And for all that Stephen has absolutely no respect for the nobility, or inherited titles, or all this social pomp and circumstance, he doe respect the mere concept of Gwenaëlle’s grandfather. Would’ve respected the man even if he was a pig farmer.
(All three of her parents are dead and there’s the nagging horrified self-conscious thought that this is very much the closest he’ll ever get to meeting the father and needing to make a good impression—)
So this is perhaps the most polite and properly-behaved that Thedas has ever seen the doctor: “A pleasure to meet you, your grace,” Stephen says, and executes an attempt at a half-bow.
He’s dressed more austere than she is, leaning towards Orlais’ more conservative current trends; a black raven mask and his outfit mostly in neat black, with the occasional burgundy trim or decorative flair to match Gwenaëlle’s dress. Getting dressed for this party had felt a bit like suiting up for battle, and he’d leaned on any advice she had for the effect he was aiming for: playing along with trends where she flouted them, Stephen not trying to make too many waves. The fact that he’s a rifter and already associated with a few radical academics from the university will do that on its own.
The biggest affectation is the red half-cloak hanging off one shoulder; a nod to his origins.
“I’ve been able to hear Gwenaëlle at the pianoforte on your estate, starting a year back,” he says. “It’s very much appreciated. I don’t know where else I’d have access to such an instrument.”
no subject
(All three of her parents are dead and there’s the nagging horrified self-conscious thought that this is very much the closest he’ll ever get to meeting the father and needing to make a good impression—)
So this is perhaps the most polite and properly-behaved that Thedas has ever seen the doctor: “A pleasure to meet you, your grace,” Stephen says, and executes an attempt at a half-bow.
He’s dressed more austere than she is, leaning towards Orlais’ more conservative current trends; a black raven mask and his outfit mostly in neat black, with the occasional burgundy trim or decorative flair to match Gwenaëlle’s dress. Getting dressed for this party had felt a bit like suiting up for battle, and he’d leaned on any advice she had for the effect he was aiming for: playing along with trends where she flouted them, Stephen not trying to make too many waves. The fact that he’s a rifter and already associated with a few radical academics from the university will do that on its own.
The biggest affectation is the red half-cloak hanging off one shoulder; a nod to his origins.
“I’ve been able to hear Gwenaëlle at the pianoforte on your estate, starting a year back,” he says. “It’s very much appreciated. I don’t know where else I’d have access to such an instrument.”