She didn't sneer at his fumbling attempt at a joke, but smiled her encouragement up at him and patted his arm with one small hand. It was strange being around people who touched so easily; first Hilda, now Falina--though he knew that it was simply he who was unused to it, than from anything strange in itself. When even one's closest friend is kept at arm's length, and likewise for him, one became unused to such things.
He was watching her as they talked, as was his custom, by habit reading the upturned face that went beside him. At his mention of Rhocanth the hazel eyes widened slightly, flicking to him as if surprised to hear the name on another's lips. Interesting.
Even as she spoke her concern, it stood out that he couldn't have been a fellow casteless. He had everything? Rhocanth must have been of one of the higher castes, or even nobility. These did not mingle with the casteless. Ordhan was surprised to hear not only a lack of resentment in her voice, but actual sympathy. He wondered if Rhocanth held her in the same esteem. If that really was that in her eyes, Ordhan hoped he did. It was interesting, though, that she dismissed her own hardship so easily in the light of a privileged dwarf's struggles.
"To the south, yes, and not far. It was a short journey here. As for the Bannorn, though, Denever is about halfway between here and Orzammar." There seemed to be no reason to be evasive about where he was from, even if it led to questions.
They were in a hallway now, plain stone walls decorated with the occasional suit of armor, and--ironically--paintings of fruit. The library was not far ahead, but he hoped to learn at least a little more while she seemed inclined to answer. "I hope that whatever you've left, you have found something here. Has is been hard to get used to?"