That...surely isn't the whole truth. True, it's certain she isn't a true hill-maid; he's never met hillmen before, no, but he's heard enough parodies of the accent that he can place her as not-from-here. (One of By's favorite satirical programs portrays the former Regent as having a Dendarii hick accent. It's fond, truly.) No - not Dendarii, that accent. But not Vorbarr Sultana...
It was thinking of that satire that helped him place it. She doesn't speak like a parody of the Viceroy of Sergyar; she speaks like a parody of his wife. Betan-inflected, this girl. Which makes her...What? Sister to the other Vor lady? Handmaiden? Servant-girl? Cousin? Mother? (You never could tell with Betans.)
"You strike me as more of a city girl than a country girl, it's true." He touches his chin, and offers, "Of late, there's been a trend towards trousers and tunics as formal-wear." Influence of the new Empress. "Silk, with daring décolletage, in the most gloriously jewellike shades. With your complexion, you'd look stunning in such attire."
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It was thinking of that satire that helped him place it. She doesn't speak like a parody of the Viceroy of Sergyar; she speaks like a parody of his wife. Betan-inflected, this girl. Which makes her...What? Sister to the other Vor lady? Handmaiden? Servant-girl? Cousin? Mother? (You never could tell with Betans.)
"You strike me as more of a city girl than a country girl, it's true." He touches his chin, and offers, "Of late, there's been a trend towards trousers and tunics as formal-wear." Influence of the new Empress. "Silk, with daring décolletage, in the most gloriously jewellike shades. With your complexion, you'd look stunning in such attire."