River knows exactly what she is doing, but fortunately enough she also can see what Meyer is doing, this attempt at calming his friend/family/loved one; River doesn't care about the label, though she is amused suddenly at the concept of the Page (herself) fighting a dragon (Charlie). It's probably best, she realizes, that she isn't connected to the emotional state of everyone else in the room, or this even-tempered vampire would not be able to stop her from doing her absolute level best to draw actual blood from Charlie for the trespass of daring to threaten her loved ones and treating them like a damned shiny.

To this extent, as she draws herself slightly away from Meyer's extended hand and back towards Ned, reaching her own arm out towards her friend. "We'd kill for family," she says, keeping her voice even and her eyes locked on Charlie's, "you and I. Would and could and have." Her eyes narrow and the hand reaching for Ned loses some of it's bark-like qualities. "So you'll permit this, you'll let us walk away, a tribute can be provided, but not in blood, or blood will be repaid in turn."

She'll bring you shiny things, but you can't keep Ned, that's the gist of it. "Accept."