"That doesn't even make sense…" Skylar skimmed the very official-looking letter over again just to be sure she had in fact read that right. "They do realize that's not how magic works…?"
Barris sighed heavily, already feeling a headache coming on. It had been years since he'd spoken to his family but unsurprisingly, they found a way to cause him trouble again. "They do. They're trying to be difficult."
"Well, I guess that's one word for it…Honestly, I'm more worried about them potentially finding more difficult-minded people and rising against the dreaded 'False Herald'. They make me sound like I'm some evil genius."
"I'm sorry, Herald. I should have known they'd do this. My parents have always had radical ideals."
Skylar scoffed. "It's a wonder you turned out as well as you did."
"I...what?" Barris was willing to bet that she was embarrassed. There went that all-too-familiar blushing again…right down to her chest…Maker, did she only own revealing shirts? Does she just do this to torment him? How is he not supposed to look?
"You, uh, well, um, I mean…you know you've got a good head on your shoulders and you're all honor and chivalry and there-be-dragons—you know with the, uh, knightly-ness-thing…"
"What?" He snickered, wondering if that incoherent mess was a glimpse into her true personality. Maybe she was one of those people who read all of those fantasy novels, spent their free time playing video games. He never took an interest in any of that himself, but damn, it seemed an adorable fit for her. "Dragons?"
She looked like she was mentally kicking herself. Which she was. Her inner monologue was having a real field day at the moment. "Yeah, that sounded a lot better in my head."
He huffed a laugh. "As you say, Lady Herald. I can reply to my parents personally, if you like?"
"Oh, no, no, don't worry about it. I'm sure Josie will handle it with carefully cordial insults."
"Of course," He nodded acknowledging. He meant for it to be a simple, professional gesture but it seemed his impulses got the better of him. He let his eyes roam over her for just a fleeting moment. He could have sworn that he saw her expression light up when she saw it, but no, he must have been seeing things. Or was he? That blush was definitely forming on her chest again. He cleared his throat, trying to ground the both of them back to the conversation. "Still, it was good of you to tell me. You didn't have to."
She attempted to shrug as nonchalant as possible but it wasn't very convincing. "Maybe not, but I figured I'd want to know if my parents were being, well, assholes. No offense."
"None taken." He snickered before he was able to control himself. Something about someone so bloody divine saying something so juvenile was damn near hilarious. They definitely didn't teach you that in the chantry. He made a mental note that he'd need to hear it again sometime. "Well, I appreciate the effort."
"Well," A brief look of panic crossed over her. Like she wasn't totally sure of what she was about to say. Her panic seemed to give way to something close to being flirty. She adopted a smirk and a slight sway in her hips. "Maybe I appreciate your appreciation."
He raised an eyebrow, barely able to keep himself from laughing. "That sounded better in your head, too?"
"Yep. Way better. I'm just gonna stop talking now."
"That would be a shame." There went that confidence again. He was nearly convinced now that it somehow came from her embarrassment. It was probably definitely inappropriate on a few levels, but damnit he intended to go with it until his luck ran out. "It's always a pleasure talking with you, my lady."
He made sure to dismiss himself quickly after that. The fact wasn't lost on him that he was feeling something suspiciously similar to excited embarrassment as well.