video ♪ the viewers really want the D(warf)

[merchantprince]

Who: Varric and open
Broadcast: Video, and open!
Action: The Marsiva.
When: Thursday afternoon

[video;]

[The feed opens with a glorious shot of a gold-embroidered scarlet tunic-- a nice, slow pan across the gently furred planes of a man's chest, the brassy necklace resting across his collarbone, the dip of his throat--

-- and then he punches the camera upward.]

Ha ha, all right, you've had your fill. Stubborn metal piece of shit. [Varric looks none-too-amused.] Just tell me who took all my wine and maybe, maybe I won't tear the walls down.

[He leans back and rubs at his face. While he's usually pretty sharp and charismatic, right now there's a glimpse of how tired he is.]

Something tells me I'm gonna need it after you all tell me what happened while I was--

[A pause. He glances offscreen, takes in the sight of the stars and the hospitality deck of the Marsiva. Kidnapped three times? Really? What the hell is his life?]

-- somewhere else.

Comments

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[serpentis]

Oh, good, you're finally back. Come to serialize more of our tawdry affairs, my friend?

[There's a lot to dissect there, but Dorian seems genuine enough.]

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[merchantprince]

[Varric's manner brightens considerably when he sees a familiar face.]

Sparkler! You're a sight for sore eyes. Still wagging your impeccably-curled mustache at people, I see.

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[serpentis]

What would I be doing if not that? Do you recall this place? Or...?

[dawnwillcome]

You're starting to make a habit of this whole kidnapping business.

[Translation don't you ever do that again you big dumb idiot.]

Are we to pay for that show? You should certainly be charging admission.

[merchantprince]

[He's embarrassed, but he's not going to show it.] I'm thinking about starting a new business venture. It's a... service aimed to give rich couples a bit of excitement in their lives.

[He pops the collar of his duster.]

You're right, I need to get a head start on rebuilding my credits. Easiest way is to bait the audience, you know-- and then give VIP members a discount that won't break the bank.

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[save_the_souls]

[Allen never really spoke to this guy, but he remembered him. He was the man with the stories. He had listened a few times idly. But that's not why he's commenting. Rather, the whole bit about Varric remembering that catches him by surprise]

You remember being here before?

[merchantprince]

[He's definitely the man with the stories.]

Yeah, I do. [He rubs at his chin-scruff.] I'm not sure I've heard of that happening before. I sure as hell don't remember being anywhere else aside from, you know, home. Which I am still mad about.

And they still haven't let me see Bianca. I can understand keeping two lovers apart for the drama, but it's getting kinda old.

[save_the_souls]

I haven't heard of many people coming back at all here. And the last place I was, if someone did return, it was rare that they'd remember their last stay...

[So uh, yeah. this is unusual. You can tell on his face he's trying to mull over the possibilities.]

[And yeah, like any sane human being he's assuming Bianca is a woman]

Oh, I'm sorry...I'd imagine it would be difficult being worlds apart from the person you love.

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[wolfuncaged]

[Alert the Chantry, Fenris is smiling For Realises. Can't misplace that chesthair anywhere. He's missed you so much, you irritating fucking dwarf.]

Things you will be remiss you weren't around to see, to write about first-hand. There were insect monsters.

[HE KILLED LOADS OF THEM, BE PROUD DWARFDAD :D ]

[merchantprince]

[Oh no, a Fenris smile. It's enough to make Varric hesitate for a second, because he's not sure if Fenris is happy or drugged out of his fucking mind. But no, he seems to be fine.

Thank the Maker.]

Oh, please. Giant spiders that could rip off a man's head? Been there, done that. You were there.

[wolfuncaged]

[He's not even properly drunk this time, either. Hazzah. ]

These were different. They had minds of their own, they had been infected by some...fungus? I am not sure of the details.

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[hearsthesea]

[!!!

Shirley has to take a moment to make sure she's not dreaming here. And then a second moment, just to be sure.]

Varric? You're...you're back!

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[merchantprince]

[He leans in.]

Roses! Yeah, I'm back. I'm on the big ugly ship for a while, though.

How are you holding up?

[openhands]

[Given the way he greeted her the last time, she's not sure she should say anything. But it would seem wrong to not say anything.]

Welcome back, Varric.

[merchantprince]

[He glances away, feigning disinterest.]

Oh. You're still here?

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[ino]

Oh hey, you're back!

[merchantprince]

Hey, Violet. Did you miss me?

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[pirasea]

Anything you left behind was hardly worth getting excited about.

Really, I did you a favour.

[merchantprince]

[His expression brightens. His grin very near splits his face in half.]

Rivaini! Shit, did you at least hoard some more?

[coppermarigolds]

I'm sorry you're here but I'm glad to see you.

[Her smile is small but it's warm.]

[merchantprince]

[His smile isn't small, it's big enough that it makes his eyes crinkle at the edges.]

I'm sorry you're here, too. [It's a joke.] Kirkwall needs you more than it ever needed me.

[He doesn't need to ask her how she's holding up. Aveline is Aveline. She's fine.]

[video]

[killedwithlove]

[Hello, Varric. Your screen is filled with too much Cole face, because he's excited and holding his communicator far too close.]

Varric! You came back! Or you came here and you're a different you from the last you, but that's okay, I like this you just as much! Solas went away too, and it makes more sense when you explain things, but Jove's been explaining, and she does fairly well, but you have clearer words.

[video]

[merchantprince]

[Oh no, not tHE KID. He can't help getting all soft in places when Cole's face is here. Cole doesn't get excited over just anyone. Just tiny fluffy things and people he knows.]

Don't worry too much, Kid. I think I'm the same as before. [He smiles a bit. He kinda enjoyed teaching Cole to be human? It was... a nice feeling. Being paternal. Not having to worry about Cole blowing up buildings. The worst is like, maybe misplacing his hat or pissing off Fenris.] Maybe we'll get lucky this time and end up on the same ship.

You been doing all right?

[Video]

[wordmiser]

[She pops up her screen and waves her hand.

She might have stolen the wine, dude. A smirk tells him she's not sorry.

She'll share her algae booze with him, tho. She'll even move out of frame and show it sitting behind her. Coming back into frame, and gestures her hand to tell him to come over.]

[merchantprince]

[Wow, that's rude. He's never seen this girl before in his life. Never owe a debt to a dwarf, girl.]

What kind of beer is that? It's got a color like-- shit, like something growing on a piece of bread.