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[byblow]

crystal • notes • drop-in visits • etc.
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[byblow]

What do you need?

[ That's not a brusque what do you need. It's more of a customer-servicey one: pleasant enough, not particularly personal. ]

[ombranera]

...I-

I need...Someone to tell Doghren to stop crying that you are not here. She will not listen to me.

[ yes, he went to get the dog back. No he's not attached. No she's not snuffling at his shoulder while they lie curled up in bed. ]

[byblow]

[ A pause.

And then he sounds a little entertained, if still distant, and raises his voice to reach whatever hideous small dogs may be nearby. ]

Cut it out, Doghren. Crying is for babies.

[ That's deliberate hypocrisy, thank you. ]

[ombranera]

[ There is a faint snuffling as Zevran brings the crystal closer to this hideous beast.

Quietly, voice thick, he murmurs. ]

I fear it may not be enough. She misses you still.

[byblow]

She's a dog, Zevran. [ Allegedly. ] You should have left her. I didn't mean for you to have to worry about it.

[ombranera]

It was too quiet in the room.

[ Only him, his thoughts, the brandy bottle he brought in with him. ]

I...misspoke. Before.

[byblow]

[ Quieter— ] I don't want you to worry about that, either.

[ombranera]

How can I not? [ He swallows, breath caught in his throat. ] I invoked Duncan, how are you not furious with me?

[byblow]

[ Huffy nose-exhale = suppressed laugh. A very short one. ]

Oh, I am. [ And so sad. ] But I'll be all right. You just—look after yourself.

[ombranera]

[ Can one weep like a child and be furious?



That is a foolish thought, the answer is yes. Zevran would know, he has done it. ]

...It was a lie- the last. Doghren is no mistake and...and I do not blame you for the eye. I was trying to get you to leave. Like an ass.

[byblow]

At least you're an effective ass. An ass that knows what it's doing. When we find Corypheus maybe we ought to just let you talk to him for a while.

[ombranera]

Yes, set me in a room with him for an hour and I shall have him fleeing in tears. What a grand day of victory for the Wardens and Inquisition. Hurrah.

[byblow]

Heh.

[ That's a genuine heh, just. All the laughter he has the heart for right now. ]

It's all right if you blame me. It was my fault.

[ombranera]

My eye or your throat. I was not going to let you take that blow. [ There's a slosh of brandy in the bottle, drinking, and a swallow. ] I did not even have to think about it. And I would do it again, no matter the cost.

[byblow]

Yeah.

[ That doesn't make it not his fault. ]

Look, I have to go—fight things. If you need anything you have Leliana and Morrigan there, right? And, um. Shale.

[ombranera]

I- yes. I-

Be careful.

[ He can't say the words. Why can't he say the words? He was more than an ass, he was a bastard, why can't he find the words? ]

...Call me when you are finished?

[byblow]

Sure.

[ Or— ]

Maybe tomorrow? I'm sharing a tent, you know, and I make enough noise as it is.

[ He could... not go in the tent...... but. ]

[ombranera]

If that is your wish, tomorrow will be fine. I will still be here, tomorrow.

[ A beat passes. ]

I'll- take a walk. During the day. Until you call.

[byblow]

Zevran—

[ He doesn't have to do that. But even if the lesson about bossiness is sort of learned (still sinking in), he stands by sunlight and fresh air being a good thing, so. Never mind. He's not going to tell him not to. ]

I love you, all right? I'll talk to you tomorrow.

[ombranera]

Ti amo. [ None of the hesitation, none of the reservation. ] Tomorrow. Be safe, Alistair.

[byblow]

[ He's never made anybody proud of him being safe. Or at all, actually, but the point stands. ]

You, too. [ And with a little slyness: ] Give Doghren a kiss for me.

[ombranera]

Kiss her yourself when you come home.

[ That is what the room is, now. Home. ]

[byblow]

[ Oh no. ]

Both of these things can happen.

[ombranera]

She has dog breath. I am not kissing her.

[byblow]

Top of the head.