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Since he was still halfway convinced that Xariy could and would incapacitate everyone in this place if the need arose, Kauff didn't miss his hammer at the moment. Well, he missed it, as it was a comfortable part of him now, but he didn't feel he needed it. He gave the spot where it rested in the grass one last glance as he followed the man inside, hoping the two women from earlier wouldn't touch it before he could get back.

Soon the fate of his weapon took a definite second place in importance when compared to his current surroundings. The tent had been intriguing and mysterious from the outside, but in here, it was rather beautiful. Fabric panels were arranged in such a way that the late afternoon sun lit the space in yellows and purples, and hand woven tapestries added to the effect. It was like walking through a sunset. Also apparent, now that they were inside, were the strange, spiraling supports that held the second story up. How they worked was beyond Kauff, but the people climbing the ladders to get up there didn't seem concerned about its structural integrity at all.

"Stay here," the man said, leading them into what looked like a dining or gathering area. The communal table was low to the ground and surrounded by bright, hand stitched cushions. The Wind left them alone, but as he closed the flap behind him, someone stepped up to make sure they didn't leave.

Alone, but guarded. Kauff suddenly wished they'd practiced some sort of secret communicative hand signals outside.

Honestly, Kauff was just glad to see that she wasn't angry with him over all of this phony marriage stuff. He'd actually had two or three possible scenarios in mind that he thought might lower the group's suspicion, but once he saw the hybrids inside the tent he'd went with this one. It might have seemed a little strange—an earthling with a resistance emblem on his weapon taking up with an Oban—but life and... love, he supposed, worked in mysterious ways.

"Wonderful idea," he replied, leaving off the 'dearest' he was itching to add. One 'dear husband' was fine. Any more lovey-doveyness might strain their credibility.

He gingerly took a seat on the cushion closest to her, then rose to a crouch again and pulled it even closer, pressing his shoulder to hers as he settled in. "I didn't think I would be doing this when I woke up this morning," he breathed, hoping their guard wasn't paying them too much attention. When there was no reaction from outside, Kauff raised his voice slightly. "I certainly feel right at home here, honey." A 'honey' was no 'dearest' but he still found himself clearing his throat into his fist to keep from laughing.

"It's only because you are sweet," he said, his smile teasingly sarcastic. Despite the danger, Kauff's guard was already wavering. Banter, physical comfort, a beautiful woman: all things that made him foolish when he should have been keeping sharp.

"I hope so," he whispered, raising his arm to put it around her again. "And I hope that if they don't know anything they'll just let us turn around and—" Kauff hurriedly pulled his arm back again as a diminutive older Wind parted the curtain and crossed the room to where they sat.

"Bakkel?"

It took him a moment to recall the false name he had given, and in that time the woman's lips quirked and she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever your name is... I've seen your twins. I guess I don't care if you mean to hurt them, but they were nice girls. I hope you're a nice boy."

He sat forward on his cushion, eager to hear what she said next. "Yes, I..." Kauff snorted softly and looked down, shaking his head. "I am in this case."

The woman turned to Xariy. "And you, missy?"

"All right then," the woman said, obviously still mistrusting the pair but unable to pin down a reason why. "I saw them in Lineth three days ago. They were trading jewels and some woven blankets for fresh meat and I heard mention that they were heading west. The town is about a day's walk without stopping." She pointed to one of the elaborate tent's walls, indicating the outdoors on the other side. "That way."

As she spoke, Kauff's relative calm fractured and fell away. By the time she gestured toward Lineth, he was beaming. "Thank you." He started to stand. "I have to..." The woman pressed her fingers to his shoulder, pushing him back into place.

"I am happy to help when I can, but I am not yet convinced I am doing so." When Kauff's smile faltered, she raised her hand in apology. "I think I have come to a compromise that assuages my guilt, however. You will stay with us, under guard, for a full day, starting now. If those girls do not wish to be found, this will at least buy them some time to get away." She didn't bother asking if they agreed. There were far more people here on her side then theirs, and she obviously trusted her group's ability to keep itself safe.

Following a quiet sigh, Kauff settled back with a nod. "We should make ourselves comfortable then," he told Xariy, his wry grin slightly apologetic. Surely she had better things to do than this.

The woman relaxed a touch, nodding as she took a step toward the exit.

"Vexel will stay with you until it is time for you to go," she said. "At a distance, of course. This might be a test, but we are not intrusive or cruel, despite what you may have heard." She smirked, obviously fully aware of her family's reputation. "He will also direct you to food and bunks for the night when you are ready." She glanced at Kauff. "And your weapon has been brought in as well. For now, make yourselves at home." Her stoic speech completed, the Wind woman gave them a second curt nod and left the area.

Kauff inhaled slowly, enjoying the stretch of his lungs after all of that tension. He turned to Xariy with a curious look, as if he didn't quite believe what he was about to say. "Thank you. For playing along." Leaning in, he ghosted a kiss across her cheek. He tried to keep it polite, but it lingered a little too long for that. "You said something about alone time?"

Kauff wasn't much of an exhibitionist under normal circumstances, but right now, inches from debauchery, he cared very little about the poor impressions he might leave behind.

Okay. Maybe he did care about the impression he left with the Oban, but if her proximity was any indication, Xariy would have little to complain about. Their chaperone outside would just have to deal with it.

"Mmmhmm. I do." He whispered the vow as he closed the distance between them and pressed his parted lips to hers.