Lion Head Mesa [ap] I'd rather have the right man, than the right wedding.

"How long have you been an advisor, Lady Redfern?"

Ruenna dipped her head abashedly at his quip; she recognized it not as a true question, but as a rhetorical rib meant to imply that she had overstepped. Chastised, she would remain quiet, reminded that advise which is not sought is rarely heeded. 

Ruenna was an intuitive creature, and she couldn't help but wonder if the words that Germanicus twisted into a backhanded compliment were meant to suggest that she would be better placed in Akashingo, in his opinion. She was feeling a little raw after baring her heart's desires to Germanicus, and perhaps overly sensitive as well, and so she took this as a dismissal. She went through the motions of nodding appreciatively at the "praise," but as she did so, behind her eyes a little spark of hope flickered out. 

"An auspicious start," she commented on Germanicus's description of his claim. Despite the seasoned ambassador's injection of the exactly-correct amount of animation, her voice would come off as sounding just a tad more flat. More detached. "Mereo will thrive under your command." More words.. just.. words. The banal tripe of diplomat. 

Life returned to her features at the mention of Crowfeather. "Yes, let's," she agreed, turning toward the chamber which, she assumed, sheltered the young man. 

<3 <3 <3