A moment of quiet consideration, gently surprised and partly incredulous. Rare were the days that anyone turned a flirtatious tone towards the Spymaster. Perhaps understandably, people had a good many suspicions regards bards, and that was before they served the Chantry and gathered networks of loyal scouts to be their eyes and ears across Thedas. For a moment she wonders if he is bold, absurd, or simply trying to distract her - because how often did she turn to seduction when a bard? How many did not wake for the error they had made in lover?

It is barely two seconds of thought, in truth, and she lets her brows raise a little, mouth quirking in a smile that is more calculating than sincere, though she is extremely good at projecting the latter. All part and parcel with spy work. Leliana allows herself to lean forward ever so slightly, as if seriously scrutinising his nose, if this is the game they are to play. "It is a fine nose," she admits, sharing her professional nose assessing opinion, "and you appear to wear it well."

There is a note to her seriousness that could be taken for playful, or for a woman with a great deal of responsibility allowing herself a moment of playfulness, even if it is wrapped up in subtlety. There are notes of truth in Leliana's lies, and perhaps that is what makes her so very good at being a bard. She can use the earnestness of Leliana to make the Nightingale all the more dangerous, when it suits.

"Though I am not sure my ears will ever compare to a nugs, all the sadder for me." If he is making this a deliberate means to redirect, she would credit him at least with doing an entertaining job of it. Not all men could turn a conversation about nugs to flirtation. "Leliana is more than adequate. Sister Nightingale, if you've a flair for the dramatic."

And, that said, she crosses her arms and cants her head, and it might just seem playful. "Do you have a title you'd prefer? King of Cats, perhaps?"