Valdis looks up, one brow raised when she recognizes Rutile. They are being rather nice considering how much she'd played with them the other day. She isn't quite sure what to say to the joke, or really what to say at all.

"The weather?" she asks, "Of all topics, you choose the weather?"

A light laugh follows and she closes her book to give Rutile her full attention.

"I do appreciate your attempts at pleasant conversation, but I think our minds are better off focusing on higher pursuits than making small talk. Wouldn't you agree?"