The image of Araceli smuggling fennecs in her pockets gets a chuckle from Inessa, and when she notices what Lux is doing. If Garahel remains focused on The Walrus to the exclusion of his fox buddy, it's his own fault for getting pounced. "That must have been wonderful, having such a childhood companion. I always wondered what it would have been like, but what cats we had in the Circles were mousers, not pets. Even outside it, the chances of me being anywhere near a mabari were unlikely. They try to reserve those for the nobles...or at least, humans."

But mabari will imprint as they please, in the end. It's the great equalizer, to the annoyance of those focused on station. Being a Grey Warden at a time when the Fifth Blight is still fresh in people's minds helped a great deal. Without it, even access to a kennel may not have been possible.

"It's a lot to memorize, isn't it? But I always thought those books interesting, even if it seemed very unlikely at the time that they would see any practical use." Well, unless she requested a transfer but there was really not real reason for that at the time. "Imagine if we could gain their support. A region, known for its squabbling, uniting to stand behind us. It would send a powerful message." Which is why it seems unlikely, unless Corypheus directly creates chaos there. Oh well, at it's not currently at war with itself, unlike a certain empire.