( Part of her has a mind to catalogue the differences they have accumulated. She has tattoos as well, though they end at her wrists, covered up in the dark cloth of her robes, but stretching along the back of her arms, shoulders, down either side of her spine in abstract floral patterns. One corner of her mouth has a little scar, and one of her ears has been disfigured, though that for now is covered by her hair falling over it. All the better not to dwell on that, now. )

For me, it would depend to where I was rushing.

( She pauses for a long moment, sipping the tea, trying to think what to say; how much context she'll need to add, what he'll know, if she can skip all this at all and just beg for knowledge of Starkhaven, but that seems selfish, somehow. It seems wrong. Talking about herself and offering up information might be self-indulgent in another way. )

I lived near Val Royeaux for some years. After the Circle at Starkhaven was lost to fire, I was sent to the White Spire. That's where I reached the rank of Enchanter.

( Again, will that mean anything? Will it be an achievement? She truly has no idea, anymore.

Ask about Starkhaven, she thinks again — she does not ask about Starkhaven, though. ) I'm sure those you helped were grateful, in their own fashion.

( Admittedly doubtful. )