The first person to greet her brought a wide grin to Kire’s face. She smelled the familiar aura of a humid sea breeze before her face appeared, and she laughed when Ysaryn approached to hug her. “And you, Chieftess,” she greeted back. “You look great. As usual.” Narda raised a brow at the two of them, a smirk on her lips. “I’ll introduce ‘my Kartaian’ properly when we’re inside.” Kire followed the elf, the giantess not far behind. “Envy would love you.” 
“Envy?” 
Kire rolled her eyes. “I told you the story a million times. Pay attention!” 
Once inside, Kire didn’t hesitate this time, coming in for an embrace. “Nice shirt,” she commented, grinning as she squeezed the giant elf before stepping back. “I’ll explain my business later. But for now, introductions. Do you remember the giantess friend I mentioned to you before?” 
“Ah, you’ve been talking about me!” Narda exclaimed, patting Kire on the head. The giantess had similar garb as Kire, a traveler’s cloak, leather armor, but instead of a sword she had a battle axe with her. Her skin was lightly tanned, and her bright brown eyes stared out of a chiseled face, framed with black, wavy hair. “Narda of—” she paused, translating in her head, “—Wild Meadows.”
“That’s [i]Countess[/i] Narda of Wild Meadows,” Kire said, earning her a growl and a loud thump on the back again. “Ow!” Kire was grinning, though, knowing the title didn’t sit well with the pirate. 
“So! Kire has been telling me she met somebody who’s taller than me, for once. But she neglected to tell me what an impressive fellow you are! I had no idea this is what elves looked like!” Narda said, grinning at Envy, and at Ysaryn, too.  
“I [i]told[/i] you, you just haven’t been paying attention, you [i]thick-headed numbskull, stop embarrassing me![/i]” Kire muttered, dissolving into Taakalon at the last insult. 

“Oh, you’re back,” Gavin called, finally stepping out to meet them before he stopped, gaping, at the sight of Narda. The giantess took in his appearance and his green eyes. 
“Hello, Gavin,” Kire greeted, “how are y—” 
“The [i]Gemini[/i],” Narda growled.
“So you remember that part,” Kire said, then jumped forward in alarm when Narda crossed the cavern to meet the young lad, grabbing him by his shirt and lifting him. “[i]Narda, put him down![/i]”
“When the Wyvernling told me she had met a Gemini and didn’t bring him back for questioning, I had thought she must have hit her head pretty hard somewhere. You got off easy.” Gavin’s eyes were wide, trembling as he stared up at Narda’s face. “This woman lost a lot because of your kin. [i]I[/i] lost a lot because of your kin."
“NARDA. I’m not going to say it twice,” Kire said, her hand gripping her friend’s arm, digging in just enough to let Narda know she would be forced to if she didn’t unhand Gavin. The lad thumped to the floor, shaking. Kire pinched the bridge of her nose, then turned to the others apologetically as Narda stepped away with a huff. “I am very sorry about that. I was supposed to visit alone, but [i]somebody[/i] had the bright idea of clinging to me just as I crossed over. But she’s here, so I might as well show her around. But Nard, no more of that, understood?” 
“Yes,” Narda said, raising her hands. “I was just getting a feel of him, that’s all.”
“Well, you’ve gotten it, so no more.” 

[i]Gods above,[/i] Kire thought, shaking her head. She then cleared her throat, then looked around. “Where’s Ruli? Don’t tell me he’s run away again. Shall I put food out so he doesn’t go hungry?” she said with a smirk, as if talking about a stray cat.