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"Hm."

The monosyllabic hum was his first response to a number of things—her assurance that he'd find his family, her concern over his possible discomfort, her declaration that he was interesting. He didn't feel interesting. He was achy, irritated, expectant, a bit too warm, curious, horny, notably hungry, and in spite of that last, a little nauseous. He knew why too, and the realization that his body could tell he hadn't had a drink all day—that it missed it—added a pang of anxiety to the mix. Surely that wasn't a good thing.

Anyway, interesting wasn't on the list. But if she thought so...

"I'm Kauff: stubborn and captivating," he said, pausing just long enough to hold out a hand for her to shake. "But Hot Wind Guy is fine too. Or Hey You. Or..." He wiggled his fingers in an awful approximation of her twiddling her knives about. "What shall I call you?" He could think of quite a few names he might try, but they were all too stupid or sarcastic to share.

He didn't repeat her name at first, mostly because he was certain he would butcher it. Instead, he measured the weight of her hand in his, feeling for a difference in how it was put together as compared to a barmaid's or a farmer's. He had never shaken a thief's hand before, at least not one who he'd been aware was a thief at the time. He imagined she was quite capable of killing him with that hand. The thought made his breath hitch in a silent chuckle. He watched their fingers slip apart, then graced her with a lazy grin.

"I was named for my father. It's always been his name first, but maybe it does suit me better."

Returning her bow with one of his own that barely dipped past a nod, Kauff's smile widened at her introduction. "Or you could do all three at once." He looked her up and down, his expression mostly a careful neutral as he did so, though his smile didn't subside. "You are very fashionable though, I'll give you that. I've always been horrible at dressing myself." He shook his head briefly, pushing himself back on track.

"It's good to properly make your acquaintance, Xariy." There. That hadn't been half as horrible as he'd anticipated. It was probably the perfect opportunity to apologize for antagonizing her as well, but he didn't take it. A very small part of his ego was still bruised and, try as he might, it wouldn't let him.

In the distance a smattering of tents had slowly crept up on them over time, but Kauff only just saw past their minor camouflage when he took his eyes off of the girl. Five of them resembled the low, functional dwellings of his youth, but the focal point of the caravan was a shimmering, two-story number that almost looked like a permanent structure. He knew he had been warned to stay wary around these people, but he was suddenly far more interested in seeing the inside of that tent than he was about keeping up his guard.

"Civilization. Eventually." Even though it had taken him a while to see it, the camp was still a way off.

"Yes. Less clothing. I've heard that about Oba." He chuckled, only half thinking of the suggestion at its most inappropriate. He had steered clear of the southern land since the war and he had never had reason to try to enter before the fighting, but from what he'd experienced in the furthest reaches of Matori, the place was probably stifling. Kauff certainly didn't mind a lack of clothing in theory and in private, but bearing his crystals to the sun made him feel vulnerable in a way he didn't much like. "I'll take that into consideration when I visit." He watched her hand leave his collar with an airy sigh.

"As far as visiting with these people, I don't know. I was told they're dangerous, whatever that means. I'd kind of like to see how a two-story tent works though. And I've got other questions for them too." He paused, smirking as he shifted his weapon. "I'm sure I can get you a nice bed."

Had someone told Kauff that he would be spending a lengthy portion of his day trading flirtatious comments with the Oban who had sliced him up back when he was barely out of prenticehood, he would have thought them crazy. Yet here they were, mere minutes from trying to infiltrate a group of potentially troublesome nomads for no better reason than to satiate their own curiosity. He could have kept going, found information from another source, but... two story tents. And beds. He was under no illusion that Xariy's banter was just that, but his imagination had never been quick to let its fancies go.

"We could barge in, weapons drawn. Or we could, you know, try to fit in? Get them to let down their guard? Lend us a room, a bed... privacy. There are ways to get what you want that don't involve immediate hostility," he teased, knowing full well that intimidation was one of his finer tactics. Kauff hesitated, simply looking at her with laughter in his eyes. "But before we do anything..." He left the path suddenly, picking his way through the scraggly brush toward a large, purple rock. There, he removed his bag and gently stuck it in a crevice that wasn't immediately visible to those passing by. He opened its top just enough to expose Rawn's ears and furry, sleeping face, then turned to rejoin the thief.

"Agreed." He glanced back at the rock. "And that... I was hiding my familiar." Crap. Even that sounded questionably erotic at this point. "A poscuta. He'll be fine for a while with the food I've left and don't..." He waved a hand in dismissal, eager to return to the subject of infiltration.

"I've got an idea about the whole Oban thing, actually." They were bound to be suspicious, especially with the newest whispers of war stirring up old prejudices, but they weren't likely to question if the two of them were good enough actors. Kauff didn't explain his plan, however, he just kept walking, unable to hide his cheeky grin.

Almost there...

"Just like that?" Kauff chuckled. "It's nice to know..." His voice went low as he noticed a pair of women nearby, watching. "...I inspire such trust." The Winds weren't hiding exactly, but their stillness and monotone clothing allowed them to blend quite effectively with their surroundings, intentionally or otherwise.

"Good day," he said, raising a hand in greeting. The women nodded their acknowledgement but did not follow. Spies? Guards? Just standing around? Kauff couldn't tell. He longed to comment or ask Xariy what she thought at the very least, but he made the effort to remain silent for the rest of their approach. The tent loomed larger the closer they got, the adventure it promised tickling at his gut with every step. He tried to keep reasonably close to the thief as they strolled, as if they had been inseparable for years rather than very recent companions.

Continuing right up to the front entrance, Kauff could only hope he appeared more surprised than intrigued as the flap ahead opened and another Wind stepped into view. Though not all that enamored by the charms of his own tribe on an ordinary day, with the mood he was in at the moment he could silently admit that this fellow was rather impressively put together. Tall—though still shorter than Kauff himself—and well muscled, the man wore an expression that suggested he had been interrupted and didn't much appreciate it. His pale eyes narrowed a touch when he saw the brute's hammer, but he didn't say a word. Behind him and inside, earthlings passed to and fro, mostly Winds, but several with the green eyes, dark hair, or long ears that marked them as at least some part Leaf.

Kauff turned to locate Xariy, half expecting her to have slipped off to infiltrate the tent from another angle.

Kauff leaned close, covering for Xariy's conspiratorial whisper by sliding an arm around her shoulders. He squeezed once to reassure her, then proceeded to turn the world on its ear.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir," he said loudly enough for the other Wind to hear. "My name is Bakkel and this is my wife Niara." It was kind of impressive that he was able to keep a straight face, but he did clear his throat before continuing. "When we passed through Ilund a few days ago we heard rumors of a family traveling this way. A middle aged couple... their daughters... identical twins..."

Kauff lost a little steam at the lack of reaction, but when he got to the twins the dour man stood straighter, a smile in his eyes if not on his lips.

"You say they're your sisters?"

"Cousins."

"I might have some news. You may come in." He touched his shoulder. "You may not bring that."

"Of course." Kauff moved away from Xariy as he loosened the strap holding his hammer and deposited it where he was directed. He only hoped the thief looked innocent enough not to get searched.