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[cozen]

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[cozen]

She is a darling.

[hassaran]

She's a liability.

Since you're so fond, would you be willing to train her?

[cozen]

[ A darling liability. ]

On anything in particular?

[hassaran]

How to be a more useful Scouting agent? Or at least how to think before she acts or speaks.

[cozen]

Are you sure you do not want mandatory classes for everyone?

[hassaran]

I would if I thought it would be effective. But she could be useful, if she could be trusted. An elf woman who doesn't appear particularly bright can easily pass unnoticed.

[cozen]

[ He would consider protesting if he didn't understand that it was at least mostly not an insult. Instead: ]

That is true. All right. I will see what I can do.

[hassaran]

Thank you.

I do have thoughts about mandatory training for the rest. Snatch them unawares, lock them up, and see how they react, who can get themselves free. A test.

[cozen]

You might need to do something to ensure the mages do not kill their snatchers.

[hassaran]

True, they'll need to be drugged. Easily arranged for the few in Scouting. If they're tested first, they can then help handle the others. That will be good practice for them, too.

[cozen]

They might be offended. But I do not mean you should not do it, just that you should have some elfroot leaves ready.

[hassaran]

I may need to begin carrying it at all times, as long as I hold this position.

[cozen]

So lonely at the top—but less lonely now, ouais?

[ His voice conveys sly eyebrows pretty well. ]

[hassaran]

[ His sly eyebrows get an exhaled half-laugh. He can imagine the dry look she is mentally slanting back. ]

Ouais, ouais, bien sûr. Que ferais-je sans toi?

[cozen]

[ Delightful. And he continues in Orlesian indefinitely, because he likes it, and why not. ]

You must let me know if I can help.

[hassaran]

[ She doesn't mind; good practice. Maybe they'll speak only Orlesian from now on. Her accent is upper-middle-class Val Royeaux, and just the slightest bit rusty to a trained ear. ]

Do you think we should give them a class on picking locks and cuffs before we test them? The ones who aren't part of Scouting.

[cozen]

[ He hops a step or two up the socioeconomic ladder to match where she's aiming without pausing, for at least as long as the rust lingers. ]

Not a bad idea. It's demoralizing, you know, getting thrown into something you do not even know how to begin to approach. Give them a class after and they might not be in very good moods.

[hassaran]

When are they ever? They might be more motivated to take it seriously.

[ A perennial problem he might have noticed from his own attempts at training them in useful skills. ]

But I suppose it's a better test if we give them at least some knowledge. And then we may know better how to adapt the test to their level of skill.

[cozen]

And punish everyone who did not pay attention.

[hassaran]

Alright, you've convinced me. We'll have to make arrangements.

There's another idea I'd also like your help with, if you agree.

[cozen]

Agreeable is my middle name.

—that would work better if I had a surname.

[hassaran]

We should both have chosen surnames before we came here.

[ alas ]

I've been thinking about the Black Fox. How in his stories he causes all sorts of trouble for cruel lords and magisters and makes tyrants look foolish despite all their power. It would be useful to be able to do that to our enemies now.

[cozen]

Wait one moment. I may need to sit down.

[ Because of how many DREAMS are currently COMING TRUE. ]

In Tevinter?

[hassaran]

[ He may or may not guess despite the crystal that she grins. ]

In occupied Orlais. All of Orlais could use the morale. And in Tevinter. The Anderfels. It might need to be different characters tailored to suit. It seemed like a project you might enjoy.

[cozen]

Sweet Andraste. [ Bienheureuse Andraste, in Orlesian, that’s important. ] You have justified my entire existence. Every moment of my life makes sense, if it has led to this.

[ He’s, like, half joking. ]

So yes. Of course. [ And before his head runs off too far— ] Do you think it is easier for a woman to pretend to be a man, than a man to be a woman?