Stone Circle ; all have been led astray

Merrit blinked, momentarily taken aback by the words from the russet one's mouth. These women were in no position - they had trespassed - and she was - was she mocking him? For some reason he'd expected more from these strangers, courtesy and cordiality - but then, he reasoned, their very decision to loiter here without consent already broadcast their lack of civil manners.

He had clearly expected too much.

The raven could tolerate the pale ghost, even find empathy for her, but this talker did herself no favours. With every noise she made, Merrit found he cared less and less for her. Her disrespect made it easy for him to harden his heart against her, meeting her sharp amber gaze with the commanding stare of his own, and a large part of him simply wished to usher this woman straight out of Easthollow without giving her a chance to entertain the sympathies of his mother, who would no doubt extend her compassion toward this stray and meet whatever demands she made.

Yet, he was curious to hear of what business she and the pale one could possibly have here. His brow tightened with consternation, and he held his tongue - and thank goodness for Greyback. Through the noise of his preoccupation in trying to handle this right, he failed to hear the titan's approach. Only as the russet girl finished her drawl did Merrit grow aware of the patriarch's presence, and he stiffened, his skin prickling with discomfort as he snapped his focus to the tower at his side.

Merrit had never been so relieved to see him as he felt right now.

Still, when the raven caught the patriarch's glance, he returned only the same indifference he always offered, void to reveal anything transpiring beneath the surface. He would not give Greyback the satisfaction of knowing his gratefulness to have him here. Instead, Merrit offered a simple tip of his snout to the man - stiff, a display - before he turned his gaze back to these strangers, and let his hazel eyes rake the russet girl's once more - silent, listening. He would let them speak.