[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220419/d955e440c95ac6f731dc5e649ad359eb.png[/img][/center][hr]Lilann fixed Ermes with a tilt of the head and an odd look that was hidden to the world. For a moment she was at a loss—normally she was so good at reading people, but suddenly she couldn’t make heads of tails of the impish boy’s attitude. He didn’t seem as aggressively suspicious as yesterday, nor had he risen to her bait. Only a little startle, and a peculiar, off-kilter smile. 

Kids. 

As he went off to make his introductions, she heeded his advice, and approached Cerric at his seat. He was quite a bit higher up than she was, but even with her head craned all the way up at him, the hat stayed firmly in place. His face was as indecipherable to her as Ermes’, and she hoped that was simply because she was still on edge, and not just losing her touch. Either way, though she couldn’t pin his intentions, she knew a dishonest question when she heard one. 

[i][color=skyblue]Goddammit,[/color][/i] she thought. [i][color=skyblue]Did I somehow make an enemy of him without knowing it? Usually people are much more forward about wanting me dead.[/color][/i]

Doing her best not to wilt under that strange gaze, she nodded. Her voice was quiet, but, she hoped, not fearful. “[color=skyblue]Mr. Liadon if I in some way offended you the other day, I do sincerely apologize,[/color]” she said, lifting her hat just enough to tip it. “[color=skyblue]Otherwise, I think I’ve come to understand why some things should remain mysteries. Doubt it’ll dissuade me from making the same mistake in the future, but regardless. If you were to pit this crew of ours against that fabled Rancor, just, say, for the sake of a story, how would you favor the odds?[/color]”