Val frowns, and not because Déranger has begun to lick his hand. This would not be enough to inspire a frown from him. He cares nothing for dog spit. But to be so caught--this is what causes him to frown.
"Perhaps," he says, slowly, "I might have made some off-handed remark in this fashion in the past, without really realizing what it was that I was saying--certainly not realizing that I was fashioning for myself a noose that would be used against me in future! Possibly I even committed this remark to parchment--which I can only admit now was a mistake, one should never commit compliments in writing--but the fact of the difficulty remains! So, I can only conclude that it is very dark in Orzammar and your penmanship has suffered for it."
This conclusion comes out more snappish than lofty. Certainly better than having nothing at all to say, and being caught out in it. Val reaches the wall and turns on his heel to pace back in the other direction, Déranger dogging his steps. Now his tone turns more conversational.
"The E character really does look like a U. I have saved the letter so that I can show it to you upon your return. What are you doing at present?"
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-07-01 03:41 pm (UTC)"Perhaps," he says, slowly, "I might have made some off-handed remark in this fashion in the past, without really realizing what it was that I was saying--certainly not realizing that I was fashioning for myself a noose that would be used against me in future! Possibly I even committed this remark to parchment--which I can only admit now was a mistake, one should never commit compliments in writing--but the fact of the difficulty remains! So, I can only conclude that it is very dark in Orzammar and your penmanship has suffered for it."
This conclusion comes out more snappish than lofty. Certainly better than having nothing at all to say, and being caught out in it. Val reaches the wall and turns on his heel to pace back in the other direction, Déranger dogging his steps. Now his tone turns more conversational.
"The E character really does look like a U. I have saved the letter so that I can show it to you upon your return. What are you doing at present?"