driftfleet | Twelfth Blight

Entry tags:

Twelfth Blight - voice

Who: Riona and you
Broadcast: Yup
Action: On the Blue Fish if desired
When: September 2nd

[These past weeks have been rough, to say the least. Today has been harder than normal, though she knows why. Ultimately it shouldn't matter, she tells herself. It's just another day, nothing's different-

No, that's a load of crock and she knows it. Birthdays aren't meant to be spent alone.

Ordinarily she'd just take to going to one of the Iskaulit's bars to help her ignore her troubles. Or maybe, since they've landed now, she can try and find a place planetside. Alcohol makes everything better, right? (No, it doesn't.) Yet she finds herself hoping to find another way to spend her birthday, rather than just doing what she's been doing for weeks: get drunk until she stumbles back to her bed and wakes up with a hangover. Logically she knows if she says something about it, her friends will reach out to her. But something holds her back, some combination of not wanting to seem needy and looking like she's throwing a pity party for herself. Besides, she's never been one to broadcast - figuratively or literally - her problems. Why start now?

Even still, it's harder to plug her ears and pretend everything's going okay today. It'd be nice to just... do something for once. Go out, have fun. Maybe even smile. But she feels more or less glued to her bed, and no matter what she tells herself, she finds it hard to work up the desire to get up.

...okay, maybe she should. Ask for help. Subtly. Luckily, her communicator is nearby.]

Lovely little place we've come to, isn't it? [From what little she's seen of it through the windows.] Though, given the recent rash of nightmares and how this planet "sings" like some of the other ones did, I suspect there's something underneath the idyllic facade this place presents. Or maybe I've just grown cynical. [Or wised up to Atroma's patterns.] Maybe it's nothing, but... be careful down there, everyone.

[It's a struggle to keep her tone light, as if she's merely discussing what color she should paint her door.] Matters of cynicism or caution aside, I have a query for you all. How do you motivate yourself to... go do something? Not necessarily to be productive, but more just because you know you should be doing something, rather than letting yourself sink into a rut? There's not a lack of things to do, especially now that we've landed, but sometimes it's... difficult to find the motivation. [Okay that sounds mildly alarming and that's not her intention at all.] Just every now and then [More like nearly every day], but it's frustrating when it happens nonetheless, doubly so when there's a new planet to explore. Maybe it's just a matter of riding it out, but any advice would be appreciated.

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Not the gentlest teacher, I take it?

[It wouldn't surprise her.]

Oh, is it? Honestly, I've never met the proprietor, as I usually frequent the other bar. Huh. That's... interesting. Didn't think demons had business acumen. [Perhaps something to ask Marian about later.] There should be plenty. From what I've seen, the city looks nice enough. I can meet you by the city entrance and we can explore from there?

Gentleness is not exactly my forte.

[Not that that should be surprising to anyone who's spent more than five seconds in his general presence. ]

Apparently this one can. I wish to avoid it as much as possible. [Fucking DEMONS. ] Certainly, I will see you there soon. It will be...pleasant.

I would never have guessed.

[Not surprised at all but that's not gonna stop her from being sarcastic af about it.

She's also as equally unsurprised by him avoiding that bar, but that's something she won't tease him about.] I hope so. I'm not the best company these days, but hopefully I won't ruin the pleasantness. See you soon.

[She gives a little wave before she signs off.

Ugh now she has to shower and look decent. Gosh. But hey, it gets her out of bed, so that's a plus. In due time, she's all ready and heads down to the planet. She parks her shuttle near the city entrance and looks for Fenris. The sunshine makes her squint, but the fresh air's nice.]

I am sure you will be fine, Riona.

[Riona, he's like the worst company for anyone ever. Spending time with him is like spending time with a rabid, angry cat. She'll be fine.

He does eventually turn up, offering a smile and a raise of his hand in greeting as he walks over to her. ]

I am glad you could make it.

[And he means that. That she pulled herself out of bed, got herself back into the world- for however long she deigns she wishes to be out in it for. ]

[Aww, he's not that bad! She likes him fine! ...never mind she has questionable choices in friends most of the time...

She waves back to him, smiling as well as she approaches.]

As am I. I forgot what the sun looked like. [Okay she's joking. Really! ...sort of.] Kidding. But it's a nice day. Shall we begin our epic quest for a good bar?

[He turns his head up to the sky, letting out a thoughtful hum. ]

It is a nice day, I had not noticed.

[Because he doesn't generally notice this kind of thing. He smiles, nodding. ]

Yes, let's. There has to be something good around here.

[It's the sort of day that makes one want to go frolic somewhere in a meadow. Or something. Too bad they're not the frolicking sort.]

Onwards then.

[And off they gooooo. The city's nice, Riona has to admit. Sort of quaint, if not quirky.]

My goodness, these people have a love of colors. I think I might go cross-eyed.

[It's at least less...horribly obnoxious and bright like the last one. ]

They do, I believe Leliana would have a lot to say about their fashion sense.

[The lack of blaring ads IS a nice change of pace.

Riona smiles, albeit with a touch of sadness at the mention of Leliana.]

I'm sure she would. And she'd be critiquing their shoe styles, too. All the while stockpiling more.

[He smiles, relaxing a little. ]

But of course. But ti would be different for her, via some...complicated Orleasian reason that neither of us could hope to understand even if we tried. They do love contradicting themselves on their fashions.

Orlesians are just insane. [Nothing complicated about it to her, but she's kind of biased.] Leli told me once about a woman who did up her hair in such a fashion that little birds were able to perch on it. Real live birds, in her hair. Made for a sight, and lots of pretty singing... until the birdies got scared and started doing what birds do. [She snickers.] I can't imagine how long that must have taken to clean up.

Yes, yes they are.

[So are people from Tevinter but- ]

But... why would. [He despairs. ] There is suffering for fashion and then there is taking it to ridiculous levels.

It's Orlais. They take everything to ridiculous levels. Their food doesn't just taste sweet or sour, it tastes of despair or the unbidden rush of relief you feel after you take an enormous shit.

[He chuckles. ]

That sounds about right. I don't think I could bear to stay there. Visiting Chateau Haine was enough for me.

Isn't that your misadventure where some duke fell off a cliff and Marian - and possibly other Hawkes - made the best worst pun about it in modern history?

That would be the one. Please don't repeat the pun, because mine did it too, and he has less of a sense of humour than mine. I am fairly certain that horrible pun is the one thing that is universal amongst all of them.

[Which is, quite frankly, the worst possible thing they could all share. ]

Oh, but it's so good!

[Come on, Fen. What's a world without the joy of spreading puns?]

[Just. The flattest look. The flattest possible look. ]

No. It was awful.

Oh, it breaks my heart how you don't appreciate a good pun. Truly and terribly. [Dramatic sigh, and a hand to her chest.] Your poor Hawke. He finally has a shining moment of humor and you probably gave him the same look you're giving me. No wonder he was so dour.

I honestly think Hawke would have expected nothing less from me. If I would have laughed, he would have been suspicious and paranoid for the rest of the journey home.

[He ain't got time for that, Riona. ]

Tallis thought it was funny. I am sure that sufficed.

Tallis? I don't recall hearing her name tossed about before.

She was an elf- a follower of the Qun- a Ben-Hassrath. She was the reason we were there. It ended up being her trap, but one with good intentions, I suppose.

A... well-intentioned trap? [Wuuuut] I think you're going to have to spell this out for me, especially since the Qun's involved and Maker only knows what insanity that entails.

She lied for the reasons for our quest. We assumed we were going in to retrieve a relic. What were were actually retrieving was a list of Ben-Hassrath sleeper agents. She went against the wishes of the Ariqun- because she did not wish for innocent people to have their lives threatened with their true alliances exposed to the world at large.

Generous of all of you to help her. I'd have done the same, but I know many who would think exposing a list of Qunari agents to be for the greater good.

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wolfuncaged - 2017-10-01 00:59 (UTC) - Expand

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