Marilaine rolled one shoulder up in a lazy shrug as the corner of her mouth also rose up in equal measure. "I asked you because you are here. And you are the firs of these rifters I have met."

Quick as the smile appeared, it faded away, though her expression remained neutral if not slightly guarded, "A least they are teaching you practical things. Necessary for your time here. People can be very closed-minded and will fear what they do not understand. Showing you are of use is the best way to guarantee people see you as a person and not a thing to be feared."

It was practically a speech for her. Normally she tended not to say so much in one breath. Her former employers didn't like chatty elves. It had been a hard won lesson at that.