Luneshale Pass Doors opened

The surprise is mutual. Rooke's manifests with a step backwards, a wariness to his eyes as the demeanor of the man before him changes. Rooke's ears flashing forward briefly to try and catch what words left man's mouth. Only understanding the hiss of air as the man kept his voice close to his chest. His ears turned back once again.

Then the stranger spoke. The veils of the unknown cast away as a discarded shawl of shadow. A creature of flesh and blood and bone and sinew. No devils or sirens to capsize his vessel amidst moonlight ocean.

Rooke squinted at the man, a slight tilt to his head. Wetting his lips his mouth hung slack without a sound to answer. He did not know how. It was the common language he knew yet the extravagance of his speech—fitting of his appearance— and almost doting tone that was foreign to him.

He didn't need to apologize? A test? It must be.

Tentatively, Rooke replied,It's okay. The gentle, low wag of his tail continued.

Head ducking low, Rooke retook his step. Leaning closer to introduce himself to the man's scent. Round, chocolate eyes glancing to the man's face in case he retaliated.