[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/JoCptIT.png[/img]
[img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjQwLmZmMzUyOS5XbVZ3YUhseWFXNWxJRWw2YTJsbGJDQSwuMAAA/popsies.regular.png[/img][/center][hr][right][color=f6989d]Time[/color]: Morning | [color=f6989d]Location[/color]: Forest outside Roshmi | [color=f6989d]Interactions[/color]: Bowyn | Darius | Elthreal | Kenia | Vaeril[/right][hr]
[I][color=f6989d]'Ah.. is that hairstyle popular in the human world?'[/color][/I]
 
The winter fairy was in her own head, coming up with a list of questions to ask Darius about the human world. Were all humans as tall as him? And is it true that their sun was made out of gold? 

As thoughts and questions swirled around in her head, she no longer paid attention to the other individuals as they bickered. She only continued to openly stare at the human from his head to toe.

[I][color=f6989d]'Then, what about-'[/color][/I]

The winter fairy's train of thought was interrupted by the words Bowyn had directed towards her, his almost-icy tone and change in demeanor having caught her attention. Zephyrin's scarlet eyes darted towards the male winter fairy, scrutinizing him. She gazed at his face, from his conflicted eyes and down to his brittle smile. That, coupled with the solemn expression he wore on his face sent warning signals to Zephyrin.

Eye behavior can be very telling, and Bowyn's eyes showed telltale signs of an internal conflict. He seemed to be arguing with himself over what was right and wrong, or rather, it looked like he was [i]convincing[/I] himself that he was doing the right thing. Either way, he was definitely hiding something. Whatever it was, Zephyrin would soon find out.

As Zephyrin studied Bowyn's face, she wore a mask of confusion and innocence. It didn't look like she was trying to analyze him, she just looked confused and almost hurt by the comment he had made. 

Feigning a lack of understanding over what he had meant by his words, Zephyrin merely replied in a naive and carefree manner, as if to imply that her being interested in Darius was normal and not at all questionable. 

"[color=f6989d]Of course I'm interested in Darius! I've only heard about humans through tales of adventure. Meeting one is like meeting a real-life hero from my favorite book![/color]" Zephyrin chuckled in a hearty manner, then looked down at her hands shyly. 

"[color=f6989d]Oh, but I'm interested in Elthreal, too! I've never met a forest fairy before, let alone one who can make an apple tree grow in mere seconds! It was the best apple I've ever tasted. I feel very lucky.[/color]" Zephyrin added, her smile growing wider. Nothing seemed amiss, nor was there a trace of lie in her words. But of course, this was because she had only spoken the truth. 

When manipulating the way that people viewed her, Zephyrin realized she did not have to be a good liar. She only had to present the truth in a manner that best fit her narrative. And by using the word "interested" in a different context, Zephyrin was able to show that her [i]interests[/I] came from an innocent place. Like a child simply amused by the wonders that surrounded her.

After Zephyrin made her last statement, she looked towards Elthreal, whose eyes were roaming around the place and assessing everyone keenly. She noticed the way his penetrating gaze scoped his surroundings, making sure that no one was behaving suspiciously. 

Zephyrin did not overlook the way his eyes particularly lingered on the male elf for a moment longer that it did with anyone else. This caused Zephyrin to look towards the male elf who had been quiet up until now. Zephyrin shot him a friendly smile after he introduced himself.

"[color=f6989d]Good morning, Vaeril.[/color]" She replied.

To Zephyrin, Vaeril just looked like a normal elf who had gone through a rough night. However, if a man like Elthreal had a reason to be wary of him, then he must be someone worth keeping an eye on.

Elthreal was not a simple man. He liked to speak in riddles, and it was obvious to Zephyrin that he was more perceptive than the others. It was evident in his scrutinizing gaze. He may have welcomed Zephyrin, but he did not trust her. By keeping his suspicions to himself instead of vocalizing it and warning her like the others had done, he had put himself in a favorable position. Zephyrin would be more lax around him, and thus be more prone to slip. It was a good thing she'd caught that detail.

When dealing with a suspicious person, it was a far more effective technique than threats. By giving her a stern warning, Kenia and Bowyn had only managed to drive Zephyrin further into her shell. Now Zephyrin would be more cautious at maintaining her facade around them. 

It was in this way that Elthreal differed from them, and that made him more dangerous. Despite being able to see through his actions, Zephyrin couldn't read his intentions. She would have to be even more careful around him. 

That aside, Zephyrin didn't know what was was keeping the group on edge, but it must have been something big if they were this suspicious of each other. It was clear to her now that this group did not travel together because of camaraderie; they traveled together because they had the same goal. However, they seemed to driven by different motives. 

Whatever was keeping them on their toes, Zephyrin was not particularly interested about it. All that mattered was that she no longer had to travel alone in such an unfamiliar place. As long as they were useful to her, she would continue traveling with them.

"[color=f6989d]Ah, alright![/color]" Zephyrin eagerly responded to Kenia and Elthreal as they got ready to leave. She dusted her red dress and started walking.

Alas, her bath would have to be postponed.

[hr][right][@Helo][@Tae][@Alivefalling][@Dezuel][@FunnyGuy][/right]