On Tue, 31 Dec 2002, Mark A Mandel wrote: > [Philip Hart] > #I don't think ego-stroking would be polite or politic in the circumstances > #- what if Vlad thought he was being patronized? > > Teldra is an Issola. Most humans (any definition) occasionally have > trouble saying certain things to certain people without being > patronizing, but grace, courtesy, and tact are the Issola forte, and > Lady Teldra has them in spades. If she wants to make Vlad feel in charge > and at ease without making him feel patronized, she can. It just seems to me that Vlad has such a dangerous mix of ignorance of and insight into Dragaeran culture (see for example my assertion parallel to this branch that Teldra obviously doesn't need to pick her way through any forest - I could imagine Vlad being of that opinion, even if he doesn't present himself that way here) that such subterfuge seems like a bad idea and out of character. Any comments on the "friend" issue? - Philip, now driving 400 miles to a boring party out of friendship