I...I'm being courted. And I need two things from you: your discretion, and apparently humans court at first by having a chaperone, and you're the best one for the job.
You can't tell anyone. [Of course she assumes he'll tell Merrick anyway. Telling one of them is telling both of them.] I don't want the clan to get excited about anything until there's something to get excited about. Especially since he's human. His name is James.
I think they talk. I guess I'll see. He did ask me how the Dalish do their courting first, but none of it really applied. It's a good sign that he asked, though.
Well, he hasn't used the word "unharrowed" so far. He seems to think I'm a tested, proper mage. And he didn't argue when I said Andraste promised us the Dales.
Mages are always learning more and more. To be tested suggests there's some kind of point where you ought to be totally prepared. It's so foolish to think anything's really different before or after being tested.
James is...really kind. He calls me "Lady Pel" even when I tell him I'm not a lady. He knows being a Keeper's First is enviable without me telling him. He never does the thing where shems explain elven culture to you. He doesn't act like I'm stupid when I don't know how things work among city folk. He's not just polite, he's actually respectful.
And he likes history. And religion. And he thinks it's good that I'm religious in my way, without once trying to make me be religious in his way. I know that's not for you, but...I'm saying he's not trying to make me Andrastian, not at all. And he sees value in my choices.
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no subject
Date: 2015-12-29 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 03:15 am (UTC)Pel? Is everything all right?
no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 03:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 03:27 am (UTC)[Give him a moment, because he's far too pleased with this and doesn't want to scare her away from it.]
Of course! I'd be happy to.
So who is the gentleman?
no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 01:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 10:10 pm (UTC)I'm happy for you, all the same.
So... what exactly do humans do while they're courting? [He doesn't really have experience in anything more serious than a one night stand.]
no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 11:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 11:51 pm (UTC)It is.
I suppose we'll see how well he respects our culture outside of that.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-30 11:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 12:00 am (UTC)This whole idea that mages have to be tested to be proper is so weird. Shems are weird.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 12:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 12:45 am (UTC)That would require some level of respect and understanding though. I'm not sure they could handle that.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 02:43 am (UTC)James is...really kind. He calls me "Lady Pel" even when I tell him I'm not a lady. He knows being a Keeper's First is enviable without me telling him. He never does the thing where shems explain elven culture to you. He doesn't act like I'm stupid when I don't know how things work among city folk. He's not just polite, he's actually respectful.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 02:57 am (UTC)That all sounds good. Though, I suppose if he was anything less you wouldn't be allowing him to court you.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 03:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 03:15 am (UTC)It's not for me, you're right, but it is for you. It's important that he respects that and sees the value you place in it.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-31 03:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-01-01 10:04 pm (UTC)Isn't that dangerous?
no subject
Date: 2016-01-03 07:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-01-12 04:15 am (UTC)