Scene #2609: The Woes of Noble Sons and Daughters

Owner	Pose
Dorian Pavus	Dorian has only one thing to say about that fight against the Dravanians in the Crystal Valley's deeper regions. Only one solitary word fits with the amount of hassle that was. 'OUCH!' He'd already been injured from the previous fight, and then he'd made the mistake of going into another. One that he hadn't had that much backup on. Thankfully there WAS one person there. Though definitely not a human. But hey, Dorian isn't picky about assistance when he life's in danger. But that wasn't why he was here at the Bar and Grill. It was because he was a little too overzealous in trying to freeze the Ceruleum. And when he used too much magic at once, he tended to attract ... unwanted attention from the Fade. So, once he'd woke up from THAT unwanted intrusion into his mind, he'd headed straight for somewhere he could find a drink! Only, when he went through the door to his room? He'd ended up here. Not so bad though. They have drinks here, so it's as good as anything. So he's sat himself down in one of the booths near a window and is looking out. Just sort of nothing out there, but it's a nothing Dorian's never seen, so ... it's something!
Toph Beifong	It's always good to grab some varied food. While she does have lots of food available in Malibu, there's not always the big assortment you can get in the Bar and Grill. Seriously, they have everything here! The blind girl is seated in a nearby booth, complete with food and drink. Like most teenagers she eats junk food when she can, and if she eats here, then well... Pepper can't complain! All in all the young earthbender looks rather pleased, eating and stuffing her mouth as she listens to the chatter around her, her feet on the floor. Doesn't seem like there's anybody around that she knows. Too bad really, this place is always fun to hang out at and meet friends.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian looks in Toph's direction as she sits down. He doesn't know her, as far as he's aware, so he doesn't make eye contact. He also doesn't know that eye contact woudl be useless with Toph anyway, as she seems to be finding her way around well enough. He does find it a bit odd that someone so young (apparently so) would come into a bar, but it's less a bar and more a tavern here anyway, with food served. And that seems to be what she's here for, so not too odd. Now ... Dorian's secret shame? Ferelden beer. He loves the stuff. So of course when he saw they had it he just HAD to put in the order. Very discreetly, mind. Can't have anyone finding out he's drinking Ferelden beer. The SHAME! Of course Toph probably heard it anyway. Her very sharp hearing may just pick up something else too. There's a fellow with blue skin, finlike ears, and opalescent eyes who gives a smirk at the quiet tone Dorian ordered his drink with. Though it's not 'till the drink comes out that the fellow speaks up. "Secret drink, hm? Does it have ... 'magical' effects?" Dorian blinks, looking up in the man's direction. Then he smiles. "I'm afraid not, friend. Nothing but beer." The other man looks a little disappointed, but Dorian quickly follows that up with, "Well, depending on the 'magic' you're looking for, I may have no shortage of it anyway." The words are spoken in a teasing tone. "Oh really?" The blue-skinned man slides into the opposite side of the booth as Dorian. "Real-life 'magic man', eh?" Dorian is beginning to pick up a very distinct air to this fellow's words. But he's not quite sure, so he baits the other man a little more. "As I said, it depends entirely on the kind of magic you're looking for." Leaning his elbows on the table and putting his chin in his hands, the blue-skinned man says, "The kind that makes the eyes sparkle and the breath go short." ... Yeah, it's pretty obvious. Dorian chuckles, and with a smooth tone to his voice, observes, "You're already halfway there. Your eyes already sparkle in the light ... " The blue-haired man smirks as well. "Do they now ... ?" ... Yeah they're ... probably gonna continue like that for a bit yet...
Toph Beifong	Man, this lemonade is pretty nice. Perfect for summer, really. And some real spicy food never goes wrong either. Though she might have to order herself some dessert as well, she decides... At least until she overhears the conversation in the booth next to hers. And as the conversation goes on, she can't help but feel that she's slowly but surely losing her appetite. On and on they go, and finally it seems that she's had enough. "Hey..." The voice comes from behind them, and the teenager is leaning over the wall that separates the booths, clearly standing in her seat. "Do you guys /mind/? I'm trying to eat, but you guys are being seriously oogie over here." She's not looking at either of them, but there's a clear look of obvious disgust on her face where she's slouching.
Dorian Pavus	Toph's voice is surprising, and he looks in her direction. Though as she speaks, the words send a jolt of fear through him. He should be careful, he figures. 'Progressive' and 'modern' doesn't always refer to everything, Dorian realizes. And, well. Even in Tevinter, one didn't speak of such things in public. Perhaps the overall sense of general acceptance the weirdness of the people in the Multiverse doesn't apply to this particular area of life. It's a little disheartening, honestly. People with blue skin, finned ears, and webbed hands can walk around the Multiverse an no one gives them a second look, but the moment he shows interest in someone who happens to be his own gender it's weird. Or, using the girl's word, 'oogie'. The blue-skinned man seems to understand that there's at least some amount of not-public that this talk needs to be, and smiles. He slides a card across the table at Dorian. He winks, then stands up. "Call me," he says, and heads off. Dorian offers a smile in the blue-skinned man's direction. And then he looks in toph's direction, a little annoyed. He IS trying to keep it reasonably polite, though his irritation shows. "I do apologize that neither of us was particularly feminine in that exchange. These things do happen in other places than the gutter."
Toph Beifong	Even as the two men look in her direction the girl just sighs and picks her nose. At least they seem to get the hint, so she decides she should get back to eating. Though just as she's about to slide back down into her seat, she hears the annoyed tone in Dorian's voice quite clearly. There are those other signs too, like how his breathing and heart rate has changed somewhat. But enough for somebody with Toph's hearing and skill to pick up. DShe sighs again. "You could have been flirting with a platypus bear for all I care. Heck, my parents could be talking all oogie and I would lose my appetite. Be oogie with whoever you want for all I care, just get a room. As long as I don't have to hear it." With that she disappears down into her booth again and picks up her chips, munching. Though she does speak up again. "I know it's dirty and all, but that doesn't mean it needs to be done in a dirty place." Nopes, gutters don't seem very romantic either.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian blinks at the response. That's a little surprising. But definitely helps with the disappointment. He'd been expecting something rude including several very not-nice words for men who shared his ... preferences regarding romance. But it seemed like this girl was just 'at that age', the age where anything regarding romance was disgusting. he can't help but chuckle. "I apologize. It's generally accepted in my world, but ... not for someone of my station. And there have been some rather ... awkward and disappointing things to happen to me surrounding that." A pause, and he chuckles. "Forgive me. THAT is generally not the first thing people find out about me. Dorian Pavus, Altus mage of Tevinter. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Toph Beifong	No, Toph isn't exactly the type to cling to old customs and things. Her way of thinking is rather pragmatic, and if there is one thing she greatly appreciates it's personal freedom. For somebody who would surely have been forced into an arranged marriage if she had stayed in Gaoling, she can surely appreciate being free to love whoever you like. The chuckling earns a nod, even if Dorian might not be able to see it where she's sitting. "Oh? Why not?" she asks, a bit curious. It sounds like there's a story to this. As for his apology? Toph picks up her plate and cup, then heads over to his table. "It's fine. I have met oogier people than you before," she says with a smirk. His name earns a nod. "Toph Beifong, the greatest earthbender of all time. What's an altus mage exactly? Haven't heard the term before." And then she plops down in the booth with him, setting her food down before she resumes eating. Hey, might as well sit here and eat since they started talking.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian had been about to invite Toph over to the booth had she not come over of her own volition anyway, so he doesn't say anything about her inviting herself over. She asks why not? He pauses, to think of a way to explain it. In the interim he hears her introduction and smiles. "It's good to see young people with drive an enthusiasm for their craft," he comments to her words of being the greaters earthbender of all time. Though he isn't sure what an earthbender is. From context he assumes it's some sort of earth-mage. But he does have her question to answer as well. "Those two questions are interconnected, actually. In Tevinter, the Magisters hold the power. Directly below them are the Altus mages. We're generally expected to rule the lower classes." Ew, he comes from one of THOSE places. "So you see, my family already had a wife picked out for me -- Livia Herathinos. Beautiful woman, and brilliant as she is beautiful, with a tongue sharp as a blade." He gives a rueful smile, and shakes his head. "Relieved I'm gone, I suspect. But you can see why this is a very big problem for my family."
Toph Beifong	It's more than just a simple drive, really. "Hey, somebody has to take it to the next level. Just because some people are old as dirt doesn't mean they know how to bend dirt!" she grins widely. No, age is no excuse. Eww. One of those places. "Ah, so your family is one of the snobby ones, huh?" she asks, her expression strangely sympathetic. But she pays attention to his words as he explains matters and seemingly has no problem dwelving into what sounds like personal matters. But she kind of figures out just what happened, knowing fully well how some of the more 'important' families place value in tradition and conformity. "Yeah..." Her tone is not as sharp as it was earlier, and she takes a deep breath. "They thought you were somebody else and wanted you to be a good and obedient son, huh?" Gee, doesn't this sound familiar. The blind girl picks up her food, strangely not fumbling with her items despite the fact that her eyes are obviously not looking at anything in front of her. "Never been to this Tevinter place. But I guess snobbish families are the same all over the universe, huh?"
Dorian Pavus	Dorian's noticed that. She's sort of staring, unfocused, at a vague place in front of her. She doesn't appear to actually be LOOKING at anything. He has suspicions, but he doesn't want to pry. He does however, ask about something else. "You say 'earthbending' ... what exactly does 'earthbending' entail?" The mention of being 'an obedient son' ... that gets a sigh. "I'm afraid so. And they seemed to take exception to my dislike for the whole thing. Not just their plans for me, but Tevinter as a whole -- the lies, the scheming, the blood magic behind the scenes. So I left." A rueful snort. Selfish, I suppose, not to want to spend the rest of my life screaming on the inside." As for all snobbish families being the same? He gives an honest laugh. "They do certainly bear similarities, I've noticed," he acknowledges. "But don't go to Tevinter. It's a horrible place. Even if I do miss it."
Toph Beifong	"Exactly what it's called, Lover boy," Toph comments. "Bending earth. Making it bend and move according to your will. Nobody can move the earth like I do." Judging by her statement and the way she says it, she totally believes it whether it's true or not. It sounds like she was correct in her guess. Though she does arch an eyebrow at one term. "Never heard of blood magic before. Though I assume it involves blood." Wait, doesn't Inga use blood magic? She thinks she heard something about that. His comment about selfishness though, that makes the blind girl look rueful as well. "Yeah... it's totally selfish to not want to be miserable your entire life." Her next words could hardly be more sarcastic. "Shame on you for being your own person." She shakes her head next. "Haven't had any plans to go there, no. And well... even if a place is horrible, there are still some things about them that draw you back, huh?" Somehow it sounds like the little girl understands Dorian only too well.
Dorian Pavus	'Lover boy'? Dorian raises an eyebrow at this, but doesn't protest. In fact, given the chuckle, he's probably amused by it. The mention of earthbending draws another question, "Through magic? Or through some other means?" Magic would be the first thing he'd think of, but out here in the Multiverse it's anyone's guess. As for blood magic? "It does." Here his voice goes a little dark; it's a displeased tone. "The kind I dislike usually involves the blood of someone who hasn't offered it and has been restrained and flogged until the mage gets the amount needed. Always behind closed doors, of course. Can't have the neighbors hearing about THAT." Her sarcastic words get a laugh, though. And he agrees with just as much sarcasm in his voice, "Quite right. Shame on my horrible self for putting my family through such scandal." Dorian sobers a bit at the mention of Tevinter. He nods, and begins, "There is. There's so much history there, and so much potential! But it's squandered in all the pretending, so we can't see how far we've fallen. Pretending we're better than everyone else, even our own." He pauses to take a drink and then continues, "Not everyone in Tevinter feels the same. I don't, for a start. But there are few of us who don't."
Toph Beifong	Seems he's curious... so Toph raises her hand, even as she's busy her other to raise some food to her mouth. Her fingers move slightly... and then the fork on the table next to him shifts and twists. "Through pure force of will and movements," she says with her mouth full. Blood magic sounds far more sinister... especially if the blood is taken from other people. The blind girl visibly winces, gritting her teeth in obvious distaste. Though a clear different distaste than she displayed when Dorian was fllirting with the server. It's strange how much Tevinter seems to remind her of a certain city in her own kingdom. "Yeah... I know how that goes. The capital city of my kingdom denied that a war was going on and played pretend behind their walls." Then she sighs. "And yeah, it's true, isn't it? How some families are more interested in how they are perceived more than what they actually are like." Then she mutters and picks up her lemonade glass. "Such dunderheads..."
Dorian Pavus	Dorian actually draws his hand back from the twisting fork, fearing the influence that was twisting the fork would affect his hand in some way. He blinks, surprised, and then looks up at Toph. "Fascinating. Is this an ability you have to learn, or are you born knowing it?" Toph's gritting of teeth gets a nod. "That's my usual reaction to it, too," he assures her, with a smirk. Though the mention of exactly what that capital city was up to gets a surprised look. "How do you ... just DENY a war going on?" Here he pauses, and then shuts his eyes for a moment. Wryly, he observes, "Actually wait. Tevinter has been doing that with the Qunari for hundreds of years. Ask anyone there. 'it's only a matter of time before those horned menaces are eradicated from the face of Thedas', they'll tell you. It's a 'minor skirmish' now. When in truth it's been going on for centuries and it's not looking good for Tevinter's continued ability to continue. At this point it's gotten less like a 'war' and more like an elderly married couple who can't stand each other, hurling insults at each other when they pass in the hall."
Toph Beifong	A mischievous grin crosses Toph's lips when Dorian is startled by the fork twisting. As for the details of how her power works? "Well, people are born with the ability, but they need to learn how to do it. Either you are a bender, or you're not. I learned how to do this when I was little, though I figured out metalbending last year. I'm the first earthbender to bend metal!" she says with no small amount of pride and accomplishment. So... another thing Tevinter and Ba Sing Se have in common, huh? Toph snorts. "Sounds like a party. The war my country was really nasty. Even now when it's over there's a mess to clean up afterwards." Toph leans back in her seat where she sits. "So what kind of magic do you do anyway?" Let's talk about something a bit more pleasant.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian gives a thoughtful 'hmm' at her mention of the earthbending power itself. "So, earth and metal are connected?" he asks. "I suppose that makes sense, given iron comes from the earth. I would assume there are other 'bending' abilities in your world as well?" He raises a hand, to rub his chin thoughtfully. "It's natural? That sounds a bit like magic in my world," he observes. "One is born with the gift, but one doesn't just automatically know how to use it. Though I hope this 'earthbending' is better thought of than magic in Thedas, though. Outside of Tevinter, all mages are basically locked up for being mages, in these places called 'Circles' that are controlled by the Chantry. Who usually hate mages. I'm sure you know where THAT goes." As for what kind of magic he does? Dorian draws himself up in his seat proudly, and notes, "We Altus mages are said to be related to the very first mages in Tevinter -- the Somniari, the Dreamers. So my bloodline is quite strong, in both my parents' families. I specialize in Inferno and Storm schools, which are exactly what you probably think they are. Less so with Winter and Spirit, though I hardly need them."
Toph Beifong	"Earth is purified metal," Toph affirms with a nod. "I can sense the earth in it, and that's how I figured out how to do it. And people said it was impossible, hah!" Shows what weak benders they were. "Yeah, there's firebending, waterbending and airbending too. You could say it's kinda like magic. Except it's something you're born with and a big part of your identity. I couldn't imagine not being an earthbender," she adds. When Dorian talks about locking people up for their powers, she blinks. "What kinda stupid idea is that?!" No, it doesn't seem they do that in Toph's world. Well, Toph was locked up herself, but for other reasons. "Benders actively use their bending. Mining is a big thing where I come from, and you can probably imagine how useful earthbending is for that. People aren't punished for being benders, it's usually the other way around." Inferno and Storm are telling indeed, and Toph arches an eyebrow. "So you make it rain fire. Literally?" she asks. Then she shrugs. "Neither of my birth parents are benders. There haven't been benders in my family for some generations I was told. Guess they were saving it all up for me, huh?" She finishes up her plate, then burps.
Dorian Pavus	"Ah yes, 'I can't do it so it must be impossible'," Dorian reasons. "I've heard that a lot. I tend to not bother with it. For reasons exactly as that, because often what's impossible is only so because one doesn't believe." The mention of locking mages up being a stupid idea gets a nod. "It is exactly that, a stupid idea. They've already had one mage decide enough was enough and blow up the Chantry in Kirkwall. Which caused exactly the amount of chaos you'd think." Then he seems to remember something. "Ah, a chantry is a branch of the church." Dorian nods at the mention of bending being useful for mining. "I can imagine; cave-ins would be a thing of the past, and getting to gems or precious veins of ore would be as quickly as an earthbender could wiggle her fingers." A smirk. "You could find work doing just that in Thedas. Though I wouldn't do it now. I can't recommend Thedas as a tourist destination as it is now. Not with the hole in the sky that spews demons out every so often." The quesiton of raining fire gets a chuckle. "Rain fire, throw fire, walls of fire, explosions of fire underfoot, great storms of lightning -- all of that," he assures Toph. As for saving it all up for her? A smirk. "That is possible. That's not unheard of in Thedas, for there to be a very powerful mage in a family after several generations of no mages at all. Though it's exceedingly rare."
Toph Beifong	"People give up too easily," Toph concludes with a sigh. "And locking people up never solves anything if you ask me." She has a really strong opinion on the subject. Earthbending is indeed useful, and Toph nods her head. "Exactly. And well, if there are demons in your world maybe you should ask the multiverse to help. Doesn't hurt. And some of us love fighting and kicking ass, even more when it can help people." Though she can't help but wonder what kind of demons they have there. Maybe it is a thing, who knows? Not that it matters, you are who you are and you gotta work with what you've been dealt. Toph raises her hand and gestures for one of the servers, and while she waits for him to stop by the booth she has a curious look on her face. "You're not in the Union are you... are you with the Feds?" It kinda strikes her as unlikely, but...
Dorian Pavus	"Indeed not," Dorian agrees to the remark of locking people up. "It just makes them resent the establishment more. If the Chantry wants to teach southern mages to respect the established authority, treating them like something they'd scrape off a shoe after a careless walk in a cow pasture is not the way to do it. But then Tevinter doesn't have it right either." As for asking for help with the demons? Dorian nods. "It had crossed my mind," he admits. "Though I'm a bit short on funds, and I don't want to be indebted to anyone. I'm sure you can understand. But I can lean on a few ears, let people who CAN afford either the money or the social debt that there's a whole Multiverse outside." Dorian shakes his head when Toph asks if he's in the Union or Feds. "I am in the Syndicate, however. I doubted the Union would allow an 'evil magister' amongst their ranks. Mind you, I'm NOT actually a magister, but the people of Ferelden seem to think all Tevinter mages are." He frowns a little, and his voice is icy as he says the next. "And 'advancement with nothing holding you back' -- that's what the Confederates advertised -- sounded exactly like the sort of thing I left behind in Tevinter. So that wasn't for me either."
Toph Beifong	Resentment is a keyword when it comes to robbing people of their freedom, isn't it? "So how does Tevinter treat the mages?" Toph asks. It's a rather silly thought, isn't it? "Has it ever occured to you that some people like fighting just for the sake of fighting?" All in all the blind girl looks rather amused, even as the server comes over. "I wanna order the biggest banana split you guys got. Extra sprinkles and chocolate sauce." The server nods his head and walks off towards the kitchen, and Toph turns her attention back to Dorian again. "I helped save my world once, and I didn't get a single dime for it. Sometimes being the good guy is reward enough. Not to mention the fame and glory you get from being a hero!" she grins. Yup, nothing like getting to be in the spot light and kick some ass for the good of mankind. Or whatever kind you're saving from injustice. Syndicate material isn't too bad, and Toph nods in understanding. "Some Feds are okay," she sighs. "But others are the babykicking kind of evil. We have some loose canons in the Union too, but it's frowned upon to go too far."
Dorian Pavus	"That depends entirely on whether the mage in question is a magister, altus, or laetan," Dorian replies in answer to how Tevinter treats mages. "Magisters occupy seats in the Magisterium, the upper house of the Imperial Senate. The upper house is responsible for making the laws, you see. Though there is some rather ridiculous façade that the mages in Tevinter DON'T actually rule, and that it's just a coincidence that all magisters are mages." "Altus, like myself, don't hold seats in the Magisterium, but we can trace their family lines back to the mages who could enter the Fade at will and speak to the Old Gods," Dorian continues. Bloodlines are serious business in Tevinter, and that's why. Laetan are mages with no bloodline or connection to the Somniari. They're treated better than the soporati, the non-mage commoners, but the laetan still have no real power there." And at the possibility of people wanting to kick ass more than money? He smirks. "That's quite possible," he acknowledges. His smile falls a little. "Though I discourage aiming for being a hero. If it happens in the course of life, then so much better. But that title's granted posthumously often enough to make me dislike it." As for 'babykicking kind'? That actually makes him laugh. "Truth be told? If you ask anyone in Ferelden, so am I. Tevinter is often vilified by the rest of Thedas. The reputation is not completely undeserved, I'm afraid. But because Tevinter is evil, in the eyes of the rest of Thedas, everything from it must be as well. Including yours truly."
Toph Beifong	Toph listens curiously as Dorian explains the classes of mages in Tevinter, though she is momentarily distracted when the server returns with her banana split. Her face brightens up with a grin, and she gives the man a nod before she picks up the spoon and begins eating a bit messily. There's soon ice cream around her mouth, and she speaks with her mouth half full when he comments on bloodlines. "Yeah yeah, I know. Snobbish families place too much importance in that crud if you ask me... Man, this raspberry ice cream flavour is yummy." She swallow the sweets in her mouth. "You should try the banana split too." As for hero business? "I don't intend to die. And I have been a hero many times before." For a young girl she's... awfully confident, or full of herself. "And I haven't seen you kick any babies around yet. So you're okay, aside from the oogie stuff."
Dorian Pavus	When the server comes back Dorian asks for a refill on his drink. Not for banana splits! Though he does smile at the recommendation. And at the ice cream all over Toph's face. "I'll keep that in mind," he promises, chuckling. Though truth be told, he isn't much for sweets, oddly enough. He didn't get those perfect teeth by chowing down on copious amounts of sugar, after all. He doesn't tell Toph this, though. He does, however, nod to the remark of too much importance being put on bloodlines. "It's so serious that we're actually taught mnemonics as children to remember EVERY powerful family in Tevinter. Very stringently taught. The nanny who taught me those mnemonics was actually the only one allowed to hit me when I made a mistake." As for the hero business? "Well, do be careful," Dorian cautions. "Smart adventuring, yes? Always prepared for the inevitable, don't go alone if you can help it, all that. I'm sure you've heard it before." He chuckles at the 'oogie' remark. "I'll be more careful of my surroundings the next time I get the urge to be 'oogie' again. Fair trade?" He's mainly kidding, but it does sound like something of an apology, at least.
Toph Beifong	"What are mnemonics?" she inquires. Man, this guy throws around weird terms all over the place, huh? At the same time she clearly works on finishing up her dessert. Indeed, the blind girl has heard it all before. "Now you sound like my mom," Toph mock complains and attempts to roll her unseeing eyes. "Yeah, I am careful, but I'm strong and I can stand on my own feet. Hero business is part of why I signed up with the Union in the first place." As for his apology? She grins slightly. "Good to hear. That guy from before seemed to like you though, just saying. In case you didn't notice." With that she finishes up her banana split... and burps.
Dorian Pavus	"A mnemonic is a phrase, sentence, or just a group of letters that helps you remember something," Dorian explains. "I've heard 'Roy G. Biv' as a way to remember which order the colors come out of a prism. Or 'my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas' to remember the order of planets? Admittedly that one still throws me, because I'm not quite sure what a 'planet' is yet. A backwards world, Thedas is. Still charming despite the archdemons, though." As to Toph being careful? "Good. The last thing your world needs is to lose you, if you do feel the need to help just to make things better," he says. Her observation of the fellow from earlier gets a chuckle. "Yes, I know. That's why the 'oogie'." Out of politeness he doesn't explain that any further, though.
Toph Beifong	"Huh. Weird." Toph shrugs. "Then again, reading and writing isn't my forte." Perhaps Thedas would be interesting to visit sometime. As for her own world? "I... kinda don't live in my own world any longer. Long story. Though I do visit at times," she explains and wipes the ice cream away from her mouth.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian nods to reading and writing not being her forte. "I wouldn't think so. Not just because you seem relatively young, but ... Pardon the directness, but I noticed a distinct lack of focus in your eyes. You seem to just look wherever your face is pointing." He doesn't state the obvious, because it's kind of not his place to. Besides that, she might be sensitive about it. "I don't live in mine either, actually,"Dorian adds. "Not for the most part anyway. Between the demons, the hole in the sky, and ... well, the problems in Tevinter, I havne't seen a need to spend much time there unless I needed to."
Toph Beifong	"No need to walk on pins and needles, you can say it out loud. I'm blind, and it's okay. My dad made me learn how to read and write with my fingers though, it's a pain in the ass... but kinda useful." Nope, the girl doesn't seem sensitive about the issue at all. "You should check out Urbania sometime. And the world I live in is kinda nice, you might like a city called San Francisco there," she adds. "It's nice to travel around the multiverse and check out what's going on. It's nice to get out and live life, you know?"
Dorian Pavus	Dorian nods. "I wasn't sure if you didn't like attention being brought to it or not."B A smirk, "And I didn't want you to demonstrate those earthbending techniques by introducing my face to them," he says, partly in a teasing manner. As for Urbania? "Oh I've been to a modern city-like world before. I think it was called 'Chicago'? I was arrested because a young lady I was speaking with sacrificed a goat in public. Apparently this is frowned upon."
Toph Beifong	"People bring attention to it all the time, as well that I'm young, female and small. Why not have fun with it and prove that despite all these things I'm way tougher than they will ever be, and that they are blind compared to me?" Toph grins in a mischievous manner. "And nah, I'll only send a rock in your noggin' if you bother me." There's a slight face of disgust though when there's talk of sacrificing livestock. "Yeaaaaaaah, doing that is kinda against the laws many places."
Dorian Pavus	A relief then, that she's not sensitive about it. As for her being small? He smirks. He HAS heard of the dangers of placing too much emphasis on size. But he also has at least a BIT of tact, so that's not something he's going to say in front of a girl her age. Besides, no more 'oogie'. He does however, nod. "That only makes you the perfect person to teach them not to underestimate you," he points out. "They don't take you seriously? Boom -- utterly embarrassed." As for the goat? He nods. "I did caution her against it, and she seemed rather nonplussed at the notion that it might be frowned upon. Thankfully it was ... well, mostly straightened out."
Toph Beifong	"Oh, I'm well aware of that. Nothing is more humbling than being beaten by a little blind girl," Toph states firmly. "And hey, it's one of my pleasures." She stands up however, nodding at him. "It was nice meeting you, Lover boy. I should get home now, you enjoy your drink and don't get too drunk." With that she heads off.