lyrium-wolf:

Before the other had even managed to finish his thoughts, Fenris had known what had been on his mind. More often than not, one would make the assumption that he would find such blind awe—such invasive curiosity—to be a complete and utter annoyance. This would be, however, the assumption of one who did not know the ex-slave particularly well.

Truth be told, he had become quite used to this sort of response: the blatant staring; the hesitant pause. It was a typical response; one that scarcely bothered him anymore. The lyrium-wielder was well aware of what he was, and had no issue with it being known. 

It was pointless to try and hide it, anyway.

An eyebrow was arched in response to the Warden’s desperate attempt at diverting attention from what, the elf had assumed, was his original query. As for the result: there was, at least, humour to be found in it.

“I am grateful to find myself in the company of one so observant,” these words are, of course, laced in a fine coat of sarcasm, “Though I doubt that was the first word to have crossed your thoughts.”

“If you wish to ask me something, it would be better to be forthright about it.”

Of course. It would be foolish of Balfour to hope that he’d been the only one to take an interest in the elf’s tattoos. At least that way, he might have gotten away with his pathetic excuse for a save. At least gawping over the stranger’s tattoos suddenly feels a great deal less shameful, though. Something about knowing there are people out there just as blunt as you has a way of making you feel so much better about yourself, Balfour has found.

Which is lucky, because he might die of shame otherwise. He’s not such a great man, you see, and is often required to seek out people who are worse than even he himself is. Being shamed to death would be a whole lot worse than any taint, he’s certain. 

       "Where does one come across such markings?“ he asks. There’s no use lying anymore, after all. And who wouldn’t want to ask about such remarkable tattoos? "They are unlike anything I have ever seen."