Viktor watched as Elann sat down at the edge of the loveseat. The seating area around the fireplace was small, only housing two armchairs and a loveseat, but it was where their family once gathered on a nightly basis in order to live out their lives with one another. Where Elann sat was often where Viktor lay in order to read to her husband when Noah was a child, there he would often lie on his father’s chest, snuggled up, listening to the tales of his namesake, of heroes and villains, lords and ladies of a time long past and out of this world.

Upon his provoking, Elann spilled how she felt their trip went, touching on the small beginnings that brought a small smile out of Viktor made in humor. He nodded at the mention of Isabella, maintaining attention as his daughter was mentioned and how she would help out the hunters in finding meat for the caravan. The mention of beautiful countryside nearly made his eyes glaze over in thought, the same face Elann often saw Noah subtly make, how his eyes were on her but looking through her as his head reeled with imagery and details came, and how his lips slightly parted yet puckered at the same time. Another nod came from the dire man as Elann compared the green of the meadows and forests to Yahal’s realm. Viktor didn’t know much about Elann’s god, only that it was worshipped by many of the immigrated Benshira there, now her included.

“I used to live out there,” he told her, “between Syliras and Zeltiva, before I bonded and settled down in Zeltiva with Bella.” 

There was a small moment of reminiscence as he recalled his vague youth. His eyes locked again upon Elann on the loveseat, his ears tuning into the kitchen for other clattering and noises, but none came. Instead he focused on Elann with his two senses, attempting to gauge a feel for the Benshiran woman across from him. He leaned back in the chair, resting his hands in his lap.

“I’m glad you’ve arrived safely then. I hope you find Zeltiva to your liking,” he said, trailing off as his attention seemed to shift. Though it was faint enough for him to hear, laughter was coming from outside on the porch, funneling through the door into the main hall from the entrance hall. In her bond, Elann could feel the outburst of joy come from now, spiking as the eagle reveled in whatever he was doing outside in the front.

“Bella should be back before lunch,” Viktor went on. “We’ll be going out for the two of you then, stopping at a few stores before we go to the Maiden’s for lunch.” He paused, looking Elann over. “Maiden is a small inn near the city center, it’s one of our family’s favorite places to go, I hope that’s alright with you. If not, we can always go somewhere else.”