A Cruel Twist of Fate [closed]

[wickedchase]

WHO: Twisted Fate, Nerva, Korrin, Zevran, Beleth, Cyril, Ruby, Sera, Katniss, and special sending crystal guest star, Sina!
WHAT: A companion quest and elven relations all wrapped up in one.
WHEN: Post-Illness plot. The band of merry travelers will be gone from Clouch 23 to Clouchreach 28.
WHERE: Traveling to and from the Serpentine River.
NOTES: The plotting post.

Comments

[wickedchase]

Nerva.

[She's hovering. He knows she's hovering.

But he isn't unappreciative of it.]

You'll be fine when we get there? I suppose if I'd known sooner, I might have reconsidered asking you.

[keeperofmagi]

I will be fine.

[Her voice is stiff, but then she lets out a breath, head ducking slightly.]

I won't undermine your mission, Tobrevas. You have my word.

[wickedchase]

I'm not worried about that. [Maybe he should. She does have a bit of a temper, and doesn't always have a strong hold on her emotions, but he'd like to think she can manage herself with this.]

I understand that they did something that I thought-- before I knew you were that little girl, I thought you had died after they banished you.

[keeperofmagi]

But I did not.

[Not that it hadn't been a close thing. She still wasn't sure how she'd gotten through the days after that - most of it was a blur - but she'd survived. She'd survived, and that was what mattered.]

Almost no one is kind, in this world, Tobrevas. My people were no different. Yours merely didn't see the point in correcting the course that had already been chosen.

[She's being careful, with her words. She's thought on it a lot, since their heated conversation about it. She had to come up with something, to make it okay.

Or at least so that she could claim it was okay.]

[wickedchase]

I'm more than aware of that. Something I used to say a lot -- the world gives you shit odds, so make your own luck.

It's part of why my clan and I... parted ways.

[That's a way of putting it.]

For what it's worth, I'm glad you're alive. It's comforting to know that you're apparently really damned hard to kill.

[keeperofmagi]

[She snorts, quietly, raising an eyebrow at him.]

You speak of luck, and then tempt fate for me? Now I'll have to be doubly careful. [It's teasing, sort of, wry and low.]

But I am - glad you are alive, too. For what it is worth.

[wickedchase]

That's me, Twisted Fate. It's all in a name, right?

How sweet of you to say. [He smiles wryly.] Your life would be a lot less fun without me in it, at any rate.

[keeperofmagi]

Yes. [The agreement is instant, warm, and utterly honest. It isn't a joke. It is a truth she is utterly willing to acknowledge.]

I know that very well. So I will simply have to keep fate from twisting on you any further.

[wickedchase]

[The expression he wears becomes warmer. To have someone look out for him so strongly... he hasn't had a good friend like this in almost a decade. It's nice to have again.]

That would be a nice change of pace.

[keeperofmagi]

It might be an easier endeavour if you attempt it at the same time.

[She finally catches her unguarded, fond expression, and carefully shifts it into something safer.]

But if you need distraction, I am sure our company would not begrudge you a game of Wicked Grace. [The same may not be said about their hosts, but that was half the point.]

[wickedchase]

We'll see. Sometimes, things work out if you just... go with it and make it up as you go.

[That is half of his life. Half plotting, half making shit up.]

No, I suppose not. But right now, I'm a little more comfortable just having this moment with you and me. If you don't mind.

[keeperofmagi]

I have never been very good at 'going with it' or 'making it up'. [She admits it with a wry dryness, and a slight smile. She is self aware about that, at least.

But she pauses when he says the rest, slightly taken aback, but then nods, carefully.]

... I don't mind. Take as many moments as you like.

[wickedchase]

Yes, I noticed. You're much more cautious and prefer to plan things. You could stand to be a little more impulsive sometimes, but if it helps, I can always do it for you.

[That's more of a comfort to hear than he admits. Twisted Fate smiles warmly at her and remains close.

He approves.]

Don't say that. I might never leave.

[keeperofmagi]

I - When I am impulsive, things tend to go badly. [Anders was a good example.] So I - think I will leave the spontaneity to you.

[She turns her head ever so slightly so that she can catch his gaze, the thump in her chest so sharp that it hurt.]

... You say that as if I would take that as problem, and not a promise.

[wickedchase]

Fair enough. I suppose I'll have to show you what impulse of the moment with things that don't including punching or yelling will be like. [It's spoken wryly. He's long since forgiven her.]

Are you so certain? I'd tell horrible jokes all day.

[keeperofmagi]

I will attempt to be an apt pupil. [She says it just as wryly, but the moment's weakness passes, and she just gives him a smile.]

I'm sure I'd find a way to cope.

[wickedchase]

You're a fast learner. I'm sure you'll manage, madame.

Brave woman. I commend your dedication to my presence.

[keeperofmagi]

Ingrained stubbornness, perhaps. [There's a smile, a faltering pause.]

... In all seriousness, I... I will always have your back, Fate. Tobrevas. As long as you care to allow me to keep it for you.

[wickedchase]

True, but I do like that about you.

I... [Ah, that was a bit more serious than he expected, but this is Nerva. Loyal, noble Nerva. Stubborn, brave, and still learning to control impulsive emotion.

He moves a bit, to sit closer to her.]

I don't have much of a good run in terms of keeping friends. But what I want, more than anything, is to do right by you and the others I've gotten to know.

For as much as you will have my back, I will do everything I can to have yours. I won't turn on you, or run away.

[keeperofmagi]

Then, as they say, you are stuck with me. [There is far more that she wants to say, that lays there on the back of her tongue, weighed down by questions and thoughts and fears that she dare not voice.

She prefers to speak the truth, when she can.

But that does not mean she wants to speak her doubt.]

Have you eaten? [Because when in doubt: distraction.]