Lanik watched the two converse, more specifically though, he watched the way Marië held on to every word the elf said. It made reminded him of himself once upon a time, lying under the stars and asking a relative string of questions to Marcus who could never answer them. As far as he was concerned any catalyst that prompted a child's mind to delve into the wonders of curious imagination was a good one. It was healthy. It's what makes being young so special, when eyes are innocent enough to see beyond the wickedness and savagery of the world presented to him. He paused, letting the thought sink in -- which was quickly broken with a projectile card colliding dead center in between his eyeballs. Lanik squinted his eyes suspiciously at the silver-haired vixen. [i]Cheeky elf.[/i]

"I'm young as elves go," she continued. "I am two hundred seventeen years old, two hundred eighteen in two months. Most elves can live for up to a thousand years. A friend of mine lived to be nine hundred. Humans normally can't live that long without magic, and I've heard of some who do just that to extend their lives by a few hundred years. It's really advanced, though, and I haven't learned it yet."

Lanik watched her lean forward to meet Marië's gaze.

[i]What do you say we figure it out together someday?[/i]

Marië's eyes widened, and she nodded several times. Her eyes scanned the elf carefully, and what was once suspicion, a doubt in the reality of the scene slowly morphing into awe and wonder. The little girl's expression reflected this, her tilted head in curiosity and fierce eyes changing into a bright smile of excitement. She bit her lip, then nodded again.. . then jumped forward, colliding hard with the elf in a childish hug that sent the two sprawling back onto the bed. She made one more grab for Erudessa's ear, pulling it then smiling, grabbing her hands in her own.

"I've never had an elf friend before!" she grinned.

Lanik decided now was as good a time as any to make his presence known. He opened the door fully, stepping in the room.

"Marië," he said, his voice stern and authoritative.

His daughter darted her eyes over to the sound of his voice, scrambling off the bed and standing a ways in front of him, brushing off the hem of her dress and looking at the ground.

"Captain," she said, already knowing she was in trouble.

"Marië," he put one foot forward, getting in a kneeling position and speaking eye level with his daughter, "What did I say about being alone with the slave?" he paused for a moment, letting the question sink in, "Go to your room, finish unpacking, I'll speak with you before bed,"

Marië nodded slowly, "Sorry papa,"

Lanik didn't speak. He only offered one of his cheeks to which Marië promptly kissed. She gave him a hug before exiting the room, not looking back once.

Captain Wintergate stood up, "She's got the liveliness of a fox sometimes, it makes it hard for me to keep track of her sometimes,"

Lanik pulled a nearby chair, sitting in front of Erudessa. He stared at her for a moment, sharing a momentary silence before speaking what had been on his mind for quite some time now.

"I guess I haven't formally introduced myself so," he brushed of his knees, "My name is Lanik Wintergate, I'm the commander of the Wintergate Rangers and Captain under commission of the Imperial crown. Normally we're not allowed to take slaves but I uhh.. ." he paused, ".. . made an exception for you. I appreciate what you did for Finnigan. He's a good man, and deserves to go back home with at least a fighting chance,"

He proceeded to the core part of what he wanted to say.

"But let me make myself clear. You're a slave here. I didn't take buy you out of pity. I didn't buy you out of spite. I bought you because unlike a lot of my kin I have a sense of obligation and.. . honor. Whatever my reasons are it doesn't change this fact: you're legally bound to me. Under Imperial law I can have you killed at a whim, and I won't hesitate to if you try anything, especially with Marië," he eyed her carefully, "Do you understand?"

He let her answer before reaching in his back pocket and pulling out the Limiting collar.

"I need you to put this on, as a precaution,"