"You don't say!" came the delighted shriek. "I cannot believe that Eleanor managed to drag her stubborn daughter to your salon! You must tell me everything that happened, and don't hold back any detail." Like a child eager for her bedtime story, Lady Alexandra scooted her chair closer to Lady Landra, eyes gleaming with humor and a smile playing on her lips.

Lady Landra toyed with her friend, taking a most unnecessary sip of her tea. "Hmm," she drawled, "this tea tastes a bit weak, don't you agree? I should remind the servants to boil the tea leaves a bit longer."

Alexandra slapped Landra playfully on the wrist. "Oh, don't tease me so," she said. "Come on. Be a dear and tell me everything, or I shan't leave until you do so."

With an exaggerated weariness, Landra set down her tea and straightened her skirts. "Well," she said, drawing the single-syllable word out as long as possible. Alexandra leaned even closer, her skirts rustling as she shifted in her seat. "You won't believe this, but the girl actually behaved herself."

Alexandra's eyes narrowed. "You're still teasing me," she sniffed. "And here I expected better from my close friend. I should leave at once, for the insults I've suffered here have been most excessive."

"You daft woman," laughed Landra. "I am serious! The girl didn't complain, share inappropriate jokes, or imitate one bodily function! She was an absolute doll the whole night. It was really a most enjoyable evening. I wish you could've have come."

Alexandra sat back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. "Hmmph," she pouted. "I'd hoped for at least one scandal. Tell me, does her mother still permit her to train with weapons?"

"Eleanor has limited the girl's studies, but yes, she is still training. Eleanor has described whatever she's learning as more 'lady-like', though she wouldn't go into detail."

"Well, I suppose that will do," Alexandra sighed. Resolutely, she picked up her cup and sipped her own tea. "Now that you mention it," she said after a moment. Adopting a ridiculously cheerful and animated demeanor, she continued with, "the tea is a bit bland. I don't suppose you've tried buying some foreign tealeaves? They're really quite nice. Senior Fogelburp's is my most favorite brand to buy. You should try it sometime…."

"Oh, stop it, you!" Landra interjected loudly. Alexandra stared at her friend with an expression of mock surprise. "I'll tell you something else if you'll pipe down." She beckoned her friend closer before continuing. "My son, Dairren, is absolutely smitten with her. He wouldn't stop ogling her all night. I spent half my time trying to convince her to marry him."

Alexandra sighed with pleasure as the juiciness of the gossip settled within her mind. Landra for her part looked quite pleased with herself, never mind that she compromised her son's privacy.

"I wasn't aware that Dairren like the wild ones," Alexandra commented. "Tell me, how do you really feel about it?"

"Well…," Landra struggled with the right words. "She's very dynamic, I suppose. Very strong-willed, fun-loving, and confident…."

"…very open-minded," Alexandra muttered impishly. "Has a weakness for the elves, or so I hear."

"That was three years ago, Alexandra." Landra dismissed the notion with a girlish wave of her hand. "Besides, she seemed interested in Dairren enough. I'll be taking him with me to her estate next week. They'll have some more time to talk then."

"And of course you'll tell me everything. Right?" Alexandra asked, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Of course, dear," Landra promised, squeezing her friend's hand. And the two, silly old ladies spent the rest of their evening in companionable chatter, swapping gossip and sipping their bland teas.

Author's Note: Just a prologue people, so it's short. To be honest, it was easy coming up with Lady Couslan's character (since the Human Noble Origin is my favorite anyway) but it took me forever to decide whom to pair her with. Because I wanted her to have this "weakness for elves", I eventually settled on Zevran though Alistair, Jowan, Bann Teagan, and Anders each put up a great fight. This isn't a popular pairing so…. I don't expect a lot of reviews. They are appreciated though