Exton

As Tannr followed Raina back in the tavern several girls watched him with interest. Raina smiled, Of course they would be interested, they were all eyeballing Erik too, before he was noticeably interested in Star...

For the most part, Tannr stayed close to his family, unused to being in a crowd of so many and no fighting going on. Occasionally he would reach towards his waist and stop, remembering that his weapons were behind the bar.

Star was sitting to one side of him and when she noticed part of a tattoo, shiny black feathers that moved a bit, her hand reached out slowly towards Tannrs back. She was almost unable to stop herself from touching animals, any animal, and here was something new, and within her reach.

Instinctively Tannr whirled in his seat when he felt someone reaching towards him. He stopped short of actually grabbing Stars arm, but it scared her nonetheless.

“Oh... I... I am sss..sorry... I didnt mean...” Star looked from Tannr to Erik, certain she had done something wrong.

Tannr smiles tentatively, softening his usually grim looking expression. He held out his hand, palm up, and Star slowly placed her hand in it. “You startled me is all. If you were a man I might have broken your arm... Raina says you like animals....”

Star nods and Tannr looks to Erik. “Should I show her Raven?”

“Go ahead, but she wont stop until she knows them all.” Erik lovingly runs a hand up the back of Stars neck and kisses her head.

Tannr cant stop looking at her eyes as they go from red when he scared her to pink when Erik touches her and now yellow and filled with curiosity.

Erik noticed and laughed, “You'll get used to it.”

Tannr nods and slips the leather vest he has on off one shoulder revealing muscles made large and strong from hours of battle. Several long scars wind from neck, over shoulder and down to the elbow, narrowly missing the runes tattooed on his upper arm. But Stars attention is completely on the bird on Tannrs back.

As he nods to Star, Tannr whispers, “Vera ágætur til hana Hrafn , hún er fjölskylda nú...” *

As Star reaches again the Raven lifts his head off Tannrs back and gazes at Star. Soon she is stroking the sleek feathers and whispering to the ebony bird. When she sits back, Raven ruffles her feathers a bit and settles back on Tannrs body.

“Thank you, Tannr.” Stars voice barely above a whisper. “She says its too noisy here and she hopes you dont stay long.”

Tannrs surprised gaze moves from Star to Erik who smiles and says, “You'll get use to that too.”

“I'm going to refill this...” Tannr stands and lifts his mug. He wanders over to the bar, ignoring the stares, and asks Monty for a refill.

He nods when Monty asks, “Doing all right?” Monty leans closer to be heard over the noise, “Its not usually this crowded. But Montenegro hasnt played for awhile, and they really have started to draw the crowds in.”

Tannrs attention turns to the stage and the band. He sees one of the girls looking at him from the stage. Pretty... and doesnt look anything like the camp whores. He lets his gaze wander over her body, admiring, but not smiling. He reluctantly looks away, Like any decent woman would have anything to do with you, after all the time at the Unformed Plane....

He returns to his family and catching up on everything they have missed in each others lives....


*Be nice to her, Raven, she is family now...