[Nurumaiel]

"It does sound like quite an adventure," said Eohsecg with a soft smile. He continued to gaze at her in silence, unaware of Talômi's smouldering glare on his back. He only saw Rie, her fair face topped with red hair. She looked uncomfortable, unsure, confused. He felt the same: unsure. What should he say? What should he do? Should he say something to her? He tried to turn his face away so she couldn't see the confusion clearly written on it, but he couldn't. All he could do was keep gazing into her clear eyes.

A long silence followed. Nuru was listening to Neisa and Herlion, but Talômi and Firramer both saw all that was going on between Eohsecg and Rie. Talômi saw Rie's feelings, and Firramer saw Eohsecg's. Firramer knew what the young man's feelings were. After all, he thought, Rie is a beautiful and charming girl.

Eohsecg spoke, unaware of what he was saying, and even more unaware that he was saying it in front of the whole common room. Only Talômi, Firramer, and Rie heard, though, for his voice was a murmur, unable to grow any louder. "Rie, has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"