002 // from ten in the morning, we are honest til nine

[serpentis]

Who: Dorian Pavus
Broadcast: Fleet-wide
Action: If needed, Adsum
When: TONIGHT!

[Dorian smiles a bit, secretively, and leans back in his chair, kicking his ankle onto his opposite knee.

He looks relaxed, and...his mustache is waxed. And he's wearing eyeliner with wings sharp enough to kill a man.]

I have a business proposition, for anyone interested. It's simple work, but I cannot offer payment in money. I can, however, offer use of my services.

[And...yep, gonna leave that there and smirk into the camera.]

Comments

[wolfuncaged]

So you are in your element.

[There are bonuses to being the only two people who speak a certain language on the Fleet, after all. ]

And recapturing smugglers and thieves. That works wonders, too.

[Self medicating with violence and alcohol, always the best plan for anything.]

[serpentis]

I should have known that you would lend yourself to such honest endeavors. Don't tell Varric. He may very well model a romantic hero after you. Perish the thought.

[Dorian nodded softly.]

It has been since my arrival that I was involved in such honest work. I would join you but...what I do I don't think you'd take a liking to. Perhaps it's best we act as if I'm a helpless babe.

[wolfuncaged]

I doubt it, he already has me penned as the brooding renegade, it's unlikely he'll change his mind now.

[There's a soft huff of amusement.]

Now that is something you shouldn't tell Varric. You'll be a damsel in distress in no time, if he had anything to do with it.

[serpentis]

Bless my blushing buttcheeks! Do you think I ought to practice my fainting and wait for a handsome Templar to ride in and rescue me?

[He laughs.]

[wolfuncaged]

[He's just going to carry on, regardless of Varric's interruption. It's ok, Dorian, this is a thing.]

Do not forget to gasp dramatically.

[serpentis]

I ought to get a fan, for effect, flutter it while I'm swooning. I can smile coyly from behind it, terribly useful thing in this scenario.

[It's good to see Fenris joking, though, and Dorian is always one to encourage and enable that in anyone. He laughs.]

And then we'll ride off into the sunset, me and this Templar. How delightful!

[wolfuncaged]

You spin quite the yarn yourself. The dwarf might get jealous.

[serpentis]

Ah, yes, if ever I tire of thaumaturgy, I can turn to writing romance novels. The true legacy of house Pavus! Imagine the scandal, nannies reading them secretively late at night.

[He chuckles.]

You could strong-arm shopkeeps into selling them for me. Give them that glower you're good at. See? A beneficial relationship to us both.

[wolfuncaged]

There would be book burnings across the country.

[He makes a soft 'heh' sound, not quite the chuckles Varric can get out of him, but a sound of amusement, all the same. ]

I was not aware my glower could change the minds of merchants. Perhaps I shall put it to good use sometime.

[Not a yes, not a no.]

[serpentis]

You get this look in your eyes, it's unlike anything I've seen before. I would absolutely consider it a skill, a talent, even!

[He almost says something else, but he doesn't. Something about how Fenris is cold, a bit sour, and he knows that glower that he's praising is also a wall of sorts. It's a colder wall than Dorian's own facade- his is warm, deceptive, made of harmless flirting and banter, designed to make people feel like they're closer than they are.

He doesn't want to revisit his night of drunken confessions, and so this is what he has. Perhaps they understand each other better, now. Curious, that Fenris would still speak to him, he thinks.]

[wolfuncaged]

I shall bear that in mind, for the future.

[Dorian wouldn't be wrong. He keeps the wall up to keep people from getting close, to reduce the risk of him being hurt ever, ever again. It's a terrible way to go about things, but he can't change it, either. He's been running for far too long.

Dorian has earned something for that confession. Not trust, no, certainly not friendship, either. But he has a sort of grudging respect for the other Tevinter, now. Their experience are so different and yet so similar. It's strange.]

[serpentis]

Do let me know if there is anything you need of me, Fenris. And please consider that I can help before you go hacking off your own hair with a knife.

[Fenris and Sera are so different, but the thought of her causes him to smile a bit. For all their childish arguing, he was fond of the girl.]

voice;

[merchantprince]

Hey. I might not understand Tevene, but I know my own name!

[He has risen to the bait. He has also basically admitted he stalks you guys.

Welp.]

[wolfuncaged]

Tunc et vos-

[Oh, hey, Varric's here.Of course, Fenris has expected this for a while. He's known Varric for a long time, and he knows the dwarf needs his fingers in all the pies, to know everything about everyone. It's a matter of pride, or something.

Placidly, he slips back to common:]

You shouldn't eavesdrop, Varric. It's rude.

[merchantprince]

So's talking shit about someone in front of them, elf.

Well.

Sort of.

You know what I mean.

[serpentis]

Precisely, Varric. Where are your manners?

[He makes a little sound. Tut tut.]

Varric, if you were to use us as...inspriation, if you will, would I have a bustle and would I be swooning and waiting for a brave Templar to sweep me off my feet?

[merchantprince]

Ouch. I never thought I'd see the day when the elf actually had friends who ganged up on his other friends. It just-- it brings a tear to my eye.

[He sniffs dramatically.]

Hmm, I'm not sure about the bustle. Maybe a giant cravat around your neck. I mean, I could have you wearing women's clothes if you're into that, Sparkler...

[serpentis]

[Friends? Were they friends? Dorian doesn't say anything, and only for a moment is there a look of thoughtfulness that passes over his face.]

I don't know, I've never quite tried it. I prefer well-tailored robes to set off my wide shoulders, that sort of thing.

I take it that's a yes, and I'll expect to read about myself riding into the sunset with him.

[merchantprince]

Is that so? I'll think about it, then. A bustle would definitely make your shoulders look smaller.

[Varric sighs.]

Yeah, yeah. I guess I don't have a choice now, do I? Everyone always likes the romance. It's my worst work-- don't know why they bother.

[serpentis]

[Oh no, we can't have a sad dwarf friend.]

Well, what is your best work, then? If I were to read one thing by the great Varric Tethras, what would be your magnum opus?

[wolfuncaged]

We might not be talking shit about you at all. We could be speaking in admiration of your chest hair.

[merchantprince]

Well. In that case, continue.

[wolfuncaged]

I couldn't possibly, now I have an audience. Your ego is big enough as it is, dwarf.

[merchantprince]

[He makes a mock offended noise.]

You wound me, elf. I am nothing but a humble, trustworthy dwarf who just happens to be exceedingly handsome.

[wolfuncaged]

[That gets a chuckle, a deep rumbling sound most of the Fleet don't get the pleasure of hearing. ]

Ah, of course, my apologies. Your utterly humble nature escaped me, for a moment. I shall not let it happen again.