driftfleet | [Open Moons Mingle Log]

[She couldn't wait though, not with Dorian in the state he was in. She can't leave him this way for any longer than she to, she just can't let him suffer the way he was. Even before this strange new Inquisitor showed up he was hurting, wanting exactly what Arhen turned out to be. Someone to love and be loved by, unflinching acceptance.

It's cruel, in a way. That is exactly why it can't go longer than it has to, it's why she sits and doesn't bother with pleasantries. After the mess with Dorian is handled, they can compare Inquisitor notes.]

He did. You've thrown him for quite the loop, and you must know how difficult this is for him if you were... that close. What that kind of commitment would mean for him.

[And she pauses there, frowning lightly as her hand reaches on its own to touch Arhen's hand. That's entirely inappropriate, so she pulls the gesture back just in time, tapping her fingers against the table absently instead. She wants to comfort him if she can because as hard as it is for Dorian to allow a romance to take hold, it isn't easy for a Dalish elf to commit to a relationship with a human either. It's a big leap, and to arrive here and see that completely undone...]

And... are you alright? I know this is a lot all at once.

[He wants to be open to this, wants to listen, but as soon as she mentions how hard this is on Dorian there's a subtle shift in his demeanor; his gaze is sharper, and even though she doesn't actually try to touch his hand after all, he still pulls it back.]

It wouldn't be so difficult for him if you hadn't told him, I know he wouldn't have understood otherwise. Or did he learn elvish on his own?

[Arhen sounds more sullen than actually angry, but the tone and the tension in his shoulders still leaves the impression of something cornered and lashing out. He's unaware that his own language gets translated-- why would it be, when not even all elves can speak it?-- and so the only reasonable explanation is that Jove told him what those words meant.]

I didn't intend for him to know, how could I? He doesn't even know me, he's not-- [Right there, despite the apparent force behind the words (or perhaps because of it), his voice falters.] He's not my Dorian, is he.

[Which sort of answers her question, really.]

[Her fingers go right on tapping, lips pursed as she considers this reaction. He reminds her of a halla, in a way. Afraid and untrusting and yet not sure yet whether it wants to bolt.]

He's still the same man you know. He still has the same beliefs and the same goals, his personality hasn't changed. If you wish to think of it as yours or mine then I won't stop you, but I think that does him a disservice. He's more than which Inquisitor he happened to spend his time with.

And anything Dorian knows, he figured it out himself. One of the things this place does is translate some languages, to make communication easier. Our language is one he knows, now.

[He calms, at least, when she gives him a reasonable enough answer rather than letting him bait her into snapping right back-- the tension hasn't quite eased, but he averts his eyes, brow furrowed slightly in thought.

...at least, until she explains the translation. His attention snaps right back to her, open disbelief in his expression.]

Vishante kaffas.

[He has definitely spent far too much time around Dorian. There's just something much more satisfying about the sound of certain Tevene curses.]

Then he knew the entire time. I told him myself and I had no idea of it. [That changes things. The whole time they spoke-- what must Dorian have been thinking? And he hadn't even dared to speak a word of it to Arhen. He huffs out a sigh, shakes his head.] I'm sorry, I am far too sober for this.

[It's dangerous, how close she comes to smiling when he curses in Dorian's tongue. She wants this for him so desperately now that she's seen flashes of who Arhen is, how honest and open he is with his reactions, with what he's feeling with all this. From the beginning Jove had held tightly, almost viciously, to the requirement that Dorian could have nothing short of someone would only give every part of themselves to him. Anything less would break his heart, and that was a thing she would do whatever it took to prevent. That it would come from another form of her is...

No, she still isn't ready to consider that yet. She raises a hand, waving a server over to them and securing two very large mugs of beer.]

We don't have to speak of it, I just- He's my best friend. I couldn't leave this be without trying to find what answers I could.

What answers can I even give?

[Excuse him, he needs a drink before he continues. A good, long one.]

If he told you what I'd said, then- you know what he is to me. I don't know what you want me to say now when I couldn't even tell you what I'm going to do about this, seeing as 'not telling him the truth' isn't an option.

You've given me the answers I needed already, Arhen. I wanted to be sure you... that trying to encourage him to connect with you would be a good idea.

[She curls her hands around her glass as she watches him, taking all this in.]

I'd like to help you both. For now I think that means helping you adjust to being here. If you have any questions...

[Now would be the time.]

Countless questions. Be careful with that offer, I may keep you here all night.

[Dry, but not entirely lacking in seriousness. There are many, many things he's curious about, and not all of them involve adjusting to this.]

The trouble's deciding where to begin with them. This isn't anything like home-- I might just go mad if I have to spend too much time on that ship, honestly.

I could clear my calendar, if you're of a mind to detain me.

[The more he talks, the more she likes him, can see how Dorian would come to care for him as well. She can think of the other members of the clan he would have gotten that dry wit from, can see the training that matches her own in the way he moves as he speaks. It's less like looking into a mirror than it is reconnecting with someone she hadn't seen in months, and that's just as jarring as them potentially being the same person just from different realities.

Time travel is a mess, basically. She shouldn't like to do it anymore.]

It is a shock, isn't it? Skyhold was difficult enough, with the castle and the carpets and the big bed. There must be shops with potted plants we could pillage before we return.

What bed.

[That smile could not be more satisfied if he were trying. Arhen had absolutely done some redecorating in his quarters.]

If you do find any plants, let me know, would you? I did something similar with my quarters in Skyhold, and it... well, it wasn't the same at all, but it made it feel less- harsh.

[A little more natural. Warmer, friendlier. It wasn't like home, but it was a good reminder.]

Don't tell me you put a bedroll up that ladder in the closet too.

[Because she absolutely had, though after awhile she had taken Vivienne's advice and had something big and soft from Orlais delivered. The four poster bed combined with drapery and stained glass that was entirely Dalish made for something of a patchwork design, but it worked. It was Inquisition and her people, all mixed up into one place that felt like home.]

They may not be familiar plants, but anything green is better than nothing, I think. I'll keep my eyes open.

[And make Dorian look too.]

Oh, no. I had the thing replaced, it was too soft to be comfortable-- a layer or two of furs and blankets did much better. Made the place look nicer, too.

[He can't help the wistfulness creeping into his voice, there; Arhen may not have been the most fond of Skyhold, but he'd made his own space livable enough-- and it had been his. Sharing a bunkroom isn't at all like what he's used to.]

And I appreciate that, Jove, I truly do. Should I let you know if I happen across any first?

[It might be easier for both of them to stop talking about Skyhold, because even though Jove has only been away for a handful of days, the knowledge that she has no way to go back on her own has been weighing heavily on her. She wants to go back, to see her friends and her advisors and be sure they're all still alright, and yet here she is in a place she could never have dreamed up in her wildest fantasies.

So she'll just smile at him, reach over to lay her hand on his arm and squeeze gently, if he lets her.]

I'll even let you borrow mine if I only happen to find one. We'll think up a time share arrangement for it.

[Open Moons Mingle Log]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

this thread turned out the opposite of dun dun dunnnn