perplexed, until he realized he had to do something with it -- something human -- what? His feathers ruffled even further and he unfolded his left hand, reaching out. Embers rose from his fingers -- he quickly drew his hand back before he could touch her, and the human woman's mouth twisted at the corners again, this time unevenly.

Was she angry? Skaff twisted his head, gazing at her with the other eye. That he rearranged his wings was all the apprehension that he dared to show the salamanders.

"A handshake is a human greeting," Agni explained, reading his confusion correctly. "Nothing to be afraid about -- especially between two elementalists as ourselves."

She reached out again, her digits glowing with flames, the corners of her mouth sharper. Skaff held out his hand again, mirroring her extended right hand by extending his left. What came next?

After a moment of staring at him she laughed and then she switched her hands, lifting her left hand and using it to grasp his. At contact, flesh and feathers and nail flared.

"Adorable."

Labels: