The Grand Interrogation [13 Hispis 4262]
Me:"Well, she seems a bit ... dare I say it? ... obnoxious. Why
do you put up with her?"
Chelinet:"She's not as bad as I make her out as, really. If I
told her to stop, she'd stop. That would be breaking up with her.... should I
do that? I don't really want to ... are you saying I'm not really traff and
should dump her?"
Me:"I'm not saying anything of the sort! Just asking you about
her.... and from how upset you sound, you're in no hurry to chase her
off."
Chelinet:[sniffling a bit]"No, I'm not."
Me:"Well, why do you put up with her doing that?"
Chelinet:"She's nice when we're in private. And she's fun. And
she's rich and powerful. And she's a really good dancer when we're in
private. And ... I'm sorry I made her out as so obnoxious. That's just a
little bit of her style. It's how it started."
Me:"Quite all right. Do I understand you properly to be saying
that Moria has a rather overhanded style of approaching you, but is more
reasonable after that?"
Chelinet:"Oh, no, not that. When anyone is watching, she's all
superior and upper-class about it. When it's private she's much more
relaxed."
Me:"So ... um ... she wants everyone to know that you're her
Orren-love, but that it's just a conventional aristo libertine's
playing-around really so she's not traff?"
Chelinet:"..."
Chelinet:"..., ... "
Chelinet:"..., ..., ... "
Chelinet:"Oh! That's brilliant!"
Me:"That's what I kept trying to get my first Orren-love, but he
never would. He was afraid that Someone Would Suspect Something."
Chelinet:"Did anyone?"
Me:"Rather a lot. No matter how he tried to hide it. Moria
might get the Suspicion, but at least you can be in public with her."
Chelinet:"If I'm wearing a leash."
Me:"..."
Me:"Really?"
Chelinet:"No. But if we're in public, I have to defer to
her."
Me:"That sounds awkward. Buy a title?"
Chelinet:"The next time I'm insanely rich for some
reason."
Me:"Right. Is Moria dating anyone else?"
Chelinet:"One date with another Rassimel here or there. Nothing
to speak of."
Me:"How do you feel when she does?"
Chelinet:"How should I feel? She's a noble, she can do what she
likes about that."
Me:"So, jealous?"
Chelinet:"What are you suggesting? That I'm not only in
love with her, but ungracious about it?" She sounded a bit
angry. But Orren are a lot less intimidating if you're the same size as
them.
Me:"I'm not saying you acted bad, just asking how you
felt"
Chelinet:"... yes. I'm jealous."
Me:"Right. H'm. If Moria weren't around, who would you be
eyeing?"
Chelinet:"I don't know ... I haven't really thought much about
it... no."
Me:"Well ... when you fly down the boardwalk ..."
Chelinet:"I, well, I walk."
Me:"Sorry, sorry! Anyways, who do you think looks good? Like,
that kind of good?"
Chelinet:(something inaudible)
Me:"You don't have to answer if you don't want."
Chelinet:"... Herethroy ... Rassimel ... "
Me:"I think you could come with me to Across Saga and nobody
would doubt your credentials at all."
Chelinet looked rather angry. "I did not want to hear
that."