Neese was clearly enjoying all of the attention, the smile on his face, more akin to a sly grin. He tilted his head as if pondering. He didn't have wings, whatever the rumors might have said, but he was indeed, a real Fae.
"I have five... seven, no, no ten apprentices I could spare..." one of the professors was saying, "just for the smallest sample - a little peace of one of the twigs from your shoulder, perhaps?" He looked hopeful, and for the briefest moment Neese seemed like he might oblige the man.
"It's a very generous offer," he said at length, his voice low and smooth, melodic almost, "but I'm afraid I'm not lacking in human souls." Oh, he supposed Serenians were not so specifically human, but they were close enough in his mind for it not to make much of a difference. "Perhaps," he added, just to tease, "if you're very clever you might come up with someone more interesting to offer." However, he pushed past the man easily, his strength was not apparent in relation to his lanky frame.
Amusement played allover Neese's face, at Ria's question. He tilted his head and considered. "You know," he said, having never considered it, "I haven't been to the faerie courts in so long, I couldn't rightly say." He looked over the little boy, for that was certainly what he was. "Tell me, what is your name?" he expected something in return for his answer.
It was at that moment however that some over-eager scholar or professor leaned forward, reaching out a hand with a blade, determined to steal a sample if one could not be bartered. Neese whirled around so quick he'd look like a blur to those watching. The room grew darker and people and objects near by cast long shadows in the wrong directions. Even though he didn't grow in height, Neese seemed to loom taller over everyone and particularly the offending person. "You would be wise," his voice took on a deep, rolling sound, like a giant bolder crashing down a hill, "to stay your over curious hand. It's impolite to take without giving."
