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At least I've comfort in the chance he contacted you first, as I know where your loyalties stand. And like a mother? I'm so sorry. That must have been a nightmare in itself.
[Alistair had been no help, but really, Anders hadn't truly expected it, or any real answers here. It's not like Oghren had taste, or Wynne knew the world enough to have standards, but still.]
[Alistair had been no help, but really, Anders hadn't truly expected it, or any real answers here. It's not like Oghren had taste, or Wynne knew the world enough to have standards, but still.]
[ There's a silence, and then there's a noise, sort of like bluhuhnuh, syllables running together—a deliberately incoherent mumble that means nothing at all except look, Zevran, look how good I'm being, hear how I'm not cheering or saying 'good job' despite the great effort it requires, can I have a treat. ]
That is what I said! That he did not know me so well as to be able to love me, that he was confused, perhaps overwhelmed with some of the dynamics of what it is we do with one another-
Nobles do not love elves. It is not done. He did not believe me. I told him it was a mask- he did not believe that- I told him it was an act- that gave him pause. I told him it meant nothing, that we were at most friends that bedded one another- he fled in tears.
Nobles do not love elves. It is not done. He did not believe me. I told him it was a mask- he did not believe that- I told him it was an act- that gave him pause. I told him it meant nothing, that we were at most friends that bedded one another- he fled in tears.
If there was one lesson the women that raised me before the Crows taught and taught well is to know the difference between genuine affection and infatuation born of desire. Those that want you will offer many things and empty words- those that care for you will act to take care of you. From them I learned to be wary of those too quick to offer affection when most of what was shared was lust.
Right. [ He pauses a moment, awkward and out of his depth, then decides: ] Good.
[ He doesn't have much he can add to that, with all of two women he's seen naked more than once and little to rest his ideas about what love and romance and so on should entail except his usual difficult-to-shake principles. It sounds good from where he's sitting. Very smart. Wise women. ]
Are you all right, then?
[ He doesn't have much he can add to that, with all of two women he's seen naked more than once and little to rest his ideas about what love and romance and so on should entail except his usual difficult-to-shake principles. It sounds good from where he's sitting. Very smart. Wise women. ]
Are you all right, then?
I...do not know. Is it so terrible a thing, to be a friend with one shares a bed but not one's heart? He made it sound like such a torment. I-
Everyone I know that feels such things for one another, that bears such sentiment, has known one another either through something mighty and terrible such as the year we shared with Cousland or has known one another for years. A few short months seems far too little for anyone to come to love one another in such a way.
Then again I am to ask myself 'Can I feel this' or 'Can I recognize this thing when it is felt'
I know I wish to have what I had with Rinna again. I simply...do not know how. And I know such a thing is not possible with Michel de Chevin.
Everyone I know that feels such things for one another, that bears such sentiment, has known one another either through something mighty and terrible such as the year we shared with Cousland or has known one another for years. A few short months seems far too little for anyone to come to love one another in such a way.
Then again I am to ask myself 'Can I feel this' or 'Can I recognize this thing when it is felt'
I know I wish to have what I had with Rinna again. I simply...do not know how. And I know such a thing is not possible with Michel de Chevin.
Edited (THEN not THAN w2g me) 2016-05-04 03:11 (UTC)
[ Alistair isn't going to argue that. He's going to make Zevran a sign to wear that says 'Must Not Have Actively Supported Empress Celene Or Her Even Worse Cousin In The Last Five Years To Ride'. And then probably burn it because that isn't really his place and he doesn't want to fight. ]
I think you'll sort it out, Zev, with the right person. You're clever. Don't let him being an idiot make you think you're missing something.
I think you'll sort it out, Zev, with the right person. You're clever. Don't let him being an idiot make you think you're missing something.
[ Guess who comes BARGING INTO THEIR TENT after having attempted a questionable ritual with songs and abominations and what not?? Hint: It's Beleth. ]
Al--Alis-- [ What little is said of his name is sung out, then her face scrunches up, and she sighs. Have you ever heard an irate sigh musically sung?? Now you have, check it off your bucket list. ]
BecaaaaarefulwhenyouuuuhelpAaaaaanders.
[ And she flops to the ground, now able to pray to death to claim her now that her message has been delivered. And in song, as well. How helpful. ]
Al--Alis-- [ What little is said of his name is sung out, then her face scrunches up, and she sighs. Have you ever heard an irate sigh musically sung?? Now you have, check it off your bucket list. ]
BecaaaaarefulwhenyouuuuhelpAaaaaanders.
[ And she flops to the ground, now able to pray to death to claim her now that her message has been delivered. And in song, as well. How helpful. ]
However it is- I know I have left discernment on what is healthy to you. While I see no harm in bedding Michel- I trust your judgement on whether or not more would be wise.
[ He sighs, faintly, scrubbing a hand over his face. ]
Remind me to speak with Sabine. She will be thrilled to know, no doubt.
[ He sighs, faintly, scrubbing a hand over his face. ]
Remind me to speak with Sabine. She will be thrilled to know, no doubt.
Maker, Zevran, don't put that on me. [ —is mostly a mutter, under his breath, not the sort of protest that demands an answer. He recovers from it—the spasmy rejection of responsibility for anyone else's wellbeing beyond the usual simple and straightforward promise to fight and die for them—well enough to go on to the next topic sounding a little amused. ] Whether or not she's thrilled might depend on why you tell her you did it, but I'm sure she'll be less displeased, at least.
You insisted, you must live with the consequences.
[ Not entirely fair but- he trusts Alistair and Alistair's judgement. He is stuck with this responsibility. WHether or not he's comfortable with it does not matter, it is what it is. ]
I feel I owe it to her. When we last spoke I may have belittled her concerns.
[ Not entirely fair but- he trusts Alistair and Alistair's judgement. He is stuck with this responsibility. WHether or not he's comfortable with it does not matter, it is what it is. ]
I feel I owe it to her. When we last spoke I may have belittled her concerns.
[ Beleth turns from what she had been planning on being her grave to give him the most exasperated look she can drudge up from the depths of her soul. ]
Alistaaa-aaaa-aaaaii-iiiir.
[ And now musical whining! ]
I hooo-oope you suffer, yes you suffer, I hope you suffer when it's your turn.
Alistaaa-aaaa-aaaaii-iiiir.
[ And now musical whining! ]
I hooo-oope you suffer, yes you suffer, I hope you suffer when it's your turn.
[ Alistair responds with another incoherent string of syllables; he'd thought he was doing a decent job butting out, all things considered. But he's still pleased with the end result, so, fine. ]
You might have. [ But, fairly (and loyally), ] and she might have picked a better time and place to shout at you.
You might have. [ But, fairly (and loyally), ] and she might have picked a better time and place to shout at you.
[ Alistair watches and listens to all of this with a slowly dawning look of delight. It will turn to horror easily if it turns out this is permanent, but for now—delighted. ]
Really?
[ Delighted and innocent. ]
Because I hope it goes well, no one is harmed, and Anders' problem is solved. Since I'm not a horrible person.
Really?
[ Delighted and innocent. ]
Because I hope it goes well, no one is harmed, and Anders' problem is solved. Since I'm not a horrible person.
Debatable, quite debatable, I find your claim to be debatable.
[ Despite this burning insult that Alistair might never recover from, she sits up and pats his face. ]
Just be careful, please take heed, who knows what other mischief can succeed? This is silly, but I'll survive. Likewise, please come back alive.
[ Despite this burning insult that Alistair might never recover from, she sits up and pats his face. ]
Just be careful, please take heed, who knows what other mischief can succeed? This is silly, but I'll survive. Likewise, please come back alive.
She's very Orlesian.
[ But the good kind. The unmasked kind. The kind that's made living there for a decade and counting bearable for his poor Fereldan heart. ]
Are you afraid of her? [ Teasing. It would be paired well with chicken sounds, if he were 15 years younger and a little less sensitive to how genuinely difficult all of this is; as it is, it's mostly gentle. ] Do you want me to come hold your hand while you do it?
[ But the good kind. The unmasked kind. The kind that's made living there for a decade and counting bearable for his poor Fereldan heart. ]
Are you afraid of her? [ Teasing. It would be paired well with chicken sounds, if he were 15 years younger and a little less sensitive to how genuinely difficult all of this is; as it is, it's mostly gentle. ] Do you want me to come hold your hand while you do it?
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