Would you like my mask? Would you like my mirror?

[mythalenaste]

WHO: Pel and Tyrion
WHAT: Meeting a dwarf about some elven artifacts in Kal-sharok, hopefully beginning a diplomatic relationship.
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Perendale, Nevarra
NOTES: Nothing so far! Will update.

Comments

[mythalenaste]

A faint smile. That causes some silence for a while on the road, until she realizes she has another question to ask him.

"So was diplomacy something you were taught, or something you had to teach yourself?"

[tallasaking]

He is reading over one of the scrolls again in the silence, leaning back as much as he can in the seat to make himself comfortable. Long trips are never good for his short legs when he can't stretch them out every once and awhile.

Her question made him look up, his mouth twisting, "The art of manipulation - I learned at my father's desk. The finer touch, the lighter swing, using honey instead of a blunt weapon? Words instead of swords? I taught myself."

[mythalenaste]

"So...yes, you taught yourself diplomacy." Intimidation is just a tool, not the whole story. "Words instead of swords, I'll have to remember that one. I think words have benefited my people more. It's why I write so much."

[tallasaking]

"Considering my family's way of doing things ... it was the smartest road towards survival." His tone was dry, but softened as he looked at her, "Swords can only end up in blood, and death. Words can get you there as well -- but for the most part - all they do is open opportunities. I ... have been given to understand that your own people struggle with needing opportunities?"

[mythalenaste]

"My people have a great many more opportunities than they think they have," Pel says bluntly. "Most of them are more concerned with licking their own wounds if they're Dalish, or day-to-day survival if they're not. I'm a published author. No human stores will sell my books, but they're there. The Inquisition is a million opportunities rolled into one. I'm a researcher, not a servant. I've lived free my whole life and I'm still free. Opportunity is where you take it."

[tallasaking]

One corner of his mouth lifted, and he nodded his head slowly, "A woman after my own heart. There is always another angle, if one is willing to take the time to look for it." He looked out to the road thoughtfully, before he stated frankly, "To be sure - those whom are oppressed do not always look up to see. But that is why the world has people like you. So they have something to compare their lives to."

The other corner lifted into a whimsical smile, "And I can assure you - we can all change for the better. I am living proof."

[mythalenaste]

Pel has a swell of affection, like she wants to get drunk with this man and sing songs and do stupid shit like stealing chickens for the laughs. She wants to have every conversation both inane and intelligent. She wants to write books with him and read books with him and make rude gestures at the Chantry with him.

The next smile is real, though like all her smiles, she suppresses it as best she can. "Good fortune for all of us that you came here instead of languishing in your own world. Nobody expects you to be tall to be listened to."

[tallasaking]

One day Pel will find out, much to her motherly regret, that Tyrion is capable and willing to do all these things. Especially the getting drunk and probably drinking her under the table part. He is an expert in the ways of wine and ale.

Ah, he sees that smile, Pel, but his is twisted into a faint smirk, "I should certainly hope not. I haven't got any plans to see if I could change that through what is considering Highly Questionable Means with Blades and Blood and possibly Babies."