(no subject)

[samahl]

Who: Cyril and OPEN
Broadcast: Fleetwide Video
Action: Wonderduck
When: Daytime


I've heard of a few people finding surprises in the cargo bays of their ships and it seems it's my turn. I wanted to share them - especially for those of us from Thedas.

[He turns then, and shows what he was given. It is a collection of books. He's managed to get them into his room and has them organized by publish date. The first one has the title The Dasher's Men and the last declares itself The Inquisitor Lavellan Story. The only thing stopping this from being a complete collection is the missing copy of Tale of the Champion.]

The nearly complete works of one Varric Tethras. I even have the newest part to Swords and Shields for those of us who like silly romances.

[He smiles in a way that hints he's remembering something fondly.]

I am of course willing to let others borrow them, provided they're treated well. Each one is signed by the author to me and I like having a reminder of home.

[Even more so when the reminder is that somewhere out there his friends actually know him. After a moment, he addresses his shipmates,]

Thank you for everyone on the Wonderduck who helped me get them to my room. They turned out to be rather heavy. Someone needs to tell Varric to write shorter books...

Comments

[apurrstate]

I don't think Varric knows how to write shorter books. It's like he likes to listen to himself talk, but on paper.

[Said with complete affection, however.]

[samahl]

I know, and reading it is almost like hearing him talk, except that you can close the book and he'll stop.

[apurrstate]

A perfect solution. Though I wouldn't mind hearing him talk now.

[He'd forever be sad that when he'd first shown up here, he hadn't know who Varric was and by the time he'd woken up with a decade's worth of memories, the dwarf was long gone.]

I never did get around to all of his books. Wouldn't mind borrowing that Swords and Shields copy, though.

[It was horrible, but it was exactly the kind of horrible Anders loved.]

[samahl]

[For a moment, Cyril looks a little sad because he can't help but agree that it would be nice to hear Varric right now. He shakes away the emotion though by focusing on Anders' request with a smile.]

Have you read the latest one? He finished it for a friend.

It's terrible. [In a very fun way though, and as Cyril says it he has a wide smile on his face.]

Video

[crowkiller]

Come now, even the silly romances can be rather exciting.

[At least if they are dirty.]

[samahl]

You know, when it was first described to me I thought it would be. But it's actually very tame.

I could think of far more creative things to do.

[crowkiller]

Well, that is disappointing.

Perhaps this new planet had some steamy novels? Or maybe you should write your own.

[samahl]

I could! But I find I'd much rather experience something steamy...

Video

[wolfuncaged]

[Congrats, Cyril. Consider Fenris' curiosity absolutely piqued. ]

...It would be nice to read more of his works- we only have a scant few here.

[They mean a lot to him. He learned to READ with Varric's written word- besides that, it's like having an essence of the dwarf there with them. They're important.]

I- You wouldn't mind sharing, once in a while?

[samahl]

Of course I don't mind sharing - especially with people who know Varric personally.

Is there one you'd like to borrow now? I could bring it to you.

[wolfuncaged]

Thank you, that is kind of you. I have missed his books.

I admit, I am a little curious about your own tale.

[samahl]

[He honestly seems a little surprised by that, for a moment, but then he offers Fenris a bit of a smile.]

Of course, though I'd imagine it's about as accurate as everything he wrote about you.

[bryces_pup]

I've heard a thing or two about these books. Sad to say, I haven't had a chance to read any, save for skimming one or two. [Court life and then life on the road afforded her little time to read them. She feels kind of bad.] I will definitely have to borrow one sometime. I've heard mixed things about the romance serial.

[samahl]

Mixed things are probably the best way to describe the romance serial, honestly.

I would suggest Hard in Hightown, of course. Everyone does.

[bryces_pup]

The poor author's not even here to defend his works. Then again, most romances are not something one brags about writing.

[they're there for quick, easy money for most authors.]

Ah yes, I've heard some good things about that one. The crime solving one, yes?

[samahl]

I'm not sure Varric would defend this one. Most of the negative things I've heard of it came straight from him.

As far as Hard in Hightown, that's right. It's his most popular one because he manages to be a master of intrigue. It's... really more about uncovering a massive conspiracy between agents of the Divine and a shadowy organization but... Oh if I say more I'll ruin it for you. I'll just have to let you borrow it.

Someone else, who I think is likely Anders, is taking the latest copy of of the romance series anyway so if you start with Hard in Hightown you can read Swords and Shields after him.

Action! (Let me know if this needs changed)

[humene]

[Several ships to and from the cargo bay later, and they're able to manage unloading the last of the books. It's not the first time Eleanor's helped out with something like this, but it's been long enough that she forgot just how heavy books could be.]

It's no trouble at all. I'm happy I could help you. What kind of books are they?

[Not that she didn't already try to steal a peek.]

this is perfect! :D

[samahl]

[Cyril doesn't seem to mind her curiosity at all, and seems very grateful for the help. It's much easier to carry the books when you have both hands - something he doesn't anymore.]

They're the collection my friend wrote back home. Most of them are adventure books about heroes. A few are romance. One is the book he wrote about me... [He looks a little embarrassed at that idea.]

[humene]

[Eleanor is plenty happy to help, especially when the people she's helping aren't actual pirates. It's much more fulfilling to help move books than it is to help move rum.]

About you? You must have a really interesting story to tell.

[wolfehawke]

Maker's breath, I can't believe it.

[He'd been missing Varric sorely for weeks. It seemed every little thing reminded him of his Dwarven friend, not least of all Leilani's mentioning him in passing, so it's not a surprise to have Cyril mention him too; he and the other Lavellan are like himself and Marian, after all, or Riona and Rowen. Twins of a sort, shared in experiences and position.

Seeing the physical volumes again though, that's he didn't expect. Varric kept a few in his rooms at the Hanged Man on a small shelf and others had graced his own estate in Hightown, ones he'd been gifted by the author himself with similar signings and others that Adalwolfe had hunted down despite Varric's assertions that 'they weren't fit for noble consumption'. Wolfe never really considered himself a noble, and moreover Anders adored Swords & Shields so having copies was definitely a must.]

I guess it serves to reason he'd write a book about you. He did one on me and I'm far less important than the Inquisitor, after all.

[It's straight teasing, of course. That makes the sting of missing Varric a bit easier.]

[samahl]

Ah, and yet the Tale of the Champion is a best seller. Something there must be interesting.

[He pauses a moment, considering his collection. That's the only he's missing and for a moment he finds he's really curious about the version of that book that stars Wolfe or Marian.]

I bet it's the dog, honestly. Stories with dogs always do well. I don't have a dog in my story.

[wolfehawke]

You know, I always thought it was more how people have difficulty looking away from massive disasters? Like a crowd around a burning building. But now that you point it out I think you're right, it had to have been Ser Drools.

[Everyone loves dogs.]

I wonder why that one was left out.

[Deference to himself and Marian maybe? Or more likely an infuriating tendency of Atroma's to somehow dampen every gift by leaving it incomplete or just to the left of what was desired.]

[timelysteward]

So ... er. Are they any good?

[The clock is nervously fiddling with his hands, back and forth.]

[samahl]

I think so, yes. Would you like to read them? I'm not sure how much of it would make sense without a clear understanding of Thedas and its people though. You could always ask me questions if needed.

[timelysteward]

Oh, I would be delighted to hear about your history, Cyril ... perhaps we could take tea? [He puffs up a little.] I have a new full tea set, and accoutrements to go along with it.