[She tips her head a little, pleased to see his once-impassive face finally seeming to take on life and interest. And really, she thinks, isn't it fortunate that he likes that one in particular? Because she can certainly talk about castles and knights and kings at great length--and it's even nice, in a way, since so few people in the City really seem interested in them. It's always made her feel a bit old-fashioned, liking and expecting that sort of thing; despite herself, she finds herself feeling a rare flicker of hope that she might've just found a subject they share in common. It'll certainly make living together (and forgetting the terrors of his face) easier, having a topic to bond over.]

And adventuring? My father was a knight before he was king, actually, and earned the throne through a quest. Those were always my favorite stories when I was younger.

[She pauses, looking a bit sheepish herself, and then finally laughs as it occurs to her to explain.]

We have them, in the moat. Alligators, that is, in the moat around the castle. Mother always told me to be careful of them, going over the bridge, or they'd snap.