Brennan could not help but fondly smile at Imenry's recount. If she had not noticed, he could tell that she honestly cared for young dwarf. It was in the way she talked, in her mannerisms and words as she spoke. The fact made him unreasonably happy, because there was nothing he wanted more than for those he cared about to be in a good place. Not too long ago he had worried, as she revealed some of the worst to him, that she was not happy. He was prepared to whisk her away with him otherwise.
Instead, he sat where she indicated, taking her hand in his squeezing it softly. There was a warmth between them that he had missed. Not being from the cold mountains, some of these lowlanders could have unnaturally cold hands. He was more than willing to distract her by playing with her fingers, so that he could avoid her question. However, he knew that was not entirely fair. "I've met many people, a few of which whom I would call my friend but none of which are here." He too had met a dwarf, although she called him a freeloader he would not mind calling her friend. Her home was a sanctuary when he was in need of one.
With a sharp laugh he elaborated, "Actually, that was the first time in over a year since someone has slapped me." He was tempted to massage his jaw again, although the pain had mostly faded away. "More so in the beginning, since these people have such odd habits." The Orlesians were worse than those of Fereldan, but both could be peculiar to him.