Ariadne blinked out of her anger for a moment to listen to his struggle, watching him and fighting a smile. "Adne is fine." She nodded calmly, dipping her head and still fighting the little smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. His struggle with her language was quite endearing to her, try as she might to remember that he wasn't with her willingly.

He nodded, smiling shamefully. He was glad that seemed to be making her feel a little better but wanted to answer her better. "Do you want ah- that- a pinky promise I will not go near your mother?" He asked, somewhat genuinely, and mostly expecting her not to go for it as he gazed downward at her.

His trying to cheer her up is the cutest thing I've ever seen))

Ariadne blinked in surprise at his question, glancing up at him with a smile. "I didn't realize elves did pinky-promises." She teased, then lightly lifted her hand, pinky extended. "I would love that." She nodded simply, pleased with the somewhat childish maneuver.

You're welcome)

The elf lifted his own and locked their pinkies, shaking it slightly. "Promise." He let go, giggling quietly. "I had no idea what it was til some of these small girls here pulled me into it." He looked down, smiling. "One of then made me promise not to be mean."

Hehe))

Ariadne giggled softly as he shook her pinky, mirroring the action and then letting her hand drop to her side. She smiled faintly as he continued, enjoying the feel of the smooth dirt path beneath her feet. "Well, I'm glad they're teaching you the important things." She teased, smiling at the idea of him conversing with little girls. It seemed to fit strangely well. "You, mean? I can't imagine it." She chuckled. "How in the world did you go about meeting the kids around the house?" She asked lightly, pausing beside a a strange, slightly exotic purple flower bush. She lifted one of the loosely coiled flowers to inspect it for a moment as she waited for his answer.

He glared at her, but at least her picking on him meant she felt better. At least a little. He glanced around, it was sunny but humid, sometimes you could even see it. The ground was cool and kinda wet still and the plants were covered in dew. "I meant here in Epirus. They ended up talking me into buying candy for them." He shook his head. "Unless your keeping kids in your basement, I do not think you have children at this manor." He joked, trailing off a little to admire the same patch of plants, but out of her personal space.

"Oh? I didn't realize you've been other places in Epirus." Ariadne snickered slightly. "You're quite gullible, little fox. They do that with most of the visitors we get in the cities. Call it a tourist trap, I suppose." She shrugged. She chuckled slightly at his comment. "Perhaps we do." She said sarcastically, then shook her head. "There are a few. Most are young, children of the workers here. They're a lively little bunch." She said simply, moving onward. "I have to admit, I feel I'm at a disadvantage. I've never been to Imedal, and you've been here to my country at least... three or four times. What is Imedal like?" She asked lightly, standing straight and bringing her gaze to him as she walked on.

"Very few times but I have been here before. But they were very nice, it was worth it." He crossed his arms, smiling back at her. He reached doen to feel the some of the leaves, soft, delicate. They smelled tropical and he liked it. "I guess they hide well with strangers in the house." They really do because he hadn't even the foggiest. That would of course explain some of the sounds he'd never been able to make out.

"It is peaceful. Less like a city and more of a village. Clusters of elves in small earth-made homes over a space. Everyone is close." He explained, somewhat longingly. He wouldn't say he wanted to leave but being home sure would be nice.

Ariadne simply smiled. "Good. I would hope my people give you nothing but hospitality." She said, stretching her arms above her head with a small sigh. "I'm sure they've been watching you randomly. They don't like directly interacting with strangers, but they get the knack for gossip from their parents." She shrugged, smiling fondly as she thought of her friends.

She tilted her head to listen to him, smiling slightly as he described his home. "It sounds lovely. I'm sure you miss it." She nodded. "I'd love to see it someday. Perhaps soon." She shrugged, taking a deep breath. "Speaking of, you'll be going back soon. That means we need to work out a time for another visit." She said lightly, glancing at him to observe his reaction.

"So far." He smiled gently, brushing his hand along the minty smelling plant. "Me neither." He teased, agreeing with the children's preference to stay hidden. He was mildly impressed that he hadn't noticed them too.

He looked up, either he was being very transparent, or she was just guessing. His eyes trailed back to the flowers as she mentioned what he was rather hoping not to do. "I guess, ah, you will probably be needing my name just in case, are you not?" He asked sheepishly. Unfortunately he would no longer be nameless to her.