Valerie regarded the Elf with a look approaching amusement as he [i]whispered[/i] his intentions to his friend Markus. A poor excuse for a whisper, considering that she was standing right in front of him. Still, he seemed the sort to flirt in jest and as a compliment, rather than simply making blunt advances. It was tolerable, if not particularly endearing.

"It's alright," she said easily, after Markus apologized for him. Her family's status combined with her position as the only daughter had led to a rather large number of similar unwanted advances. Eloryen's was not the most subtle of them, but it was far from the least, all the same. Valerie had never been able to approach romantic relationships easily, what with all the unnecessary trappings thrown on anything she might attempt. Thankfully, her parents had been kind enough not to force anything upon her.

"Friend of yours, I take it." It only made sense, if he felt the need to apologize for him. The caravan was soon moving out, however, and Valerie stepped to, keeping pace with Markus and the rest as they made their way out of the city. The morning was peaceful, the air comfortably warm, with only a gentle breeze gracing them.

Valerie reached up and pulled a few wayward strands of dark brown hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear. "Have you been a mercenary long?" she asked of Markus. The Elf hadn't made the best impression, but Markus so far struck her as an amiable man. "My experience is still just a matter of months, I admit. I've trained ever since I was a girl, though."