"I'm not sure that means anything."

"It means I have issues," she says dryly.

"I hear it said that even the Elves occasionally have issues."

"I shall refrain from violating anyone's privacy by mentioning specifics, but burning sun yes."

She smiles broadly.

"They've sure had a hell of a long time to accumulate them. Here's hoping I'm still functional at four hundred."

"They don't really seem to have spent the years growing up," she says.

"Granted."

"I wonder sometimes if they can't. They're different than us on far more than the superficial levels. Even in five hundred years we won't be much like them."

"People are always different from each other. If I can spend five hundred years learning a new way for people to be, I won't complain."

"What are old mages like in your world?"

"...The only one I've met is Atennesi Cohen, and he's--he sort of gives the impression that he's always plotting something. Something good, generally, but he plays his cards close to the chest."

She nods. "Well, that's all right. I suppose if I were centuries old that'd be tempting."

"Um--I know some others a bit by reputation. Jehan Sival might get along with elves on an aesthetic level, he's supposed to be mad about all kinds of art."

Another smile. "I get along with Elves on an aesthetic level. Alien doesn't mean impossible to be friends with. People are friends with animals, and Elves are at least that much like us."

"Celegorm can actually talk to animals, so I'm not sure if I should be revising how close to us they are, but in general most of the psychological differences I observed seemed perfectly well explained by circumstance rather than fundamental divisions."

She nods. "Your background may also be different than ours."

"Celebrimbor said I looked more like an Elf than a human to him because I was healthy."

"Well, yes, that's a big part of it. And the hair - like you've never spent much time outside, or gone hungry -"

"I spend plenty of time outside. ...Well. For a college student. I haven't ever gone hungry. What's my hair got to do with it?"

"Should look a lot less healthy and glossy, and accordingly less Elf-like."

"Huh. Hadn't really thought about it. Being outside a lot damages hair?"

"Well, Elves seem to manage. For us, yes."

"Huh. Okay. Well, I don't know what to say about being outside, but I can totally make food happen. No one has to go hungry anymore."

"Great. We don't mind being outside. I think everyone's learned their lesson about catching the eye of Elves."