Gentle River
At first, River is revulsed by the being in the palanquin. He steps back reflexively at the cut-glass voice razoring its way down his spine. But it's a passing moment, like a shadow flickering across sunlight. He looks at the creature again, but this time with cool, appraising eyes. And knowledge comes to him in that instant, as though always on the tip of his tongue, or an instinct as natural as breathing.
After the momentary flicker of horror across his brow, River's face settles back in to his typical easygoing grin, though this time it has all the mirth and good humour of a shark scenting blood. He lightly steps forward, the caste mark on his brow flaring back in to life and golden light shimmering along his body, and when he speaks his voice reverberates with tones of brass and glorious wrath. His eyes seem to burn.
"Presumed, creature? You have
gravely misunderstood your situation here. We do not presume, we
demand. But I will grant you mercy, and air to speak words of apology for
your presumption."
Regally, he raises one hand, signalling to the others. "It can't hurt us unless we attack it. We walk bound in oaths as old as the dawn of time, and they are... they are on our side. Unless you strike it, it must forbear threat of violence."
He takes another step forward and hunkers down on one knee, the companionable gesture echoing the way he spoke to a small boy when he came to town a whole lifetime ago. He meets the creature's dead, hideous eyes gaze for gaze, and waits for them to blink.
"You will speak your name and purpose."
OOC: River regained 5m personal during the hour or so downtime before the palanquin arrived. He's spending 5m peripheral to Activate Harmonious Presence meditation and a further 2m on the Presence Excellency for 3 dice (1m discount from HPM.)
Rolling Charisma+Presence to try and intimidate the thing in to speaking the truth.
Pools are at 8/16. Anima's back to Glowing.