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"Neve!" Jovus said brightly, bursting through the door of her office with a fresh cup of coffee. "Just the woman I wanted to see. How is my favourite person in Thedas?"
"You're about as subtle as a brick." Neve narrowed her eyes, giving a knowing half smile in return, and sat back in her chair, gratefully taking the offered cup. "What do you want, Joe?"
Jovus pressed a hand to his heart, and gave her the saddest eyes he could. "I'm hurt you'd even think that," he said. "Could I not just want to catch up with a friend?" Neve was not moved. And was definitely not convinced.
"Mhm," she took a sip. It was Lucanis' coffee. Jovus had either asked for his help, or he was going to get stabbed later. Either way, whatever it was he wanted, he was desperate if he was resorting to such obvious bribery. "I know you. You want something. You might as well come clean."
"Well… since you asked…" Jovus started, sighing dramatically. "You got any books on the Fade? Or, y'know, could you get some?"
Neve raised an eyebrow. "We have a library. It's right over there, you can't miss it." She pointed out the door towards the main building.
"I've already read those," Jovus pouted. "And a lot of the stuff in them is just flat-out wrong."
"Well why not ask Emmrich? He's the expert. It's kind of why he's here?" Neve's lips twitched in amusement when she noticed -- just for a second -- he froze. Ah.
"I…" he started, considering his words. "I don't want to annoy him," he said, flatly. "He's got better things to do than teach Fade basics to a dumbass."
Neve tried to hide her smirk behind her cup. "Sure. That's the reason."
"You're enjoying this," Jovus whined.
"Maybe a little." Neve shook her head, laughing. "No, that's a lie. I am absolutely enjoying this." She took another slow sip from her cup, savouring the taste of the coffee… and Jovus' discomfort. "I've got a book or two, but it's nothing you've not read already. I might be able to get some other reading material, but it'll cost you."
"C'mon, I just gave you a coffee!" Jovus huffed. He thought for a moment. "Next fish dinner on me?"
"My, my, you are desperate, aren't you?" Neve laughed. "I've heard that before."
"I'm good for it!"
"Mhm, I've heard that before, too." Neve glanced at him with a sly smile. "Next fish dinner, on you. I'll see what I can do."
Jovus let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Thank you. I want to be able to have a discussion, not a lecture, you know?"
The door swung open behind him, and Emmrich stepped into the room, fingers steepled together in front of him. "Hello, Neve! Oh! Forgive me, I didn't realise you had company already. Hello, Jovus," he added, smiling politely.
Jovus nodded a greeting in return. Neve smiled innocently at him. "It's alright. Joe was just leaving."
Jovus gave a dramatic parting bow, grinning at Neve. "I mean it. Thank you." He straightened himself, and Emmrich watched as he left, heading towards the kitchen.
"So, what can I do for you, professor?" Neve asked. Emmrich didn't respond; he was still watching the door, apparently in a world of his own. "Emmrich?"
Emmrich shook himself, and turned back to Neve. "Hm? Yes?" He froze, brows knitting together. "Oh! Oh dear. I seem to have forgotten what I came here for." After a fruitless moment of trying to remember, he brightened. "Oh well, perhaps later. But… since I have you, may I make a request?"
"Sure, what's on your mind?"
"You wouldn't happen to have any books on werewolves, would you?"