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

Korrin OTA

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin has half her attention on Fate most of the time, not pressuring him to talk but also taking note of his mood and what it will bode for later. She'll leave him be unless it's obvious he needs her right then, upon which she won't draw attention to the fact. Otherwise, the Vashoth woman will vary her position among the traveling group, sometimes taking point, other times playing rear guard. It's less about socializing everyone as it is with just wanting to keep an eye on everything and restlessness in general. Every so often, when they stop somewhere, she can be found turning part of a dragon's tooth in her hand, with a thoughtful expression on her face.]

[samahl]

Is that a dragon's tooth? [Because holy moly if it is that's super cool. Sorry about your thoughtful time alone. He has to be too distracted by the act that she has an actual dragon's tooth to mind that.]

[gatheringstorm]

[Glancing up sharply as she's snapped back to the here and now, Korrin smiles and nods as she lifts it up for inspection.]

It's from the dragon I killed with Merrick and the others back in Emprise du Lion. I've had it with me ever since.

[samahl]

It's beautiful.

[He comes closer to get a better look.] Is it broken?

[gatheringstorm]

[She nods, then glances over to him, curious.]

Do you know the significance of that? I'm not sure if Taas knows or has told you....

[samahl]

[The mention of Taas makes Cyril's brow raise a bit. It also makes his heart hammer, but he's going to ignore that right out.]

No? Should I know?

[If they were closer he probably would have asked 'is it a sex thing' but he was worried that'd be too offensive the way things stand now between them.]

[gatheringstorm]

[Leaving that answer up to him, Korrin shrugs and elaborates.] My parents told me about it. You know Qunari don't marry or hook up under the Qun, but they can still form strong bonds. When two want to commit, each wears half a dragon's tooth. That way, no matter how far apart life takes them, they're always together.

[She stares down at the portion in her hands.]

I...haven't given the other half yet, but I've been thinking about it.

[samahl]

[As she explains Cyril ends up considering the tooth more carefully now, the significance of it suddenly making it seem as if it must weigh so much in her hands.]

Is that something you really want to do?

[gatheringstorm]

[A small, unusually self-conscious smile curves her lips as she nods.]

I...yes. I'm not a person who does things by halves, Cyril. When I fall for someone, I want it all. But I don't know if it's too soon or if it'd scare her off or...well.

[Araceli's nature has a lot in common with her own, but even so, she can't help but wonder and worry.]

[samahl]

Korrin...

We might go to face this rift and be cut down my demons. An evil Tevinter magister who also happens to be one of the first darkspawn wants to rip the world apart. We're fighting an army of red templars and Venatori mages. Every day we wake up may be our last for any number of reasons. I understand the worry, but....

If you are worried she'll run, maybe ask her first before springing the tooth on her? See how she gauges the commitment you have. Then tell her about the tradition and see how that goes.

[A slight pause.] I realize that advice was both 'seize the day' and 'be cautious about it' at the same time... So seize the day cautiously?

[gatheringstorm]

[Listening to Cyril, Korrin's tentative smile relaxes and grows a touch. He has some excellent points, she can't deny that.]

Alright, fair enough. If the world's going to end, I'd rather it happen knowing I told her how I felt. I call her 'kadan' anyway, and it's not something I'd ever take back.

It's not a bad plan, at any rate. If there's no burgeoning crisis when we return, I'll see what happens.

What about you, would you ever 'seize the day' like that?

[samahl]

You mean expressing my love to someone and asking for a commitment?

I'm not really that sort of guy.

[Then, after a moment, because he realizes that she might think that means he's using her friend.]

Thankfully Taas isn't either.

But I do understand why you might be, and it is always a good idea to be honest with people you care about.

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin nods, well aware of Taas' views so she takes no offense. She wouldn't think to challenge them, not when he's content as is.]

I know he isn't, and I'm not judging. As long as everyone's on the same page, that's what matters. He's happy, I'm happy.

[As for Araceli, she glances down to the dragon tooth again and smiles.]

Thanks, by the way. It helps a bit to sort all this out aloud rather than just in my head.

[samahl]

You're welcome. I'm happy to listen if you need to talk about anything.

[And then, after a moment,] So, he's happy?

[gatheringstorm]

[That question gets a thoughtful nod out of her.]

As far as I've seen, yes. Far better than he was after returning from Antiva, at any rate. Having people who care about him, who are there to help him regain that calm...I think it's helped him a great deal. I hope it has. [That smile returns.] He was pretty damn happy at the soiree, you know. Far more than I thought he would be, and I think I know who to credit for that.

[samahl]

[Cyril is grinning a bit then, and looks a little embarrassed.]

I wish I could have stayed the whole night. [The smile dulls a bit, as he remembers how it ended.] I had a, uh, family matter to tend to before it was finished.

I did tell him that we'd have to dance with just the two of us though, when he's less worried about staying on beat. Maybe I'll do that when we get home.

[gatheringstorm]

[As that smile fades, Korrin nods and refrains from prodding. She won't tread on sensitive ground, not without good reason.]

I think he'd enjoy that. I got him to dance at a bonfire party, by getting others to stamp out a rhythm for us. He was able to follow along pretty well after that, so I know he can do it. Even without that, he just needs cues to follow.

Re: Korrin OTA

[the_effect_she_has]

[When Korrin rides forward for the third time that day, Katniss finally has to say something.]

Listen, if I smell, you can tell me.

[gatheringstorm]

What?

[Snapping out of it, Korrin looks back at Katniss in momentary confusion.]

...oh. No, it's not you. I just can't seen to stay put. Blame being stuck in those healing tents for far too long.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss nods, and lets out a soft, 'Ah'.]

Yeah, I didn't like being cooped up either.

[They ride along in silence for a few more minutes, before Katniss eyes her friend again.]

You sure that's it?

[gatheringstorm]

It's definitely a big part. I haven't been that sick in forever, and never while dealing with Fade-crap at the same time.

[Her nose wrinkles just thinking about it.]

...I'm worried for Fate, too. He's already getting weirdly quiet. I hate to think what this will do to him when we finally get there.

[the_effect_she_has]

Yeah. Something I don't want to see ... ever. Again.

[She looks behind them, then sighs.]

It's like walking back into a prison. I understand.

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin doesn't glance back, but she nods, echoing the sigh.]

You know, I visited a Dalish clan last month with Beleth and the others. I gave the children should rides, and one girl helped Cyril make me a flower crown, of sorts. I doubt this visit is going to be nearly as pleasant.

...are you going to be alright, going there? From what Fate said, I wouldn't expect a warm welcome from them.

[the_effect_she_has]

I don't give a rat's ass what these people think of me, Korrin.

[Is Katniss's firm reply, as she looked over at her friend.]

I know what I am to most of the Dalish clans. A shem, a dirty human whose father disgraced a proud member of the People, and all that bullshit. If that's all they want to see me as, that's their loss.

[gatheringstorm]

[That response gets a small grin from the Vashoth woman, pleased though not really surprised.]

See, that's why I like you. You don't give a flying fuck about putting up with that nugshit. We'll do what we came to do and if they're ungrateful about it, then we flip them off on our way out.