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

[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.

[samahl]

That's a good idea. Maybe I can tap it out on his arm or something? We can figure it out.

[gatheringstorm]

[That idea gets a grin from her and she nods, encouraging. Anything to give Taas a good time.]

That could work, too. I'm sure you can manage it. He deserves a dance without snickering nobles as an audience, anyway.

[samahl]

I know. We already got them gossiping by kissing each other in front of them, we wouldn't want to give them too much leverage.

[gatheringstorm]

[She shrugs, really not at all caring about nobles and their opinions beyond the bare minimum it takes to get what they need.]

We gave them enough that night and will probably have to again, sooner than later. But sometimes it's nice to just have that one person all to yourself, without the judgment. Fuck leverage, and fuck their Grand Game. We deserve better.

[samahl]

[And that sort of sentiment is exactly why Cyril likes Korrin so much.]

We do.

If we had alcohol, I'd say we should drink to that.

[gatheringstorm]

Yeah, sorry about that. I was going to bring a flask, but I got distracted.

[She tilts her head, considering.]

When we get there, I could see about snagging something from town. They're less likely to tell me 'no' and then we'd have something for the way back, too.

[samahl]

[Cyril grins a bit.]

You're too kind, given they all seem to enjoy giving me death glares.

[gatheringstorm]

If they saw you in action, they wouldn't dare. [Seriously, Artificer stuff is awesome.] ...but I know, no escalating things. Still, I'm all for being the 'qunari' friend that looms over assholes who think they can get away with that bigoted shit.

[samahl]

[He chuckles a bit] When we're somewhere else, I'll take you up on it. Here, they have good reason.