"But we are talking about the present," said Toria. "And in the present, I am related to a number of people with considerable influence and wealth who can grant you certain boons."
The voice did not fit the bits and pieces of memory that flashed in her mind as Toria continued to listen to him. She recalled a dinner table, likely her father's, but it may have been somewhere else. And yet, he claimed that he had never met her father. This was...rather bothersome. Toria hadn't forgotten a voice as soon as she was old enough to have any sort of notable memory. Distinct pitch, inflection, and so on. Even if a person picked up an accent from being away for a long time, certain details remained the same. As did the way they walked. Perhaps when he walked with her and Ser Geron, she might be able to figure things out. The facial features seemed somewhat familiar, too.
She raised an eyebrow at the innuendo. Ordinarily, she would have been more annoyed by the suggestion, but it was less crude than some she'd heard, and at present, she was trying to focus on where she'd heard this man's voice before.
"I wasn't aware that my friendship was so highly valued, Jaer. That's flattering," she replied, looking wryly amused. "If smiles, songs, and conversation are to your liking, then by all means, I appreciate the friendly discount. I imagine any friend of Princess Elia must have a great deal of interesting stories to share."
Retrieving the gold from Ser Geron, she turned back to Jaer and remarked, "Though, if you're hoping for a somewhat more intimate friendship, you'll have to settle for pay and directions to the nearest pleasure house."
Carefully, she counted out the standard pay for a maester's emergency services, and added in two more gold coins. Generous pay for someone who had never reached full maester status, but not foolishly so. Hopefully, it would be enough. Though money was not a problem for Toria, she tried to be at least somewhat sensible about money. Her dresses, while of fine quality silk, tended not to be as ornate as some noblewomen.