[center][color=0072bc][h3][b]I'onriyi Stonehand[/b][/h3][/color][/center][hr]
At being corrected, the penin raised an eyebrow; his mind recounting her introduction, her inclusion of gestures now somewhat more meaningful. A small light came into his eyes as his curiosity was stoked, his thoughts clawing their way up from the grogginess of his mind. Her words now put those prior into a new light, and it was one far more intriguing than he had first thought. Despite this he kept quiet, his expression remained the same as he paid attention to her words and expressions.

He was not disappointed either, for her expressions tickled him, while her words both stirred his pride. His impression of her was shifting, for before she had seemed a mild oddity, worthy of some attention, and some food, but little else. Now however, it appeared that he may have stumbled upon a gem. Though it remained to be seen whether it was a diamond in the rough or something with less potential.

Checking the tea, the penin mage mulled over her words, turning them in his mind as he stirred the water somewhat. It was beginning to bubble slightly, nearly boiling. [color=0072bc][b]"Hmm,"[/b][/color] he said, shooting her a pensive glance as he walked back to the counter and made sure the herbs were prepared. He drew out a kettle and opened the top, preparing it for the water that would soon be ready.

Once done he turned back to her, noticing that she was still standing. His eyes flicked to a chair near her and he gestured to it. [color=0072bc][b]"Sit,"[/b][/color] he said sternly. Once she was settled he found that his thoughts were sufficiently organized for him to give her a proper response, or at least the beginnings of one.

[color=0072bc][b]"So to tackle one thing at a time, let me see if I am interpreting this right. You are two people, the body—Male'dai—and the one to whom I now speak: Nimbus."[/b][/color] While a question was implied, he gave her no time to respond, unless she decided to nod or shake her head in affirmation. [color=0072bc][b]"An apprentice and an archangel, what a strange combination, if I am understanding correctly?"[/b][/color] He checked the water again, allowing her a moment to respond as he found that it was finished.

Taking the boiling pot of water in his hands—their bony exoskeleton protecting him from the heat—he brought it over to the kettle and poured some of the water in, before placing the pot someone out of the way to cool. He brushed off his hands, before placing the herbs in the kettle, still in their sieve. Finished he turned back to Nimbus, he supposed, and took a seat across from her.

He took another bite out of his bread before crossing his arms; his gaze on Nimbus. [color=0072bc][b]"As to your goal..."[/b][/color] he let his words hang a moment, [color=0072bc][b]"...I admit I am somewhat impressed."[/b][/color] He held up a finger, [color=0072bc][b]"However, we have also just met, so I have—I think—understandable reservations about your accompanying me. On one hand you have caught me at, well, something of an advantageous time I suppose, since I am soon to set out on a adventure proper. Of course, I am not sure of my destination nor the exact purpose of this journey, but I must go despite this."[/b][/color]

He paused a moment, considering that he was telling her quite a bit. He changed tacts, [color=0072bc][b]"As such, to take you along, I think I would need to know you better and, furthermore, understand what you are capable of. After all, I can hardly take someone along with me who I would have to babysit,"[/b][/color] while it was said with a measure of severity, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a glint showing in his eyes. He was teasing her it seemed. If only mildly.