justashotaway | (no subject)

Yes. For the last twenty years, almost exactly.

I benefited from being in a position where my education aided my employers. Many of my... fellows... were not so lucky.

What did you do?

I was a clerk, and a scrivener, and anything else that needed filing and organization. I managed finances, or correspondence, or kept stock and accounts. Not fascinating work.

No.

[It sounds incredibly boring, frankly. Better than the things she's done, but nothing she'd ever want to do.]

Do you do that here?

At the moment, yes. Mostly bookkeeping.

Do you read much?

I can.

[The only real option for response. She can read; in the past, she hasn't been allowed to.]

Do you read books at all?

[A pause.]

Sometimes.

Would you mind greatly if I suggested a few books for you to read?

I would not mind.

What sort of things would you like to read about?

[A very long pause.]

I do not know.

What do you enjoy? I assure you, there are at least five books on the subject, two of which disagree with each other, and one of which will be below your standard.

[Quieter this time, perhaps embarrassed, and only drawn out because he hasn't yet done anything but speak softly and offer advice.]

I do not know.

What don't you like?

[She can't think of any answers that have to do with books, for all she tries to think of something. There's a slight, frustrated edge to her voice, but it's directed at herself, along with the little X she puts in her skin.]

I do not know.

Then I'll just make you suffer books I like, hm?

Yes.

[Immediate, relieved.]

The Battle of Korcari is a very long poem about a battle between the ancient Alamarri tribes, before Andraste made her pact with the Maker, before the Kockari were even wild. It's the only record we have of it.

Roman de la Rose is an old Orlesian romance about several maids and suitors and how they each find, or do not find, love. There are several... risque passages, as well, but mostly couched in metaphor. The word rose in Orlesian has multiple meanings.

Colloquy with the Ancients is a collection of ancient and semi-modern stories to tell to children and adults. Mostly moralistic. Several stolen from the Dalish, perportedly. The collection crosses boundaries of nationality and race.

Louis and Aiol is a story of an Orlesian knight sent to Ferelden to secure the lands ruled over by his father; along the way, he falls in love with a Ferelden princess.

They're all in the library. I've checked.

[She can commit the names to memory easily enough. And they are...she is interested in them.

It takes time for her to respond, even more than usual.]

Colloquy with the Ancients. [A pause, hesitant.] Does it have the bone and velvet boy?

I... [brb searching memory-] I believe they have the Nevarran and the Orlesian versions.

[f r o w n]

There is an Orlesian version?

Yes? I don't recall the differences. One of them has a happier ending.

[Tentative:]

Does he not become a human?

[His voice grows warm.]

He always turns human.

(no subject)

justashotaway - 2019-08-14 13:14 (UTC) - Expand