Lyra took another step back, eyes going very wide. "What the hell are you on about?" she demanded, voice a little panicky. Oh Ansgar, this was it. This is how she was going to die, kidnapped by some bizarre, scaly man and- she didn't even want to think it.
"Look, I'm not from around here," she said quickly, trying desperately to smooth this over. "I'm not sure if this is just something you Serenians do, but I'm not comfortable with it. So if you'll just excuse me, I'll be on my way."
She nodded briskly and tried to breeze past him. I am calm, cool, and in control. Calm, cool, and in control...