[b]Althalus[/b]

He sighed as Tyrael left, rubbing his temple. [color=00aeef]"So, as usual, the talks with Tyrael ended on such a positive note."[/color] He stared at Alaira in blatant surprise as she spoke, and for a few moments afterwards. [color=00aeef]"By the Gods is that what you think? That I think you're a beast?"[/color] He stood up and hugged the half elf, speaking quietly in her ear. [color=00aeef]"If you ever call yourself a beast, monster, animal, or whatever insulting term you can think of again, I will slap you, with my stump no less, for letting yourself believe such complete and utter [i]bullshit[/i]." [/color]He let Alaira go, then sat back down before giving her a half smile. [color=00aeef]"By the way, Mar and I aren't married. Isn't really important. You can talk to Lucilia, just don't try to kill her please? I think we've all had enough of violence for one day." [/color]

Althalus looked guiltily at Lyn as Lidda examined his hand. He felt terrible for not noticing her distress sooner, but it was either speak up or let Tyrael and Alaira go at each other's throats and he knew that would only make things worse. As soon as Lidda let go of his stump to get a herb of some sort, he gently picked Lyn up again and hugged tightly her. [color=00aeef]"I'm sorry you had to see that, my maniacal gardener."[/color]

He glanced at Mar, still silent, before looking between Lidda and Alaira. Reluctantly, he set Lyn down in front of Alaira and spoke with an only slightly forced cheerfulness. [color=00aeef]"So! You have a flower to deliver to Lucilia don't you? Can't leave her waiting, can we? Why don't you and Aunty Alaira go and deliver your flower to her? I'm sure she'll be very impressed."[/color] He looked pointedly at Alaira, jerking his head towards Mar. Hopefully the message of 'I need Lyn gone so I can talk to Mar' would be clear. Althalus looked at Lidda then. [color=00aeef]"Can we do the whole 'regrow my hand in a painful fashion' thing at a later date? I have other pressing matters to take care of. And no, they can't wait."[/color]