( closed. ) there is no crime in being kind.

[fightingale]

WHO: closed to Araceli, Ariadne, Beleth, The Iron Bull, Isabela, Legolas, Solas, Teren, Zevran, with possible sending crystal appearances by Leliana if necessary and a collection of nps.
WHAT: Antiva Mission; freeing slaves, dealing with a Merchant Prince, capturing an Orlesian noble and maybe recruiting some Antivan chefs.
WHEN: Roughly 1st - 5th May, with a gentle touch of timey wimey
WHERE: Antiva City, Antiva (and thereabouts)
NOTES: Plotting post & ic recruitment log (if you want to thread Leliana approaching your character to come along just lmk and I'll get to it asap.)
Themes of slavery, all the terrible things Venatori do that could be mentioned, the existence of Zevran and Isabela, and general carnage. (Please add any surprise warnings to subject lines, bruhs.)

Starters being added in the comments :]b

Comments

[ombranera]

There is no more crooked a purpose than murder, yes? And yet in attempting to kill the Warden and Alistair all that time ago, I have found my freedom.

[doneisdone]

Interesting.

[She looks back out again.]

I hear you gave up the life then. That your recent dealings with the Crows were unrelated.

[ombranera]

You cannot get more 'unrelated' than 'I am attempting to kill them and they are attempting to kill me.'

[doneisdone]

[Once again, his candor catches her by surprise. At the same time, she knows not to trust things that come too easily.]

Why?

[If he's so open to speaking about it, perhaps she can glean his true intentions. Find the gambit in his phrasing. Not that she'd expect a Crow to be careless.]

[ombranera]

Because you do not leave the Crows. You are a Crow until you die on a mission or become a Master of your own cell. There is no leaving. Not only have I left? I have been taking my own contracts. At this point it is a matter of pride for them.

[ He props his arms on the ships railing, leaning, easy and casual. ]

[doneisdone]

Ah, taking his own contracts. There it is. She doubts he's fool enough to admit it right in front of her, but nonetheless regards it as a bluff. Surely if he's being so open about it, she should have nothing to fear from him? A clever diversion tactic.

She clenches her right hand for a moment, her fingertips just barely grazing against the small, dart-like knife concealed in her sleeve. She can have it out and at a major artery in no time at all.]

Who hires an unaffiliated assassin? [she asks, schooling her expression into one of vague interest.]

[ombranera]

I am paid to be discreet- so I cannot betray the confidence of my employers.

[ Discretion above all else- quick and clean, and only taking contracts upon the deserving. ]

Being known as the assassin that assisted the Hero of Ferelden and The Ombra Nera also helps quite a bit.

[doneisdone]

Of this I am certain.

[He's too well-known to dispose of quietly; he has too many friends who would undoubtedly ask questions. Including other Wardens. To pre-empt the attack would be foolish, and is not a mistake she could make a second time without blowing everything.
She has to wait for him to strike first. It has to be unambiguous.

She finds herself watching Zevran out of the corner of her eye, pensive, looking for any kind of tell, any sign of recognition or intention.]

[ombranera]

Is there a particular reason you are sizing me up like a butcher with a prize calf?

[ He offers her a quirked brow. ]

...I have not taken any contracts since I joined the Inquisition. Nor do I make a habit of attempting to kill wardens. Just because it worked out well for me once before does not mean that I intend to make the same mistake twice. And it would make Alistair terribly sad if I were to kill one of his fellows.

[doneisdone]

[She doesn't flinch when he calls her out-- on the contrary, Teren's gaze is steady, calculating, as if she didn't hear him at all. Strangely, the first thing to elicit a response is the notion that Alistair might be upset if she died.]

You care for him a great deal.

[This is as much a question as it is an observation.]

[ombranera]

He is all but blood to me. He is family. The Wardens I owe a great deal on the whole but him in particular? I owe my life.

[doneisdone]

Mm.

[She vaguely remembers the story. He had shown up in the Hero's company, sent to assassinate him, and ended up turning on the Crows. But perhaps, just being who she is, Teren isn't entirely convinced anyone ever stops working for their team.]

I am glad to hear it. [Might as well play it off as though she's concerned for Alistair.] I worry for him, at times.