Cedar walked out uneasily into the hall. He very much hoped the young tavern girl would be alright in there, given the dire warnings he had been given about the abused girl in the room-- and he hoped that the abused girl in the room would be treated well and fairly, and given a fair shake.  Both things he was very nervous about. He very much hoped he was doing the right thing.

The fox-man was still in the hallway, and had resumed his disguise.

Cedar greeted him.

"[color=7bcdc8]Sorry 'bout before..[/color]" he stammered.  "[color=7bcdc8]I gits... Uncomf'terble 'round too many people... and I's is very worried 'bout 'at girl... Both o' 'em. They both seems like they really nice people un'er neath, but... I' aint always easy ta tell.[/color]"

He patted the fox-man on the shoulder.

"[color=7bcdc8]Muh name's Cedar, and I's half-bear, as ya kin see. I see's ya part fox-- bu' I dun min'.  I knows it aint always easy being what we is-- but ya shouldn' hide what ya is neither.  People aint always nice, nor understandin'--- Bu' ya shouldn' be ashamed a what yas is neither. I sure aint-- I jus' wish people were nicer sumtimes.  But ya knows what?  Sometimes they is!  Likes me-- Ya dun has to hide what ya is 'roun' me. Jus' be yaself, an dun be 'shamed. Ne'r be ashamed a who an' what ya is, un'erstand?[/color]"

He tilted his head to one side in kind of a shrug, and made a weak but honest hint of a weary smile.

"[color=7bcdc8]AN' thank-ya for tellin' me 'bout the girl. I's'l see at she won't git hurt, and try ta convince 'er not tuh hurt nuhbody. Righ' naow, she just a scared lil' girl, surroun'ed by scary people.[/color]"

He looked back at the door, hearing the dull murmur of Nina talking kindly inside.

"[color=7bcdc8]An sadly, I's seems no exception....[/color]"