Varric wasn't sure about these rumors, they were making him a little edgy. Yes, he was used to rumors, they practically made up the foundation of his career, but he didn't like the kind that he hadn't started. Even worse, these were the kind that he didn't know the content of. They were spreading around Skyhold with speed and he was rapidly finding himself on the wrong end of a lot of uncomfortable staring. He wasn't sure what he'd done to spawn this wave of...whatever this was, but he fully intended to kick back and waiting until it all blew over.

Too bad nothing ever just blew over.

So, when the second elf in so many days came up to his table, Varric braced himself for something terrible. True, the last elf had been very nice, but that just meant the odds on this were skewed the other direction. He didn't know for certain that the rumors were bad, but it was always best to assume the worst. Unfortunately, when she finally spoke, it didn't really clear things up. She was fidgety and stammered but, on the plus side, did not appear to be particularly horrified.

"Well, that depends on what they're saying?" Varric replied delicately. It also depended on who was saying it, but anybody who would sling mud at him was either entirely harmless or extremely willing to kill him. It was a toss up, but if this elf worked for the Carta he'd eat his velvety shirt.