He'd considered casting comprehend languages on the book, but decided not to waste the arcane energies.  He enjoyed the expert level of craftsmanship that went into the book however.  It was amusing how some of the images of Emily showed her as brutal and violent, and others had her as an almost adorable figure.  Must be a difference in illustrator of course, cultural bias could do that.  Of course, he had to start wondering what her age was.  As far as he knew, Halflings aged about the same rate as humans, but she'd apparently had quite a life already, despite the fact that she looked quite young.<br/><br/>He was lost deep in thought when the door to the parlor opened and she entered.  He started slightly but quickly recovered.<br/><br/>Going to one knee in front of the halfling he took her hand and kissed the back of it.   By far a strange turn of protocol.  House Wynt was in much better status then Ravos, and such an action would only be seen if the larger house was about to ask the smaller for a favor.  But he wanted no favor, he simply wanted to show the woman more respect than she was due.  He thought that maybe in a town full of more humans than any other race, a minor house would be often ignored.... especially when it was a halfling house.<br/><br/>"d'Ravos," he started, then smiled, "May I call you Emily?  If you admit me this friendship, I would likewise request that you simply call me Tehr."  He stood and pulled the canvas wrapped statue of the hound from his bag.  "You've no apologies to make, and I brought this to you.  I saw it the other day in the market, and for some reason, I thought of you.  It was almost as if I was drawn to it, and it called to me, told me that you'd like it."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">bluff +9<br/>As you know, his story about how he found it is fake.  He went out of his way to find something that she might like.  But he'd rather she think that it was fate that he pick out the statuette. </div></div><br/>"I hope you like it," he said as he handed it to her.