But smart people weren't cool.

And Xanthippe was yet to grow out of thinking that was an actually important thing. Sigh, Xan.

She snorted at 'barbarous'. "Which one are you?" she asked. About traders and nobles. She was guessing neither, but hey, she was taking a stab at teasing him. Which was no mean feat with that whole ear thing and the shiver it sent down her spine.