into one.[/i]

After the thief – Thom, she learned – was finished introducing himself, he looked over to Winter.

With a delicate clearing of her throat, she looked between the two noble sisters and began, "I am called Winter, my ladies. I am one of the few Qiran that remain after her Majesty helped to end the Yeojin conflict." [i]Conflict[/i]. Such a gentle word for the massacre that tore her family to shreds. "I'm afraid I won't be very useful in combat, but my people are the most advanced in the art of healing, and I am well practiced. When I heard of this endeavor, I thought it only just that I help in any way I can… I would be dead if not for your intervention." Winter lowered her eyes again, finished. 

Her face was a perfect mask of calm, showing no outward sign of her twisting emotions. She glanced up though, every now and then at the sounds of the tavern – particularly any sounds of boisterous men, drinking more than their fill. She heard the door swing open and saw a peculiar pair walk in… it was a man and a woman, quite clearly eyeing their party. She saw their gaze linger on her too long for it to be just a passing glance. This wasn't particularly noteworthy; while many Qiran had fled Yeojin during the years of the genocide, very few had settled in Waylox, the culture and people too different to be comfortable. Regardless, Winter kept them in her mind when she turned her gaze back to her small hands resting on the table.