Remaining quiet to listen to her, Akakios became more and more interested in what she had to say the longer she spoke. She seemed very well-spoken for such a young woman, for one, but she also was keeping such a level head now in the face of such uncertainty surrounding her beloved pet. Her control of herself and her honesty was, if nothing else, impressive.
He was amused yet impressed that this young woman who was practically a stranger to him knew of him and knew his marital status at that. He hoped that meant he still had a relatively good reputation throughout the local towns for her to say such things of him. It earned her a relaxed, genuine smile at least.
Staring at her bowed head, the vampire began to relax. He was starting to feel that she might not want to sabotage him as he had originally thought. She was acting the part of a scared, but strong young lady despite her denial of such a thing. He definitely thought she looked the part of a commoner, but her mind was clever and he had to appreciate that and the thought that there might be something more there.
"How kind of you to be concerned for me," he said gently, the accusatory tone from before gone now. "I am disappointed, but I will give you this one opportunity to do things your way. No ill will come of you in this house, that I can swear to you. Just know, Petal, that if you burn me it will be the innocent that suffer for it." With that, Akakios reached up to loosen several of the ties along the collar of his shirt to give himself enough room to stick his arm under it.
Reaching inside, he carefully plucked the snake she called Fern from his resting place around his arm and held him out to her. "Your Fern." Agreeing with her was a gamble, but it was one he was willing to take. He didn't really need collateral if he would soon know where her family lived. Besides, she might feel like telling him more if she didn't feel threatened by him. Still, it was a big step to take to have any trust in a stranger, especially one who was able to convince him so well.