Misdirection

"Do you remember that time in the infirmary..?"

"That halfling, what was his name?"

"So annoying, and then I gave him that box that was WAY out of his range..."

"I didn't know such a little person could make such a big mess!"

"He deserved it."

"Goodness, and then Lady Annael came in to see what the fuss was and I panicked. You blamed it right on his friend with such a straight face, and she believed you!"

“She always did, it is my open and honest nature.”

The women dissolve into laughter, linking arms as they stroll down the street.  The Elven woman slows her pace, gazing at her companion appraisingly as the Empath wipes a tear from her eye. "We really need to do this more often, Sonjaa. We do not see nearly enough of you."

The Human flushes slightly, still charmingly easy to fluster after all this time.  "I know, m’Lady.  ‘Tis like we say this every time we get together, and then something always..."

A sudden clamor rises to break the early morning quiet, warning bells and shouting coming from the general direction of the western gate.

"Right on cue," the Elf mutters.