On their way to the Mead Hall, Pema noticed Zilpher at the table, quietly drinking his Ale.
She froze briefly, hoping that he wasn't angry at her for speaking against him. She slowly stepped closer to him when he turned his head in Pema's direction.
She nervously adjusted her hat and tugged on the ear flaps, fumbling the words around in her head. She then focused her eyes on him and opened her mouth.
Zilpher raised a hand in front of her, "Ah, ah, ah, not one word, young one. There's nothing to apologize for. You were merely speaking your mind. I respect that!" He lifted up his mug, a bright smile on his bearded face.
"Huh?" Pema was shocked, "How did you know I was going to apologize?"
"Hahahaha!" He bellowed in hearty laughter, "Why, I can see it written all over your face. Your posture. Most of all, your expression: I see you've yielded to ambiguity over the matter, have you?" He took a rather large gulp of Ale.
"Y-yeah, I've yielded to anban- a-ambly... Mm-hm, to that!" Pema nodded with determination.
"You can just say you don't know the word, Pema..." Salem sighed bluntly.
Zilpher pulled out a seat next to him, "Come! Sit, Pema."
She nodded hastily and climbed to the seat, "Thank you, Mr. Zilpher!"
He regarded her with a raise of his mug, "You know, I had a feeling your passion extended beyond that of food. I've witnessed how you act towards your peers. That same, raw energy. Honestly, I'm quite relieved you did speak out. It gets rather boring if everyone shares the same sentiment, as odd as it may be to hear."
Pema smiled and swayed in her seat, "Everyone deserves to be heard. I know that now," She thought back to Riagan and raised her mug, "To Zilpher!"
He cocked a grin, tapping his mug against hers, "To Pema!"
They took a long gulp of their drink, and belched rather loudly, at the same time. The two laughed and continued their meal.