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[untiltheyarent]

[Verbal correspondence and scenes only! Ya girl can't read.]

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[untiltheyarent]

"A god of the Dalish, as Athessa said," Fifi muses, blinking thoughtfully after Noon has read to her, "...but he walks among us, or so some think. Even now, outside of the dream. But I don't understand what he'd have to gain from someone like me."

With the increase in discussion, Sati comes over with her tail wagging, sniffing excitedly at Noon's trousers.

[untiltheyarent]

Preparing the morning's tea and coffee for the division heads, Fifi is setting cups on a tray as a nearby puppy (a HUGE puppy, but a puppy nonetheless) gnaws on a beef bone nearby. The woman is in the midst of smiling and shaking her head when the puppy rises and bounds over to Vanadi, which causes Fifi to set the tray down hard and scurry over to catch her before she can jump up.

"Not at all," she says in a straining voice as she hauls the dog back by her collar, "and we shall try not to be in yours."

[noonrodeon]

"You'd be able to answer that better'n me, Miss," Noon says, closing the book and turning his attention briefly to the dog snuffling his trousers, "H'lo there, friend. You come to hear the reading?" He lowers his free hand for a sniff and petting if it's allowed before turning back to Fifi, "Whatever it is, I'd be careful with somebody who seems like he don't have a problem turning his back on folks. Nothin' good comes from behavior like that."

[highborn]

Oh. There's a dog in the kitchen today. Vanadi blinks, and of course his first thought his: his family would never have tolerated such an unsanitary thing. And so it follows that his next thought is that of determined fondness, and he warms his smile as he moves into the room.

"What's your dog's name?" he asks, because it sounds like the sort of thing one asks when nearly accosted by a hound.

[untiltheyarent]

The petting is very much allowed, Sati taking it as an excuse to wiggle delightedly and nearly climb his leg until Fifi hooks one thin finger through the puppy's collar.

She gives a tired laugh, at his advice. "That it doesn't," she agrees, "thank you, Messere."

[untiltheyarent]

Though she catches that look, Fifi makes no mention of it, kneeling on the floor to hold the puppy in a full-body hug until she stops trying to wrestle free.

"Satina," she replies, "for the day I found her." She scratches the dog's neck, which seems to relax her somewhat, the frantic struggle turning to cheerful panting and a heavy tail thumping on the ground.

[noonrodeon]

"Think nothin' of it, miss," he says, "Compliments of the boss." He directs his next words to Sati, because the puppy is clearly an active participant in this conversation now: "And as much as I'd like to give you some time, friend, I'm afraid little teeth and old books don't mix." He stands to carry the book a little further away from Sati, though not without a good bit of petting with his free hand first. Noon looks back at Fifi with a smile and tips his head down, indicating the puppy, "Yours?"

[highborn]

Alright, admittedly, that's pretty cute. Being not quite clear on the rules of rambunctious puppy ownership, Vanadi steps carefully past the pair without engaging, headed for food storage. Over his shoulder, he says, "Then it's a pleasure to meet you, Satina. And you as well, ah ..."

Never did get her name, huh. Boy, old habit sure are easy to fall into.

[untiltheyarent]

"Sati," Fifi says, crouching to hold the puppy in place, "she's still learning, and I thank you for your patience." Her smile is genuine.

[untiltheyarent]

"Fifi," she replies without thinking-- usually she starts out with Josephine, but, well, it always feels a little different introducing herself to other elves.

"Yourself?"

[noonrodeon]

"Ah, nothin' to thank. They're all learning when they're that small. She'll be a trained dog in no time, aye Sati?" And it's impossible to resist, so he bends down and gives the puppy another good petting. He's still careful to keep the book out of reach though, he isn't that love struck by a good pup. "I better get this ol' tome back to the boss before you tempt me into a game, love." And yes, this is directed at the puppy. To Fifi he says with a smile just as friendly, "And if you need anything, miss, you just give a holler to the Boss or to me."

[untiltheyarent]

"Thank you, messere."

One little hand raises from restraining Sati to wave goodbye.

[highborn]

"Vanadi," he says, and considers adding the estate name, considers sweeping into a formal bow ... he eschews them both, and only adds a polite nod. "A rifter, though I imagine that's apparent."

Probably especially to an elf; he knows he sounds too posh for a city elf, and has no sign of vallaslin. He moves to one of the counters, beginning to sort idly through the day's ingredient options.

[untiltheyarent]

A smile quirks onto Fifi's mouth, and she nods-- it's true, his bearing more than anything is what marks him as Not From Around Here.

"How are you liking it?" she asks, slowly rising now that the puppy has calmed somewhat, "...our world." It still feels like such a strange thing to ask.

[highborn]

"Oh, I'm very much enjoying myself," he says as he scrutinizes a jar of jam, tone still idle, as if this is just some matter of no importance and not what occupies a huge portion of his thoughts. "I would be very pleased if I could manage to stay here long enough to die of war, or disease, or old age, or whatever."

[untiltheyarent]

"That much better!"

She's impressed. "For all our sakes, I hope none of those happen too soon."

crystal.

[cozen]

[ In Orlesian, indefinitely: ] Are you still in touch with anyone in Val Royeaux, Fifi?

[untiltheyarent]

[forever Orlesian]

I wrote to my girls, some time back, with some assistance. But I haven't received an answer.

[A pause, then, wistfully:]

Only Sandrine could read and write, but my hope is she left that place as soon as she could.

[cozen]

[ Bastien sighs in answer. ]

There may be trouble there again soon.

[untiltheyarent]

[With quiet concern,]

what sort of trouble?

crystal. vaguely backdated? idk.

[cozen]

[ Orlesian. Obviously. ]

Fifi, my gazelle. Can I bother you to visit me in Lowtown sometime this week? I have some friends who want to meet you.

[untiltheyarent]

[Orlesian forever]

Oh?

Of course you can-- but what sort of friends?

[cozen]

Political ones. I mentioned the Freemen of the Dales, and they were very excited—but I have not told them your name yet, so if you would rather not, they won't be able to find you.

[untiltheyarent]

[A little taken aback,]

--oh.

[She pauses a moment, thinking on it.]

No-- no, it's all right. It's been a long time.

What are their names, if you don't mind my asking?

[cozen]

Franz and Zora—they are siblings—they are here from the Anderfels. They work in the foundries now, but Franz has a lot of opinions, and Zora has a lot of ideas. And Ivo Gare, he is from Kirkwall. He is more their friend than mine, but I like him.

They really like they no crown, no nobles part of the Freemen of the Dales. I thought you might be able to tell them about the ways it went wrong. Things for them to keep in mind while they are dreaming.

They already think a better world has to be better for the elves, too, [ he adds, ] or I would not be asking you to endure them at all.