['A burden' doesn't seem like Alec's style, but Anders could also think of a hundred other ways he might be convincing himself to avoid family. Warranted or not. And, Maker, a niece too.
There's a touch of wry humor to his voice when he responds.]
Any other family in the city I should know about? I wasn't aware he had a niece as well.
I'm sorry, the customs of this time of year are a little lost on me. I know there's presents typically involved and a plant you kiss under, so please forgive my gap in knowledge.
What is it you need of me, my lady?
[A meeting? Help convincing his 'Feral Apostate Scholar' to go to a family reunion while he made that face that was reminiscent of insisting he eat ham of the Anderfels.
On second thought, that was a bad analogy, Alec would definitely try ham that 'tasted of despair.']
[ Diane is not surprised, but she sounds it. Poor girl. Diane has the sense she looks up to Davey some, as odd as that seems. ]
As far as I know it's only the three of us.
I'm sure the customs here have as much in common with the City as the chocolate does. But I admit that I'm sentimental to do something other than have him snipe at me over the network.
[ The fondness that her voice is touched with is genuine, it's both utterly like him to do that and also quite an adaptation from their own times. He is clever, there can be no denying that. ]
If you could loan me your residence for the span of a meal... I'm sorry, I ask too much, but I think that otherwise he would refuse to accept any invite.
[ An intake of breath. ] I can't think of how else to see him.
[Her fondness does credit to his indecision. It sounded genuine, as did her surprise at Alec not mentioning Katherine which...yes he's not particularly surprised either.
He nods to himself. Alec might be mad at him for it...but, for all the trappings of her nobility had him pausing, Anders couldn't deny there was something to trying to talk to family, even if you didn't think you wanted to. Maybe especially for it. Besides, he could try to smooth over with that outing and more of those lemon cakes he liked.]
You don't ask too much. I'm sure that can be arranged, as can some food for the meal, though I've no promise to give you that it will be anything more than 'acceptable;' no one in the house is especially skilled at cooking. I can make sure the cats remain in their room and myself and the others in the household are out for the evening.
I do have one question, if you don't mind: Katharine...this wouldn't happen to be Katharine Talbert, would it?
[ It's more than she would have asked for, and while there's a part of her suspicious of that, she also can't see Alec being behind anything like that. She's have to be impressed if he was. ]
Ah...yes, as a matter of fact. I offered her a job at Haven. Security. She's quite talented with a sword.
[Hopefully that wasn't...against some rule between them or something. Katharine hadn't said 'don't tell my great grandmother who happens to be in the city as well.']
You don't need to apologize, your concern is understandable. No one wishes danger for those they care about, least of all those who are younger.
Preventative is correct, however. There is some threat from those who might try to rob Haven or see it as an easy target. Otherwise, it's mostly about keeping an eye on patients to ensure they don't hurt anyone if they're not fully aware of themselves.
Besides, there are others she's sharing the job with.
[ This is absurd. Katherine is a duchess, she shouldn't have to do this. And Diane shouldn't have to work in a clothing store. Mostly, when she swallows her surprise, Diane is glad that Katherine seems to have landed on her feet.
She smiles, and that smile touches her voice the way she'd hoped it would. ]
Thank you, again.
You've put me a little more at ease.
[ She'll have to invite him over - though make it clear the invitation is optional. Once she's seen Alec, of course. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice
There's a touch of wry humor to his voice when he responds.]
Any other family in the city I should know about? I wasn't aware he had a niece as well.
I'm sorry, the customs of this time of year are a little lost on me. I know there's presents typically involved and a plant you kiss under, so please forgive my gap in knowledge.
What is it you need of me, my lady?
[A meeting? Help convincing his 'Feral Apostate Scholar' to go to a family reunion while he made that face that was reminiscent of insisting he eat ham of the Anderfels.
On second thought, that was a bad analogy, Alec would definitely try ham that 'tasted of despair.']
voice
[ Diane is not surprised, but she sounds it. Poor girl. Diane has the sense she looks up to Davey some, as odd as that seems. ]
As far as I know it's only the three of us.
I'm sure the customs here have as much in common with the City as the chocolate does. But I admit that I'm sentimental to do something other than have him snipe at me over the network.
[ The fondness that her voice is touched with is genuine, it's both utterly like him to do that and also quite an adaptation from their own times. He is clever, there can be no denying that. ]
If you could loan me your residence for the span of a meal... I'm sorry, I ask too much, but I think that otherwise he would refuse to accept any invite.
[ An intake of breath. ] I can't think of how else to see him.
voice
He nods to himself. Alec might be mad at him for it...but, for all the trappings of her nobility had him pausing, Anders couldn't deny there was something to trying to talk to family, even if you didn't think you wanted to. Maybe especially for it. Besides, he could try to smooth over with that outing and more of those lemon cakes he liked.]
You don't ask too much. I'm sure that can be arranged, as can some food for the meal, though I've no promise to give you that it will be anything more than 'acceptable;' no one in the house is especially skilled at cooking. I can make sure the cats remain in their room and myself and the others in the household are out for the evening.
I do have one question, if you don't mind: Katharine...this wouldn't happen to be Katharine Talbert, would it?
voice
[ It's more than she would have asked for, and while there's a part of her suspicious of that, she also can't see Alec being behind anything like that. She's have to be impressed if he was. ]
Yes, that is her. You've met?
voice
[Hopefully that wasn't...against some rule between them or something. Katharine hadn't said 'don't tell my great grandmother who happens to be in the city as well.']
voice
[ It is a surprise, and Diane can't keep that out of her voice. ]
She mentioned the sword. I'm glad she's found a job that suits her.
voice
It can be a bit boring at times, but she's doing well with it.
voice
My apologies, I don't mean to make things at all difficult for her. But I would prefer not to think of her in real danger.
voice
Preventative is correct, however. There is some threat from those who might try to rob Haven or see it as an easy target. Otherwise, it's mostly about keeping an eye on patients to ensure they don't hurt anyone if they're not fully aware of themselves.
Besides, there are others she's sharing the job with.
voice
She smiles, and that smile touches her voice the way she'd hoped it would. ]
Thank you, again.
You've put me a little more at ease.
[ She'll have to invite him over - though make it clear the invitation is optional. Once she's seen Alec, of course. ]
voice
[Certainly, if anything did happen, Katharine would be surrounded by some of the best healers Anders knew were in the city.]
As I said before, I'll be sure to have the house ready for you. I hope it goes well.
[He was sure he'd be getting the cold shoulder from Alec at least, but he hoped it went well enough so that was all he'd be seeing.]