Raven's Watch got my ticket for the long way round

Although little about the stranger could be construed as friendly, there was something about his calm presence that put Rue at ease. He welcomed her into his space with composure and curiosity, and though logically Rue knew that he could be a threat she felt herself drawn nevertheless. 

The girl's ears turned upward to catch the man's words, and her expression softened at his graceful reception. He introduced himself in kind. "A homeland named for its bears rears a resilient wolf, I imagine," she returned conversationally. The edge of Rue's mouth twisted in wry humor knowing that it was, perhaps, somewhat less impressive to hail from a territory named for its deer.