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

[keeperofmagi]

I--

[But then Sera was being dragged away, and Nerva was left sitting there, looking confused.]

Ah -- are you cold, Zevran? I have a spare tunic, if you need it.

[And thanks, later, for the out.]

[arsebiscuit]

'Cause we stay warm snuggling our own bloody business.

[ MAKER'S SAGGY BALLS ZEVRAN. Sera glares over her shoulder at him even as she's man handled into position. ]

Still. If the lady's offering the shirt off her back, works fine for me. All the better view.

[ombranera]

I am always cold, Nerva.

[ He turns upon her his saddest possible eyes, eartips dipped ever so faintly, the barest edges of a pout to his lips.

This will cost him later, no doubt, but it is for everyone's own good. ]

If you could spare it I would be most grateful.

[keeperofmagi]

[He's up to something. It didn't occur to her until that very moment, but the giant doe eyes are so opposite to what she expects from him that it triggers in her mind instantly. He's up to something, but -

She'll welcome the distraction anyway.

She shifts, holding out the skewer for either of them as she stands.]

I'll fetch it.

[arsebiscuit]

[ And there she goes. She watches the ex-Templar go until she's out of sight-

Then turns a scowl on Zev. ]

The fuck?

[ombranera]

[ Zev releases Sera immediately, leaning back so she can lever herself out if she likes. ]

Fate has dibs, no tasting the former templar.

[arsebiscuit]

[ She does gather herself in her own corner, taking the food Nerva left behind. Because food, for free. Instincts are hard to fight, even as she glares at him. ]

She's all happy to be sweet no-touch friends. Or she thinks. Takes a new option to see what you want in the first choice, don't it? And he's a stupid shit, if he ain't done nothing yet. Almost stupid as you, pretty bird.

[ombranera]

...

[ Alright that- that he had not thought to be happening. He hadn't heard the conversation, just seen Sera making a play. ]

I am not above admitting I have read the situation wrong. I apologize. It is, I will say, less a question of 'stupid shit' or not and more one of sentiment and an unfamiliarity with how such things go.

Or an overfamiliarity that leads to just as much reluctance.

[arsebiscuit]

Even if I was- y' know. Situating it like you thought. No one's business is it? He's had months and months. If I manage in a night, means I'm the better pick, don't it? Or am I not the right kind of elf for her noble human bits?

[ The mission to see the Dalish had her on edge as it was, and she was so, so ready to read offense into the least offensive ideas. Anything to give an excuse to vent the pent up energy that came with just knowning she was was going to be spit at for not liking the right gods. ]

[ombranera]

Have you stopped to consider perhaps I do not find her to be good enough for you?

[ Which- even if it weren't a question of Fate- he might consider so. Nerva is...angry and withdrawn and wounded by something he cannot quite read- but he knows the sort.

He was the sort in his youth.

It is not conductive to pleasant relations. ]

[arsebiscuit]

That- I-!

[Sera doesn't really collapse. But she sits on her ass on the ground, watching him warily.]

That's a shit lie to use. Just to make me shut it.

[ombranera]

I may lie about a great many things, Sorellina, but not about this.

[ Assassins fight dirty after all, though this is honestly dirty. ]

[arsebiscuit]

Tch.

[ She isn't looking at him now. She is not looking, just glaring at the fire that is blurry because...because it's fire and only idiots look right at it. Nothing else. No other cause for water in her eyes. ]

Right. Shit aside, what makes him so good for her, anyway?

[ombranera]

[ She needs a moment, that much is clear- and that much he gives her to settle herself. It is no easy thing to hear that you're cared for; Maker knows he does not take such words with grace. ]

The Nerva I knew when she joined the Inquisition would have stalked off the moment you began to flirt- or take offense to it. She has become a little warmer, a little kinder. That is his doing.

[arsebiscuit]

Tell him he's taking too long, yeah? She thinks if she shows her tits he's goin' to run and never chat again. Stupid place to be.

[ She doesn't craft a grand reason for it, just sniffles and wipes at her nose with the back of her hand. Feelings. This is the Dalish fault too, mark her.]

No place for a good one. Leaves you feeling all dirty inside, don't it?

[ombranera]

They do need some mutual nudging, this is true. I was going to do something for them last week- but that sickness made it difficult.

[ On the road is not the best time. But there is never a good time. ]

Honestly I would not know. I have, as ever, known precisely what is expected of me when someone wants me.

[arsebiscuit]

Not a matter of them wanting you. 'Bout you wanting them, innit? That's where they're stuck.

[ombranera]

Then we get the question of wanting to be answered. I do not suppose we could simply lock them naked in a room and let nature take it's course.

[keeperofmagi]

Locking anyone in a room naked is a form of torture, Zevran.

[Nerva reappeared, spare tunic over her arm - pure black, a thick linen, with little hand-sewn silver keys around the hem.]

Who exactly are you intending to watch nature take its course with?

[ombranera]

Alistair and that snipy blonde magewoman. The one with all the duckling magelets following her about.

[ He answers without missing a beat, turning a quirked brow to Nerva. ]

I am certain all their disagreements could be solved if we did that much.

[arsebiscuit]

Depends on the person, don't it? Sides...we already got some of their clothes.

[ The tunic Nerva gave Zev, but it gets lost in a laugh as Sera lets go of any part of that conversation except this bit. ]

[keeperofmagi]

Snipy blonde -- Adelaide? [There was a little bit of surprise and a little bit of disgust in her tone.

She respected Adelaide, but.

Still.]

Not everyone can solve their disagreements so easily.

[ombranera]

Yes, her. I have not seen unresolved sexual tension quite like that in some time.

Ah, but would life not be simpler if things could be solved over dinner and a kiss?

[arsebiscuit]

[ Sera can only snort at all this. Blegh, it'd be easier to just out and say it. ]

Of if everyone got the sticks out their asses.

[keeperofmagi]

Being locked up naked in a room is not 'dinner and a kiss'. [A wry reminder.]

I think Sera's got more the point of it.

[Since they were definitely talking about other people and not her.]