Curiouser and Curiouser, My Dear

Moira had never taken an interest in micromanaging her children's lives before, but it was her duty as the mother to the king to ensure that he was not getting in over his head with anyone, or anything. He'd been dancing with a stranger at the Ferelden ball, and she had been unable to glean any information as to who the girl was. So, she waited, patiently, to see if the girl would seek out Bhelen again. She was busy with a line of patients, standing just inside the doorway of her makeshift doctors' office, when she caught sight of the distinct young woman from the party. She looked lost, and Moira chuckled, leaving her patients in the hands of one of the dwarven physicians.

She was cleaning her hands as she walked, her gait level and smooth. Are you lost, miss? It could be taken as her pointing out that this was most definitely a settlement of dwarves, and save for the ten-year-old elf playing with other dwarven children, Moira was the only other outlier. And even she fit in better than the aberration. But her tone was kind, her smile bright. It gets a bit confusing, if you're not familiar with the settlement. She explained, she still got lost often enough.

Moira's gaze swept towards the Assembly Hall, where she knew Garryn and Rorick were discussing building plans. Are you looking for someone, miss...?

"Mihla. I am vir bor'assan, or The Bow of Arlathan. Not that I'm here as such." Mihla smiled brightly, causing her cheek scales to catch the light. She was a little nervous to be here for the first time, but she was managing. "I'm looking for a dwarf named Garryn, if you don't mind helping me look? I came to visit." Completely on personal business rather than as an official from Arlathan. The only reason she had introduced herself as such was she felt it might be strange to the woman in front of her otherwise.

"I met him at the Fereldan masquerade and hoped to see him again." They had not gotten much information from each other that night other than where they were from. It would be a shame to simply leave it like that rather than try to explore whatever connection they seemed to share with one another.

The girl offered a title, and Moira smiled politely. Moira. It's nice to meet you, Mihla. Her smile widened when the girl stated that she was seeking Garryn, and she chuckled softly. Unfortunately, my son is busy today. Kings do not have too many days off, you see. Today he is finalizing plans for a proper apothecarist-healers building. She explained, brightly, as if she had not picked up on the fact Garryn had not told this girl who he was. Ah, very similar to his father, indeed. But if you'd like to wait until lunchtime, I can show you around. She offered.

Moira was curious about this girl; what kind of woman would have her son dancing in public, and laughing, smiling? She'll do everything she can to stall taking Mihla to Garryn, though a bit rude of her, she would surely play it off well enough.

Mihla's eyes widened at the mention that the one she was looking for was the King. She hadn't expected that and hoped that she hadn't seemed rude for not knowing. She simply hadn't been told. Not that Mihla was angry or even upset about such a thing. It was probably hard to have genuine conversations with others when you always had to introduce yourself as king. That was what she thought, so she was hardly bothered and simply surprised. Quickly, she recollected herself and nodded.

"Of course. I'm sure he's very busy. I am more than willing to wait and to have you show me around would be most splendid." Mihla replied with a warm smile. This was his mother and she hoped she made a good impression. She didn't want to pretend to be something she wasn't so hopefully being herself would be enough. "I'm very lucky to have run into you when I did."

Moira offered a smile to the girl, strange as she might be. Moira had seen stranger people, still. Mmm, Belgond Knurla is not nearly as confusing as Orzammar was. She'd withhold judgement on the girl, until she'd figured out just what was between Mihla and Garryn.

Was he merely entertaining himself, or did he truly care about her? Those had both been questions she had asked about his father from time to time. Politically inclined as ever, Moira's face is kind and gentle, as she turned to start leading the other around the small settlement.

Here is one of our communities, the dwarves insisted on their caste system, even though their world was in shambles, even though everyone lived similar enough that caste shouldn't come into play.

Mihla followed along with light steps, eyes wandering to take in everything despite also making sure she doesn't get lost. She tries to imagine all the different ways this could be built up in the future and finds herself wanting to see it one day. It would be amazing, Mihla is certain of that. Arlathan had to be rebuilt as well so perhaps that's where her enthusiasm and positive outlook comes from. She can't really say for sure, but she does think that this will all be a good home in the end. Even while it stings to have lost their old one.

"It reminds me of rebuilding Arlathan. I see a lot of work that has already been accomplished." She says, smile on her face while looking over the sight before her. Then she turns to Moira with a brighter one. "I think you all will built something great here, truly."

Moira grinned, That's the hope. We'd like to keep Belgond Knurla as a surface settlement, but hopefully we can take our home back. She sounded enthusiastic as she talked about their plans. My Bhelen would have loved this place, though. This was his dream.

She smiled fondly, as she talked about him, He always wanted to have a settlement among the dwarves, where surface dwellers and alike could mingle. She sighed, running her hands down her dress as she led the way to another sight in the settlement.

This is our hospital, eventually. It doesn't look like too much yet, but that's because the boys prioritized an assembly hall and a tavern. She rolled her eyes, not at all upset that they'd prioritized first the gathering halls and then a place for enjoyment.