Veilyn grimaced at Caine's joking punch. It didn't hurt, but it caught him off guard and he stumbled. He let out a quiet, annoyed laugh in response to the man's joke. Then the worst part came. Caine couldn't help himself from belittling Veilyn by resting his elbow on the dark elf's shoulder and leaning on him like an end table. Veilyn clenched his teeth, but did not otherwise respond. Looking back, Veilyn realized that responding in any way would have saved him from his next torture.
The voice was like wind through grass, but it grated on Veilyn like chains in the underdark. Turning, he saw the source, a young human that, in Veilyn's eyes looked no older than nineteen. It was always hard to tell with humans. Before he could quip, the young man started to sing, and through song confirmed that he was to be their replacement bard. He introduced himself, and Veilyn made a mental note of his name, just in case. Veilyn was eager to get moving.
Fortunately, so was Nevae and everyone else it seemed. Caleb was off, and Nevae followed. The rest of the group slowly ground into the march, and new faces joined them, likely replacements. Veilyn made a habit of staying in the middle of large crowds whenever possible, so he positioned himself between Caine and Nevae, the only two he cared much to talk to, if any talking was to be done. The group marched on, and before long they had entered the forest proper.The other elves must feel so at home here.
He would have continued enjoying the privacy of his mind but, like they do with most all things, the Orc returned and interrupted them. Interrupted wasn't quite the right word, actually. Veilyn thought words like "shattered", "destroyed", or "torn asunder" were more befitting. The Orc, who Veilyn remembered as Uglúk the Ugly, sauntered into the bulk of the group, naked despite the cold and showing off his "gift" in a way that made Veilyn wish the underdark had caused Drow to evolve blind. He grunted in distaste and tried to avert his eyes, but such things were hard to avoid, especially when one's peripheral vision is so advanced. The Orc deposited the hide he had been carrying to Nevae as some sort of courting gift. This tactic must be somewhat successful in Orcish culture, so Veilyn decided he'd have to give it a try at some point in the future. Perhaps in less civilized company, though. The Orc grunted out his words like it was difficult, and his voice sounded like to stone blocks rubbing together. His comment was suggestive and straightforward, far from the witty game that Veilyn was used to. He laughed, and relieved Veilyn's eyes by leaving to get dressed, which might have been the nicest thing anyone's ever done for the rogue.
Realizing he'd been holding his breath, he let it out in a sigh and then glanced from Nevae to Caine and back again, shrugged his shoulders, and kept walking.