He takes a seat on a Convenient Nexus Couch and sets his daughter down by his feet. He leans forward slightly and has a focused sort of expression
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"I think it's some of each. We're fated to meet certain people, but what we do is up to us." Ali lowers herself to the floor in front of Grey and Iva, offering the baby girl her hand. "Lots of people create their own enemies, usually by accident. They're careless, or oblivious, or have the very best of intentions."
Iva crawls up to Ali with a big smile on her face.
"Yes. I have seen people make enemies through mistakes. Though usually not through good intentions. Perhaps good intentions are harder to come by in my old homeland."
She helps Iva up into her lap and holds her there, cradling her loosely enough for her to crawl back to daddy when she wishes.
"Perhaps they're called something else? I'm well. We're well. Things remain quiet, in no small part I'm sure because Sasha and Ian have decided I'm Not To Be Bothered."
From Grey's point of view that's still being a good influence.
"I am building an identity as a rich eccentric with an interest in history. The architect and the interior decorator that worked on my house have no doubt started rumors flying about my odd demands, which range from charming, to bizarre, to ...and this is worst of all... downright unfashionable.
I'm debating on whether I should give people the idea that I'm from some bastard castoff line of a noble family, or if that sort of thing has no relevance anymore."
Ah, then all is well. Iva will be the best flirt in Midgard this side of one of Freya's visits, hurrah!
"Oh, I think you should. You'll get invited to all the right parties then, and people will let you get away with being a rude bastard more often than not. Plus ditzy girls with boob jobs will be throwing themselves at you left and right thinking they'll get to be a princess if you bed them." She shouldn't be so amused by these ideas.
"Oh yes. Every little girl wants, for at least five minutes in her life, for a knight in shining armor to ride in and save the day. The thought of being taken care of is very appealing." Even for her, judging by her tone.
"Oh, credentials can be faked, if you'd like them to be."
"Do they?" She goes silent, considering that for a while, because it could explain her entire relationship with Jas and that's important.
Eventually she remembers there were questions. "Oh, not paternity tests or anything, but some birth records with just the right bits torn off, an old photo or two...is it worthwhile to you to have that image with people?"
"Yes, they do. All children want their mothers and their fathers to make everything all right. And when boys grow into men they can't have someone else fight their battles for them and rescue them, so they can only hope that the leader of their fellowship is smarter and luckier than their enemies, and that when and if they do get home things will be well in hand and it will be a safe place to come back to.
I'm not sure how worthwhile it is. It would amuse me and get people talking. It would be interesting to see how people reacted to it."
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"Yes. I have seen people make enemies through mistakes. Though usually not through good intentions. Perhaps good intentions are harder to come by in my old homeland."
He smiles a little. "How are you Ali?"
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"Perhaps they're called something else? I'm well. We're well. Things remain quiet, in no small part I'm sure because Sasha and Ian have decided I'm Not To Be Bothered."
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He smiles. "That is very wise of them."
Iva is content to cuddle with Ali for the moment. Her little nostrils flare as she sniffs at Ali delicately.
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She smells like vanilla cake and apples and pets and baby today.
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You are not lacking in wisdom yourself, Ali."
Iva rests against Ali, doing her best impression of a quiet, innocent baby girl.
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Many lesser people have been fooled by Iva's act. Grey probably wouldn't say it out-loud, but sometimes she reminds him of her grandfather.
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"I'd imagine it must be. What have you done so far?"
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"I am building an identity as a rich eccentric with an interest in history. The architect and the interior decorator that worked on my house have no doubt started rumors flying about my odd demands, which range from charming, to bizarre, to ...and this is worst of all... downright unfashionable.
I'm debating on whether I should give people the idea that I'm from some bastard castoff line of a noble family, or if that sort of thing has no relevance anymore."
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"Oh, I think you should. You'll get invited to all the right parties then, and people will let you get away with being a rude bastard more often than not. Plus ditzy girls with boob jobs will be throwing themselves at you left and right thinking they'll get to be a princess if you bed them." She shouldn't be so amused by these ideas.
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He smiles. "So it still has that romantic appeal?
I will have to do it in suitably vague ways. I couldn't have someone checking up on my 'credentials'."
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"Oh yes. Every little girl wants, for at least five minutes in her life, for a knight in shining armor to ride in and save the day. The thought of being taken care of is very appealing." Even for her, judging by her tone.
"Oh, credentials can be faked, if you'd like them to be."
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Even those kinds of credentials? Would it be worth the effort?"
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Eventually she remembers there were questions. "Oh, not paternity tests or anything, but some birth records with just the right bits torn off, an old photo or two...is it worthwhile to you to have that image with people?"
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I'm not sure how worthwhile it is. It would amuse me and get people talking. It would be interesting to see how people reacted to it."
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