"From the Hearth"? Can't say I hate the name. [It carries memories both precious and painful. She lifts her glass in a slight tilt his way before her own sip.] It can't really be bad. Just didn't know what to expect from a prince.

[Crowe leans a bit forward in her chair. Keeping up the at-attention stiff posture is wearing her out today and this kid really isn't demanding it, is he? Hell, she probably should've knelt or something when she first got here, and not to pet the dog.]

We've got way worse stuff to say about Niffs than about you. Takes up most of our free time. [There's some scorn in there, harsh and static-crackly. "Free time."]