"Loneliness comes and goes in waves. When it comes, I spend time as a man. When it goes, I spend time as a cougar." He licks his chops, and his whisker twitch at the ways she says it - tried real hard to make her a good elf. "Was that a good thing? Making you be an elf?"

At the mention of his name, he nods. "Yes, Siffleur. I was named after the river I was born near. And you are Ylva - I was told your name as well. I do not know why you are afraid the humans will turn on you. The ones who mentioned you speak highly of you."