Amazingly, Lerith continued to chat with Moira and Nelras, switching from signing for Moira to translate to journal writing when his Qunari friend had to work. They spoke of dragons and Skyhold, with the various people the Inquisitor called friends. The mute are more tarts fresh from the fires as he listened to other stories.
Things were going well until more people started to mill in to start on the dinner meals. Lerith’s ears dipped and he gathered his belongings. The other chefs bowed and greeted Nelras with his title, ignoring the mute who was trying to make himself smaller. Should he leave? But if he left did he have to wait for Nelras?
He decided to at least let Nelras know he didn’t want to stay anymore. [I go,] his hands motioned before pointing to the door they came through earlier.
Nelras found himself enthralled in this conversation with Lerith and Moira. He had already grown fond of the baker, but now this new elf caught his attention as well. His inability to speak held him back very little, and fun was had regardless.
The dinner crowd began to file in, and Nelras awkwardly greeted each cook who bowed and greeted him as Inquisitor. Creators, he couldn’t wait to be through with that title. He had told them all already that such formalities were unnecessary, but it never seemed to stick, except with Moira.
He too was turning to make his escape when Lerith caught his eye and gestured that he was leaving. Moira was occupied with her work, but the signs needed little translation. He followed the mute elf out and down the steps.
“I enjoyed our conversation today. Should you require anything, feel free to send word to me and I will see to it. I should like to speak to you again soon, if we both have time.” He gave a sweeping bow, more mockery of the treatment he had received in the kitchen than anything, and grinned. “Until next time, Lerith.”
And then, regretfully, it was time to work on some letters and reports he’d been putting off. Nelras set off for his quarters, already wishing to be doing literally anything else.